Bee Afraid – Melissophobia (the fear of stinging insects) can turn even the sweetest excursion a little sour.
Monday Mantra A honey of a tour … A honey of a tour … A honey of a tour … Bee Afraid Melissophobia — the fear of stinging insects — can turn even the sweetest excursion a little sour Thassos, a lush landscape of mountain and sea. At this verdant island in Northern Greece, I […]
Five Faves: Find YOUR Island Paradise
Porthole‘s Five Faves Photo:Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
So You Wanna Be A Cruise Writer? – If there’s one thing those muster drills teach us, it’s to always be ready.
Monday Mantra The Write Stuff…The Write Stuff…The Write Stuff… So You Wanna Be A Cruise Writer? If there’s one thing those muster drills teach us, it’s to always be ready. A lot of people ask me how I got into freelance cruise writing. In my case, I simply answered the phone. And it was a
Code Dread – Informally, there’s nothing “smart” about “casual.”
Monday Mantra Whatever Shall I Wear?… Whatever Shall I Wear?… Whatever Shall I Wear?… Code Dread! Informally, there’s nothing “smart” about “casual.” Okay, I give up. What exactly is “smart casual” dress? I picture a rather untidy person in jeans and a T-shirt carrying the latest
Full Uptight Position – The worst thing about a luxury cruise? The flight to get there.
Monday Mantra Prepare for Takeoff…Prepare for Takeoff…Prepare for Takeoff… Full Uptight Position The worst thing about a luxury cruise? The flight to get there. Countdown! A week from tomorrow, I’m off to Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2, rated the world’s best cruise ship by Berlitz. And already,
Five Faves: Are You Cruisers Ready For Some Football?
Porthole’s Five Faves Are You Cruisers Ready For Some Football? America’s game is back, both on the gridiron and at sea! It’s been a long offseason waiting for football to finally get here, so what better way to kick off this week’s NCAA games and next week’s NFL Week 1 action than by …
Top Shelf – Cover to cover and stem to stern, there’s no better friend on board.
Porthole’s Monday Mantra BYOB…BYOB…BYOB! Top Shelf Cover to cover and stem to stern, there’s no better friend on board. I’m bringing my own. And I don’t care how heavy it is and I don’t care if I don’t finish it, I refuse to board a ship to find a limited or lackluster selection. Wai
Five Faves: Which Cruise Style is Right for YOU?
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The World Is My Oyster! – Flights of fancy are fine, and trains of thought will get you there eventually … but what can beat a cruise around the world?
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Let’s Pretend … Let’s Pretend … Let’s Pretend … The World Is My Oyster! Flights of fancy are fine, and trains of thought will get you there eventually … but what can beat a cruise around the world? I’m going on a World Cruise! Actually, I’m not, but I wan
A Virgin Wish List – Mr. Branson … Richard … we’re ready to be shaken up.
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts… A Virgin Wish List Mr. Branson … Richard … we’re ready to be shaken up. It’s an amazing time for us cruise nuts! In the coming years, we’ll see exciting new ships from Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Li
Here Comes the Cruise! The best cure for what ails you is full steam ahead!
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Cruise for the Blues…Cruise for the Blues…Cruise for the Blues… Here Comes the Cruise! The best cure for what ails you is full steam ahead! I have not one, not two, but three cruises on the horizon! I usually roll my eyes when braggarts bend my ear with details of th
Five Faves: Crewmember Confessions
Porthole’s Five Faves Crewmember Confessions Porthole got some onboard staffers to spill it We at Porthole Cruise Magazine have connections. We know people. People who are on cruise ships not to enjoy the never-ending food buffets, explore the world’s most amazing ports of call, or spend their t
Coming Clean – One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry.
Monday Mantra A Clothes Call….A Clothes Call…A Clothes Call… Coming Clean One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry. When I design a cruise ship, it may not have a water park, a myriad of alternative dining venues, all-suite accommodations, or butler service, but it wil
Five Faves: Superstitions at Sea
Superstitions at Sea Fortunately for your mama’s back, the ocean has no cracks to cruise over or inadvertently step on. That doesn’t mean the sea is without its share of unique beliefs and interesting ways of dealing with them. So you’re in the cruise ship elevator and you noticed there’s no
Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! – Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not.
Monday Mantra Gambling! Sort of …. Gambling! Sort of … Gambling! Sort of … Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not. “Wait! I’ll go with you! Just let me get rid of this,” I say to Rosemary as she’s headed for the ship’s piano bar. What I’m [&h
Roll of the Dinner Dice. – You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates
Monday Mantra Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating…. Roll of the Dinner Dice You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates. “Would you like to join others for dinner?” Wouldn’t it be great if you get the lowdown on
Don’t Show Me the Money! – Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.…
Monday Mantra Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising! Don’t Show Me the Money! Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.… Nothing’s better than entering your cabin on embarkation day and ditching your wallet in the safe knowing your signature is all y
There Goes the Sun – What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship?
Monday Mantra Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… There Goes the Sun What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship? Yay! We’re at sea! You wake and imagine a full day lazing in the sun, sipping cool drinks and reading, listening to music, [&hell
Going Home to Holland America Line – A familiar ship can feel like an old friend.
Monday Mantra I’m coming back!… I’m coming back!… I’m coming back! Going Home to Holland America Line A familiar ship can feel like an old friend. It’s been quite a while since I sailed Holland America Line but I’ll be returning to the line on July 4 when my friend Rosemary and I sail
Five Faves: Father’s Day Gift Upgrades
Porthole’s Five Faves Father’s Day Gift Upgrades Just as Father knows best, he also deserves the best. Rather than going with the same ol’ standbys, allow the magic of cruising to enhance your Father’s Day gift. Father’s Day is only a few shopping days away, but planning your present could
