Yoga Transformation in Costa Rica
With some luck and a little fate, I found myself on a 7-day yoga retreat at the Goddess Garden in Costa Rica. One word describes my experience: transformation. This retreat was truly a transformation of mind, body and soul. Everything you would expect of a yoga retreat happened. Classes, meditation,
MSC Cruises Introduces Voice-Enabled Personal Assistant
MSC Cruises has revealed a brand-new feature of MSC for Me, the company’s digital innovation program. The new digital cruise personal assistant is a ground-breaking guest service, developed in partnership with HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and l
Grape Destinations: The Willamette Winemakers
The thick, weathered vines at Sokol Blosser attest to the decades that have passed since the rootstocks were first planted. It’s almost as if the vines are supporting the trellises and not the other way around. These days, it’s hard to believe that the vines were once small, timid, and so reli
Portugal Fashion Week Kicks Off at Lisbon’s New Cruise Terminal
The 42nd Portugal Fashion Week kicked off on March 17, 2018, at the new Lisbon Cruise Terminal in the building designed by architect Carrilho da Graça. The event opened with Storytailors’ duo João Branco and Luís Sanchez, who promised not a traditional catwalk show, but a fashion show performan
Spectrum of the Seas Is Coming Together One Block At A Time (VIDEO)
Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas hits a milestone today in its unique construction process. Spectrum’s Floating Engine Room Unit mega-block set sail on its 3-day, 296 nautical mile journey down the River Ems to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Royal Caribbean Internation
TRAVEL TIPS: Ketchikan, Alaska, a Picture-Perfect Port
Ketchikan is a popular cruise port in Alaska’s Inside Passage, which runs along the southeastern coast and is characterized by fjords, wooded islands, and snow-topped mountains. Despite being home to only 8,000 residents, there’s plenty to see and do in this quaint, adorable seaside t
A Little Luxury Becomes Me
There may be higher-level accommodations aboard Oceania Cruises’ Marina but my way-more-affordable Concierge-Class stateroom and all its perks knocked my socks — or should I say flip-flops — off during my amazing 12-day French Polynesia sailing. Let’s begin with my Marina cabin itself:
Lindblad Expeditions Names First Polar Ship National Geographic Endurance
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., a global provider of expedition cruises and adventure travel experiences, and Ulstein Group, Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer, celebrated the keel laying of Lindblad’s first polar new build at the CRIST shipyard in Gdynia, Poland. The major milestone al
In Brief: Rapunzel’s Royal Table debuts on Disney Magic and more!
Among the many recent enhancements that guests began experiencing aboard Disney Magic last week was the debut of Rapunzel’s Royal Table, a Tangled-themed family restaurant featuring beloved characters and live entertainment. Upon entering the royal castle, guests are invited by the King and Queen
Cruise Deal of the Week – Mar. 16, 2018
Victory Cruise Lines is offering a 2-for-1 deal on select Canada and St. Lawrence cruises aboard Victory II. Sailing between Halifax and Detroit, the 10-night French Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway itineraries call on Charlottetown, Quebec City, Montreal, and Cleveland. Contact Victory
Royal Caribbean Plans Major CocoCay Upgrade Plus Ship Enhancements for Weekend Cruises
Royal Caribbean International has announced a multi-BILLION-dollar investment in its destinations, ships, and experiences. From amazing new features at its private island of CocoCay to a major investment in current ship upgrades as well as new high-tech ships on the horizon, here’s what you can l
Is Yachting the New Cruising?
Last week, Porthole Cruise Magazine attended Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s largest event complete with information, networking, and news from the cruise lines themselves where we saw more than one yacht cruise on display. Sailing to remote, underdeveloped, stunning regions of the w
Cruise Control | 12 Secret Tips for MSC Seaside (Video)
Porthole Cruise Magazine’s review team set sail on MSC’s newest ship, MSC Seaside. What they found might surprise you! Here are a few tips to making the most out of your first day aboard: ARRIVAL: Avoid the early-bird rush by arriving between 1p.m. and 4p.m. LUGGAGE: Travel light and pack the ne
Silversea’s Silver Spirit Gets Cut in Two and Lengthened
A great spectacle of naval engineering, Silversea’s Silver Spirit has been cut in two at Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy, as part of her planned lengthening. A prebuilt 15-meter (49-foot) segment was inserted and the ship is now being reconnected. The rare lengthening project will create
Porthole Cruise Party 2018 Photos and Video
Porthole Party 2018 Check out the exciting photos and video from this year’s Porthole Cruise Party, which was held in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, during Seatrade Cruise Global, the industry’s largest conference and trade show. Click HERE to see the photos Thanks to everyone wh
TRAVEL TIPS: Skip the Gym and Take a Volcano Crater Hike up one of the Caribbean’s Tallest Peaks
Any modern cruise ship or hotel today undoubtedly has a pristine gym, and many have fun classes to make sweating fun, but finding an adventurous way to be physically active outside can be an extremely appealing alternative while traveling. St. Kitts has more to offer than just their stunning white s
Cruise Deal of the Week – Mar. 9, 2018
River operator Emerald Waterways is offering savings up to $2,000 per couple on select 8-day cruises on the Danube or the Rhine. Book by March 31 with the code EWUTHOU to receive $1,000 per person off your choice of select departures of the “Sensations of Southern France” itinerary, whic
In Brief: Viking Sun in Shanghai, new river ships, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 9, 2018 Viking Ocean Cruises christened its fourth ship, Viking Sun, at a ceremony on The Bund in the heart of Shanghai. The ship was in the middle of sailing a sold-out 141-day World Cruise from Miami to London, and the naming marked the first time a Viking ocean ship calle
Disney Gives First Look at New Ships
Cruise News – Mar. 8, 2018 Disney Cruise Line has revealed more details about their upcoming three ships – scheduled for maiden voyages in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – in the form of a rendering (posted above) that depicts the ships’ exterior design. The ships will each be approximately 140,00
5 Faves: Presidential Pursuits for Women in Charge
Porthole’s 5 Faves Cruising’s leading women reveal their secrets to success, balance, and travel. Upcoming deadlines. A sea of emails (pun intended). Kid logistics when school is closed for Presidents’ Day. My to-do list seems never-ending! But every time I’m feeling overwhelmed betw