Choose Your Cruise – February 5, 2021
Oh, Canada. By now you’ve probably heard that our neighbors to the North have taken extreme measures against the cruise industry, banning all cruise ships over 100 people (so, pretty much all of them) from calling on Canadian ports until February 28, 2022. Without even the courtesy
Canada Bans Cruise Ships Until February 2022
In an effort to “monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on the marine and tourism sectors,” Canada has issued two new Interim Orders which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.
If You’re American, The Bahamas are Closed
In an address to his nation yesterday, Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced that the islands would be closed to American tourists beginning Wednesday due to surging cases of COVID-19 across several states, but most notably Florida, which is just 50 miles from the nearest island. The
Canada Bans Cruise Ships Until October 31
In a press release issued this morning, the Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, announced that cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. The news comes as ot
Cruise Stoppage Costs Alaska $800 Million
The economic toll of COVID 19 on the cruise industry is devastating, but the people of Alaska may be the biggest losers in the whole ordeal. Mike Tibbles, a Cruise Lines International Association Alaska representative, spoke to the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots this week and explained that with the
10 Reasons to Visit Vancouver and Explore Western Canada
Can you name a city that has hosted the Winter Olympic Games, served as the backdrop for numerous blockbuster Hollywood movies, and is also consistently ranked among those with the best quality of life? The vibrant west coast Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia features modern urban style o
48 Hours: Marvelous Montreal
When visitors step into the streets of Old Montreal, they feel like they’ve been transported to the shores of a European city, but when they venture beyond the waterfront, they discover a thriving and modern metropolis that is unlike any other in North America. Even though it’s a mostly Fre
Discovering the Canadian Rockies by Rail
It’s been 30 years since luxury train company Rocky Mountaineer embarked on its first journey through the Canadian Rockies, but as you gaze out through the oversized and glass-dome windows of the train’s coaches into the surrounding wilderness, it’s clear the pristine landscapes of Western Can
A Cruiser’s Guide to Quebec City
Québec City is increasingly positioning itself on the international cruise scene as a destination and port of embarkation of choice. Located at the point where the St. Charles and St. Lawrence Rivers converge, sailing in or out of Québec City is a high point of any Canada—New England cruise itin
A Reason to Cruise In or Out of Montreal
The Port of Montreal is conveniently located in Old Montreal. As your ship sails into port you will get your first glimpse of the city’s beautiful skyline. With concierge services located in the new cruise terminal, passengers can leave their luggage and get right to exploring the city. It is less
1 Million Votes for Norwegian’s Giving Joy Campaign
It was just two weeks ago that Norwegian Cruise Line announced their Giving Joy Campaign aimed at rewarding educators in the United States and Canada with free cruises and more. Since then, the line has received over 40,000 nominations and over one million votes for teachers all over North America.
Railway to the Rockies: The Most Romantic Way to Travel
Traveling somewhere new offers a unique way to discover something unexpected about yourself and the person you love — no matter how long you’ve been together. If you’re daydreaming into the future, rethinking your vacation plans, or celebrating a special occasion or a milestone anniversary, sp
Editor-in-Chief Awards 2019
2019 Editor-in-Chief Awards As editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine, Bill Panoff travels a lot. So each year, he reports back on his favorite travel experiences around the world. Here are this year’s picks of those who left amazing impressions in terms of service, quality, and memorable mom
48 Hours: Vancouver – Have a Gas in the City of Glass.
The enchanting city of Vancouver is located on the west coast of Canada and takes her rightful place as the largest city in British Columbia. She sits nestled amongst beautiful, snow-peaked mountains, brims with numerous luscious parks, and is touched by the deepest of oceans. For at least 14,000 ye
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 16, 2018
It’s almost upon us. No, not a soul-crushingly cold winter with endless hours of shoveling and shivering. We’re talking about Cunard’s famous Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale where guests can book available staterooms on select 2019 voyages all over the world, aboard all three sh
Grape Destinations: The Wines of Nova Scotia
This year my husband and I had the pleasure of traveling to the Northern Atlantic coast to visit the Canadian maritime province of Nova Scotia. One thing I was pleasantly surprised to discover was how Nova Scotia is a well-hidden wine country! Even though wine from this wind-swept area o
6 Highlights of Halifax
Halifax, a top destination on New England/Canada cruises, offers a mix of historic and modern attractions and strong maritime traditions – it was here that Samuel Cunard established the legendary Cunard Line in 1840 and here that many victims of the Titanic were brought and laid to rest in 1912.
7 Musts In Quebec City
Shopkeepers who greet you with a “bonjour!” A hotel that reminds you of chateaux from the Loire Valley in France. Old-World style cafes and narrow cobblestone streets bordered by quaint stone buildings. Quebec City, the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec in Canada, is located on the bank
This Cruise Line is Making Detroit Great Again
Cruise passengers aboard Great Lakes Cruise Company Victory II have a whole new port to explore thanks to a new itinerary which adds Detroit, Michigan to the list. Starting in 2019, the cruise line is offering a Great Lakes and French Canadian itinerary leaving from Detroit starting in late May. The
9 Reasons to Set Sail on Silver Whisper
This past fall my husband Humberto and I took the Silver Whisper from Silversea Cruises on what we called a “leaves, lobsters and lighthouses” cruise in New England and Canada. It was our third voyage on this ship that the line uses for its annual World Cruise – so you can tell we like it! [&h