TRAVEL TIPS: Shanghai – Explore the Unique History of Asia’s Busiest Port
In 2016 Shanghai’s international port saw nearly 3 million passengers. Not only is it China’s largest city, it is an amazing travel destination, boasting impressive architecture, delicious cuisine, unique shopping opportunities, and plenty of historical wonders to explore. As a first time visito
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
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
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
All Ships Great AND SMALL!
If you follow my cruise escapades, it’s obvious that size doesn’t matter to me. It’s not that I’m not impressed by a ship with a bowling alley, ice skating rink, elaborate shows, or robot bartenders — I am. But I don’t need those types of accoutrements to make my cruise fantasies come
Made in China Part 2: The Terra-cotta Warriors
China’s initial capital, Xian, with a population of over 8 million today, was for centuries a bustling yet virtually unknown metropolis. Then in 1974, it burst onto the burgeoning stage of Chinese tourism with the happenstance discovery of over 8,000 terra-cotta warriors buried on a rural farm. Ar
The Great Wall: Made In China
“Build the wall!” One of the first times a politician ever issued those controversial words was when the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang decreed the creation of the Great Wall of China. The initial construction of his Wan Li Chang Cheng, or “10,000-Li-Long Wall,” began in 220 B.C.E. and the fu
In Brief: Viking Sun in Shanghai, new river ships, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 9, 2018 Viking Ocean Cruises christened its fourth ship, Viking Sun, at a ceremony on The Bund in the heart of Shanghai. The ship was in the middle of sailing a sold-out 141-day World Cruise from Miami to London, and the naming marked the first time a Viking ocean ship calle
In Brief: Ultra-modern riverboats, Disney destinations, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 2, 2018 American Cruise Lines has begun construction on the sister ship to their “modern riverboat” American Song, which will make its inaugural cruise on the Mississippi River this October. The second ship should launch in summer 2019. Ultimately, the “modern riverboa
Original show The Secret Silk premieres on Royal Princess
Stephen Schwartz, the Broadway genius behind such musicals as Pippin, Godspell, and Wicked, has seen his latest original production, The Secret Silk, debut aboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess – an accomplishment he says is in some ways even more rewarding than putting a show on Broadway. “
News Briefs – P&O Cruises builds largest British ship, SuperStar Gemini becomes floating hotel….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 26, 2018 P&O Cruises has contracted for a new “green-cruising” ship which, on completion, will be the largest cruise ship built for the British market. The 5,200-passenger vessel will be built at Meyer Werft and delivered in 2022 as a sister ship to a
Set Sail on the First Cartoon Network Cruise Ship
Cruise News – Jan. 25, 2018 Some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters will set sail on their very own cruise ship, Cartoon Network Wave. This fully branded ship is the result of a partnership between Oceanic Group, Asia-Pacific’s leading cruise management company and Turner,
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Nov. 17, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Nov. 17, 2017 American Cruise Lines has announced the name for the first ship in its Modern Riverboat Series: American Song. The unique ship will be wider, faster, quieter, and more environmentally friendly than any other ship in the industry. American Song is slated
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 20, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 20, 2017 Foodies are flocking to Princess Cruises for the line’s third annual Culinary Cruise Series, featuring Miami-based chefs Brad Kilgore (of Alter and BRAVA) and Scott Lindquist (of Coyo Taco). On a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise, each chef will lead
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 30, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 30, 2017 Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first custom-designed ship for the Chinese cruise market, was christened this week in a lavish ceremony in Shanghai that featured a performance by the ship’s godfather: singer-songwriter, music producer, act
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 23, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 23, 2017 Viking Cruises’ third ocean ship, Viking Sky, was officially christened during a public celebration in Tromsø, Norway. The 930-guest, 47,800-ton Viking Sky navigated into the Tromsø harbor on June 22, where she received a warm welcome from flag-w
Cruise Deals of the Week – Apr. 21, 2017
Cruise Deals of the Week – Apr. 21, 2017 DEAL 1: Cruising down China’s Yangzi River and past the Three Gorges Dam is more enticing than ever on Victoria Cruises, which is offering 40-percent off Executive Suites and extending its two-for-one deal on private-balcony Superior Staterooms. Book
Chinese Cruise Market Gets Two Brand-New Megaships
Chinese Cruise Market Gets Two Brand-New Megaships Cruise News – Mar. 31, 2017 This week, two major cruise lines celebrated milestones with their dedicated debuts into the Chinese cruise market: Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first custom-designed ship for the Chinese cruise market,
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 17, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 17, 2017 Cunard, the only line to carry pets across the Atlantic, sponsored the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, welcoming four-legged guests at the show and offering the winner, Rumor the German shepherd, a free Transatlantic Crossing on Queen Mary 2. Crystal R
Chef Emmanuel Renaut to Launch French Bistro Aboard Majestic Princess
Chef Emmanuel Renaut to Launch French Bistro Aboard Majestic Princess Cruise News – Nov. 2, 2016 Princess Cruises announced a partnership with three-Michelin-star Chef Emmanuel Renaut to develop the cruise line’s next specialty restaurant concept. La Mer – A French Bistro
