Cruise Deal of the Week – November 12, 2021
It was a busy week for cruising as a few major announcements, both good and unexpected, had the industry buzzing this week. The most significant news was the announcement that Richard Fain would retire from his position as the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group after 33 years effective in early January. F
Dr. Lucille O’Neal Named Godmother of Carnival Radiance
She spent years watching her son Shaquille dominate the basketball court, now Dr. Lucille O’Neal has a new responsibility in her life; Godmother of the recently transformed Carnival Radiance coming this December following a $200 million drydock refurbishment and renaming from th
Royal Caribbean Holds Naming Ceremony for New Odyssey of the Seas
The newest ship from Royal Caribbean International is officially ready to sail! The cruise line hosted a naming ceremony on board the brand new Odyssey of the Seas in Port Everglades on Saturday. The ship’s Godmother, Erin Brown, the first Bahamian paratriathlete to compete in the Paralympic G
Windstar Cruises Adds All-Inclusive Pricing Options
One of the most popular small ship luxury cruise lines is changing the way they sell cruises. Windstar Cruises announced today that the cruise line would now be offering all-inclusive cruise vacations where guests pay a flat fee for their booking which includes the base cruise fare, unlimi
Basque by the Bottle
Before we explore some of Europe’s most interesting wines, the term ‘Basque’ deserves explanation. Euskadi, Basque Country, is an autonomous community in Spain, but it is also a larger cultural zone that spills beyond the political borders and even into France. The Basque have their own govern
Sophia Loren Presides Over MSC Seashore Naming Ceremony
After a day of exploring both a brand new cruise ship and a private island paradise in the Bahamas, guests sailing on board MSC Seashore still had one thing to look forward to; the very first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island and the chance to catch a glimpse of [&he
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam Returns to Service
Over the weekend, one of cruising’s top brands Holland America Line returned another ship to service, brining their total operating number to five ships since cruising resumed earlier this year. Nieuw Statendam sailed from Fort Lauderdale, FL yesterday for a seven-day western&nb
Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Comes to Disney Wish
We’re going to have to wait a little longer before we can sail on board the upcoming Disney Wish from Disney Cruise Line, but today we got some new details about the ship’s entertainment lineup. The ship will feature two brand-new theatrical productions; a Broadway-style take on Wal
St. Kitts: Awake Your Sense of Wander
When was the last time you really felt a sense of adventure? One of the best things about travel is it awakens within us a natural curiosity about the world we live in and fuels our sense of adventure and desire to experience new things. Of all the islands in the Caribbean, St. Kitts is […]
Black Friday 2021 Cruise Deals
The official start of the Holiday Season is upon us! No, not Thankgiving…Black Friday! While people all over the country snag deals on everything from washing machines to air fryers, cruisers are gearing up for the cruise industry’s annual Black Friday savings! We’ve got cruises on
Mississippi River Cruising Aboard The New American Melody
With international travel and health protocols still presenting challenges, there’s no better time to experience close to home cruising. With the launch of American Cruise Lines’ new American Melody, that choice of convenience is even more apropos. The company’s current fleet of vessels ply th
MSC Cruises Names New MSC Virtuosa in Dubai
Just last week, the team from Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine was on board the brand new MSC Seashore for its naming ceremony at Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. Over the weekend, MSC Cruises held another naming ceremony for the other ship they launched in 2021, MSC Virtuosa. On hand in Port
The Best Tropical Treasure Hunt on St. Thomas
When Celebrity Edge made the first cruise ship call on St. Thomas in well over a year this past July, it marked a turning point for tourism to the island and the Caribbean as a whole following the COVID-19 pandemic. Those visiting St. Thomas via cruise ship or by air are in luck as the island [&hel
Emerald Azzurra Completes Successful Sea Trials
The very first custom super yacht from Emerald Cruises recently underwent successful sea trials from Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, meaning we’re one step closer to stepping foot on board! Conducted by Captain Jonathan Edwards and Marine Operations Manager Robert O’Leary, the sea trials t
Virgin Voyages Gifts 500 Cruises to Healthcare Workers
Scarlet Lady just started sailing from PortMiami, but the team at Virgin Voyages is already making an impact on their new South Florida community. The cruise line is showing its appreciation for the community’s healthcare heroes by giving away 500 complimentary cabins for employees at Ba
Antarctica’s Incredible Eclipse
Have you ever experienced totality? It happens during daylight every 18 months or so and lasts for just a few precious minutes, but typically only a few thousand people get to experience it. The result of the rare occurrence of the moon slipping perfectly across the sun to block its light, those bel
Costa Cruises Takes Delivery of Costa Toscana
Costa Cruises has taken delivery of their newest ship at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland! Costa Toscana is the second ship under the Costa brand to feature LNG technology, the maritime sector’s most advanced technology for reducing emissions. The ship’s first cruise&
Cruise Deal of the Week – December 3, 2021
Did you miss out on the cruise deal bonanza that was Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Never fear! There are still a ton of awesome cruise deals to be had around the industry and there’s never been a better time to book your next cruise vacation. When things get cold up North, things really
Do and Buy In Dubai
If you are sailing into or out of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the proverbial ‘so much to see, so little time’ is a gross understatement. If you can arrange a pre or post cruise stay, this arid outpost of rampant wealth, fueled by an urge to flaunt excess is well worth the effort. It may [&h
An American River Holiday
Climb back aboard with treasured purchases — homemade orange marmalade, perhaps, or hand-knitted scarves for the family. Check your watch — time for a gingerbread house-making workshop. The fragrance of pine cones wafts through the riverboat as holiday decorations twinkle. Sure sounds like a Chr
