See the world … from the deck of your cruise ship!
Monday Mantra I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board See the world… from the deck of your cruise ship! Sometimes, a lounge chair and a cold drink is all you need. Sometimes you meet some nutty people on a cruise, and I’d written Larry off as […]
Five Faves: Culinary Keepsakes – dining experiences at sea
Porthole’s Five Faves Culinary Keepsakes Five favorite dining experiences at sea Ask any cruiser and chances are they will admit that food is key to their overall shipboard experience. While there’s no doubt that today’s cruise ships serve cuisine that rivals top-notch, land-based restaurants
What’s in the Blue Lagoon? … and more – Cruise News, Sept. 19, 2014
What’s in the Blue Lagoon? Cruise News – Sept. 19, 2014 Porthole is in Reykjavik this week, attending the Society of American Travel Writers annual conference. So we took the opportunity to visit the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s manmade, geothermal spa. While we feared it might be overly tourist
Mmmm, Beer – Cruise News, Sept. 19, 2014
Mmmm, Beer. Cruise News – Sept. 19, 2014 Princess Cruises is jumping on the craft-beer craze with special-branded brews, including Seawitch West Coast IPA. The name “seawitch” comes from the iconic Princess mermaid logo. The beer honors the line’s 50th anniversary. The IPA was
Newest Holland Ship Gets a Name – Cruise News, Sept. 19, 2014
Newest Holland Ship Gets a Name. Cruise News – Sept. 19, 2014 Holland America Line’s new 2,650-passenger ship, currently under construction in Italy and set for debut in 2016, will be called Koningsdam. The Pinnacle-class ship will be the cruise line’s largest ever built. While the 141
Carnival Guarantees Satisfaction – Again – Cruise News, Sept. 19, 2014
Carnival Guarantees Satisfaction – Again. Cruise News – Sept. 19, 2014 Carnival Cruise Lines said it is continuing its “Great Vacation Guarantee” through 2015. The promise to consumers is a 110 percent refund, transportation home, and a $100 shipboard credit for use on a future cruis
Till Death Do We Debark
Monday Mantra I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising… Till Death Do We Debark Cruise with me, my love… on the sea, the sea of love…. My husband, Michael, and I have been married 17 years, but it could have been a lot longer if only the gods that controlled our respective
Five Faves: Insomniac-tivities (Why should all the cruise fun be had while under the sun?)
Porthole’s Five Faves Insomniac-tivities Why should all the cruise fun be had while under the sun? “…In heavy seas you feel rocked to sleep, the windows’ spume a gentle shushing, engines’ throb a mother’s pulse.” In David Foster Wallace’s beloved ode to cruising, he sho
What’s showing aboard Costa Diadema?… and more – Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014.
What’s showing aboard Costa Diadema? Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014 Costa Cruises teased out details of entertainment options aboard Costa Diadema, the line’s new 3,734-passenger flagship. Expect everything from Irish step dancing to a laser play area. New shows in the three-level
Princess to Float a Rose Bowl Love Boat – Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014.
Princess to Float a Rose Bowl Love Boat Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014 Watch the Rose Parade on January 1 and you’ll see a floating floral version of the bow of Regal Princess. Plus, aboard the float will be six original cast members of “The Love Boat” TV series. Yup, Captain S
Look What’s Being Served in Carnival’s Main Dining – Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014.
Look What’s Being Served in Carnival’s Main Dining Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014 New on Carnival Cruise Lines’ main dining room menus: Steakhouse Selections. For $20, you can indulge in a 1½-pound Maine lobster, 9-oz. filet mignon, 14-oz. New York strip steak, or surf-and-turf. Th
High Roller Headlines Norwegian Poker Challenge – Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014.
High Roller Headlines Norwegian Poker Challenge Cruise News – Sept. 26, 2014. Norwegian Cruise Line has landed a big fish to headline its first annual Norwegian Poker Challenge. Aboard the November 9-16, 2014, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Epic will be World Series of Poker Champion Jo
Cruise Companions
Monday Mantra I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars… Cruise Companions No matter the miles in between, some onboard friendships endure long after debarkation. Just when I was beginning to think most cruises were packed to the pool deck with a predictable combination
Five Faves: Cruise Line Apps You Can’t Do Without
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Cruise Line Apps You Can’t Do Without. Unlock your ship’s secrets with this smart software. Some cruisers like to enjoy their vacation as an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world, a chance to take the smart phone, tablet, BlackBerry, and laptop and lock th
Deals of the Week: CLIA Cruise Week Brings Savings…and more – Cruise News, Oct. 3, 2014
Deals of the Week: CLIA Cruise Week Brings Savings Cruise News – Oct. 3, 2014 [sf_iconbox image=”ss-star” character=”” type=”left-icon-alt” title=”Porthole’s Featured Cruise Deals of the Week!” animation=”fade-in” animation_delay=”
Crystal Symphony Gets a Makeover – Cruise News, Oct. 3, 2014
Crystal Symphony Gets a Makeover Cruise News – Oct. 3, 2014 Crystal Cruises likes to keep things fresh, with the latest example being a $20 million redesign of Crystal Symphony during a two-week drydock. The ship is showing off new fitness areas, updated public rooms, and additional allergy-friend
Familiar Faces and New Places on Norwegian Escape – Cruise News – Oct. 3, 2014
Familiar Faces and New Places on Norwegian Escape Cruise News – Oct. 3, 2014 Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape, the Breakaway-Plus ship scheduled to debut next fall, will retain popular design features from the line’s Breakaway class, including The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place
Show me the way. Sometimes, it’s not the destination, but the guide who really makes the journey.
Monday Mantra I want a great guide…I want a great guide…I want a great guide… Show me the way Sometimes, it’s not the destination, but the guide who really makes the journey. The cruise lines have this whole shore excursion thing all wrong. I already know that places like The Vatican, The Lo
Five Faves: Unique Museums of the Western Med
Porthole’s Five Faves Unique Museums of the Western Med Cruise through culture with these memorable – and often overlooked – collections. While these are extraordinary museums, they may not be the first ones that come to mind in the culture-rich Western Mediterranean. However, as an a
Tats at Sea, Featured Deal… and more – Cruise News – Oct. 10, 2014
Tats at Sea, Featured Deals… and more Cruise News, Oct. 10, 2014 You knew it was coming. America’s first-ever tattoo-themed cruise will take place on Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas next year. And yes, there will be opportunity to get inked onboard – and by so
