Meet Rob, MSC Cruises’ New Robot Bartender
When MSC Virtuosa was delivered to MSC Cruises earlier this month, company chairman Pierfrancesco Vago hailed the ship’s technological advancements, including the world’s first humanoid bartender at sea. Today the cruise line released more details about that robot and we can’t wa
Virgin Voyages Gifts Cruises with Shipload of Love Campaign
Is there someone special in your life who deserves a free cruise? After the disaster of a year that was 2020, Virgin Voyages has decided to gift 1,000 cruises those who deserve one this Valentine’s Day and they’re asking you to nominate someone special in your life. Whether you nominate
Choose Your Cruise – February 12, 2021
Due to restrictions on cruise ships by size that are popping up around the world, this edition of choose your cruise is going to focus on small ships and the exotic places they travel. If you’re a cruiser, but you spend all your vacations on large ships, you’re missing out on a very uniq
New Azamara Chairman Orlando Ashford Bullish on the Industry
There’s been plenty of cruise news lately, but one of the most significant news breaks came in January when Royal Caribbean Group announced they’d sold their small ship brand Azamara to a private equity firm in New York called Sycamore Partners. If that news wasn’t big enough, the
AIDA Cruises To Resume Operation March 20th
German cruise line AIDA announced today that they plan to resume cruise operations beginning March 20, 2021 on board their ship AIDAperla. The first sailing will visit Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Northern Africa. The decision comes in part because of the German federal go
Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Cruises Until June
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that they’ve suspended all cruises until June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global travel climate. The news also applies to NCL’s sister brands Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas. According to the NCL website:
Royal Caribbean Group’s “Pay it Forward” Program Now Open
The past year (year!) has been difficult for everyone involved in the cruise and travel space. Empty planes, empty cruise ships and for travel agents, empty bookings day after day. Thankfully Royal Caribbean Group decided to do something about it. As part of the second phase of their successful RCL
Shore Power Coming to PortMiami
Newly-elected Mayor of Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava has made clear she cares deeply about the well-being of her county and perhaps it’s most important industry; cruising. Today, her office announced another initiative which will help out both immensely. The Mayor and Miami
Choose Your Cruise – February 19, 2021
Another week, another slew of cruise line’s pushing back their start date. Most are numb to the thought now when just a year ago cancelled cruises sent us all into panic mode. As cruise lines tread water just to stay afloat, the good news is a mega-push to get vaccines into the hands of as [&h
Crystal Cruises to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Guests
One of the most common questions we get asked these days is will passengers need a COVID-19 vaccination to sail when cruise lines resume operation. There wasn’t a concrete answer previously, but one major cruise line has come out and made the issue black and white. Crystal Cruises will require
These River Cruise Ships are Available for Private Charter
In the age of social distancing, cruisers are turning to private yacht charters as a way to fulfill their wanderlust and still adhere to the social distancing necessary to stay safe in a pandemic. One cruise company decided to open up their fleet of luxury cruise ships for private charter and if you
Experience an Exceptional Food and Wine Pairing at Kendall-Jackson
A grand estate, surrounded by lush, green vineyards, provides a home to one of Sonoma County’s most well-known wineries, Kendall-Jackson. Perky black-eyed Susans blossom in large mounds around the spacious entry, their bright yellow petals provide a cheery splash of color to the scene. A water fou
Dominican Republic Travel Restrictions You Need to Know
As we count down the days until cruise ships can sail from the United States once more, cruisers are turning to other getaways to satisfy their wanderlust and for many, escape the cold and snow of winter. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean, seein
Antigua Completes Construction on Fifth Cruise Pier
Just because it’s been nearly a full year since cruise ships last called on the island of Antigua doesn’t mean the people there haven’t been preparing for their return. The island recently completed construction on the fifth cruise ship berth at St. John’s Port at a cost of $
Carnival Cruise Line Pauses Operation Through May 31, 2021
Some more not-so-great news for cruisers. Carnival Cruise Line has announced a pause in operations until June 2021. The full press release from the company including a quote from company President Christine Duffy is below. Statement from Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line ha
Holland America Cancels Cruises That Depart or Conclude in Canadian for 2021
When Canada banned cruise ships from visiting their ports until 2022, it created a whole host of headaches for cruise lines. We’re now starting to see the repercussions of that decision as Holland America Line has paused all sailings that depart from or conclude in a Canadian port in 2021
Princess Cancels More Sailings Due to Canada Cruise Ban
Along with their Carnival Corporation brand sister line Holland America, Princess Cruises was forced to cancel select Alaska, Canada, New England and Pacific Coast cruises in 2021. Earlier this month, Canadian Transport Ministry announced an Interim Order that extends the closure of Canadian po
American Queen Steamboat Company CEO Explains Mandatory Vaccine Decision
As talk in America turns from preventing COVID-19 infection to administering the COVID-19 vaccine, all eyes are on cruise lines to see what their policy will be on a return to cruising. Will cruise lines require a vaccine for passengers? We got some clarity on that issue recently from American Queen
Choose Your Cruise – February 26, 2021
It’s Friday! And it’s also the last weekend in February. That’s a big deal because it means the 1 year anniversary of the cruise stoppage is only weeks away. It seemed unfathomable at the time we’d have to wait a whole year to cruise again, but here we are, a year old and a y
25 Years of Cruising with Porthole Cruise Magazine
Time flies when you’re having fun! And trust us, there’s nowhere better to have fun than onboard a cruise ship. Porthole Cruise Magazine is proud to celebrate 25 years of publishing the world’s best consumer cruise and travel magazine and looking back, it’s been a long journe
