Grape Destinations: The Best of Tasmanian Wine Culture
What started as a novelty experience 10 years ago has morphed into an annual wine tasting event I cannot miss. And nor should any serious wine lover. It involves a single wine variety that is renowned for its brooding and moody character called Pinot Noir. For me the event is quite literally a sea
Enticed by the Flavors of Abruzzo
To my throngs of ardent Porthole Cruise followers (both of you!), you know I love to expound on regional foods. Well, it’s been two days since I posted anything about that dear to my stomach subject, so allow me fill the void in your never ending search for culinary enlightenment. In Abruzzo, It
In Memory of Robbie Vallon: Voices From Friends at PPI
Humble enough to know that I am not better than anybody, and wise enough to know that I am different than the rest. – Unknown The author of the above quote never met Robert Vallon, but it perfectly encapsulates who he was and what he stood for. Robbie, as he was known, was and remains [&hellip
5 Reasons You Need to Cruise Off-Season
Off-season cruising. Some consider it an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp. Who wants to see the Caribbean in August or the Baltic Sea in October? Savvy travelers, that’s who. If you can pick up and go any time, you’ll find big advantages when you book an off-season cruise during non-peak months. Here
Nod Pod Helps Cruisers and Travelers Get Better Sleep
One thing many cruisers and vacationers alike struggle with is getting a good night’s sleep. It can be difficult to settle your body and mind after an exciting day exploring someplace new, but thankfully Nod Pod is here to revolutionize how we relax. Nod Pod is unlike any other sleep aid in that i
Cruise Line Offers Free High Speed Internet to Crew
Crew members on board Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line can now stay connected to their friends and family at home thanks to complimentary high speed internet and cruise ship WIFI courtesy of the cruise line. From social media posts to video conferencing, the high speed connection allows for endless poss
Sophia Loren Highlights Glitzy Christening for MSC Seaview
When MSC Cruises needs to bring the style, they only have one call to make. Over the weekend, they celebrated the christening of their newest ship, MSC Seaview, with help from famed Italian actress Sophia Loren. Loren, who is also the ship’s Godmother, made the christening in Genoa, Italy a glamor
Gettin’ Wet And Wild at Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, Cozumel
Soft white sand between your toes. Brilliant turquoise water lapping at the the shoreline. A cold drink in your hand. Your dream vacation has finally begun. Visitors to the tropical island paradise of Cozumel have little to complain about. Crystal-clear waters, bright blue skies and warm sandy beac
Remembering an Iconic Cruise Ship Image
For Captain Kevin Oprey, sailing is life. From his boyhood in Southampton to his first job at 17 with the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, Captain Oprey has never been far from the sea. His current position is perhaps the most prestigious a Captain can have, navigating Cunard Line’s flagship ocea
6 Delights Of The Amalfi Coast Drive
Whenever I visit Sorrento, Italy, I am, well, driven. I always take the Amalfi Coast Drive, 30 miles of narrow, curving roads that are strung up on cliffs with waves crashing below. A UNESCO World Heritage Site facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Amalfi Coast is arguably one of the world’s most beau
Anthony Bourdain: Great Minds Don’t Go Down So Easy
See you Captain Crunch! I wrote that down as a comment on social media today. I feel sad, but relief for Anthony Bourdain, a man with a great mind. Most everyone saw chef Bourdain as a celebrity with a strong, unique personality. I saw him as a non-conformist. Since his book Kitchen Confidential was
Help 4Ocean Make a Difference for World Oceans Day (VIDEO)
Forget Space, there’s a place here on Earth that contains miles of unexplored terrain and countless undiscovered life forms. The Earth’s oceans cover 70% of the planet, yet we actually know very little about them and the mysteries they hold. What we do know, however, is that humans are polluting
Cruise Deal of the Week – June 8, 2018
Where else in the world can you jet ski past volcanic islands, snorkel through coral reefs then watch authentic fire dancers while enjoying a meal of fire pit roasted pork? The answer is French Polynesia! When it comes to your Polynesian vacation, Paul Gauguin Cruises is a premier name to cruise
7 Items on Every San Diego Bucket List
The defense for San Diego’s official “America’s Finest City” moniker is found in ever Pacific sunset, every climatically ideal afternoon, and every accommodation boasting fine coastal quality. It’s no secret that Southern California does easy living the right way, and a San Diego vacation
Exploring Carnival Horizon
The Monthly Mantra Just a Tease … Just a Tease … Just a Tease … It’s not possible to do everything there is to do aboard Carnival Horizon in 18 hours … I really tried. On May 23rd, I found myself strolling up the gangway of the newest member of Carnival’s fleet. That’s the good [&helli
Grape Destinations: Scent, Memory and Great Wine
Now I know why. Opening the large, heavy wooden door to the cellar always holds something deeply comforting for me. I will be engulfed in this wonderfully complex scent of something fruity blended with a whiff of mould. There is the aroma of wine along with wood and then something I can only describ
Jools Holland Brings the Music, Good Eats to Saga Cruises
When it comes to tickling the ivory, few come close to legendary pianist Jools Holland. Saga Cruises, a luxury British cruise line, is bringing Mr. Holland and his fantastic talents to sea as the face of “The Club by Jools” a restaurant and bar aboard Spirit of Discovery, the first ever ship bui
Weird Wednesday: In Europe, Ask for Ice
Americans who hopped across the pond to celebrate the Royal Wedding a few weeks ago were in for a few days of revelry, great food and of course, some drinks as well. While London is a great place to enjoy a gin and tonic, they do have a few quirks when it comes to their […]
Royal Caribbean Adds $120 Million in Upgrades to Mariner of the Seas
Visitors to the Cadiz Navantia shipyard near the southern-most tip of Spain are in for quite the sight for the next few weeks. Mariner of the Seas is in dry dock as crews complete more than $120 million in upgrades aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line vessel. From new water slides to virtual real
5 Bucket List Cruises to Experience
“I’m going to do that,” you’ve probably said at some point in your life after coming across a great vacation. When it comes to the best bucket list cruises, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from. Forget about the Caribbean, Alaska, or anywhere else cruise lines sail to regularly, thes
