Forget the iPad, We’re All About the Sky Pad
A million-dollar makeover for Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas has guests jumping for joy, literally. The new Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, is the talk of the industry thanks to Royal Caribbean’s bold new adventures campaign. The feature is exclusive to Royal
Shanghai, On The Side
I’m not particularly fond of the motor coach, follow the guide’s umbrella brand of sightseeing and I have an affinity to off the grid type of travel options, especially when it comes to exotic destinations. While Shanghai, China doesn’t really fall into that category, it certainly has an appea
Sea-Band Helps Keep Motion Sickness at Bay
One of the worst things that can happen to a passenger on a cruise ship vacation is a bout of motion sickness. Also called seasickness, the ailment is a fairly common occurrence that starts in the inner-ear. The general idea of motion sickness is that your body can feel itself moving, but since your
Find the Best Deal on a Last Minute Cruise
What’s your relationship with procrastination? For some, putting things off until the last minute borders on an art form. Others, not so much. We’ve all heard that the early bird gets the worm, but when it comes to getting the best deal on a last minute cruise, you have some options at your disp
No Time for a Trip? Take a Daycation!
There’s nothing better than going on vacation, except when you think about the costs and all the time spent traveling to your destination. Thanks to Daycation, it’s possible to enjoy a relaxing day by the pool without going too far from home. What is Daycation? Daycation is an innovative new ser
Virgin Voyages Unveils Spectacular Ship Design on Facebook Live
When Virgin Voyages first came into being back in December of 2014, their goal was to bring a new attitude, style and vision to cruising. New interior and exterior renderings of their first ship revealed on Facebook Live last night certainly make good on that promise. A Big Announcement President an
Grape Destinations: a Taste of Oregon’s Vino History
Driving through Dundee, you have to look somewhat carefully to see the history. Many of the oldest structures have been replaced by newer ones. But if you’re observant, you’ll notice a quaint little house just off of route 99. This building, built in 1840, has housed the Post Office, been ho
What’s the Deal with All-Inclusive Cruises?
Vacations can be expensive. From hotels to dining and entertainment, costs add up quickly, especially when it’s a family trip. Back in 2013, American Express estimated the average cost of a vacation totaled more than $1,000 per person. Five years later, costs have generally gone up, not down. For
Gettin’ On The Ritz
It’s been said that there is a cruise for everyone. But what is an upper-echelon pleasure seeker to do when you don’t want a cruise that’s for everyone? You want one for you! Who do you turn to when generic five-star service just isn’t good enough? The answer lies with The Ritz-Carlton
Cruise Deal of the Week – May 18, 2018
As a thank you for making Smartcruiser.com a top name in cruise deals for the past 30 years, the site is giving travelers booking any cruise of seven nights or longer in a balcony cabin or above a free Amazon Echo Dot with their booking. The promotion works for new bookings made now through July [&h
When Kings Were Gods; Cruising the Ancient Nile
Few rivers on Earth mean as much to a nation as the Nile does to the people of Egypt. Historically important, culturally essential, and necessary for survival, the Nile provides more than just water to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It offers a glimpse into the tumultuous, yet resilient
The Great Wall and Pandas of Chengdu
Few marvels of the ancient world compare in size and scale to the Great Wall of China. Spanning thousands of miles, it’s the longest man-made structure on Earth and played a pivotal role in the development of the region. The wall is really a collection of sections, each built during a different er
Cruise Adventures in Curacao: 6 Spots You Have to See!
When I see Willemstad, Curacao on a Caribbean cruise itinerary, I’m immediately excited –the name alone acts like a hook and I invariably read on. Cruise-passenger-friendly Willemstad, the capital of Curacao is an architecture-buff’s delight –I’m one!– and the island, a consti
What’s the Biggest Mistake You Can Make on a Cruise?
Here at Porthole, we talk with a lot of cruise experts about the do’s and don’ts of a cruise vacation. If you’ve never taken a vacation on a cruise ship before, you’re probably getting excited about heading out on the high seas, but, before you go, there’s something very important which ne
Travel Tips: Is Visiting Hawaii During a Volcano Eruption Safe? (VIDEO)
It started off as a tremor or two, but over the past few weeks, Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s largest island has grown increasingly more dangerous and it’s starting to affect tourism on the island. With clouds of dangerous gas, ash and smoke visible from miles away, officials on the island are doi
Made In China Part Three: Real Chinese Takeaway
The popular fall back response to the ‘what’s for dinner’ query is the ubiquitous “How about some Chinese?”. How can such a non-American food staple become so American? The fact that Chinese cuisine takeout is readily available in almost every suburban strip mall in the United States is
MSC Cruises Hosts Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Annual Photoshoot
Down, set….CRUISE! The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders took to the high seas with MSC Cruises for their annual photo shoot featuring some of the most beautiful locations in the tropics. The 2018 photoshoot was more than just a chance for the gorgeous ladies to take great pictures, but also tour some c
Cruise Ship Vacations: Small Ships Vs. Big Ships
It’s perfectly reasonable for a cruise novice to think that the biggest, newest and most extravagant cruise ship is going to offer the best cruising experience, but that isn’t always the case. Smaller ships offer cruise ship vacations unlike their big brothers and for some vacationers, that’s
A Taste of Alaska’s Craft Distilleries
By Fran Golden Glaciers, wildlife, and adventure experiences of a lifetime aside, there’s a new way to get a taste of Alaska. Alaska’s craft distilleries are all the rage, especially in Skagway, Haines, and Juneau, three port cities of the state’s popular Inside Passage itinerary in the So
Island Style: Pascale Theard’s Passion for Fashion
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Even if you’ve never been to Haiti, you’ve probably seen Haitian art and craft. That’s because the island’s signature paintings (depicting multitudes of colorful stick-like figures crammed onto canvases) and creative pierced-tin and metalwork craft are sold througho
