Last Call: Heaven on Earth on Celebrity Edge
The Place — Eden Bar Grab A Seat — Celebrity Edge Standout Feature — Once the sweeping panoramic ocean views take your breath away, come back to life with a sinful libation at the Eden Bar — one of several innovative fixtures within the three-story Eden venue. Watch your bartender ascend the
48 Hours: Pre-/Post-Cruise in Dazzling, Dynamic Cape Town
Dazzling, Dynamic Cape Town South Africa This vibrant city at the southernmost tip of the African continent has become one of the most sought-after, must-see travel destinations in the world. It’s gorgeous, rimmed by mountains and flanked by the sea, with pristine, sandy beaches stretching along i
Cruise Destinations: Cenotes of Mexico
Throughout the Yucatán stand the ruins of a once-great civilization, the Maya. From the seaside Tulum further inland to archaeological wonders Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, we can see evidence of vast, heavily populated cities. What we don’t see are rivers and lakes or any obvious signs of water. The
Vitamin Sea: Wellness in Bali
Bali is known for traditional medicine, healthy food, and spa culture — the perfect place to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Sometimes a new health regimen needs a kickstart, and Bali has an entire town devoted to the cause: Ubud. This mountain haven with its vibrant, green rice terrac
Green Seas: Sustainable Cruising into the Next (Re) Generation
“Sustainability” is the tourism industry’s buzzword these days and appropriately so. According to NASA, 2018 was the fourth warmest year since 1880, and with the cruise industry’s reputation for carrying an unignorably large carbon footprint, something needed to change. Luckily, Intrepid Tra
SeaDream’s Hidden Caribbean
It’s a staggering vision: a massive cruise ship topped with a dizzying network of twisting, turning pool slides that resemble giant, vibrantly hued metal snakes. In the shadow of the behemoth sits a SeaDream yacht — SeaDream I or SeaDream II — a diminutive 4,253 grt, 112-passenger vessel that
American Cruise Line’s American Constellation
I’ve always been an equal-opportunity cruiser. From the world’s largest ocean-going ships to the smallest hotel river barge, I’ve never met a ship I didn’t like. Each has its own character and its own draw. And while the biggies are great for nonstop onboard action, small ships boast their o
Small-Ship Cruising: So Civilized, So Celestyal!
Although brought up in San Francisco, I never forget that I was born in Greece. Like many Greek-Americans, I was raised to be “Greek first.” I have fond memories of my earliest pilgrimages as a young teen backpacking around Greece with wide-eyed wanderlust. I’ve traversed the cultu
VIP@Sea: Jetset Christina is Livin’ La Vida Luxury
Christina Vidal is living her best life. From being named one of Travel & Leisure’s top luxury travel Instagrams to making it onto our own list of influencers to watch, everybody is talking about this sun-kissed explorer. The blogger/influencer/swimsuit designer gives Porthole an insider’s l
Shore Excursion: Nude Beaches
Whether visiting a nude beach is a spontaneous whim or a long-planned rite of passage, that thrill of disrobing can be every bit as addictive as the feeling of the wind, sun, and water on your unclothed body. Fortunately for thrill-seekers, there are clothing-optional or fully nude beaches all aroun
Cruise Ship Review: Nieuw Statendam’s Very Oprah Inaugural
What happens when you get 2,400 women together on a cruise ship for a Girls’ Getaway with Oprah Winfrey? Tons of laughter, loads of camaraderie, and hugs and tears resulting from both. Even Oprah herself was moved by the experience. At the end of the cruise, as she was about to christen Holland Am
Music Theme Cruises Rock the Boats!
It’s late night on the dimly lit dance floor, and music feeds the festive atmosphere. Two ladies wearing black dresses and Mardi Gras masks adorned with peacock feathers glide over and catch my attention. We form a little dance circle, and several others join in as the energy rises at the masquera
