MSC CRUISES Takes DELIVERY OF NEW FLAGSHIP MSC SEASCAPE
Today, MSC Cruises took the official delivery of its brand-new flagship and the largest cruise ship ever to be built in Italy, MSC Seascape. The delivery took place with Gianluigi Aponte, the shipowner, founder, and Executive Chairman of MSC Group, in attendance. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chair
Celebrity Cruises Announces Most Extensive Sailing Season Yet
As if things weren’t already looking up for the cruise industry, one of the most popular cruise lines has announced a 2024-2025 cruise season that is bigger and better than anything they’ve done before! Celebrity Cruises released their fleet deployment and itineraries for the coming ye
Royal Caribbean Set to Welcome Unvaccinated Guests
Another cruise line is allowing unvaccinated guests to sail on board, so long as they still test negative for COVID-19 prior to cruising. Royal Caribbean International announced today that starting Sept. 5, the cruise line will welcome all guests – unvaccinated and vaccinated – to sail on board
Costa Toscana Christening Ceremony
On June 16th, 2022, Costa Cruises celebrated the Christening ceremony of Costa Toscana, the newest Italian ship in the Costa Cruises fleet in the port of Barcelona. “It is a great thrill to celebrate the christening of our Costa Toscana in Barcelona, a city to which we are particularly attache
WHY WAS SIMONE BILES CHOSEN AS CELEBRITY BEYOND GODMOTHER?
https://youtu.be/iMNg3v0x36Q She’s a 19-time World Champion gymnast with 7 Olympic medals hanging in her trophy case, but Simone Biles has a new achievement to be proud of, she’s been named the Godmother of the new Celebrity Beyond from Celebrity Cruises! The celebrity gymnast, who is wide
Barbados Has Streamlined Protocols for Cruises
The island of Barbados is open and ready to welcome cruise travelers, according to a new press release from the island’s tourism board. The island has streamlined port entry protocols for a safe and responsible visit to the island based on recommendations from Barbados’ Ministry of Health an
Le Barth is Back
Le Barthélemy has been named the number one hotel on St. Barths, and now I know why. I’ve just spent several days at this small luxury hotel, and it is no wonder why the accolades are pouring in. Everything from the food to the service and the turquoise ocean views from my suite was très [&helli
Mangia, Mangia on Costa Smeralda
If there is one thing synonymous with the Italian way of life, eating would certainly rank at the top of the list. For Italians, it’s not just sustenance for survival, it’s a cultural celebration that is carried out flawlessly aboard the beautiful Costa Smeralda. Ranking as the fifth largest cru
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 9, 2021
It was a big week in the cruise industry as major cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean embarked ships from U.S. ports for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Things are also heating up elsewhere across the industry as MSC Cruises announced plans for a new terminal at PortMiam
Celebrity Flora Returns to the Galapagos
It’s been more than 15 months since Celebrity Cruises brought guests to the serene shores of the Galapagos Islands, but thankfully we won’t have to wait any longer. The cruise line’s expedition ship Celebrity Flora embarked on a curated seven-night itinerary to the famous isla
AIDA Cruises To Restart AIDAstella in July
AIDA Cruises has taken another step in their gradual restart of cruise operations with the announcement that their ship AIDAstella will resume sailing on July 29, 2021 from Palma de Mallorca with calls in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Malta. The cruises
Royal Caribbean Changes Plans for Bermuda Cruises
Porthole Cruise and Travel readers are no strangers to cruise cancellations these days. For the past year, you’ve read countless articles about cancelled, delayed and rescheduled cruises due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, for the first time, we have news of a major cruise cancellation that
MSC Virtuosa Will Debut in the United Kingdom
Following along with most other cruise lines, MSC Cruises is deploying their new flagship for summer cruises along the British Isles. The ship’s maiden voyage will be May 20, as the first in a series of 3- and 4-night mini cruises before then beginning 7-night cruises June 12 with embarka
Jamaica Travel Restrictions Get Tighter for Visitors
The Caribbean island of Jamaica tightened up their COVID-19 travel restrictions for visitors, reducing the time frame in which travelers need to get tested for the virus. Currently, Jamaica requires tourists to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test within 10 days of travel to the
Choose Your Cruise – February 19, 2021
Another week, another slew of cruise line’s pushing back their start date. Most are numb to the thought now when just a year ago cancelled cruises sent us all into panic mode. As cruise lines tread water just to stay afloat, the good news is a mega-push to get vaccines into the hands of as [&h
Cruising Returns to Singapore Today
‘Twas the night before cruising and all through the ship, the team at Royal Caribbean was stirring to make it a great trip! The masks were all hung by the gangway with care, with hope that happy passengers would soon be there. The crew were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of lido [&he
No Cruises Until December, Says Norwegian Cruise Line
In a statement on their website this morning, Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled all cruises embarking in November as well as all sailings on Norwegian Star, Norwegian Spirit, and Norwegian Dawn through March 2021. The cruise line cited passenger health and safety as their number one priority
CDC to Review Health Protocols Starting Next Week, Says Princess Cruises’ President
Considering she’s been with Princess Cruises for nearly two decades, it’s safe to say there’s nobody better to give us the latest cruise news than President Jan Swartz. With all the cruise headlines these days, you may have missed that Enchanted Princess, the line’s newest sh
AIDA Cruises to Return September 6th
The news is all positive AIDA Cruises, owned by Carnival Corporation, which hasn’t sailed since March. The cruise line has announced its cruise operations will return on September 6th from Kiel, Germany. The cruise line also announced cruises on board AIDAperla to the Norwegian fjor
Royal Caribbean’s Healthy Cruise Panel, Cruise with Confidence Programs
With most cruises on hold around the world, you might be wondering what is happening with Royal Caribbean cruises today, and what to expect going forward. Despite there being no Royal Caribbean cruises since March, there are plenty of changes happening, and here are the most important things to know
