12 Can’t-Miss Places to Visit in Madeira
There are a lot of beautiful islands to explore in this world, but the Portuguese island of Madeira remains a hidden gem and cruiser paradise thanks to all it has to offer! From the vibrant city of Funchal where the cruise ships dock, to the rocky cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço and the beach [&he
Tips for Tipping on a Cruise
A necessary (but often confusing) part of planning for a cruise is budgeting to tip the hard-working service staff. Failing to plan for gratuities can lead to a significant expense that is expected to be paid in the last few days of your cruise. However, navigating how to plan for gratuities doesn&#
Tips for Decorating Your Stateroom Door
Ah, there’s nothing like soaking in the grandeur a magnificent cruise ship, only to be greeted by rows and rows of plain-looking, neutral colored hallways where your stateroom awaits. To break up the monotony—and to make finding your room about 20 times easier—many cruisers participate in
MUST HAVE TRAVEL GEAR: Cruise Packing Solutions
Remember the days when you couldn’t print your boarding pass online the night before your flight? Remember when navigating a new country meant unfolding and scouring a map instead of typing the address into a smartphone and letting it do the work for you? Remember a world before selfies? We sure d
Travel Tips for Making Small Cruise Cabins a Little Bigger
When it comes to cruise ship cabins, space is at a premium. Sure, you could book the owner’s suite and have a whopping 1,200 square feet to spread out, but for those of us living in reality, a standard stateroom is the cabin of choice. If you’re facing a week or more in a cabin […]
Traveling with Prescriptions: the Do’s and Don’ts
What’s your process when it comes to packing for a cruise vacation? Do you make a list and pack everything up a week in advance or do you throw together your suitcase mere hours before your flight is scheduled to take off? No matter what your personal packing strategy might be, there are a few [&h
Do I Have to Take My Passport on a Cruise?
Swimsuit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hawaiian shirt? Check. When it comes to packing for your cruise vacation, everybody knows the essentials. However, not everyone knows the rules when it comes to taking important documents with them on them ship. It may seem like a no-brainer to bring along your pas
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
Tips for Making Your Cruising Day a Breeze
It’s finally here! The day you leave on a cruise is full of fun and excitement, but if you’ve never cruised before, there are a few things you can do to make the experience even better. Our tips help you spend less time waiting and more time on vacation! How to Expedite the Boarding Process [&he
Find the Best Deal on a Last Minute Cruise
What’s your relationship with procrastination? For some, putting things off until the last minute borders on an art form. Others, not so much. We’ve all heard that the early bird gets the worm, but when it comes to getting the best deal on a last minute cruise, you have some options at your disp
Cruise Deal of the Week – Mar. 16, 2018
Victory Cruise Lines is offering a 2-for-1 deal on select Canada and St. Lawrence cruises aboard Victory II. Sailing between Halifax and Detroit, the 10-night French Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway itineraries call on Charlottetown, Quebec City, Montreal, and Cleveland. Contact Victory
Cruise Control | 12 Secret Tips for MSC Seaside (Video)
Porthole Cruise Magazine’s review team set sail on MSC’s newest ship, MSC Seaside. What they found might surprise you! Here are a few tips to making the most out of your first day aboard: ARRIVAL: Avoid the early-bird rush by arriving between 1p.m. and 4p.m. LUGGAGE: Travel light and pack the ne
Cruise Deal of the Week – Mar. 9, 2018
River operator Emerald Waterways is offering savings up to $2,000 per couple on select 8-day cruises on the Danube or the Rhine. Book by March 31 with the code EWUTHOU to receive $1,000 per person off your choice of select departures of the “Sensations of Southern France” itinerary, whic
Cruise Deals of the Week
DEAL 1: Norwegian Cruise Line is offering $1 deposits on cruises booked through March 5, 2018, with a studio inside, oceanview, balcony or mini-suite category stateroom. The super-cheap deposits can be combined with other promotions like the “Free at Sea” deal, which allows guests to choose from
Cruise Control | Top 10 Cruise Tips For First-Time Cruisers (Video)
We asked our network of half-a-million cruise enthusiasts what they wish they knew before taking their first cruise, and the polls are in! Here are the top 10 tips for first-time cruisers: Don’t Fill Up Before You Get On The Ship! There’s a buffet as soon as you get on the ship, so try not [&hel
Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 23, 2018 To celebrate Hurtigruten’s 125-year anniversary as a leader in exploration travel, the line is offering discounted cruises to some of the world’s most unchartered territories on select 6-,7-, and 12-day voyages along the coast of Norway between April 1,
Cruise Deal of the Week
Cruise Deal of the Week – Feb. 16, 2018 Small ship cruise line, Blount, is offering 20 percent off a special Fourth of July holiday cruise sailing round-trip from Boston (July 1-8, 2018) to the historic ports of Plymouth, Newburyport, Salem, Martha’s Vineyard, and Provincetown. The 8-day cruise,
Cruise Deals of the Week
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 9, 2018 DEAL 1: Tall-ship line Star Clippers is offering a sweet deal for couples booking and 2018 or 2019 sailing by February 14 (using the promo code VALENTINES18) – sweet treats upon arrival, a bottle of bubbly, and a complimentary one-hour massage (per person/
Cruise Deals of the Week
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 2, 2018 DEAL 1: Luxury small-ship operator Scenic is offering cruisers on their European river ships and their upcoming “discovery yacht” Scenic Eclipse early-bird rates up to 10 percent off regular fares. The deal extends to 13 different itineraries between
Cruise Deal of the Week
Jan. 26, 2018 Luxury line Silversea is offering free roundtrip air – or an upgrade to business class from $599 – on their “Timeless Treasures” Mediterranean cruises. Contact Silversea or your travel agent for more.
