American Cruise Line’s American Constellation
I’ve always been an equal-opportunity cruiser. From the world’s largest ocean-going ships to the smallest hotel river barge, I’ve never met a ship I didn’t like. Each has its own character and its own draw. And while the biggies are great for nonstop onboard action, small ships boast their o
Fun Things to Do Near Port Tampa Bay
Bustling with culture, outdoor recreation, and world-class entertainment, the Tampa Bay area is a hot-spot for tourists, residents, and, of course, cruisers! According to Port Tampa Bay, the port hosts over one million cruisers every year on cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and
Small-Ship Cruising: So Civilized, So Celestyal!
Although brought up in San Francisco, I never forget that I was born in Greece. Like many Greek-Americans, I was raised to be “Greek first.” I have fond memories of my earliest pilgrimages as a young teen backpacking around Greece with wide-eyed wanderlust. I’ve traversed the cultu
The Gothic History of St. George, Bermuda
With St. George, Bermuda as a port of call on your cruise, you can expect a variety of different excursions that include water adventures or a casual tour to embrace the beauty of the island. What every visitor must embrace is the looming Gothic history of St. George and the island of Bermuda as it
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 19, 2019
How many of you have ever been on a solo cruise? Most people don’t cruise alone because of annoying single supplement charges where you’re essentially paying for a non-existent person to occupy your cabin. Paying for two when you’re only one didn’t seem fair to the people at
Virgin Voyages Teases Beach Club at Bimini With New Video
When the U.S. Department of State restricted travel to Cuba earlier this year, it sent most cruise lines into a scramble. Rescheduling itineraries and dealing with unhappy customers now unable to sail to Cuba caused more than a few headaches across the industry, but it was a cruise line that hasn’
VIP@Sea: Jetset Christina is Livin’ La Vida Luxury
Christina Vidal is living her best life. From being named one of Travel & Leisure’s top luxury travel Instagrams to making it onto our own list of influencers to watch, everybody is talking about this sun-kissed explorer. The blogger/influencer/swimsuit designer gives Porthole an insider’s l
Perfect Pre-Cruise Prep in Portugal
The Monthly Mantra The Transition … The Transition … The Transition Could it really be only one day since my butt was crammed into an airline seat aboard a trans-Atlantic flight with a temperature that had to be hovering at the freezing mark? Between shivers and trying to ignore the scre
Shore Excursion: Nude Beaches
Whether visiting a nude beach is a spontaneous whim or a long-planned rite of passage, that thrill of disrobing can be every bit as addictive as the feeling of the wind, sun, and water on your unclothed body. Fortunately for thrill-seekers, there are clothing-optional or fully nude beaches all aroun
Where Can I Smoke on a Cruise Ship?
Everyone has vices. Whether it’s a piece of chocolate cake, a glass of fine Scotch or lighting up a cigarette or a cigar, how you treat yourself is your business. However, one of the most popular questions we get asked is: where can I smoke on a cruise ship? Here’s our guide to lighting up [&h
Cruise Ship Review: Nieuw Statendam’s Very Oprah Inaugural
What happens when you get 2,400 women together on a cruise ship for a Girls’ Getaway with Oprah Winfrey? Tons of laughter, loads of camaraderie, and hugs and tears resulting from both. Even Oprah herself was moved by the experience. At the end of the cruise, as she was about to christen Holland Am
Perfect Day at CocoCay: Port Review
Royal Caribbean’s newly updated private island, aptly named Perfect Day at CocoCay, has been officially open since May. Garnering a great deal of attention from cruisers “loyal to Royal”, we too were very interested to see if the island lived up to this rather lofty title. Unable to resist any
Top 10 Cruise Influencers of 2019
Travel influencers are a dime a dozen these days, but the tides have turned in favor of engagement and content, rather than followers. Porthole Cruise Magazine has dived into the depths of cruise influencers, reading their blogs, examining their posts and searching for the most authentic personalit
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 12, 2019
You know what your summer is missing? An adventure! Plenty of cruise lines offer a fun and relaxing time on board the ship, but some cruise lines are geared towards getting guests closer to nature and adventure. UnCruise is one such cruise line with tons of small-ship itineraries to exotic locations
8 Popular Cruises You Shouldn’t Be Booking (And 8 You Should)
Cruising is infectious. Once people get a taste of what a true cruise vacation can be like, they’re always looking for the next great destination to explore. There are tons of great cruise itineraries out there, but which ones should you be booking? Do you go with the flow and cruise where eve
Tips for Decorating Your Stateroom Door
Ah, there’s nothing like soaking in the grandeur a magnificent cruise ship, only to be greeted by rows and rows of plain-looking, neutral colored hallways where your stateroom awaits. To break up the monotony—and to make finding your room about 20 times easier—many cruisers participate in
Music Theme Cruises Rock the Boats!
It’s late night on the dimly lit dance floor, and music feeds the festive atmosphere. Two ladies wearing black dresses and Mardi Gras masks adorned with peacock feathers glide over and catch my attention. We form a little dance circle, and several others join in as the energy rises at the masquera
Don’t Miss Historic Charleston Before You Cruise
With a history that extends back to the Colonial Era of America, Charleston is a port city that is packed with American history. From the historic downtown to Fort Sumter, there is a historical marker that ties Charleston to the major wars fought on South Carolina soil, as well as displaying life as
48 Hours: Five Ways to Spend Two Days in Istanbul
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the world’s most mesmerizing cities. Founded by the Greeks around 700 B.C., ruled by the Romans, then later conquered by the Ottoman Empire, its perfect location on the Bosphorus strait transcends Western civilization. The old quarter of
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 5, 2019
When the hotdogs have all been eaten and the sparklers all burned out, the thought of going back to work after a fun-filled 4th of July weekend is nothing short of depressing. However, our friends across the pond at Cunard Line know how much American’s love our Independence Day and they’
