Five Faves: Theme Cruises
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Theme Cruises … From gourmands to ghost hunters, there’s something for every cruiser to love. Who doesn’t love a good theme cruise? Board a ship with other like-minded folks and set sail for a week of, well, anything you can image! From country music cruises to
Wine Not?
Monday Mantra Wine Not? The Virgin Islands offer great deals — and good cheer — in unexpected places…. I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley… Duty-free shopping in St. Thomas is like a reunion with old friends. Shops like The Belgian Chocolat
Cruise News – May 30, 2014
Weekly Cruise News – May 30, 2014 The Debut of Regal Princess Princess Cruises’ new Regal Princess quietly debuted in Europe this month. The fanfare will come later when the 3,560-passenger ship arrives in its new homeport of Fort Lauderdale in November, but she’s no less a knockout than h
Five Faves: Cruise Indulgences
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Cruise Indulgences … And the Science Behind Why You Shouldn’t Say No Inhibitions are like lighthouses — those things are best left on land! The next time you go on a cruise and start hearing yourself make up excuses for why you shouldn’t do something, remember th
Hit the Deck – Chair Hogs
Monday Mantra Hit the Deck-Chair Hogs! If reserved seats get you hopping mad…. I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs…I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs… Don’t get me started. It was still early morning as my husband and I made our way to the pool for a glorious, sun-drenched day at sea. O
Cruise News – May 23, 2014
Cruise News – May 23, 2014 ‘NEXT’ for Norwegian: $250 Million Upgrades Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will spend $250 million through 2015 for its “Norwegian NEXT” fleetwide enhancement program – including adding Breakaway-class dining and entertainment featur
Five Faves: Bands, ho!… with Carnival LIVE
Porthole’s Five Faves Bands, ho! Five favorite things to love about a Carnival LIVE concert cruise There’s something to be said about mixing a cruise with your favorite music. Let’s face it, we love to walk around the ship and hear music in the lounges and on the Lido Deck – it enhances your
Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls
Monday Mantra Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls Take a taste of Norwegian Cruise Line’s bread heaven home with you. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. Mention Norwegian Cruise Line to most cruisers and you’ll hear tales about the line’s
Cruise News – May 16, 2014
Cruise News – May 16, 2014 New Viking Ocean Ships Viking Ocean Cruises hasn’t even launched its first ship yet, but is already tripling its fleet. The ocean-going arm of Viking River Cruises has ordered two sister ships to Viking Star, which is set to debut in May 2015. Viking Sea and Vi
Five Faves: The Old Cruiser and the Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves The Old Cruiser and the Sea Five favorite ways to enjoy reading Hemingway on board There’s something absolutely satisfying about a warm deck chair, a cool sea breeze, and a great book – it’s totally indulgent and totally good for you at the same time. Few writers
Cruising Barefoot
Monday Mantra Cruising Barefoot When novice packing mistakes seem to carry on. I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes… More than 35 years have passed since then and I now think of myself as a cruise veteran. I know h
Weekly Cruise News – May 9, 2014
Weekly Cruise News – May 9, 2014 A Regal Birthday in Southampton Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 was welcomed by her sisters to a 10th-birthday celebration in Southampton. Festivities kicked off at sunrise today with the song “Happy Birthday” played on the whistles of Queen Victoria and Queen Eli
Five Faves: Belly Up!
Cheers to these five favorite onboard spots to grab a drink. There’s no denying that the themed bars, chic lounges, and bustling nightclubs found on today’s cruise ships rival any on land. The options are endless for cruisers seeking unique spots to enjoy their favorite drinks. So far, here are
The Monday Mantra…
The Monday Mantra Your Weekly Dose of Cruise Humor Join me each week for a different mystical chant that will transport you from your ho-hum existence to the glorious world of cruising. Lest you think I’m getting all “Kumbaya” on you, let me assure you that my mantras will invoke the realities
Marine Matters
Lindblad Expedition founder and president, Sven-Olof Lindblad, goes behind the lens to show you the amazing wildlife that you’ll discover aboard the line’s expedition cruises. ISLAND DREAMS: A Galapagos sea lion squeezes its eyes shut on a bed of brilliant red sesuvium. PREHISTORIC: Marin
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise Back in the late 1970s, the TV show The Love Boat introduced many of us to the very idea of cruising. With a fictional crew helmed by Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), big-name guest stars, an endless array of episodes depicting happy cruise vacations, as w
Culinary Adventures aboard Oceania Cruises
For cruisers who want to bring more back from their vacation than just great memories, Oceania Cruises has Bon Appétit Culinary Centers aboard the 1,250-passenger Marina and Riviera where you can actually learn some cooking skills. Bon Appétit Culinary Centers You slice and dice along with pr
Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Breakaway
Cruise Ship Review: Norwegian Breakaway Start spreading the news… this floating mini-Manhattan is a New York dream come true! By Fran Golden When Norwegian Cruise Line recently christened its lively, new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway in New York, Buddy Valastro, of TLC’s TV’s Cak
Just Desserts and Cocktail Culture
Brand-new treats on both Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are geared toward an adults-only audience. On Disney, the indulgence is desserts. Exclusively on Disney Fantasy, a new experience for grownups is a five-course dessert tasting in the fancy French restaurant Remy. “Remy Fea
You Should Be Dancing!
Dancing with the Stars — at Sea! Holland America Line gives its guests their own time to shine. By Jason Leppert With a beaming smile spread widely across her face, newly introduced professional dancer Emma Slater enthusiastically thrusts a “10” paddle into the air followed by fellow pros Dere
