Who’s Up for an “Un-Cruise”?
Who’s Up for an “Un-Cruise”? Smaller lines join forces to unveil a new strategy, luring guests who normally might not cruise at all. By Chris Gray Faust While many cruisers delight in megaships with zip lines, elaborate waterslides, and touristy ports, there’s a certain type of traveler who
American Queen: A Royal Ship Returns
The American Queen steamboat brings back the golden age of river cruising By Shawn J. Dake It begins with a hiss that builds into a melodic whoosh, as clouds of steam pour out of the brass whistles. A bright red paddle wheel churns the water. The steamboat American Queen is back, returning to the Mi
Join the Club: Ship-Deck Soccer
SHIP-DECK SOCCER Having a Ball at Sea. By Clark Norton In the spring of 2011, a girls’ soccer club in southern New Jersey called the Cape Express Bulldogs was casting about for a destination for a vacation soccer camp for its team of soon-to-be 14 year olds, many of whom had played together since
Head for Hong Kong
HEAD FOR HONG KONG There’s something for every taste in this world-class metropolis. By Irvina Lew Hong Kong is an extraordinarily exciting and elegant city for cruise ship passengers to explore. This dynamic destination lures 33 million visitors annually. It’s so posh that bakery-like lines for
Food for Thought : Cooking Classes
FOOD FOR THOUGHT DIG IN Learning is full of flavor aboard today’s cruise ships. By Lynn and Cele Seldon Whether it’s for a hot new restaurant, a food and wine festival, or culinary classes that divulge chef secrets and recipes, culinary travel is tastier than ever. That’s especially true on cr
Amazing Amazon: M.V. Aria
AMAZING AMAZON Adventure meets luxury aboard Aqua Expeditions’ M/V Aria. By Gail Harrington Anticipation takes over when you’re heading off to one of the world’s great wonders like the Amazon. In my case, expectations soared in Aqua Expeditions’ beautiful waterfront air-conditioned, outdoor
Jetting There: Travel Services
JETTING THERE: TRAVEL SERVICES Travel expert Johnny Jet shares several travel services that you might not even know exist. By Johnny Jet Obviously, I travel a lot. Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this column. As a frequent traveler, I see things that the average person often ignores, which is a hu
Destination Discovery: Easter Island
DESTINATION DISCOVERY: EASTER ISLAND For Cruisers Who Have Done It All By Joyce Gregory Wyels Next Stop: Easter Island People voyage to this tiny speck of land in the South Pacific for one reason: to see for themselves those enigmatic great stone heads that have, quite literally, put Easter I
Like a Local: Rio de Janeiro
LIKE A LOCAL: RIO DE JANEIRO Sure, there are guidebooks that list every restaurant and attraction in destinations around the world. But Porthole’s “Like a Local” department goes straight to the natives, who truly know the way to go. By By Alexandra de Vries I have been living in Rio de Janeiro
Party of 1,000
PARTY OF 1,000 Create exclusive, lasting memories for your group on a charter cruise. By Chris Owen If being at sea for a special occasion is your idea of a great way to relax, unwind, or celebrate, why not bring along some friends? Better yet, why not bring along a whole bunch of friends, say [&hel
Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister Jan and Cindy Brady might disagree, but it’s not always the oldest sister who gets all the attention. In cruising, though there’s undeniable hoopla when a new ship in a new class debuts, it’s often the sister ships that represent new innovations and enticements that define the c
Join the Club: Astronomy
JOIN THE CLUB ASTRONOMY Sea-ing Stars A cruise ship is a perfect vantage point to study the sky. By Clark Norton During a 1998 cruise to Alaska, Neil Bauman — a self-described geek — recalls sitting on his verandah, alternately gazing at the glacial scenery and reading a technical manual about c
Jetting There: Miles and Points
JETTING THERE MILES AND POINTS Rack ’Em Up- Browse ’Til You Board Travel expert Johnny Jet shares his tips for getting the most out of your miles and points. By Johnny Jet Sometimes I wonder what life would be like without airline miles and hotel points. Ever since they were introduced by Americ
Destination Discovery: Russian Far East
DESTINATION DISCOVERY: RUSSIAN FAR EAST For Cruisers Who Have Done It All By Matt Hannafin Next Stop: Russian Far East . . . Welcome to the end of the earth, the place where East lies to the west of West. Sitting just two and a half miles from Alaska at its closest point and stretching […]
Like a Local – London
Sure, there are guidebooks that list every restaurant and attraction in destinations around the world. But Porthole’s “Like a Local” department goes straight to the natives, who truly know the way to go. By Amy Laughinghouse Five years ago, my husband received a job offer in a very 21st-centur
British Isles Drinks
BRITISH ISLES DRINKS I’ll Drink to That In the British Isles, you can tour age-old breweries, distilleries, and vineyards while toasting to a tradition that dates back almost 2,000 years. By Sarah Woods With more than several thousand vineyards, distilleries, and breweries scattered amongst the Br
Romance in Italy
ROMANCE IN ITALY That’s Amore! Italy offers opportunities for romance at every turn. By Germaine Stafford With its millennial history, magnificent countryside, and unparalleled culture, Italy has few competitors for the title of world’s most romantic country. From the heroic folly that is Venice
Galapagos: Wet and Wild
Lindblad Expeditions gets right into the heart of the Galapagos matter. By Fran Golden The blue-footed booby quizzically stared at me as I snapped his photo. If he’d been holding a camera, my guess is that his photo of me would have shown an equally curious expression. That’s the startling thing
Viking Odin: Try Me A River
Viking Odin: Try Me a River Why a river cruise in Europe should be on every traveler’s list. By Jodi Ornstein My parents were in a conundrum. After the first decade of their retirement years had taken them on cruises around the world — from the Caribbean to Alaska, Europe to Asia, the British Is
Rotterdam- to the Third Power
Rotterdam – to the Third Power A Porthole writer takes a trip down Holland America Line’s memory lane. By Ben Lyons Peering outside the windows of my water taxi as it sped down the River Maas in Rotterdam, I saw the gently curved stern of the former Holland America Line flagship ss Rotterdam. Fo
