White House Meeting Postponed Due to Positive COVID-19 Tests
Earlier this week, the cruise industry had it’s first piece of good news in a long time when news came down that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would only be extending their no-sail order another 30 days instead of 100 days at the request of the Trump Administration. The plan w
CDC to Cruise Lines: No Cruising Until October
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struck another blow to anxious cruisers who were hoping to be on board a ship for the end of summer. The no-sail order has been extended through October 2020 according to a press release late yesterday due to increased COVID-19 cases across America.&nbs
Key West Debating Cruise Ship Ban
The year was 1969. Thanks to the development of the overseas highway, Key West was no longer an isolated little island cluster in the Caribbean, but a blossoming vacation destination with plenty of fun to be had. MS Sunward, owned and operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, was the first ship to call in
Royal, Norwegian Enter Historic Collaboration
Two of the biggest names in cruise are collaborating for the first time ever on new health and safety standards for the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are working with leading public health experts to oversee the new protocols and standards aimed at keeping
Cruising Will Return…But When is the Question
I’m not one to moan about inconveniences, but take away my life’s passion and I’m likely to go off the deep end. Take away the ability to cruise to the four corners of the earth and you will definitely hear from me. Not to cast blame on anyone in particular or throw caution to the […]
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
Coast Guard Tells Cruise Lines to Arrange Private MEDEVAC
In a Marine Safety Bulletin sent by the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday, Rear Admiral E.C. Jones of the 7th District told cruise ships contacting Miami for assistance with sick passengers that they’re more or less on their own. The increased demand for medical evacuations via helicopter (MEDEVAC) has c
Barbados Takes Humanitarian Approach to Cruise Ships
As more and more ports turn their backs on incoming cruise ships, even those with a clean bill of health, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados is taking a decidedly different approach. The country has welcomed incoming cruise ships looking for a place to port while they wait for the go-ahead to r
COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Isn’t for Cruise Lines
A key provision in the new COVID-19 stimulus bill currently awaiting the President’s signature provides $500 million in aid for large corporations, but there’s a catch. In order to qualify for the aid, corporations must be “created or organized in the United States or under the laws of
Cruise Industry Executives Offer Encouraging Words
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the cruise industry, but it’s safe to say that the current outbreak of Covid-19 is the most difficult challenge cruise lines have ever faced. Last week saw every major cruise line, their sub-brands and other small ship lines included, halt operation for a
Cruises Cancelled Amid Coronavirus Concerns
UPDDATE :Editor’s Note: This article was published on February 26, 2020. Click here for the latest Coronavirus news and cruise updates. Everyone is discussing the issue of Coronavirus and what cruise lines were doing to prevent the virus from entering a ship’s ecosystem to ensure passenger
Cruisers Are Finding These EVERYWHERE!
They can be found sitting on deck chairs, hiding inside plants and underneath furniture. You might see them floating in the pool or inside the safe of your stateroom. We’re talking, of course, about the newest cruise craze sweeping the globe: the rubber duck hide and seek. Thanks to a Facebook pag
You Picked the Best: 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards!
We’re proud to present the very best in the world of cruising as selected by you, the world’s greatest collection of cruise aficionados, cruise experts, and cruise tastemakers. We at Porthole have been doing this for 20 years, so in honor of our platinum anniversary we decided to shake things up
The Last Straw
Pollution is killing our oceans. Each year, millions of pounds of plastic and other debris are dumped in oceans across the world and the consequences are already drastic. As the severity of the situation reaches the mainstream, several major cruise line brands are taking it upon themselves to help f
Cruise Exec: Cindy D’Aoust
A Day in the Life of Cindy D’Aoust, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association By Fran Golden There is no such thing as a typical workday for Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The world’s largest cruise industry trade
