VIP@Sea: Jetset Christina is Livin’ La Vida Luxury
Christina Vidal is living her best life. From being named one of Travel & Leisure’s top luxury travel Instagrams to making it onto our own list of influencers to watch, everybody is talking about this sun-kissed explorer. The blogger/influencer/swimsuit designer gives Porthole an insider’s l
Perfect Pre-Cruise Prep in Portugal
The Monthly Mantra The Transition … The Transition … The Transition Could it really be only one day since my butt was crammed into an airline seat aboard a trans-Atlantic flight with a temperature that had to be hovering at the freezing mark? Between shivers and trying to ignore the scre
Shore Excursion: Nude Beaches
Whether visiting a nude beach is a spontaneous whim or a long-planned rite of passage, that thrill of disrobing can be every bit as addictive as the feeling of the wind, sun, and water on your unclothed body. Fortunately for thrill-seekers, there are clothing-optional or fully nude beaches all aroun
Where Can I Smoke on a Cruise Ship?
Everyone has vices. Whether it’s a piece of chocolate cake, a glass of fine Scotch or lighting up a cigarette or a cigar, how you treat yourself is your business. However, one of the most popular questions we get asked is: where can I smoke on a cruise ship? Here’s our guide to lighting up [&h
Cruise Ship Review: Nieuw Statendam’s Very Oprah Inaugural
What happens when you get 2,400 women together on a cruise ship for a Girls’ Getaway with Oprah Winfrey? Tons of laughter, loads of camaraderie, and hugs and tears resulting from both. Even Oprah herself was moved by the experience. At the end of the cruise, as she was about to christen Holland Am
Perfect Day at CocoCay: Port Review
Royal Caribbean’s newly updated private island, aptly named Perfect Day at CocoCay, has been officially open since May. Garnering a great deal of attention from cruisers “loyal to Royal”, we too were very interested to see if the island lived up to this rather lofty title. Unable to resist any
Top 10 Cruise Influencers of 2019
Travel influencers are a dime a dozen these days, but the tides have turned in favor of engagement and content, rather than followers. Porthole Cruise Magazine has dived into the depths of cruise influencers, reading their blogs, examining their posts and searching for the most authentic personalit
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 12, 2019
You know what your summer is missing? An adventure! Plenty of cruise lines offer a fun and relaxing time on board the ship, but some cruise lines are geared towards getting guests closer to nature and adventure. UnCruise is one such cruise line with tons of small-ship itineraries to exotic locations
8 Popular Cruises You Shouldn’t Be Booking (And 8 You Should)
Cruising is infectious. Once people get a taste of what a true cruise vacation can be like, they’re always looking for the next great destination to explore. There are tons of great cruise itineraries out there, but which ones should you be booking? Do you go with the flow and cruise where eve
Tips for Decorating Your Stateroom Door
Ah, there’s nothing like soaking in the grandeur a magnificent cruise ship, only to be greeted by rows and rows of plain-looking, neutral colored hallways where your stateroom awaits. To break up the monotony—and to make finding your room about 20 times easier—many cruisers participate in
Music Theme Cruises Rock the Boats!
It’s late night on the dimly lit dance floor, and music feeds the festive atmosphere. Two ladies wearing black dresses and Mardi Gras masks adorned with peacock feathers glide over and catch my attention. We form a little dance circle, and several others join in as the energy rises at the masquera
Don’t Miss Historic Charleston Before You Cruise
With a history that extends back to the Colonial Era of America, Charleston is a port city that is packed with American history. From the historic downtown to Fort Sumter, there is a historical marker that ties Charleston to the major wars fought on South Carolina soil, as well as displaying life as
48 Hours: Five Ways to Spend Two Days in Istanbul
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the world’s most mesmerizing cities. Founded by the Greeks around 700 B.C., ruled by the Romans, then later conquered by the Ottoman Empire, its perfect location on the Bosphorus strait transcends Western civilization. The old quarter of
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 5, 2019
When the hotdogs have all been eaten and the sparklers all burned out, the thought of going back to work after a fun-filled 4th of July weekend is nothing short of depressing. However, our friends across the pond at Cunard Line know how much American’s love our Independence Day and they’
Are There Vegetarian Options on Cruise Ships?
Taking an adventure out to sea amidst a bevy of bountiful food on board can be interesting for a vegetarian. At first, those who oblige to a vegetarian diet only find themselves wondering if they’ll be able to satisfy their tastebuds AND get quality nutrition. Fear not vegetarians! All cruise
Aruba: Vacation at Your Own Pace
The first thing most notice as they peer out the windows of their plane landing at Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba is the water. A palate of stunning blues and greens, the coastline of Aruba jumps out at those visiting the island for the first time. When it comes to booking your next va
Costa Smeralda: Made for the Mediterranean
Few places in the world embody beauty, style and hospitality quite like Italy. The island of Sardinia, the 2nd largest in the Mediterranean Sea, couples rich history with fabulous scenery and is home to the ultra-luxury Costa Smeralda region on the island’s northern coast. For Costa Cruises, it on
MUST HAVE TRAVEL GEAR: Cruise Packing Solutions
Remember the days when you couldn’t print your boarding pass online the night before your flight? Remember when navigating a new country meant unfolding and scouring a map instead of typing the address into a smartphone and letting it do the work for you? Remember a world before selfies? We sure d
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park: A Hidden Gem in Cozumel
If you’re a frequent cruiser, there’s a good chance you’ve visited Cozumel, Mexico at least once. This popular port-of-call is a staple in the Western Caribbean. Even if you think you’ve “been there, done that” in Cozumel, there’s one place you really need t
Make Embarkation Day Easier with Transportation from Your South Florida Hotel
Cruising day is finally here! If you’re like most people, you probably booked your cruise vacation from South Florida months in advance, but thankfully your long wait is finally over. Embarkation day is exciting, but it can also be a little stressful if you go into it without a plan. There are ple
