Windstar Cruises to Offer 20 Private Events in Europe | Cruise News – Apr. 12, 2016
Windstar Cruises to Offer 20 Private Events in Europe Cruise News – Apr. 12, 2016 Windstar Cruises has announced 11 new Private Events in Europe for 2016: six new Private Events in the Mediterranean and five new Private Events in Northern Europe in 2016, making a total of 20 unique Private Ev
Italy … by Land! – Sometimes to go deeper, you have to leave the sea behind.
Monday Mantra Ciao Italia! … Ciao Italia! … Ciao Italia! Italy … by Land! Sometimes to go deeper, you have to leave the sea behind. Soon, I’ll be off to Italy! And here’s the newsflash … NOT on a cruise. That’s the part that totally baffles my friends who seem to think that just becaus
Five Faves: Cities of Chocolate
Porthole’s Five Faves Cocoa Cruising Five favorite destinations for chocolate lovers For those of us who’ve been bitten by the chocolate bug, this is serious business — even globe-spanning. From the cacao tree’s original home in South America, its seeds have spread far and wide, used in
Royal Caribbean Unveils Private Journeys on Shore| Cruise News – Mar. 9, 2016
Royal Caribbean Unveils Private Journeys on Shore Cruise News – Mar. 9, 2016 Adding to Royal Caribbean International’s close to 3,000 shore excursions worldwide, guests can now book special Private Journeys on shore that are tailored to their budget, interests, experience, and travel style.
Going with the Flow – Every trip has surprises. The biggest might be how well you can handle them.
Monday Mantra Breathe Out … Breathe In … Breathe Out … Breathe In … Going with the Flow Every trip has surprises. The biggest might be how well you can handle them. “I expect we’ll touch down at JFK a half hour ahead of schedule,” announced our pilot. I was elated! My travel companion
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – March 4, 2016
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – March 4, 2016 The new, 400-foot floating dock at Icy Strait Point, the Alaska Native–owned and –operated cruise ship destination along the Inside Passage, is 99 percent finished and ready for the first ship calling on May 11. The facility on wild Chichagof Isl
Five Faves: Tampa Must-Dos
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Tampa Must-Dos: Get the best of The Big Guava Founded by Spanish conquistadors and settled by Cuban revolutionaries, Tampa, Florida, is one of the most diverse cities in the South. It’s also among Florida’s top destinations for foodies, cigar lovers, and beer aficion
Extreme Excursions
Extreme Excursions Adventure awaits with these thrilling Caribbean experiences. By Craig Zabransky During every cruise, passengers have the opportunity to take a step outside their comfort zone, try something new and exciting, and, ultimately, choose adventure. The break from our regular routine all
Coming Soon: A New Caribbean Island! | Cruise News – Dec. 17, 2015
Coming Soon: A New Private Island! MSC Cruises becomes latest cruise line to create an exclusive island experience for cruise guests. Cruise News – Dec. 17, 2015 MSC Cruises has unveiled ambitious plans to create a private island experience in the Bahamas for its guests. The project was offi
A Magic Shop – One destination makes Gustavia a tropical paradise.
Monday Mantra St. Barts on a Budget … St. Barts on a Budget … St. Barts on a Budget … A Magic Shop There’s one destination that truly makes Gustavia a tropical paradise. Just when I think I’m doing pretty well financially, I’ll cruise to St. Barts and realize what a pauper I am. Sometime
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 11, 2015
Porthole Cruise News Briefs Dec. 11, 2015 Jimmy Buffett has opened his first Margaritaville restaurant in the Bahamas. The open-air, waterfront-concept environment has been established on Paradise Island, one of the songwriter’s favorite vacation spots – and in fact the location is right next to
Fathom Reveals Onboard Activities | Cruise News – Nov. 24, 2015
Fathom Reveals Onboard Activities Cruise News – Nov. 24, 2015 Carnival Corporation’s new social impact travel brand, Fathom, has just shared details on what their community-minded cruisers can expect on board. Travelers sailing to Cuba or the Dominican Republic aboard the 704-passenger Adonia, c
Jimmy Buffett Welcomes Guests to Margaritaville Resort
Cruise News – Nov. 19, 2015 If your upcoming cruise embarks or disembarks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you have a cool, new option when it comes to your pre/post cruise accommodations. That’s because just 10 miles south of Port Everglades, directly on Ocean Drive, is the brand-new Margaritav
Travel On – The best response to tragedy is to keep an even keel and a steady course.
Monday Mantra Vive la France …Vive la France …Vive la France … Travel On The best response to tragedy is to keep an even keel and a steady course. There I was, planning to write my blog on Friday when I came home from work. I was torn between three ideas: A parody of “The […]
A Little Something Extra – Navigating the etiquette of tipping can be tricky.
Monday Mantra A Few Tips … A Few Tips … A Few Tips … A Little Something Extra Navigating the etiquette of tipping can be tricky. You can’t spend nearly 20 years married to a man whose entire career was in the restaurant business and not be left with a profound appreciation for tipping. M
Five Faves: Haunted Hotels in Paranormal Ports of Call
Spooky Scenes Cruising’s Most Haunted Hotels It’s late October, when the wind rattles through the cane fields, Las Calaveras Catrinas decorate the streets of Cozumel, the duppies and jumbies cast long shadows along the lonely island beaches, and people everywhere gather close to trade scary stor
A Tender Subject – Well, you’ve got to get to port somehow….
Monday Mantra Tender-ness …Tender-ness …Tender-ness … A Tender Subject Well, you’ve got to get to port somehow…. “YAY! We get to tender ashore!” said no cruise passenger ever. It just goes to show how spoiled and pampered we are on board when a 15-minute boat ride into port becomes suc
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 […]
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Sept. 25, 2015
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Sept. 25, 2015 Puerto Vallarta is ready to host the 21st International Gourmet Festival, welcoming more than 30 renowned chefs and more than 400,000 food fans for seven days of a-la-carte dining, gourmet safaris, wine tasting, and chef’s tables from November 16