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A Cruise Before College
A Cruise Before College Mother-daughter cruises had been an annual tradition — but now she’s all grown up. By Sherri Ziff It was 8 a.m. on August 12, on a flight with my daughter, Rachel (almost 18), to Seattle where we’d board Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam for a cruise to Alaska. Watc
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
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
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
Extreme Makeovers
Extreme Makeover: Cruise Edition Crystal Serenity takes on a chic new look. By John and Sandra Nowlan Extreme Makeover without the annoying host who screams through a bullhorn? Now that’s serenity. Crystal Serenity, in fact. Following a $25 million refurbishment in May, Crystal Cruises’ classic
Food for Thought
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Table Talk Chow down with the chef? Now that’s cruising! By Chris Cognac You liked the midnight buffet. You loved the specialty restaurants. Now get ready for the ultimate culinary coma — otherwise known as dining at the Chef’s Table. Food, as everybody knows, lo
It’s About Time (15 Years of Cruising)
It’s About Time See how cruise ships have changed and evolved since you first started reading Porthole. By Fran Golden If you’ve been a cruiser for the past few decades (or even years), you’ve no doubt witnessed quite an evolution of cruise ship development. Certainly, we at Porthole Cruise
Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship Review
Cruise Ship Review – Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line’s latest ship tips its hat to its New York roots. By Michel Verdure Discovered by Henry Hudson for the Dutch West India Company in the 17th century, Nieuw-Amsterdam was the first European name given to what is now New York City. T
PortMiami Achieves Record-Breaking Day
On February 8, 2025, PortMiami, set a record by docking 10 cruise ships. The ships included Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, Holland America Zaandam, MSC Seascape, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Oceania Sirena, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady. Approxima
The “Inside” Story
Some people think that the only way you can truly enjoy a cruise is if you’re ensconced in a luxury suite with the three “B”s: A balcony, a butler and a bathtub. Not true. I, personally, fell in love with cruising while occupying an inside cabin, the only category my travel companion and I
How to Stay Safe Aboard Your Cruise Vacation
Embarking on a cruise presents an exciting opportunity for travel and discovering new experiences; however, cruising can pose potential hazards like any other mode of transportation. To ensure your safety, purchasing travel insurance before departure is vital, drinking responsibly, and familiarizing
Colombia Unveils New Destinations to Explore in Upcoming Cruise Season
Colombia announces that the upcoming cruise season, ending in June 2024 will showcase emerging destinations within the Colombian territory with arrivals in iconic cities such as Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Buenaventura. The cruise industry is an important source of tourism for Colombia and is part o
Adventures For A Lifetime: 6 Reasons To Cruise
Are you looking for a new way to travel the world? Do you want a vacation tailored to your interests? From a variety of itineraries to unending onboard activities, cruises have something for everyone. In this blog, I will share six reasons why your next vacation should be on a cruise! Tailored Vacat
Dining at Sea: Best Cruises For Dietary Accommodations
Have you ever wanted to cruise but were unsure whether your dietary needs could be accommodated? While prior research makes your trip less stressful, knowing which cruise lines cater to a variety of dietary needs can be difficult. In this blog, we’ll explore cruise lines that offer a variety of ac
This Classic Rock Music Cruise Lets You Sail with Rock Legends
In 1976, when I started cruising, I’d never have believed that one day I’d be sailing the Caribbean with some of my rock music idols. But, thanks to On the Blue classic rock music cruise, I’ll be doing just that aboard the Norwegian Pearl from January 28-February 2nd. Before I get into the
Your Guide to Exploring Puerto Vallarta
Most major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Carnival, and Princess make the vibrant city of Puerto Vallarta a port of call. You may have come here once yourself on a cruise and wished to come back for longer than just a day in port. If now feels like the right time [
The 2021 Travel Resumes Tour 2.0
In spite of the pandemic purgatory of 2020 periodically rearing its ugly head again, cruising has resumed, albeit in a somewhat revamped style. Each month that goes by finds new ships being launched, older vessels being redeployed and destinations opening their doors to those of us eager to jump thr
Cartagena, Colombia Welcomes Back Their First Cruise Ship Call
The sight of Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze docked in Cartagena, Colombia was a welcome sight yesterday as the ship became the first to call on the country since the COVID-19 pandemic first began last year. Windstar was the first of a scheduled 26 cruise line to call on Cartagena during this cr
Recapping the FCCA-PortMiami Return to Sail Summit
Some of the biggest names in cruising gathered at PortMiami on Tuesday for a Return to Sail Summit with the goal of getting ready to cruise once again. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is a non-profit trade organization made up of 22 member cruise lines operating nearly 200 cruis