Dining with Virgin Voyages: It’s SeaLicious!
Oh yeah. Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady is about to blow your notion of a traditional cruise right out of the water. Last night, at an event at The Altman Building in New York City, a few of us got a taste (literally and figuratively) of the Virgin Voyages experience (not to mention a performance by
Ocean Cay Enters Final Phase of Construction
MSC Cruises’ private island is another step closer to completion. The first trees were planted on Ocean Cay this week, what was a sand extraction site, in preparation of the island’s opening next year. MSC Cruises is in the process of creating a sea bed around the island, which will soon be popu
Ahoy! Let’s Hunt Some Treasure
From shore, Polly-L looks more like an oil rig than a ship. Her black stanchions rise high above the water, dwarfing even the flag pole which sits atop the living quarters. The legs, which lift the working deck up out of the water, makes it easier for the crew to do what they’ve set out […]
Cruising with Teens; Here’s the Scoop
Little kids may appear to have the advantage on cruising with dedicated children’s programs, but tween and teens also have spectacular programs that are geared for their ages. You won’t have to worry about them being bored while they are hanging out with their new friends. With these six
11 Reasons To Set Sail On Crystal Symphony
An icon of the ultra-luxury category in cruising, the Crystal Symphony is a 51,044-ton vessel with 848 berths, reduced from 922 during a redesign in 2017. The re-imagining resulted in more space per passenger: a 64.7 space ratio (the enclosed space per passenger measured in cubic feet) which is one
Look Past the Tourist Trap: Miami
The city of Miami is home to a picture-perfect beach and raucous South Beach nightlife, but there’s a whole lot more to this place than meets the eye. From stellar restaurants to historical places, most don’t realize that Miami has something for everyone. On top of being a premier vacation desti
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 2, 2018
It’s time to put away the bubbling cauldrons and spooky skeletons because the Holiday season is officially upon us. One of the best ways to get the spirit of giving is to book a Christmas market European river cruise from the professional cruisers at AmaWaterways. Their latest cruise deal is a
You Picked the Best: 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards!
We’re proud to present the very best in the world of cruising as selected by you, the world’s greatest collection of cruise aficionados, cruise experts, and cruise tastemakers. We at Porthole have been doing this for 20 years, so in honor of our platinum anniversary we decided to shake things up
Richard Branson Reveals First Virgin Voyages Destination
Appearing as his usual casual self on the Virgin Voyages social media channels yesterday, Richard Branson made a much anticipated announcement; Virgin Voyages is headed to Cuba. The cruise line, whose first ship is set for launch in 2020, has promised a cruising experience unlike what’s currently
Best Cruise Foods for an Energy Boost
Food. It fuels our bodies to perform daily activities. Since cruise vacations are fun-packed with activities, both onboard and in destinations, you may need an energy boost to keep up from time to time. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or sustained energy for your vacation’s daily h
5 Spots in the Florida Keys You Can’t Miss
The Florida Keys are a diverse group of islands. Each town is home to unique experiences and adventures. A drive down on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is the perfect way to explore the region. We’ll take you on a tour of the can’t-miss spots in the Florida Keys. Snorkel at Key Largo
5 Tips for Cruising out of Baltimore with Children
Cruising with your children can be a fun time of making memories, or it can be a nightmare. The difference is some careful planning and knowing how to make your vacation extra-special. One of the unique benefits of cruising is that moms, dad, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even grandparents c
3 Onboard Spa Treatments to Try on Your Next Cruise
Aboard cruise ships, spa treatments are anything but ordinary. Dim lights, soothing sounds and pleasant smells are all expected in a spa experience. However, laying comfortably on a zero-gravity massage table, thermal suites inspired by Turkish and Roman baths, or a mindful living program, all overl
Trick or Treat … or Travel
The Monthly Mantra Halloween, Ahoy! … Halloween, Ahoy! … Halloween, Ahoy! I just finished the final Twix in the massive bag of assorted Halloween candy I bought — obviously, a bit too early — for my trick-or-treaters. I finished the Twizzlers yesterday, so if the kids don’t like Th
Yes, You Can Still Enjoy A Cruise While Dieting
Embracing healthier diet and exercise lifestyle choices requires long-term commitment to see results. If you eat junk food every time you attend a party or go on a vacation, it will be incredibly difficult to reach and maintain a healthy weight. You need to find healthy eating practices that you can
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 26, 2018
October may be the scariest month, but there’s nothing to fear when you book a cruise at a great deal from our cruise-loving friends over at Royal Caribbean. Their Daring Deals Sale is running now and you’ll love the savings! Twist and turn down ten stories of thrills on the tallest slid
5 Spooky Places to Visit in New Orleans
Black cats and voodoo magic. New Orleans is the hot spot for the supernatural. The mix of Spanish, French, and Creole influences all adds a mysterious flavor to this city. Is there a better way to celebrate Halloween than a trip to the most haunted places in the Big Easy? Here are the 5 spookiest [&
TRAVEL TIPS: Choose a Historical Detour and Meet Jamaica’s ‘White Witch’
While on a Caribbean cruise, you’re likely to see an endless number of beaches. But what if you find yourself getting tired of being a beach bum? While Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches and scenic landscape, it is also packed with history. Jamaica was once a British colony, and slaves wor
The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour: Boston
Fall is here – the weather is just right, pumpkin spice is in the air, and people are planning their holiday travels. While making a list of must visit places for Fall foliage, Boston should be on the top. Worth a visit any time of the year (except, maybe, winter), Boston is very easy to […
