AmaCerto’s River of Dreams
RIVER OF DREAMS State-of-the-art technology complements a creative vision on AmaWaterways’ beautiful AmaCerto. By Michel Verdure After more than 200 cruises in 20 years, the word “cruising” still brings up visions of a long journey over vast expanses of ocean to faraway ports and tropical beac
American Queen: A Royal Ship Returns
The American Queen steamboat brings back the golden age of river cruising By Shawn J. Dake It begins with a hiss that builds into a melodic whoosh, as clouds of steam pour out of the brass whistles. A bright red paddle wheel churns the water. The steamboat American Queen is back, returning to the Mi
Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister Jan and Cindy Brady might disagree, but it’s not always the oldest sister who gets all the attention. In cruising, though there’s undeniable hoopla when a new ship in a new class debuts, it’s often the sister ships that represent new innovations and enticements that define the c
Viking Odin: Try Me A River
Viking Odin: Try Me a River Why a river cruise in Europe should be on every traveler’s list. By Jodi Ornstein My parents were in a conundrum. After the first decade of their retirement years had taken them on cruises around the world — from the Caribbean to Alaska, Europe to Asia, the British Is
Rotterdam- to the Third Power
Rotterdam – to the Third Power A Porthole writer takes a trip down Holland America Line’s memory lane. By Ben Lyons Peering outside the windows of my water taxi as it sped down the River Maas in Rotterdam, I saw the gently curved stern of the former Holland America Line flagship ss Rotterdam. Fo
River of Dreams
River Cruises River of Dreams Experience relaxation on Europe’s quaint waterways. From a mathematical standpoint, it makes perfect sense that the cruise industry would appear to focus its attention on oceans, which account for 98 percent of the water on this planet. Don’t get us wrong. We love t
Extreme Makeovers
Extreme Makeover: Cruise Edition Crystal Serenity takes on a chic new look. By John and Sandra Nowlan Extreme Makeover without the annoying host who screams through a bullhorn? Now that’s serenity. Crystal Serenity, in fact. Following a $25 million refurbishment in May, Crystal Cruises’ classic
Carnival Magic: Magic Spell!
Cruise Ship Review: Carnival Magic Spell! Get drawn into the newest member of Carnival’s fleet. By Lynn and Cele Seldon When the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic sailed out of Venice on its maiden Mediterranean voyage this year, guests discovered why Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship is much more
Disney Dream
Ship Review: DISNEY DREAM Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship grants all cruising wishes. By Jodi Ornstein If you’ve never seen a cruise ship christening, this is pretty much how it goes: Band plays. President of cruise line makes speech. Godmother releases bottle of champagne. Bottle breaks. Crowd
QUEEN ELIZABETH – Royal Redux
Ship Review QUEEN ELIZABETH – Royal Redux Cunard unveils yet another Elizabeth, and this one is a real queen By Vivian Holley Call it a new Elizabethan Age. Fittingly christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in October 2010, Cunard Line’s newest vessel — and third to bear the royal monike
It’s About Time (15 Years of Cruising)
It’s About Time See how cruise ships have changed and evolved since you first started reading Porthole. By Fran Golden If you’ve been a cruiser for the past few decades (or even years), you’ve no doubt witnessed quite an evolution of cruise ship development. Certainly, we at Porthole Cruise
Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Epic
Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Epic Big Ship. Epic Achievement Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest and greatest is in a class all by itself. By Jodi Ornstein Epic, as defined by Webster’s dictionary, means “extending beyond the usual or ordinary, especially in size or scope.” With a name like this
Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship Review
Cruise Ship Review – Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line’s latest ship tips its hat to its New York roots. By Michel Verdure Discovered by Henry Hudson for the Dutch West India Company in the 17th century, Nieuw-Amsterdam was the first European name given to what is now New York City. T
Avalon Felicity Cruise Ship Review
Avalon Felicity CruiseShip Review Avalon Felicity’s rooms with a view showcase Europe’s waterways in style By John and Sandra Nowlan Jim and Marion Rose found what they were longing for on the new Avalon Felicity: an up-close-and-personal tour of Europe from the decks of a small river ship brimm