Latest Posts

Cruise News Featured Food & Drink

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 19, 2016

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 19, 2016 Norwegian Cruise Line is changing entertainment offerings aboard Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway. The 80s-teen-film tribute For the Record: The Brat Pack™ will be a complimentary show in the Escape Theater beginning on April 16 and the Tony

February 19, 2016

Cruise News

Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 19, 2016

Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 19, 2016 American Cruise Lines have lowered prices on their Columbia and Snake Rivers itineraries aboard the paddlewheeler Queen of the West, with prices starting at $1,975 per person, applying to new bookings made between February 17 and April 1, 2016. Contact Ameri

Awards

Editor-in-Chief Awards 2016

2016 Editor-in-Chief Awards Each year, Porthole Cruise Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Bill Panoff, has a tough time picking his favorites from the cruise and travel industry. With so many amazing options that await cruisers, these awards give kudos to those who go above and beyond in terms of servic

Featured Food & Drink Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Reviews

Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Escape

Meet Norwegian Escape, the cruise line’s newest and largest ship. By Theresa Russell A godfather you say? How many ships have a godfather? But there we were on an incredibly hot day in Miami, as Norwegian Cruise Line christened its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, in a pier-side ceremony

Twenty Years of Onboard Innovations

All Decked Out A look back at 20 years of our favorite onboard innovations. 1996: Carnival Destiny debuted as the first passenger ship ever built to be over 100,000 tons, and boasted a three-deck show lounge and the longest water slide at sea at 214 feet. 1997: Holland America Line introduced Rotter

Magazine Excerpts Travel Tech

Tried & True: Johnny Jet Travel Tips

Tried and True Travel expert Johnny Jet answers your most common questions. Traveling 150,000 miles a year, it’s no wonder Johnny Jet knows a thing or two about the subject. From money-saving tips to how to get an upgrade, he’s constantly asked travel-related questions from both first-time and e

Cruise Control: Arnold Donald

Grand Ambassador A Day in the Life of Arnold Donald By Sharon Kenny During a typical week, which will eventually end at home in Miami, Arnold Donald puts in thousands of miles visiting multiple cities and ports. He shakes countless hands and answers thousands of questions. And despite his much-deser

Building a Cruise Ship

If You Build It, They Will Cruise What it takes to build a ship. By Kari Reinikainen Have you ever looked around a cruise ship and wondered, “How in the world do they build this?” From the lighting and the plumbing to the logistics and the sheer size, it’s hard to imagine where one would [&hel

Cruising California with Kids

Down by the Seaside of San Diego A guide to cruising the California coast with kids. By Suzanne Carmel The sun beat down steadily in the middle of what was to be one of the hottest weeks in San Diego. My children and I were just steps from our air-conditioned rental car, navigating throngs of [&hell

Magazine Excerpts Style Travel Tech

Design Time: Royal Caribbean’s Smart Ships

High Tech on the High Seas Discover Royal Caribbean’s smart ship design. By Matt Hochberg When you think of smart technology, devices such as smartphones, smart watches, or smart home gadgets probably come to mind. But Royal Caribbean International offers a whole new kind of “smart” in its lat

Featured Food & Drink Magazine Excerpts

Epicurious: Appetizing Alaska

Appetizing Alaska Discover what’s on the menu while cruising the 49th state. By Janice Wald Henderson The first time I cruised Alaska, I flew to Taku Glacier Lodge for a wild king salmon feast. As the freshly caught fish sizzled over alder wood, I laughed at the size of the giant filets. Then I at

Featured Food & Drink Magazine Excerpts

By Judi Cuervo

International Flavor Aboard Europa 2

International Flavor How an English-speaking cruiser fares aboard a German-market cruise ship. By Judi Cuervo Imagine you’re a theater buff. You’ve immersed yourself in the subject for decades and believe that your knowledge is absolute and your passion unsurpassed. And then, suddenly, some play

Fashion Magazine Excerpts Ports

Like a Local: Fort Lauderdale

Finding Fort Lauderdale Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Jessica Chesler Fort Lauderdale’s famous canals have earned it the moniker of “The Venice of America.” Year-round, on any given morning, you can see the fortunate who get to live and visit here out on their paddleboa

Jazz at Sea, Queen Mary 2

Grooving Across the Atlantic Enjoy the sounds of Jazz at Sea aboard Queen Mary 2 By Kim Foley MacKinnon Once in a while something comes along that seems so obvious, people wonder, “Why didn’t anyone think of that before?” At least, that’s what I was thinking as I sailed on the inaugural Jazz

By Judi Cuervo

Magazine Excerpts Wellness

Vitamin Sea: Best Bath Amenities

Get the low-down on cruising’s best bath amenities By Judi Cuervo The lovely young suite attendant arrived moments after I had settled into my extraordinary Seabourn Sojourn penthouse. She was bearing an elegant silver tray on which, I assumed, was an assortment of welcome aboard hors d’oeuv

Cruise News Featured Food & Drink

Princess “Cooks Your Catch” on Alaska Cruises | Cruise News – Feb. 18, 2016

Princess “Cooks Your Catch” on Alaska Cruises Cruise News – Feb. 18, 2016 Princess Cruises has launched “Cook My Catch,” an exclusive culinary experience offering guests the ability to enjoy their very own catch of the day while on their Alaska cruise. The unique cruise dining experi

February 17, 2016

Blogs Five Faves

Five Faves: Tampa Must-Dos

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Tampa Must-Dos: Get the best of The Big Guava Founded by Spanish conquistadors and settled by Cuban revolutionaries, Tampa, Florida, is one of the most diverse cities in the South. It’s also among Florida’s top destinations for foodies, cigar lovers, and beer aficion

February 16, 2016