Asian River Cruise Line Pandaw Shuts Down After 25 Years
Some sad news in the cruise world this morning. Pandaw, a river expedition cruise line sailing Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and India has announced they’re closing their doors after more than 25 years in business. In the press release, Pandaw cited “lack of financial liquidity a
From the Readers: A Portal Porthole to a New World
Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine readers are always sharing their best cruise and travel stories with us. Check out the latest submission below! A Portal Porthole to a New World I enjoy a good spoiler, so here it is: Take a cruise, at least, once in your life. It’s been two weeks since my
Mangia, Mangia on Costa Smeralda
If there is one thing synonymous with the Italian way of life, eating would certainly rank at the top of the list. For Italians, it’s not just sustenance for survival, it’s a cultural celebration that is carried out flawlessly aboard the beautiful Costa Smeralda. Ranking as the fifth largest cru
MSC Cruises CEO ‘Confident’ Full Fleet Will Be Back by Winter 2022
While most cruise lines have been sitting idle for the past 13 months, MSC Cruises has proven time and again that cruising can be safe during a pandemic. The cruise line restarted ships in the Mediterranean on board MSC Grandiosa and Magnifica last August and since then, tho
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 29, 2021
Happy Halloween! Hopefully you’ve got your Squid Game and Ted Lasso costumes ready to go for a fun night of trick-or-treating! The good news is we’re finally starting to see some progress when it comes to opening up travel around the world. Starting November 8th, there are ways for inter
Back in Bliss: On Board the Return ofNorwegian Bliss
Norwegian Cruise Lines has continued its Great Cruise Comeback with the restart of the Norwegian Bliss sailing out of Los Angeles on 7 night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera. As one of the line’s most successful ships ever launched in its 57 year history, seeing this beauty back in action is cau
Thailand Ends Travel Restrictions for Dozens of Countries
One of the world’s most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia is reopening for international tourism! Thailand has ended the mandatory quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers from an approved list of more than 60 countries. The country is also opening up to locals as Thailand
Destination Immersion in the Greek Islands with Azamara
There’s really only one way to describe the Greek islands: picture-perfect. From the immaculate white-washed homes to the crystal-clear water lapping the many sand beaches, these islands have developed a vivid allure that’s put them at the very top of destination bucket lists all over the world.
Who’s Cruising to Antarctica for the 2021 Total Solar Eclipse?
A trip to Antarctica to watch a total eclipse of the sun can be the voyage of a lifetime, traveling to the ends of the Earth in order to witness such an extreme astronomical event in an environment so stark and dramatic. On December 4, 2021, the path of totality – that is, the area […]
Celebrity Apex Sets Sail on Inaugural Cruise
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale played host to a special event today as Celebrity Cruises’ new ship Celebrity Apex kicked off its inaugural Caribbean season. After the official naming ceremony, the ship will begin sailing rotating Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerarie
Le Barth is Back
Le Barthélemy has been named the number one hotel on St. Barths, and now I know why. I’ve just spent several days at this small luxury hotel, and it is no wonder why the accolades are pouring in. Everything from the food to the service and the turquoise ocean views from my suite was très [&helli
The Perfect Holiday Gifts for Cruisers
The holidays are BACK — and so is cruising! This year, you can hope to gather with family and friends for holiday dinners, drinks, parties, gift-giving, and other festivities that go far, far beyond that 60-minute video call that was the extent of last year’s holiday celebration — the one wher
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 5, 2021
Happy Holidays, everyone! Holiday season 2021 is upon us and that means cruises are headed to warmer climates all over the Caribbean and Central America. If you’re still planning your next cruise vacation, cruise lines are still offering deals galore as they ramp up operation back to ful
Cruising on Viking Venus: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Never say never, I suppose, but I’d be stunned if anyone even caught a cold aboard a Viking Ocean ship, much less contracted COVID-19. I just returned from a 12-night Mediterranean Odyssey voyage aboard Viking Venus, the latest addition to Viking’s gorgeous series of identical 930-passenger, 47,
Celebrity Cruises Takes Another Step Towards Full Fleet Return
Over the weekend, Celebrity Cruises marked another milestone in their cruise return when Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Constellation both set sail with passengers for the first time since the pandemic began. Celebrity now has 10 of their 14 ships active around the world with
Richard Fain Steps Down as Royal Caribbean Group CEO
Cruisers woke up to some monumental news in the industry this morning. Richard Fain, one of the most recognizable people in cruising, has announced he’s stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Caribbean Group after more than 33 years effective January 3, 2022. The cruise lin
New Look at Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess
Another day, another brand new cruise ship for us to covet! Princess Cruises released a series of first look images and video of their brand new ship Enchanted Princess and wow does it look spectacular! Princess Cruises also announced a special naming ceremony celebration will be broadcast on M
Check Out the New Culinary Enhancements from Oceania Cruises
Earlier this year, Oceania Cruises unveiled a series of fleet-wide culinary enhancements which included specially-crafted dining experiences, menus and elevated service levels as part of their OceaniaNEXT initiative. OceaniaNEXT is a set of enhancements aimed at elevating every aspect of t
Bahamian Para-Triathlete Erin Brown Named Odyssey of the Seas Godmother
When Odyssey of the Seas sets sail on her naming ceremony cruise this weekend, a very special guest will be in attendance. Erin Brown, a Para-Triathlete from the Bahamas, has been named the Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s newest ship thanks to her story of courage and determinati
World Travel & Tourism Council Says Travel Rebounded in 2021
A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that the U.S. travel and tourism sector is on pace for year-over-year growth in 2021 of nearly 36%, a number that well exceeds the global tourism recovery. The best news? It’s looking like 2022 could be even better!&n
