In Brief: Viking Sun in Shanghai, new river ships, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 9, 2018 Viking Ocean Cruises christened its fourth ship, Viking Sun, at a ceremony on The Bund in the heart of Shanghai. The ship was in the middle of sailing a sold-out 141-day World Cruise from Miami to London, and the naming marked the first time a Viking ocean ship calle
Disney Gives First Look at New Ships
Cruise News – Mar. 8, 2018 Disney Cruise Line has revealed more details about their upcoming three ships – scheduled for maiden voyages in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – in the form of a rendering (posted above) that depicts the ships’ exterior design. The ships will each be approximately 140,00
5 Faves: Presidential Pursuits for Women in Charge
Porthole’s 5 Faves Cruising’s leading women reveal their secrets to success, balance, and travel. Upcoming deadlines. A sea of emails (pun intended). Kid logistics when school is closed for Presidents’ Day. My to-do list seems never-ending! But every time I’m feeling overwhelmed betw
Before Your River Cruise, Explore Budapest
Ranked by Forbes as Europe’s seventh-most idyllic place to live, Budapest is easily one of Eastern Europe’s most interesting cities. As Hungary’s capital and most populous city, Budapest is rich in history, culture, stunning architecture, and world-famous thermal baths. Budapest is also the st
New Terminal Coming to Miami, says Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Cruise News – Mar. 7, 2018 Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), announced plans to begin construction on a new cruise terminal at PortMiami that will transform the city’s iconic skyline. The terminal which has been called t
Grape Destinations: Walking around La Guardia
There are places that, frankly, you have to go back to. That happened to me in La Guardia – known in the local dialect, gallego, as “A Guarda” – a small city by the sea near Pontevedra, Spain. I bet almost everyone on the road is on the way to Santiago de Compostela, hiking and […]
Sushi Master Welcomed to Holland America Line’s Culinary Council
Cruise News – Mar. 5, 2018 Andy Matsuda, who brought Osaka’s sushi tradition to Los Angeles, has been invited to join Holland America Line’s esteemed Culinary Council, serving alongside Master Chef Rudi Sodamin as well as international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Eth
In Brief: Ultra-modern riverboats, Disney destinations, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 2, 2018 American Cruise Lines has begun construction on the sister ship to their “modern riverboat” American Song, which will make its inaugural cruise on the Mississippi River this October. The second ship should launch in summer 2019. Ultimately, the “modern riverboa
Cruise Deals of the Week
DEAL 1: Norwegian Cruise Line is offering $1 deposits on cruises booked through March 5, 2018, with a studio inside, oceanview, balcony or mini-suite category stateroom. The super-cheap deposits can be combined with other promotions like the “Free at Sea” deal, which allows guests to choose from
Cruise Control | Top 10 Cruise Tips For First-Time Cruisers (Video)
We asked our network of half-a-million cruise enthusiasts what they wish they knew before taking their first cruise, and the polls are in! Here are the top 10 tips for first-time cruisers: Don’t Fill Up Before You Get On The Ship! There’s a buffet as soon as you get on the ship, so try not [&hel
Queen Latifah Named Godmother of Carnival Horizon
Cruise News – March 1, 2018 Queen Latifah — Grammy award-winning musical artist, acclaimed television and film actress, label president, author, and entrepreneur — has been named the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon. Latifah will participate in the ship’s
Original show The Secret Silk premieres on Royal Princess
Stephen Schwartz, the Broadway genius behind such musicals as Pippin, Godspell, and Wicked, has seen his latest original production, The Secret Silk, debut aboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess – an accomplishment he says is in some ways even more rewarding than putting a show on Broadway. “
Theme Cruise: Grape Expectations
By Judi Cuervo It’s 10:30 a.m. and I’m at the 20-acre Mt. Hood Winery, Oregon’s 2016 Winery of the Year. In the glass before me is a gold medal–winning 2015 Estate Pinot Noir that bears aromas of ripe cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry accented by subtle cedar overtones. I swirl. I sniff. I
Home Ship Home: Come aboard with a couple of regular world cruisers
By Fran Golden For Linda Weissman, 70, and her retired orthopedic surgeon husband, Martin, 76, home away from home is on the ocean liners of Cunard Line. The Michigan couple resides on a Cunard ship for a third of each year, sailing world cruises, sometimes with added days. Since 2007, they’ve
Cruise Ship Review: MSC Seaside
By Arlene Satchell As a journalist covering South Florida’s powerhouse cruise industry for nearly a decade, I’ve explored the ins and outs of countless cruise ships and know what I like and what I don’t, what works and what doesn’t. Call me a push over, but I instantly fell in love with MSC
For Shore: To a Tee
By Peter Mumford A Caribbean cruise is a wonderful opportunity to visit exotic islands, meet new people, and learn about other cultures. For avid golfers, those several-hour–long shore leaves are made even better when you can grab your clubs and play some of the most beautiful golf courses in the
Following Last Season’s Hurricanes… a Caribbean Comeback
By Linda Garrison The 2017 Caribbean hurricane season was one of the worst in decades, with four major storms roaring through the region in less than a month. Two of these hurricanes, Irma and Maria, did significant damage on several Eastern Caribbean islands that are popular cruise ship ports of ca
St. Thomas Shopping Guide
Island Finds By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon When you pull into port in St. Thomas, no doubt you’ll be tempted by all the duty-free shopping on offer. After all, this busy Caribbean cruise port is packed with boutiques selling jewelry, watches, and fine leather goods from prestigious international brand
Perfect Pairings: Windstar Cruises serves sophisticated tastes
By Janice Wald Henderson Ah, Windstar Cruises. Who doesn’t love a line so passionate about its cuisine? As Windstar Cruises zeros in even further on upping its gastronomic excellence, expect more high-five–worthy changes this year. Check out how quality and quantity make a marvelous match aboard
Five Ways to Discover Hidden Hamburg
48 Hours By James Lida As Germany’s second largest city, the Hanseatic crown jewel of Hamburg never takes itself too seriously, but displays its passion with more than 300 galleries and museums and a sparkling new performing arts center. Behind the cultural glitz, authentic and honest cuisine cele