TRAVEL TIPS: Cartagena Off the Beaten Path, Explore the Rosario Islands
Cartagena is one of the most popular destinations in Colombia. The city itself has much to explore and discover, but just off the coast (roughly 21 miles) lie 27 small coral islands. Only three of the islands are public, Isla San Martin de Pajarales, Isla Grande and Isla del Pirata, and have facilit
Bring on the Baltics: Oceania Cruises mixes popular ports with undiscovered gems
By Steve Leland Location, location, location is a well-known incantation in reference to real estate potential, but in the world of cruising that mantra is more appropriately, destination, destination, destination. Oceania Cruises’ twin sister ships, Marina and Riviera, along with a supporting
Carnival Adds New Cruises to Cuba from Miami
Cruise News – Feb. 28, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line will offer 17 new sailings to Cuba aboard Carnival Sensation in 2019. The 5-day Cuba voyages will be the line’s first to operate round-trip from Miami and feature a day-long call in Havana as well as stops at popular Caribbean and Bahamian por
Suite Land: Manhattan Superlative
Step out of the hubbub of Midtown Manhattan’s 5th Avenue, pass between the twin Chinese guardian lions and you enter a place of timeless elegance. The historic building is appointed with classic touches, filled with helpful, white-uniformed attendants, and home to an ever-refreshed collection of c
Teen Scene | How 14-year-old twin boys fared on a river cruise with the ’rents
By Heidi Sarna Let’s face it. Most teenagers aren’t dying to go on a river cruise. But this mom of teen sons likes small-ship cruising and I’m still the boss (I think!). So last summer I signed the family up for a Bordeaux river cruise with the French line CroisiEurope. We boarded the 174-pass
Cunard Partners with Rocky Mountaineer to Add Alaska by Rail
Cruise News – Feb. 27, 2018 After recently announcing its return to Alaska in 2019, for the first time in over two decades, Cunard Line has announced a partnership with Rocky Mountaineer to offer add-on tours for extended experiences in Alaska. The Rocky Mountaineer railroad traverses histori
Grape Destinations: Visit Vila Nova de Gaia. Feel Portuguese!
At last, I was on my way to Porto, the city by the Douro River. On the train, or comboio, that I took from Oriente station in Lisbon, I was expecting to arrive at night in Porto, an almost three-hour ride. Uhum, well, not exactly – because it took me to Vila Nova de Gaia, […]
Our Three Favorite Ferry Rides in Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia is widely considered one of the planet’s most beautiful cities, largely because it encircles the world’s greatest natural harbor – and a visit is not complete without a ferry ride or two. An abundance of ferry routes offer close-up views of Sydney’s sparkling harbor, and ea
News Briefs: Carnival ships return to Havana and San Juan, and more…
Briefs – Feb. 23, 2018 Carnival Paradise will spend a month in dry dock in Freeport, adding a water park, 38 new cabins, 98 balconies to existing staterooms, and food and beverage outlets like Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, and more. The ship will return to 4- to 8-
Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 23, 2018 To celebrate Hurtigruten’s 125-year anniversary as a leader in exploration travel, the line is offering discounted cruises to some of the world’s most unchartered territories on select 6-,7-, and 12-day voyages along the coast of Norway between April 1,
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Reaches $2.5 Million Goal for Hurricane Relief
Cruise News – Feb. 23, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced that it has met the company’s goal of raising $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program. In less than four month
Cruise Control | Cruising the High-tech Seas (Video)
Is a virtual-reality vacation in your future? Travel-tech innovation is a hot topic… and we’ve got the latest on where it’s headed. Virtual reality, video mapping, and giant LED screens are bridging the gap in entertainment offering audiences an immersive experience through multimedia. Royal C
Freeport, Bahamas: To the Brewery and Beyond!
Any repeat cruiser knows that a stop in the Bahamas means “plan excursions ahead of time” or risk being stuck in the extremely-touristy-downtown shopping frenzy. As much as I enjoy bargain prices on knock-off purses, you can only really do this once or twice before it loses its novelty. The last
Three New Production Shows to Debut on Carnival Horizon
Cruise News – Feb. 20, 2018 For its newest ship, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Cruise Line’s in-house entertainment team has partnered with leading creative directors from Broadway, Los Angeles, and London’s West End to create three brand-new shows. As part of the line’s popular Playlist Prod
Luxury Travel Tech For Everyone
What technology must you have while traveling? Savvy travelers usually pack a portable power bank, universal (all-in-one) plug adapter, smartphone camera lens, noise-canceling headphones, laptop, portable speakers, and a selfie stick. These devices have been available for a while, and you probably o
Second Ship to Sail Daily to the Bahamas from Palm Beach
Cruise News – Feb. 20, 2018 Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the only line with a two-night cruise departing year-round from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, announced a new ship, Grand Classica, will join Grand Celebration, to begin sailing on April 13, 2018. The two ships expect to carry approxima
An Introduction to Abruzzo
Abruzzo, Italy Travel Guide The inevitable question is “where is that?” Followed by the predictable “is it near Tuscany ?” Once the Google Map imagery is set into the brain, then comes, “What made you decide to buy a house there?” Actually I was never been able t
News Briefs: Holland America’s new culinary shore excursions, and more …
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 16, 2018 Holland America Line is introducing a collection of new culinary-themed shore excursions developed in partnership with FOOD & WINE. The 23 EXC Tours, on select 2018 cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, will explore food, wine, and
Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 16, 2018 Small ship cruise line, Blount, is offering 20 percent off a special Fourth of July holiday cruise sailing round-trip from Boston (July 1-8, 2018) to the historic ports of Plymouth, Newburyport, Salem, Martha’s Vineyard, and Provincetown. The 8-day cruise,
Virgin Voyages Celebrates Opening South Florida Headquarters
Cruise News – Feb. 15, 2018 Virgin Voyages celebrated the official opening of its land-based headquarters in Plantation, Florida (about 15 minutes west of downtown Fort Lauderdale), during a festive open house complete with the brand’s signature red and purple color palette and nautical and
