Royal Caribbean Extends Singapore Season for Quantum of the Seas
Ladies and gentlemen, we have good news! Royal Caribbean International today announced they will be extending Singapore season for their ship Quantum of the Seas following a successful restart in December 2020. The ship will now sail from Singapore until June 2021, but the cruises remain f
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.
Significant Cruise Operations Doubtful This Year Says Florida Ports Council
As cruisers wait patiently for their chance to sail once again, a spokesperson for the Florida Ports Council has expressed doubts that the industry will see significant operations until 2022. Michael Rubin, VP of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Ports Council, speaking at a meeting of the Florid
Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO Harry Sommer Teases New Dining Concepts
There’s a lot to love about a cruise vacation, but at the top of the list for most people is the fabulous dining options found on today’s vessels. Restaurants catering to all palates are a staple on modern cruise ships from the outstandingly elegant to the casual and delicious and everyt
New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Don’t Apply to USVI
Yes, we’re still America. That’s the message from U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte to travelers worried about the new COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the CDC last week. Travel to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas or Water Island requires a negative COVID-1
Intention is to Vaccinate Crew Says NCL’s Harry Sommer
2020 was a long year for the cruise and travel industry, but the fact that the United States is currently administering more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccines per day is a giant step forward for a return to normal operation. While there’s been plenty of focus on cruise passengers getting vaccin
10 Places You Can Visit Right Now
IMPORTANT: As of January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all air travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of boarding all airlines RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES. Plan accordingly! Travel isn’t easy these days. It’s been a long time since Americans could hop on a
MSC Cruises Resumes Service in the Western Mediterranean
Need something positive to help you break free from the doldrums of January? MSC Cruises has resumed operation in the Mediterranean on board their flagship MSC Grandiosa after a holiday season break due to the Italian COVID-19 decree that restricted movement within the country. The&nb
Carnival Cruise Line Releases Plans for Additional Ship Deployments
Cruise lines have made it clear throughout the pandemic that when they restart operation, it will be a phased approach. Today, Carnival Cruise Line released new details about their plan to restart operation and it includes some interesting nuggets about where the cruise line will be sailing in 2021
U.S. Virgin Islands Remind Travelers to Get Tested
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism reminded visitors from the mainland United States that they must to use the Travel Screening Portal at usvitravelportal.com to submit the required negative COVID-19 test results prior to traveling to the Territory. According to Commissioner of
Norwegian Cruise Line Will Restart Operation in May
In a statement this morning, Norwegian Cruise Line announced they’ve made the difficult decision to further suspend their cruise operations through April 2021. Following in the footsteps of both Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, NCL cited protection of guests and crew as a primar
‘Pent-up Demand’ for Cruising Says CEO Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
After more than 30 years at the helm of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, it’s safe to say chairman and chief executive officer Richard D. Fain is one of the most important people in the industry. The cruise conglomerate operates 63 ships across all its brands and in a normal year, would see m
Mexico Reports a Holiday Travel Boom
Most cruisers are familiar with Quintana Roo. Mexico’s Eastern-most state is home to some of the most popular cruise and travel destinations in all the Caribbean, including Cozumel and Cancun. While the area has been hit hard by the lack of visitors in 2020, it looks like things may be tu
Carnival Cruise Line Extends Pause Until April
UPDATE 1:51pm: Carnival Corporation sub-brands Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have also pushed back their restart date. HAL will now resume operation in April of 2021 and Princess Cruises will resume operation in May 2021. Carnival Cruise Line issued a press release this morning ann
Chukka Caribbean Adventures Gears Up for Tourism
Something is happening in the Caribbean. Across the islands, people are getting ready for tourists to once again flock to the pristine beaches, lush jungles and scenic hiking trails that make the region so famous. It’s been a long break, but the Caribbean is ready and waiting for you to come have
Bankrupt Jalesh Cruises Leaves Employees High and Dry
April 17, 2019 was an important date for India’s Jalesh Cruises. It was the first time passengers set foot onboard the recently purchased Karnika for a cruise from Mumbai. Less than a year later, the cruise line is out of business and the ship sold for scrap. COVID-19 is to blame, but sources tell
Choose Your Cruise – December 23, 2020
For those of you counting down the days, we’re just a week away from 2021! From all of us here at the Porthole Cruise network, we hope you spend the next couple of days having a safe and wonderful holiday with the people who matter the most. It’s been a trying year for just about [&helli
Gus Antorcha of Holland America Talks Rotterdam, New Excursions
When former Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford stepped down earlier this year, Carnival Corporation decided to promote from within, naming Carnival Cruise Line COO Gus Antorcha the new president. What made Antorcha the right man for the job was his nine years of experience at Carnival Co
Rich and Famous Eye Barbuda for Development
Barbuda may very well be the most untouched island in the whole Caribbean, but if Robert De Niro and other wealthy investors have their way, the island will see some major developments in the future. Plans to build multiple luxury resorts on the island are currently in the works, along with bu
