Featured

Forbes Names Carnival Corporation Best Global Employer For A Second Year

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

For the second consecutive year, Forbes has named Carnival Corporation as one of the World’s Best Employers of 2022.

The award was presented by Forbes, a leading source of business news worldwide, and Statista Inc, the world-leading statistics portal and industry tanking provider, honoring the best international employers from over 20 industries.

“At Carnival Corporation, our success is a direct result of our incredibly talented employees from over 100 countries who have helped create a dedicated workforce committed to creating happiness by providing unforgettable and much-needed cruise vacations for millions of guests around the world,” said Bettina Deynes, Global Chief Human Resources officer for Carnival Corporation. “This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our companywide operations and providing a positive and empowering corporate culture for all shipboard and shoreside employees.”

RELATED: DRVN AND CARNIVAL CORPORATION OFFER PORT CHAUFFEUR SERVICES

Carnival Corporation has nine popular cruise line brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Cunard, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Together, the brand ranked among the best 800 employers worldwide based on feedback from multinational companies and institutions from 57 countries.

Carnival Corporation has earned a series of recognitions for companywide operations and excellence in the workplace over the last few years. This year, Carnival Corporation was honored as one of the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes, one of the Best Companies for Latinos by Latino Leaders Magazine, and a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index.

Through the years of awards and feedback from Carnival’s nine cruise lines, cruise voyagers and companies worldwide have witnessed the commitment to excellence and care Carnival Corporation brings to the well-being of its guests year after year.

 

 

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MSC Opera
Cruise NewsFeatured

MSC Opera To Become Floating Hotel For the World Cup

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

Soccer fans traveling to the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, can look forward to a fun new cruise and hotel experience. MSC cruises has announced that MSC Opera will become a cruise ship hotel experience between November 19th and December 19th for the World Cup soccer tournament!

MSC Cruises and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy are working together to provide this accommodation for football fans in Doha to experience MSC Opera for a minimum of two nights. MSC Opera will join MSC World Europa and MSC Poesia during this time.

MSC Opera Features

  • Guests traveling on MSC Opera can expect comfort and hospitality from the staff and accommodations.
  • There are various lounges and entertainment venues, such as La Cabala Piano Lounge or Teatro dell ‘Opera theatre.
  • Swimming pools located throughout the ship’s nine decks.

RELATED: MSC CRUISES TO SAIL FIVE SHIPS FROM THE US DURING WINTER 2023-2024 SEASON

Learn more about MSC Cruises.

  • MSC Cruises is one of the two brands within the Cruises Division of MSC Group.
  • MSC Cruises has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels.
  •  International dining
  • World-class entertainment
  •  Family programs
  • User-friendly technology on board

Would you stay on a cruise ship if it didn’t go anywhere? Let us know in the comments!

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Four Season Maldives
FeaturedMagazine Excerpts

Island Hopping The Four Seasons in The Maldives

by Kate Wickers
written by Kate Wickers

These days, there are a few new boxes to tick when I’m choosing a luxury holiday. It used to be the size of the bed, and if my suite had a plunge pool; now it’s how green the resort is and what conservation projects they’re involved in. Sounds like a headache? It doesn’t have to be. Choose wisely and you can still have your plunge pool and enjoy a clear conscience — one doesn’t have to be sacrificed in favour of the other. Island hopping between the two Four Seasons resorts in The Maldives taught me this. Both are wonderfully luxurious. Tick. Both have impressive Marine Discovery Centres. Tick. Both give guests the opportunity to learn about the environment during worthwhile and fun activities. Massive tick.

How involved you want to get is up to you, from helping with reef restoration to taking part in the monitoring of manta rays, the first project of its kind in this destination. By the way, there’s no judgement on those of you who may prefer to paddleboard and then sip cocktails by the pool. Although after I’ve introduced you to Ari, who resides at Kuda Huraa, the first resort I visit, you may change your mind.

Meaningful Meetings

Ari is a female olive ridley turtle. She was rescued after being caught in a “ghost” net (lost nets that float in from countries where trawl-net fishing isn’t banned) and has lost both front flippers and can no longer dive. I watch as Ari swims over to receive a gentle scratch on her shell from Bethany, turtle specialist and one of three resident marine biologists.

“Ah, she loves a little bit of attention. She’s got the sweetest nature,” she tells me, just as Ari pops her head out of the water to check me out. To date, The Maldivian Sea Turtle Conservation Program (jointly established with Four Seasons) has nursed over 250 turtles back to health, most of which have been released to the wild, with those that need ongoing specialist care rehomed to aquariums through The Flying Turtle Program.

The ocean, with its vivid hues of blues and greens, proves impossible to drag my eyes away from, which is just as well as otherwise I might have missed a stingray gliding by below the deck of my villa. Also living underneath my house on stilts is a Picasso fish, which darts territorially each time I appear and is easily spied through the clever design of the partially netted deck — perfect for lounging on while marine-life spotting. At sunset, I paddle in shallow ocean waters towards a fast-sinking sun, while above me, fruit bats circumnavigate on their regular evening patrol. Never have I felt more in touch with nature.

Building Back Beautiful

On my second day, I break the rule that when traveling you should leave nothing but footprints behind as I deposit a 32-inch-diameter metal frame into the Indian Ocean (bear with me, I’ll explain). The frame is full of fragments of rescued coral that I’ve spent the last couple of hours carefully tying on. It’s part of a pioneering project led by Reefscapers that began in 2001, designed to regenerate ailing reefs. The sad fact is that much of the coral in these waters suffered severe bleaching during the last El Niño phenomenon in 2016, when water temperatures exceeded 89.5 degrees.

It feels good to know that mine will join over four thousand others that are now….

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Visit Savannah | Georgia
FeaturedMagazine Excerpts

Spooky Savannah: Hauntings in This Southern City

by Richard Varr
written by Richard Varr

Imagine waking up startled in the darkness to a crying ghost, her tears dribbling on your face.

“She haunts the upstairs waiting for her lover to return,” says Patrick Godley, owner of Savannah’s historic 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. He’s spinning out a lament for Anna, believed to be the ghost of an indentured servant from the early 1800s. Jilted by a sailor who left her behind, the distraught woman jumped to her death from a top-floor window.

Anna and Wally

“When a young couple came and stayed, Anna was maybe jealous of their love and hovered over the girl crying,” he continues. “The girl woke up and felt a drop of water on her face — the ghost crying with tears falling between her fingertips.” And after staying a night in what Godley calls the inn’s “famously haunted” room 204, you may leave with your very own spiritual awakening. “They’ll tell us stories like they feel a presence in the room tugging at their bed sheets and tickling their feet.”

Across from Savannah’s leafy Chippewa Square, where Tom Hanks’ character Forrest Gump sat at his bus stop and contemplated life through a box of chocolates, staff at the 1896 Foley House Inn will tell you about their own resident ghost who they named Wally, a disembodied boarder who disappeared mysteriously one night. They say his stories may stem from a body found behind a wall during a 1987 renovation.

“I did see a figure standing there, a see-through black silhouette, an older gentleman about 6-foot-3,” admits Hayden Burgin, an inn staff member. He says stories also include hearing dulled piano music played over and over again, kitchen doors swinging open with no one there, and repeated tugging on a housekeeper’s shirt in the same room.

City of Specters

Tales of an otherworldly presence are typical in this colonial city founded in 1733, and it seems everyone here has a ghost story or two, from scratching on bedposts, jewelry rearranged, and jingling keys, to pale faces eerily staring out of windows. In 2003, the American Institute of Paranormal Psychology named Savannah the country’s most haunted city, likely a result of Revolutionary and Civil War casualties, yellow fever epidemics, and Native American and enslaved African burial grounds packed underneath Savannah’s Historic District and beyond. “Pretty much every step you take here, there’s a chance you’re on a different body,” quips Burgin.

Such purported hauntings have supercharged Savannah’s booming ghost-tour industry with, according to 6th Sense World Historic Ghost & Cemetery Tours, more than 100 competing companies offering evening trolley and walking tours. Guides lead their groups past historic hotels, old homes and through some of the city’s 22 shaded squares as fading twilight and dim lamplight begin to cast dulled shadows on low-hanging Spanish moss.

Stops may include one of the city’s most popular ….

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Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the WeekFeatured

Cruise Deal of the Week – October 7, 2022

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Happy Friday, Cruisers! 

If you’re still looking for a cruise vacation to round out 2022, read on! It’s time for the Cruise Deal of the Week!

5 DAY BAHAMAS AND CARIBBEAN CRUISE

Embarking from Fort Lauderdale on December 18, 2022, Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam spends a day at sea before arriving in Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and then another at sea before arriving at Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island resort. 

If you’re looking for a cruise vacation that won’t break the bank, this is the one. Interior staterooms start at just $299 or book a balcony for $394. The cruise line is also offering up to $1,700 cash back, up to $300 in onboard credit, reduced deposits, kids sail free and more! 

Let us know in the comments if you book it! 

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Chef Regina Charboneau
FeaturedMagazine Excerpts

Biscuits are Just the Beginning on American Queen Voyages

by Judi Cuervo
written by Judi Cuervo

American Queen Voyages’ culinary ambassador, Chef Regina Charboneau, may be known as “The Biscuit Queen” — a title bestowed upon her by The New York Times when they reviewed her feather-light biscuits. But after a taste of her culinary genius during a Columbia and Snake River sailing aboard American Queen Voyages’ American Empress, I’ve learned the label is woefully inadequate. In fact, it’s sort of like recognizing Richard Branson solely for the independent record label he launched in the 1970s and ignoring the corporate empire he built since then.

An American Queen

You might say that Regina Charboneau was born to take the culinary helm of this 10-year-old riverboat line that is a celebration of America and, particularly, the American South. A seventh-generation native of Natchez, Mississippi, Regina grew up with the mighty Mississippi, the river that American Queen Voyages plies with its opulent American Queen, in her backyard. Speak with Chef Regina today and this accomplished chef, restaurateur, author, and cooking instructor downplays an extraordinary career that includes culinary school in Paris and ownership of successful establishments in cities like San Francisco and New York in favor of celebrating the history, culture, and cuisine along the Mississippi.

But as culinary ambassador aboard the fast-expanding American Queen Voyages’ fleet of four steamboats and paddlewheelers, Chef Regina goes way beyond the Mississippi. She brings creative culinary experiences to itineraries that now include the Ohio and Columbia Rivers, the Great Lakes, and Alaska, injecting each with her signature Southern charm.

Aboard American Empress, for instance, Chef Regina whips up a cocktail that transforms the Mississippi River’s popular Sazerac into a uniquely local Columbia River libation, using ingredients she’s acquired during our voyage:  Quartz Mountain Bourbon picked up at our embarkation city of Vancouver, Washington, a bottle of The Bitter Housewife orange bitters from Pat’s Teas & Spices in Astoria, Oregon, and absinthe found at the Pilot House Distillery also in Astoria, Oregon. The resulting cocktail is delicious … and as powerful as Multnomah Falls!

Later, her stint as a construction-camp cook in the Alaska bush serves Chef Regina well as we sail the Columbia River, an area renowned for its salmon. Here we see, step-by-step, how to create her delicious Salmon in Pepper Marinade with Penne in Smoked Tomato Sauce, just one of the many salmon dishes she developed while working in the remote camp early in her career. We get a taste of the many varieties of salmon unique to the Pacific Northwest — coho, red, blue, king, and the brown-sugar-sweetened candy salmon — and learn, too, about ivory salmon. This variety, Regina explains, is particularly rare, coming as it does from the tiny percentage of fish possessing a recessive gene that prevents the absorption of the pink carotenoids found in the typical salmon diet of shrimp, krill, and crab. Learning has never been so delicious!

Delicious Diplomacy

“Culinary ambassador” is, indeed, the perfect title for Regina Charboneau’s role with American Queen Voyages. Warm and personable, Regina not only provides remarkable dishes and cooking demonstrations on board, but often invites guests to join her for a drink or a meal during the sailing. Unlike so many onboard culinary experts for whom prepared lectures form the basis of their interaction with guests, sailing with Regina is like sailing with a friend — a very knowledgeable friend — with easy conversation triggered not by a script, but by what we’re seeing, tasting, or sipping.

Nowhere is this more evident than during the frequent foodie-focused walking tours Chef Regina conducts ashore. In keeping with her down-to-earth nature, guests may expect to….

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Holland America Line Rotterdam
Cruise NewsFeatured

Holland America Line Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Transatlantic Crossing

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

To kick off its 150th anniversary in 2023, Holland America Line will celebrate with a special transatlantic crossing in October. Guests are invited to special events and activities on board to recreate history and see how Holland America Line’s cruise started.

“Holland America Line has evolved from a shipping company to a brand synonymous with exceptional cruise vacations, and this anniversary crossing is a tribute to the voyage millions of immigrants took to the New World,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We have guests who are sailing in October because their grandparents immigrated to the United States on a Holland America Line ship or because they’ve been fans for years, and we’ve filled the voyage with special moments that will create wonderful memories for everyone on board.”

On October 15, 2022, guests will depart from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to New York City aboard the Rotterdam. To showcase the 150th anniversary, guests will travel on the Rotterdam ship, Holland America Line’s first cruise dating back to 1872. Guests on this October trip will see the cruise line’s history come alive through onboard enrichment programs, culinary experiences, and entertainment for all to enjoy.

Performance Events

On October 26, 2022, Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg will perform an exclusive Lincoln Center Piece written exclusively for Holland American Line’s Anniversary. During the performance, guests will view a short film about the cruise line’s journey. Guests can expect a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America Line’s Lincoln Center Stage musicians.

During the trip, guests will hear jazz music from Dutch sensation Tiny Little Big Band, along with the ship’s Music Wall entertainment featuring BB King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Bottom.

Culinary Features

The menu in the Main Dining Room will showcase Holland America Line’s 150-year history with a classic entrée served as early as 1920. Guests can choose Royal Rib of Beef a la Medicis, Holland Duckling Port Wine Sauce, or Artic Char a la Normande.

If you are a fan of high tea, join in on a special Dutch High Tea in Lido Market. Guests can enjoy traditional sweet and savory treats, one Dutch-themed lunch, and one Indonesian-themed lunch.

On one night of the trip, guests will indulge in a special collection of dishes, from appetizers to desserts, showcasing meals from previous Holland America Line trips.

 

RELATED: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CALLS LIFTED CANADA PROTOCOLS A “WIN”

Happy Hour Features

Roll back the time to “Throwback Happy Hour.” Guests are invited to join Anthony Stice, Holland America Line’s Vice President of Dining and Beverage Operations, for wine tastings around the ship. Drinks at this event will be priced to when the ship initially began.

Bring Holland American Line History to Life

Throughout the cruise, presentations will be shown to relieve the history and beginning of the company. Maritime Historian Bill Miller and Dr. Jennifer Foray, Professor of History at Purdue University, will deliver lectures on Dutch history. 

If you can’t make the October cruise, the celebration will happen again on April 6, 2023. Many of the same culinary and enrichment programs will be offered for guests to partake in and enjoy.

Will you be joining Holland America Line for its 150th-anniversary celebration?

 

 

 

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Cruise NewsFeatured

MSC Cruises to Sail Five Ships from the US During Winter 2023-2024 Season

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Today, MSC Cruises is moving forward with its continued expansion throughout the United States by revealing plans for arecord 5 ships set to sail from American homeports by the end of 2023. The company is diversifying the range of itineraries offered in The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Northeast,and Canada beginning in the Winter 2023-2024 season.

The brand-new MSC Seascape will lead the way with Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night cruises after the ship’s inaugural voyage from Port Miami later this year. MSC Divina will join MSC Seascape in Port Miami, and both will offer a range of itineraries, including 3-night cruises to The Bahamas and 11-night cruises through South and Central America. MSC Magnifica will also join the record-breaking 5 ship fleet and offer shorter cruises to destinations like Key West and The Bahamas.

Sailing from Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore will offer a variety of shorter cruises to The Bahamas and 7-night Western Caribbean expeditions. This marks the very first time that one of MSC Cruises’ innovative Seaside EVO ships will set sail from Port Canaveral, providing travelers who prefer shorter cruises to enjoy all that MSC Seashore has to offer.

Setting sail from New York, MSC Meraviglia will travel to destinations like Florida, Bermuda, and The Bahamas after finishing up the ship’s inaugural summer season in the Northeast. Like every ship in MSC Cruises’ U.S. fleet, MSC Meraviglia’s trips to The Bahamas will include stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s own eco-friendly private island focused on the ever-so-important topic of sustainability.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President of MSC Cruises USA, said:“Bringing more ships to the U.S. allows us to offer a wide variety of itineraries, adding new destinations and providing more opportunities for travelers to discover our unique international flavor. It’s especially exciting to know how many of those guests will experience Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and see firsthand how we’ve embraced the island’s natural beauty, and how committed we are to sustainability. Caring for the ocean and showing our guests the true extent of its wonders drives everything we do at MSC Cruises.”

Some Itinerary Highlights Will Include:

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Seashore:

• Sailing from Port Canaveral with options including:
o 5-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 6-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 7-night Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at various combinations of Belize City (Belize), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Nassau, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o Shorter 2–4-night cruises: Calling at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Seascape:

• Offering 2 different 7-night itineraries sailing from Port Miami
o Western Caribbean cruises: Calling at Ocho Rios (Jamaica), George Town (Cayman Islands), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o Eastern Caribbean cruises: Calling at San Juan (Puerto Rico), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Nassau, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE NOW- MSC Meraviglia:

• Sailing from Brooklyn, New York to Bermuda, The Bahamas, or Florida
o 5-to-6-night cruises: 2 or 3 days docked at Kings Wharf (Bermuda)
o 7-to-11-night cruises: Destinations include Miami and Port Canaveral (Florida), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE SOON- MSC Magnifica:

• Offering short cruises sailing from Port Miami
o 3-to-4-night cruises: Calling at either Nassau (The Bahamas) or Key West (Florida), plus Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 7-night Christmas Cruise: Calling at Ocho Rios (Jamaica, Christmas Day), George Town (Cayman Islands), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 7-night New Year’s Cruise: At Sea (New Year’s Eve), Isla de Roatan (Honduras, New Year’s Day), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

AVAILABLE SOON: MSC Divina:

• Setting sail from Port Miami
o 3-night cruises: Calling at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 7-night cruises: Calling at various combinations of Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)
o 11-night cruises: Destinations include Montego Bay (Jamaica), Cartagena (Colombia), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Oranjestad(Aruba), Cozumel (Mexico), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas)

 

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Oceania Vista
Cruise NewsFeatured

OCEANIA CRUISES REVEALS NEW INNOVATIVE MIXOLOGY EXPERIENCES DEBUTING MAY 2023

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Oceania Cruises has exceeded expectations with the introduction of a brand-new revolutionary bar program set to debut on the company’s newest vessel. The first of Oceania Cruises’ all-new line of Allura Class ships, Vista, will make its debut on May 20, 2023. With a maximum capacity of 1,200 guests, Vista’s debut will coincide with the launch of the mixology program. The program will feature the latest cocktail-crafting trends and techniques like flavored smoke bubbles, a selection of low or no-sugar wines, zero-proof cocktails, and specialty beverage carts like the “Bubbly Bar” and the “Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.”

“At Oceania Cruises, we continuously strive to raise the bar on every aspect of our luxury cruise experience, with food and beverage at the top of the list,” said Howard Sherman, president, and CEO of Oceania Cruises. “As Vista will present a fresh perspective on the finest cuisine at sea with an astounding array of culinary options that range from informal to the extravagant, it’s only appropriate that we build a bar program to match. From new spirits selections and a wide range of mocktails to new pairing menus and the introduction of The Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience, our teams have truly outdone themselves.”

“To develop Vista’s new bar program, I worked hand in hand with our culinary team to bring naturally sourced ingredients to our cocktail crafting process, like the creation of homemade syrups and reductions,” said Daniella Oancea, corporate beverage manager of Oceania Cruises. “On Vista, having a drink will be an experience unto itself – from the beauty of watching a skilled bartender smoke an old fashioned to the tableside preparation of an espresso martini.”

RELATED: OCEANIA CRUISES OFFERS FREE LAND PROGRAM FOR 2023 ITINERARIES

Vista’s mixology program will be a hands-on experience with experiential beverage offerings and specialty bar carts. The newly designed experiences promise guests the ability to make their own cocktails and learn how to pair meals to enhance their dining experiences.

Brand-new bar experiences will include:

Martinis: Martinis is Oceania Cruises’ signature bar onboard. The bar’s brand-new martini menu will feature drinks that pay tribute to some of Hollywood’s most famous icons. A few drinks on the menu will include Bogard’s Casablanca, Notorious Bond, Blue Eyes Sinatra, and Lady Hepburn.

The Casino Mixology Bar: A new addition for the cruise line, guests aboard Vista will have the opportunity to taste rare selections of bourbons and ryes, all while watching them prepared tableside. The bar will also serve Negronis straight from the barrel along with “flavor blaster gun” cocktails that are topped off with vapor-filled bubbles and sweet-smelling flavors.

Baristas: A fan favorite, Baristas will be introducing a new drink menu featuring popular Italian drinks like Crodino, San Pellegrino cocktails, and Campari sodas.

The new beverage additions to the bars onboard are meant to complement the various cuisines and improve the overall dining experience for guests. Oceania Cruises has also changed the menu for a few of its restaurants, along with introducing a few brand-new eateries to enhance the mixology program.

Here are some of the restaurant tweaks/additions guests will see on Vista:

Ember: This signature restaurant features innovative twists on American cuisine, along with the traditional classics. Guests will be able to pair their meals with a selection of unique wines, craft beers, ryes, and bourbons. Themed cocktails will also be available with names like First Avenue, Sicilian Godfather, Tennessee Nights, and California Dreaming. 

Red Ginger: Oceania Cruises’ Pan-Asian-themed restaurant will feature a drink menu including a variety of sake styles with signature Asian flavors like turmeric and ginger. Asian beers and new cocktails will also be offered, featuring the Tokyo Whisper and the Asia Daisy.

The Aquamar Kitchen: Vista’s brand-new cuisine concept offers guests healthier food options. The drink menu will focus on highlighting low and no-alcohol drink options for customers. The leading producer of non-alcoholic spirits in the world, Lyre, will supply the kitchen with naturally sourced spirits. The Aquamar Kitchen will also offer non-alcoholic wines from Pierre Zéro.

Champagne has become a must when celebrating a momentous occasion, a birthday, or toasting a well-deserved vacation. Oceania Cruises has decided to highlight champagne with the debut of its newest and most luxurious pairing experiences for guests aboard Vista.

champagne-based experiences

Dom Pérignon Experience: Guests can look forward to this signature Oceania Cruises experience aboard Vista’s intimate dining venue, Privée. The experience features a 6-course tasting menu, including three champagnes paired with two courses meant to highlight the flavors of the grapes and the bubbly’s blend. Courses include Scallops Rossini with Mole Negro, followed by Black Truffle Risotto, a Blue Lobster dish, a beef & octopus course, and finishing up with a Sakura Tea Geisha Flower ice cream with lemon caviar.

Moët & Chandon Champagne Experience:  Making its debut on Vista, this experience will offer passengers a three-course pairing featuring rare vintage bubbly. Guests will begin with a Mediterranean Sea Bass Tartar enhanced by a mature 2013 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut. The second course features a Duck Foie Gras Terrine paired with Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial Champagne. Lastly, a Cured Beef Tenderloin accompanied by Moët & Chandon Imperial Rose Champagne.

Connoisseur Wine Pairing Lunches: A new addition for lunch aboard Vista, guests will choose 2 courses from a newly designed menu, including famous Mediterranean dishes accompanied by premium wines. Guests will hear explanations of each course from the restaurant and galley teams to help select the best pairings for their individual flavor profiles.

Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line. You can experience the company’s new mixology program aboard their new vessel, Vista.

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Cruise NewsFeatured

There’s New Details About Carnival Celebration’s Entertainment

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Carnival Cruise Line’s new vessel, Carnival Celebration, was already expected to be as big and expansive as they come but today the company exceeded expectations by revealing new groundbreaking entertainment passengers will experience on board.

Carnival Celebration will offer guests contemporary entertainment featuring newly produced shows, luxury parties, interactive game shows, and aerialist acts.

“At home, when the sun goes down, normally it’s time to wind down, but not on a Carnival cruise,” said Chris Nelson, vice president of entertainment for Carnival Cruise Line. “We wanted to give our guests new reasons to celebrate nights at sea with us on Carnival Celebration and have designed a collection of new shows and other types of entertainment where eye-catching aerialists, cutting-edge technology, and next-level talent will dazzle our guests every evening.” 

Brand-new performances guests can expect while on board include:

Color My World- An Indie Rock and Pop Love Story: Guests in attendance at this show will see an inventive performance filled with romance based on a notable artist and his assistant. The show will give the audience a front-row seat to their intimate love story by way of vivid colors and artistic pieces. The show will feature many different styles of dance like jazz, musical theater, and ballet, paired with well-known hits from indie, pop, and rock genres.  The vibrant show promises guests to live painting during the performance and an experience that will highlight the importance of artistic expression.

The Most Magnificent Circus: A big-top circus show, this performance promises its audience a plot of self-discovery and self-acceptance through an array of wire-rigged performers showcasing their talents while soaring above the audience. Carnival promises a captivating and exorbitant show highlighting the performers’ unique talents like mirror & ladder aerial and trapeze acts.

Rio Carnival: Making its debut in May 2023, Rio Carnival is a high-energy Brazilian dance show that promises guests an interactive performance filled with different dance styles. The show aims to get the audience moving their hips and letting loose. The cast will perform choreographed dances from styles like Bossa Nova, Batudada, Forro, Capoeira, Samba, Marchinha, and Caribou in tune with some of the most notable Latin songs of all time, in both English and Portuguese languages.

Visual Symphony: Starting this December, the Visual Symphony promises a revolutionary show highlighting Celebration Central’s 16 massive moving LED screens paired with classic rock hits to create a futuristic sensation. The show features modern technology and special effects in the zone’s three-deck-high space.

Aside from the already popular Family Feud Live, Deal or No Deal, and Love and Marriage game shows, Carnival is also debuting new interactive game shows.

Here are a few game shows added to the lineup:

Guess That Groove: An interactive game show where guests will showcase their knowledge of hit songs and break out their best dance moves.

What’s Age Got to Do With It: This Q&A trivia show is for all ages and features parent and child teams competing to prove they are the best family duo on the ship.

Cash Bash: Working with Carnival Celebration’s Casino, guests can win cash prizes while taking part in competitions and interactive games.

Carnival also promises their guests a few brand-new parties like a new Evolution dance party hosted by the ship’s experienced DJ and a Celebration Happy Hour located at the Latitudes Bar.

Carnival Celebration will debut this November out of the newly renovated Terminal F at Port Miami, the line’s largest in South Florida and 3rd terminal at the port. Carnival will launch several year-round 7-day cruises to the Caribbean on sale beginning on November 21.

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Cruise NewsFeatured

Oceania Cruises Offers Free Land Program For 2023 Itineraries

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

Oceania Cruises, a leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line, shared a new program for select 2023 voyages. The Free Land Program invites guests to dig deeper into the world’s most exotic destinations this year.

“Each of our land programs delve deep into the rich history, culture, nature and architecture of these destinations,” said Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. “There are some places in the world we just can’t reach by ship but are must-sees when cruising the region, so our immersive land programs are the best opportunity for guests to visit these remarkable places and do it for free.”

The Free Land Program will be available on 15 featured ships, sailing to Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and so much more. Guests who book their trip by January 8, 2023, can add an immersive pre or post-cruise add-on to destinations like Cape Winelands, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, the Blue Mountains, and Nazca Lines.

Free Land Tour Offerings

Ancient Incas and Pristine Paracas

On January 15, 2023, travel to Overland Lima, Peru, and view ancient Peruvian wonders. Guests will wander through the 15th-century ruins of the coastal community of Tambo, Colorado. Guests can expect to see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and pink flamingos. This program is available as part of Oceania’s Free Land Tour Program as an overland excursion aboard the Insignia Pacific Panorama Cruise traveling from San Francisco to Santiago De Chile.

Chilean Wonders & Wine

On January 15, 2023, travel to Santiago de Chile, Chile to enjoy the Chilean wines and the country’s natural beauty. The Chilean Wonders and Wine is a post-cruise offering aboard Insignia’s Pacific Panorama Cruise.

Winelands & Wildlife

Before or after your cruise, extend your trip and travel to Cape Town, South Africa. Enjoy wine tastings and have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffalo. This program departs on April 5, 2023, aboard Insignia’s Safaris & Global Gems Cruise. It is also offered as part of the program on board Nautica’s South Africa Spotlight on January 6, 2023.

India’s Crown Jewel

Have you wanted to watch the sunrise or sunset at the Taj Mahal? Well now is your chance! Travel on the India Crown Jewel Program to see Delhi’s architecture and history. Departing on January 18, 2023, join Ocean’s Free Land tour pre or post-cruise aboard Nautica ‘s Indian Ocean Escapade Cruise.

Angkor Wat

Transport back in time to the heyday of the Khmer empire and walk through the ruins of Angkor Archaeological Park on the Angkor Wat program. This pre- or post-cruise offering is aboard Nautica’s Far East Interlude Cruise departing on February 5, 20223, or February 19, 2023.

Explore Singapore

Travel to Singapore, a city-state that rapidly transitioned from a British trading post into an ultra-modern destination. Cruise the Singapore River to view the sustainably powered Gardens by the Bay. The Explore Singapore program is available pre- and post-cruise aboard Nautica’s Fortunes Of The East Cruise, departing on February 19, 2023. Guests also have the option to travel from Bangkok to Singapore, East Asia Enclaves Cruise departing on March 1, 2023.

Jewels of Hong Kong

If you have ever wanted to visit Hong Kong now is your chance! Travel to Hong Kong to ride the funicular or take a cable car up to Ngong Ping village; the choice is yours! The Jewels of Hong Kong program is available pre and post-cruise. Depart on March 1, 2023, aboard Nautica’s East Asia Enclaves Cruise or March 11, 2023, to experience Hong Kong to Tokyo.

Tribute to Tokyo

Explore the capital’s diversity and historical features, like the 7th-century Sensoji Temple and the Edo Tokyo Museum aboard the Jewels of Hong Kong program. Travel aboard Nautica’s Eastern Endeavor Cruise on March 11, 2023, and visit Hong Kong and Tokyo. Guests are also given the option to depart on April 22, 2023, and travel from Tokyo to Singapore.

Glimpse of Arabia

View the Emirates’ cultural heritage at the waterfront Museum of Islamic Civilization or enjoy a Bedouin-style dinner in the sand dunes to fully experience life in Arabia. The Glimpse of Arabia program is a post-cruise offering aboard Insignia’s Safaris & Global Gems Cruises on April 5, 2023. Travel from Cape Town to Dubai on this 21-day voyage.

Emirates: Past, Present, & Future

Learn more about the United Arab Emirates by visiting three cities to show the culture and diversity of Dubai. The Emirates: Past, Present, & Future program is available pre-cruise aboard Insignia’s Far East Legends departing April 26, 2023. Travel from Dubai to Singapore on this 22-day voyage.

Cultural Sydney

Get a glimpse into Sydney, Australia’s ancient lifestyle, on The Cultural Sydney program. Take the ferry to Goat Island or wander around the Royal Botanic Garden. On February 13, 2023, guests can travel pre or post-cruise aboard Regatta’s Fjords and Tasman Tales Cruise for a 15-day voyage around Sydney.

Scenic Blue Mountains

Explore Jenolan Caves, a maze of limestone, or stroll Australia’s botanical gardens on the Scenic Blue Mountains program. Available on February 13, 2023, aboard Regatta’s Fjords & Tasman Tales Cruise, guests can travel post-cruise on Oceania’s Free Land Tour Program.

A Passion For Rio

Rio is known for its beauty, no matter the angle or location. Explore the city from atop Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car to see or take in the beauty of Rio on foot. A Passion For Rio program is available pre-cruise aboard Insignia’s Atlantic Expedition Cruise, departing March 4, 2023. The 32-day voyage travels from Rio De Janeiro to Capetown.

San Francisco & Sausalito

Get a taste of the San Francisco Bay Area in the heart of downtown or the suburbs of Sausalito. Visit popular sites like Chinatown or Lombard Street to feel like a San Francisco local. The San Francisco & Sausalito program is available as a post-cruise offering aboard Insignia’s Aleutian Bridgeway Cruise departing June 20, 2023.

RELATED: OCEANIA CRUISES TO REPRISE AROUND THE WORLD IN 180 DAYS CRUISE

Which Free Land Tour Program will you be booking this season?

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Viking Cruises
Featured

Viking Celebrates 25th Anniversary in Amsterdam

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

This past Friday marked Viking River Cruises’ 25th anniversary in business as a “world-leading river cruise line.”. Viking celebrated the milestone anniversary with a momentous celebration in Amsterdam. For the very first time, all of Viking’s three classes of ships met in Amsterdam and set sail to IJmuiden in the Netherlands, including an ocean ship, a river ship, and the company’s brand-new ship, Viking Polaris. Alongside Viking Polaris, Viking Longship, Viking Mani, and Viking Mars, were all a part of the momentous celebration and the expedition to the Netherlands.

The company revealed the name of Viking Polaris and her identical sister ship, Viking Octantis at the celebration. Viking Octantis is currently sailing her inaugural season in the Great Lakes. Both Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris are scheduled for a series of expeditions in the Great Lakes during the spring and summer months of 2023.

“Today is historic for Viking—to celebrate our 25th anniversary, to have all classes of our ships sailing together for the first time, and to name our phenomenal new expedition vessels. We are very grateful to their godmothers, Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, for honoring us. As renowned explorers who became the first women to ski across Antarctica, they are the perfect choice for ships that are designed for expeditions,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished in our first 25 years. And in our view, we are just getting started. Where do we go next? Onwards.”

Distinguished travelers and prominent educators, Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen were in attendance, fulfilling their duties as ceremonial godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Arnesen, the godmother of Viking Octantis, offered her blessing via video to the ship currently docked in The Great Lakes. Both Arnesen and Bancroft kept with traditions by breaking a bottle of Norwegian aquavit on each of the ship’s hulls. Guests aboard all three of the ships got to enjoy performances from acclaimed soprano & violinist and godmother of Viking Jupiter, Sissel Kyrkjebø. Passengers were also able to get a glimpse of the extraordinary convoy and naming ceremony from their designated outdoor viewing areas.

Ann Bancroft, Godmother of Viking Polaris, is an American explorer, author, and educator from Minnesota. She became the first woman to ever ski to both the North and the South Pole in 1993. She also led the very first American Women’s East to West crossing of Greenland and dogsled 1,000 miles from the Northwest Territories in Canada to the North Pole. Bancroft was selected to be the godmother of Viking Polaris, named after the North Star, because of her achievements as the first woman to reach the North Pole by foot and by sled. She is also the founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, an organization centered on inspiring young women and building women’s confidence.

Talking about her experience, Bancroft said “Growing up in the Minnesota region, the Great Lakes are where I spent my early years becoming an explorer. I am proud to be the godmother of an expedition vessel like the Viking Polaris that will allow guests to visit, not only the Great Lakes, but also Antarctica, two regions that played a pivotal role in my life.”

The Godmother of Viking Octantis, Liv Arnesen, is a Norwegian-born educator, avid traveler, lecturer, and cross-country skier. She led the first unsupported women’s crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap in 1992. Arnesen was chosen as the godmother of the ship due to her accomplishment as the first woman to ever ski solo and unassisted to the South Pole. As godmother, Arnesen will recurrently serve on the Viking Expedition Team when sailing to Antarctica and beyond.

“It is an honor to be the godmother of the new Viking Octantis. I have spent significant time in Antarctica and recently had the privilege to return on one of the ship’s first voyages. The region is a special destination for scientists and adventurers, and sailing with Viking is the perfect way to get there,” said Arnesen. 

Live Arnesen and Ann Bancroft’s partnership has been in full effect for more than 20 years. In 2001, the pair became the first women to ski together across Antarctica. The pair confounded Bancroft Arnesen Explore/Access Water, an initiative hoping to create a more sustainable future and empower more than 60 million people to find solutions for a greener future.

Besides the 25th anniversary celebrations, 2022 has been a massive year for Viking. During the milestone years, the company welcomed new 8 new Viking Longships on the rivers of Europe to its fleet and brand-new vessels in the Nile, Mississippi, and Mekong rivers. The company also plans to add two more identical ocean ships to its fleet by the end of 2022. Viking has been named the #1 Ocean Line and #1 River Line in Travel + Leisure’s 2022 “World’s Best” Awards, becoming the first cruise line to ever top both categories in the same year. Viking was also named #1 for both rivers and oceans by Condé Nast Traveler, adding to its already impressive resume for 2022. Viking showed their guests a video of the company’s extensive history and how they ended up where they are today, including key partners who helped them along their journey.

Viking Expedition Ships:

New Polar Class ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, can host up to 378 passengers in their 189 staterooms. The ships have been built for expeditions, specifically focusing on safety and comfort for guests while exploring remote destinations. The ship contains more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than the company’s other vessels, allowing passengers the best views of the beautiful landscapes the ship sails through.

Viking Octantis & Viking Polaris highlights include:

  • Finse Terrace: Designed to grant guests easy access to the magnificent views, this outdoor lounge area is just above sea level. The terrace includes heating seating and lava rock fire pits.
  • The Aula: This panoramic auditorium is used for lectures, documentary and film showings, and daily briefings. The venue features a 4k laser-projected screen that retracts to reveal floor-to-ceiling windows with 270° views. The theatre was inspired by the former venue for the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony at the University of Oslo.
  • The Hangar: A brand new, first in the industry, in-ship marina providing easy access for Special Operations Boats and providing shelter from the natural elements while at sea.
  • The Science Lab: This 380-square-foot lab was designed for all things research and equipped with both dry and wet laboratory facilities. Guests can be granted supervised access to the lab to learn from and even participate in research with prominent scientists.
  • The Bow: While aboard, The Bow acts as a designated space for guests to warm up with a hot drink before heading back out into the unpredictable elements while at sea.
  • Expedition Central: This area was designed for the expedition team to consult with guests on their expedition activities and share information. The space includes a state-of-the-art spatial data visualization chart table and 3D-printed maps to make it easy for guests to visualize information.
  • The Living Room: A library with floor-to-ceiling windows, guests are invited to dive into the 100s of books available in The Living Room. The library was curated by the popular London bookshop, Heywood Hill, along with Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute.
  • Nordic Balcony: All rooms on board all of Viking’s expedition vessels feature a Nordic Balcony, a sunroom that easily converts into an al fresco viewing platform with an observation shelf to stabilize binoculars or cameras. Guests can choose from 6 types of staterooms, ranging from 222- 1,223 square feet. All rooms include a Nordic Balcony, a king-size bed, and a large bathroom, featuring glass-enclosed showers, heated bathroom floors, and anti-fog mirrors. Each stateroom also includes floor-to-ceiling drying closets, allowing warm air to circulate to dry and store guests’ clothing and expedition gear.

Both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris want guests to relax at The Nordic Spa, offering guests an indoor heated pool and a wood-sided hot tub to relax in after a long day of exploring. The vessels also feature Expedition Ship Suites, giving guests the option to choose between the 322-square-foot Nordic Junior Suite or the 580-square-foot Explorer Suite. The suites feature wood detailing, additional storage, a larger bathroom, welcome champagne, a fully stocked mini-bar, complimentary laundry, and much more.  Each ship also features one Owner’s Suite, a 1,223 square-foot luxury stateroom with a living room, a dining room, and a bedroom. The Owner’s Suite also features a 792-square-foot private deck.

RELATED: VIKING OSIRIS NAMED IN LUXOR, EGYPT

Viking takes pride in creating the leading scientific enrichment environment while aboard the two new vessels. Partnering with the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 36 experts accompany each expedition as part of the Viking Expedition Team. Guests aboard the ships will enjoy lectures and daily briefings about each destination. Passengers can also assist the team in fieldwork and participate in experiential activities, like watching birds and assisting with pinpointing migration trends, collecting samples, and learning from professional photographers how to best capture the beauty of each destination.

Pledging to be as environmentally efficient as possible, Viking has implemented new standards to travel in energy-efficient ways. The company has created an eco-friendly design that exceeds the Energy Efficient Design index requirements by almost 38%. In addition, the engines now include Azipod Electric Propulsion heat recovery systems, Both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have received the industry’s first SILENT-E notations, the highest recognition for minimizing underwater pollution.

25 years ago, Viking was founded in 1997 and continues to provide its guests with destination-focused expeditions on various oceans, rivers, and lakes across the globe.

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Carnival Vista
Cruise NewsFeatured

DrVn and Carnival Corporation Offer Port Chauffeur Services

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

Cruising out of Port Miami just got easier!

Drvn, the global logistics technology and chauffeur service company, announced its partnership with Carnival Corporation to create a transportation portal to assist guests when booking services to and from the port. Carnival and drvn will use customer service for tech solutions to curate a unique travel experience before and after a trip.

“Drvn’s tailored and private label solution has lowered Carnival’s operating costs and activities while improving consumer satisfaction from start to finish — simply by doing what we do best,” said Mario Medina, CEO of drvn.

When traveling on a cruise, many logistics need to be figured out before your trip. When it is time to head to the port, it is often hard to find a parking spot, and often the price of parking can be expensive. With the help of drvn, travelers can book a secure “invite only” reservation and have everything set up before heading out the door for vacation.

Partnership key features

  • Customers using this feature will receive real-time updates on pickup time and drop-off time.
  • Passengers will know travel logistics such as flight or ship delays.
  • The platform will provide service coordination in all travel locations.
  • A customer service team will be available 24/7 to answer questions or handle inquiries before and during the trip.

RELATED: CASSIDY GIFFORD NAMED GODMOTHER OF CARNIVAL CELEBRATION

“The partnership with drvn means having a seamless one-stop solution to service more than 40 destination markets and for all nine of our cruise line brands,” says Martin van der Merwe, Senior Director, Global Casino Marketing for Carnival Corporation. “We’re excited about what this will mean for elite gaming cruisers and how it will positively impact their cruise experience starting from the moment they leave home to when they return from another memorable vacation.”

Will you use drvn’s transportation services for your next cruise? Let us know in the comments!

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Norwegian Encore
Cruise NewsFeatured

Norwegian Cruise Line Eliminates All COVID Protocols

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Those cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line after tomorrow will see a big change in the line’s COVID-19 protocols. Today NCL announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements effective Oct. 4, 2022.

The cruise line cited “significant, positive progress in the public health environment” as a primary factor in their decision. 

“Health and safety are always our first priority; in fact, we were the health and safety leaders from the very start of the pandemic,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. “Many travelers have been patiently waiting to take their long-awaited vacation at sea and we cannot wait to celebrate their return.”

Keeping an Eye on Destinations 

As not every place NCL sails is fully open and with protocols still in place, the cruise line will be monitoring and following the travel guidelines as required by the destinations it visits.

RELATED: KATY PERRY CHRISTENS NORWEGIAN PRIMA IN ICELAND

However, things are looking good for travel in 2023. Recently, Canada and Barbados reopened to traveling without any COVID-19 requirements for entry. Even Japan has started the process of opening up to tourism and visitors will again be able to visit starting October 11th. 

Are you taking an NCL cruise soon? Let us know in the comments! 

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Cruise NewsFeatured

Cunard Brings ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ to Queen Mary 2

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

Lights, camera, action!

For cruisers who love all things entertainment, luxury cruise line Cunard Line has exciting news for you! Partnering with Simon Friend Entertainment, Cunard Line beings the performance of Deborah Moggach’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on Queen Mary 2 December 15-22, 2022.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is based on the bestselling novel, where a group of British retirees set off to embark on their new life in India. Embrace modern-day India in this joyous, feed-good comedy about taking risks, finding love, and embracing second chances.

“I am terrifically excited for our production of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to embark on this adventure,” said producer Simon Friend. “Cunard’s rich history is one of sophistication, catering for the most intrepid of travellers, and it is enormously flattering to be associated with this legacy. As a show about exploring the world and finding yourself anew, I hope too that it will connect to patrons watching while on the voyage!”

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Celebrity Stars

Guests can expect appearances from Hayley Mills from The Parent Trap, Whistle Down the Wind, and Pollyanna, Paul Nicholas, from Jesus Christ Superstar, BBC 1’s Just Good Friends, Eastenders, and Rula Lenska, from ITV’s Rock Follies, Coronation Street, and Big Brother.

“I thought I’d done it all, but performing on the Queen Mary 2 in the North Atlantic will be an incredibly exciting new adventure to me and for the whole company,” said Hayley Mills.

Performance Times and details

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will have three matinee and evening performances on the Queen Mary ship’s Royal Court Theatre. Guests attending the performances can look out for behind-the-scenes Q&As, workshops, and meeting the rest of the cast.

“Cunard is thrilled to offer our guests this exclusive at sea performance aboard our flagship Queen Mary 2 along with the opportunity to meet the show’s star-studded cast,” said Matt Gleaves, VP of Commercial for Cunard. “This ‘only on Cunard’ moment provides guests with carefully curated experiences and memories that last a lifetime.”

Will you be sailing on Queen Mary 2 this season? Let us know in the comments!

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Amelia Island, Florida
FeaturedMagazine Excerpts

Old Florida through New Eyes

by Carrie McLaren
written by Carrie McLaren

History, nature, local cuisine, and upscale accommodations await travelers who indulge in a leisurely drive along Highway A1A in Northeast Florida. Spend time getting to know the area and soak up the sunshine along the 67 miles of roadways connecting Amelia Island and historic St. Augustine.

Amelia Island

At just a short, one-hour drive north from downtown Jacksonville, Amelia Island is known locally for its secluded beaches, luxurious accommodations, and quaint shopping boutiques on Centre Street. Spend time at Fort Clinch State Park, home to one of the most well-preserved 19th-century forts in the country and explore the park’s 1,400 acres of nature trails, beaches, and campgrounds.

Pamper yourself with an overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island or the Omni Amelia Island Resort — both quiet getaways offering  luxurious accommodations in a natural setting with oceanfront views.

As you make your way south, stop in for a visit at Kingsley Plantation, Florida’s oldest standing plantation house, settled along the banks of the Fort George River. As part of the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, this national park encompasses 46,000 acres.

Afterward, check out the nearby Ribault Club, home to the “Millionaire’s Club’ in the 1920s, and now site of the Fort George Island Visitor Center. Hike the grounds’ 3.3-mile nature trail or do some geocaching around what was once a Donald Ross-designed golf course.

Mayport

Further south on A1A, the St. Johns River Ferry provides a unique mode of transportation for cars and pedestrians between Fort George Island and Mayport Village. Departing daily from both sides of the river, this unique 0.9 mile ride takes five minutes. Since it’s only 2.5 miles upriver from the ocean, riders get a unique view of Northeast Florida’s most popular waterway.

When it comes to fresh seafood, diners at Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant can watch the fishing boats offload their catch and then watch it make its way right to the kitchen. Be sure to try the Mayport shrimp. Then, walk across A1A and visit the Safe Harbor Marketplace to purchase fresh seafood, sauces, soups, and more. 

Jacksonville Beaches

As you make your way into the Jacksonville Beaches, put your feet in the sand at the oceanfront Lemon Bar, one of the area’s top beach bars. In the nearby Beaches Town Center, shop local boutiques, pick up a souvenir at Shorelines and wander the aisles at The Bookmark, Northeast Florida’s independent community bookstore — all steps from the ocean.

Further along A1A, the Margaritaville Beach Hotel Jacksonville Beach welcomes guests to enjoy the beach vibes with a swim and a poolside margarita. Go for a bike ride or a walk on the boardwalk and visit the newly reopened Jacksonville Beach Pier. Learn about the railways that once made their way through Northeast Florida at the ….

EXCERPT ONLY. CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

This is an excerpt from the latest issue of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine. To continue reading, click above for a digital or print subscription.

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Cruise NewsFeatured

Hurtigruten Expeditions Shares New Covid-19 Protocols

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

Guests traveling with Hurtigruten Expeditions to Antarctica in 2022 and 2023 should be aware of the changes to the cruise line’s COVID-19 protocols.

“Our updated protocols will more closely align with land-based travel options and the current environment across our destinations. We will offer our guests the best possible experience, with the peace of mind of exploring with us on board a fully vaccinated ship”, said Iain McNeill, SVP Operations in Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Guests traveling with Hurtigruten Expeditions no longer have to test pre-departure except for the Antarctica expedition beginning on October 1, 2022. For Antarctica guests, passengers will still need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to begin travel plans.

RELATED: HURTIGRUTEN NORWAY LAUNCHES FIRST HYBRID SHIP: MS RICHARD WITH

The company will facilitate the tests during transfers from Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Guests can expect test arrangements to occur 72 hours before boarding the ship.

When on board, during landings, and on land, guests do not have to wear masks but are still encouraged to wear them.

Hurtigruten Expeditions Fully Vaccinated Ships:

  • The company will still require proof of full vaccination with a WHO vaccine before beginning the voyage. Proof of vaccination will ensure all guests and crew remain safe and healthy.
  • A booster is no longer required, but recommended.

“Protocols ensure the ease of exploration remains, with guests enjoying some of the most spectacular areas of our planet, while knowing that health, safety and wellness of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority”, said McNeill.

Testing and vaccination requirements will differ depending on the destination or local regulation. Hurtigruten Expeditions strongly suggests guests familiarize themselves with COVID-19 guidelines before departure.

Will you be traveling with Hurtigruten Expeditions this year? Let us know in the comments! 

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Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the WeekFeatured

Cruise Deal of the Week – September 30, 2022

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Happy Friday Cruisers!

Holland America Line has been busy over the past month with the revival of their Grand Australia and New Zealand voyages in 2024 and the lifting of Canadian pandemic protocols, resulting in an elimination of vaccine requirements and allowing more travelers to return to cruising!

Today, we have a deal from Holland America Line that you definitely don’t want to miss!

10-DAY CRUISE THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL FROM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Departing November 30, 2022, from Fort Lauderdale, guests will set sail on Holland America Line’s Eurodam ship. The vessel has a capacity of about 3000 passengers and the dress code is casual attire. The ship features a casino, spa, sea view pool and bar, a fitness center, art gallery, a sports court and tons of bars and food options. While aboard, lodging options include suites, verandas, inside cabins, outside cabins and wheelchair accessible cabins. The ship also includes 14 elevators to ensure guests have easy access while aboard. Eurodam will return to Fort Lauderdale in the early morning on Saturday, December 10.

After guests embark from Fort Lauderdale, the ship will spend 2 days cruising on the sea and will arrive in Puerto Limon for the day on Saturday, December 3. Next, the ship will sail through the Panama Canal, stopping in Colon and Gatun Lake. After another day on the water, the ship will stop in Willemstad on Tuesday, December 6 for the day, followed by a stop in Oranjestad the following day. On Thursday, December 8, the ship will spend the day and wrap up the expedition with a last stop in Half Moon Cay on Friday, December 9th. On December 10, the ship will return to Fort Lauderdale in the early morning.

Guests have the following options while aboard Eurodam:

  • Inside Cabins start at $499 per person
  • Oceanview rooms start at $594 per person
  • Balcony rooms start at $989 per person
  • Suites start at $2164 per person

Guests booking in advance can receive up to $1,700 cash back through an exclusive offer from Holland America Line. Travelers can also save up to 40% off and receive up to $200 designated for onboard spending on select 2022 cruises. Guests may also receive up to $100 off onboard credits per cabin when booking in advance.

The 51-mile-long Panama Canal has been named one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World and is considered a must see for avid travelers. The Panama Canal has seen over 900,000 ships and continues to increase year after year.

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Cruise NewsFeatured

Cynthia D’Aoust Named President of American Queen Voyages

by Julie Bouchner
written by Julie Bouchner

American Queen Voyages has announced that industry veteran Cynthia D’Aoust will be the new president of the cruise line! D’Auost has over 40 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, serving as the President of Hospitality for Cape Resorts Management Company and Global President & CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA.) D’Aoust will begin her new role on October 3, 2022. 

“This is an exhilarating time for American Queen Voyages, and I am excited to be part of a dedicated team building upon this company’s rich heritage,” said D’Aoust. “American Queen Voyages continues to carry forth the brand’s heritage and tradition by celebrating what always remains at its core — a commitment to excellence and a dedication to creating amazing experiences for our guests.”

In her role as president, D’Aoust will implement American Queen Voyages business strategy to guide the company on a path of growth, innovation, and guest satisfaction.

Parent company Hornblower Group shares in the excitement of D’Aoust’s new role for American Queen Voyage. “We are thrilled to welcome Cindy to American Queen Voyages as our new President, bringing her exceptional background in successfully leading travel associations and hospitality brands through periods of growth,” said Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer, Hornblower Group. “I am confident that through Cindy’s deep knowledge of the industry, expertise in elevating brands coupled with her considerable talent, leadership skills, and respected reputation, she will greatly contribute to the future success of American Queen Voyages.”

RELATED: AMERICAN QUEEN VOYAGES ANNOUNCES 2023 KENTUCKY DERBY CRUISE

D’Aoust has years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry through her leadership of an award-winning overnight hospitality business and a respected reputation within the travel and trade industry.

“I am thrilled to be leading the team during this great growth period for American Queen Voyages as the company continues to elevate the brand even further in the forthcoming years,” D’Aoust said.

More about American Queen Voyages:

American Queen Voyages celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Guests traveling with American Queen Voyages can expect trips around North America with experiences in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

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Cassidy Gifford Kathy Lee Gifford
Cruise NewsFeatured

Cassidy Gifford Named Godmother of Carnival Celebration

by Porthole Cruise and Travel
written by Porthole Cruise and Travel

Prominent and well-known actress, Kathie Lee Gifford, has passed the torch to her daughter, Cassidy, as she’s named the Godmother of Carnival Celebration. Today, Carnival Cruise Line revealed that Cassidy will carry out the duties of “Godmother” for the company’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration. The ship’s naming ceremony is scheduled for November 20, 2022, in Miami.

Kathie Lee Gifford surprised her daughter, Cassidy, with the exciting news via a video released today by Carnival Cruise Line. Kathie Lee was named “Godmother” to Carnival Celebration’s namesake, M/S Celebration, since its christening in 1987. The four-time Emmy Award-winning actress has served as Carnival’s spokeswoman in television campaigns dating all the way back to the 1980s. Some of these television campaigns were the first ever broadcasting advertisements for the cruise industry.

Cruiser For Life 

Cassidy has sailed with Carnival Cruise Line since she was a baby and has many fond memories aboard, while in the company of her mother and late father, Frank Gifford, a prominent NFL and sports broadcasting icon.

 “Carnival Cruise Line has been a huge part of our family with my earliest memories taking family trips on Carnival ships,” said Cassidy Gifford. “And now to be asked to be Godmother of the namesake ship to the one my mom christened is truly an honor and a blessing.  There was no hesitation when my mom asked me, and I can’t wait to see this amazing ship in Miami in November.”

“I was Carnival’s spokesperson for nearly 20 years starting in 1984, a time when I got married and had my children. They joined me on many television shoots on Carnival ships, so we have so many great memories,” said Kathie Lee Gifford. “To be able to pass the torch to my daughter Cassidy as she is named Godmother of the new Carnival Celebration makes me so happy, I almost cried!”

Beginning her acting career at a young age, Cassidy Gifford is known for her roles in hits like God’s Not Dead and Warner Brother’s feature film, The Gallows. She’s taken on roles in dozens of other television and box office films, even earning the title of Exceptional Emerging Artist at the 2018 Hollywood Film Festival. Cassidy currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband of two years, Ben Wierda.

RELATED: CARNIVAL REVEALS NEW DETAILS ABOUT UPCOMING CARNIVAL CELEBRATION

President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, said “Since our founding in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line has carried generations of guests and has helped millions of families make lasting vacation memories.” Duffy continues saying, “As we cap off our 50th Birthday festivities with the arrival of Carnival Celebration, we are so pleased to also extend our relationship with another generation of the Gifford family and honored that Cassidy will serve as the ship’s Godmother.  I can’t wait to welcome Cassidy and Kathie Lee on board and show off this beautiful new ship.  So much has changed in our industry and our company over the past 50 years – it gives new meaning to those words Kathie Lee sang for Carnival – ‘if they could see us now!'”

Carnival Celebration Coming Soon

Carnival Celebration will be Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday gift when the ship launches this November from the newly renovated Terminal F at Port Miami. The ship will feature six themed zones and the line’s second BOLT roller coaster, along with tons of other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

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