Disney Does Alaska 2014
When Disney Cruise Line launched its Alaska cruises in 2011, the family market took notice. Suddenly there were kids doing the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that had before been geared mostly toward adults. Back for a fourth year in the 49th state, Disney is still surprising travelers as it furt
Trend Alert: Kids Cruise Free
Just in time for spring break, you’ll find cruise lines going after the family market big time. The major enticement? Kids cruise free! Cruise Deals Where Kids Cruise for Free Bring the kids along on a Royal Caribbean International cruise departing between May 1 and December 15, 2014, and they can
Is Virgin Cruising on Its Way at Last?
. Word from the Middle East has Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson seeking $1.7 billion to start a cruise line. This is not the first time the billionaire entrepreneur has looked at the idea of a Virgin cruises operation. Rumors that Branson might start a cruise line have circulated off and o
Theme Cruise Celebrates Women Who Rock
Cruisers may soon be going “Crazy on You,” or at least will have the opportunity to rock out to the music of Heart – and other top women artists – at the Grammy Festival at Sea: Women Who Rock cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl. The 4-day Bahamas cruise in Nov
Excursions Aplenty on Crystal World Cruise
Passengers on Crystal Cruises’ 2015 World Cruise, the luxury line’s 20th annual world sailing, shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a shore excursion to their liking. Some 350 Crystal Adventures are in the offing for those on the 108-day “Silver Celebration” cruise, which em
New Carnival Vista on the Way
The world won’t see the 4,000-passenger Carnival Vista until spring 2016, but the first steel was cut last week at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy – signaling that construction has begun. Carnival Vista will be the largest ship ever built for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand
SeaDreamin’ on a Friday Afternoon
The stars were twinkling in the sky last night as we climbed under the covers of a Balinese daybed for a night outdoors aboard the 112-passenger Sea Dream I, anchored off St. Kitts. Talk about romantic – we had light, fluffy bedding and a private view of the sky. My partner and I were charmed by
A Taste of Nassau
When cruisers arrive at a port, it’s best to have a plan. Some may prefer organized shore excursions. Some may want to explore on their own. In either case, making last-minute choices when you arrive on-island is not always the best way to go. I’ve seen cruise passengers disembark totall
Put a Banana on Your Cruise Map
The cruise industry is going bananas. The new Banana Coast cruise port in Honduras is now officially on the cruise ship map. The 130-passenger ship Yorktown, operated by Travel Dynamics International, can claim status as inaugurating the place. Passengers on the ship were tendered to the brand-
The Cruise Experience of the Future
The Cruise Experience of the Future Floating islands, indoor snow and starlight voyages: cruising into tomorrow By Clare Emmett Cruise ships have come a long way since the earliest days of steam-powered passenger vessels. Today’s ships boast luxurious accommodations, modern conveniences
Editor-in-Chief Awards 2014
Each year, Porthole Cruise Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Bill Panoff, has a tough time picking his favorites from the cruise and travel industry. With so many amazing options that await cruisers, these awards give kudos to those who go above and beyond in terms of service, quality, and memorable mo
Executive Spotlight: The Un-Cruise Captain
Executive Spotlight: The Un-Cruise Captain From kayak paddles to corporate decisions, storytelling seaman Dan Blanchard keeps a steady hand. By Fran Golden Captain Dan Blanchard, dressed in casual North Face attire, strolls up to a passenger about to board an Un-Cruise Adventures small shi
Join the Club: Blue Sea, Red Sea
Join the Club: Blue Sea, Red Sea Beyond just uniting the similarly minded, political cruises actually make waves in the overall governing landscape. By Clark Norton The tenor of the onboard discussions couldn’t be more different. On some cruises, the right can do no wrong. On others, the
Like a Local: Marseille
Like a Local: Marseille The unspoiled heart of the French Riviera By Lisa Gerard-Sharp “There are only two kinds of people in the world — the Marseillais, and those who wish they were.” I first fell in love with the French Riviera as a child when exploring the wild creeks and secret
Bucket List: Hong Kong
Bucket List: Hong Kong Four ways to make the Far East unforgettable by Kevin Revolinski In 1997, Hong Kong ended 156 years as a British colony and became a Special Administrative Region of China. The operative word here is “special.” The energy of this city, one of the most densely popul
Director’s Cut
Director’s Cut Like the mayors of a city, cruise directors are more than just the face of the ship. By Douglas Kurt Aboard a cruise ship are many hallways and doors unknown to guests. Those with “Crew Only” blazoned on them speak of mysteries that await. In this issue, we speak with s
Aranui 3: Tahitian Delivery
Tahitian Delivery In the wake of Gauguin, Melville, and Stevenson, Aranui 3 plies the remote Marquesas in the most unique of ways. By Clark Norton It’s a day of celebration on the island of Ua Pou, one of six inhabited islands in the Marquesas archipelago of French Polynesia, among the mo
Miami’s Wynwood Walls
Miami’s Wynwood Walls Where street art climbs to a whole new level By Richard Varr If these walls could talk… but they do. In this winding maze of street art, bold patterns and colors scream with passion and fantasy, with raw emotion and imagination. I see luminescent cityscapes, quirky f
Cruise Wisdom: Socializing At Sea
Cruise Wisdom: Socializing At Sea By Cindy O’Neil Q: My husband and I are getting ready to sail on our first cruise in a few months. We are concerned about meeting people and making friends once we get on board. Can you share some secrets to finding other passengers to hang around with? – J
Tere Moana: Small in Size — Big on Luxury
Cruise Ship Review Tere Moana: Small in Size — Big on Luxury With its incredible upgrades and more intimate itineraries, this newest Paul Gauguin star is sure to make a splash … albeit with less wake. By Judi Cuervo I’ve always been intrigued by Paul Gauguin Cruises, a small, wildly successful
