Private I’s
When cruise lines pioneered private islands as ports of call on Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries decades ago, they were an instant hit. They’ve been upgraded with new facilities and activities through the years, but still consistently earn high satisfaction ratings on guests’ comment cards. Man
What are the Best Cruise Ships for Kids?
Step aboard most new cruise ships these days and it’s clear they’ve placed an emphasis on entertainment for kids and young adults. When many think of taking a cruise, they envision a week laid up in a deck chair drinking Pina Coladas and enjoying a good book. Newer ships certainly offer that par
5 Dining Options to Try on Your Next Cruise
A great vacation captivates all the senses; touch, sight, sound, smell, and of course, taste. After a fun-filled day enjoying activities aboard the ship or exploring a port of call, most travelers have worked up quite the appetite. Cruise ships are known for sparing no expense to create a luxurious
In Brief: Rapunzel’s Royal Table debuts on Disney Magic and more!
Among the many recent enhancements that guests began experiencing aboard Disney Magic last week was the debut of Rapunzel’s Royal Table, a Tangled-themed family restaurant featuring beloved characters and live entertainment. Upon entering the royal castle, guests are invited by the King and Queen
Disney Gives First Look at New Ships
Cruise News – Mar. 8, 2018 Disney Cruise Line has revealed more details about their upcoming three ships – scheduled for maiden voyages in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – in the form of a rendering (posted above) that depicts the ships’ exterior design. The ships will each be approximately 140,00
In Brief: Ultra-modern riverboats, Disney destinations, and more….
News Briefs – Mar. 2, 2018 American Cruise Lines has begun construction on the sister ship to their “modern riverboat” American Song, which will make its inaugural cruise on the Mississippi River this October. The second ship should launch in summer 2019. Ultimately, the “modern riverboa
Cruise Control | Cruising the High-tech Seas (Video)
Is a virtual-reality vacation in your future? Travel-tech innovation is a hot topic… and we’ve got the latest on where it’s headed. Virtual reality, video mapping, and giant LED screens are bridging the gap in entertainment offering audiences an immersive experience through multimedia. Royal C
Cruising with – and without – kids.
I JUST WANT TO BE ALONE! For parents everywhere, Greta Garbo said it best. A cruise would seem to be just the ticket (and well deserved) to garner precious moments of solitude, but how do you escape the munchkins of others? Several cruise lines have answered the call with innovative ways to claim yo
Disney Adds Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea for 2019
Cruise News – Jan. 24, 2018 Disney Cruise Line is bringing back two popular special itineraries — Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea — in 2019. Star Wars Day at Sea From January to early March 2019, special 7-night Disney Fantasy sailings will cruise to the Caribbean — and a
Disney Debuts “Beauty and the Beast” on Disney Dream and Announces Updates to Disney Magic
Disney Debuts “Beauty and the Beast” on Disney Dream and Announces Updates to Disney Magic Cruise News – Nov. 15, 2017 “Beauty and the Beast,” a brand-new musical production inspired by Disney’s live-action adaptation of the animated classic, has debuted on Disney Cruise Line’s Dis
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 27, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 27, 2017 Cunard Line is hosting a Hollywood movie premiere, rolling out the red carpet aboard Queen Mary 2 to show The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The film tells the story of circus impresa
Design Time: Hull Art
Massive cruise ship hull art provides character and recognizability when pulling into port By Jason Leppert A simple whitewashed hull has long been a classic choice for cruise ship exteriors, but more and more cruise lines are employing bold designs to don their ships’ bows. So when a ship pulls i
Cruising Characters
From Mickey to Shrek, who will you meet on deck? By Carrie McLaren Every cruise is filled with characters of all kinds. From the stars behind the bar to the zany cruise directors to the magical servers in the dining room, all play a large part in what makes cruising fun. For children and families, [
Disney Cruise Line Announces Seventh Ship, Nearly Doubling Fleet
Disney Cruise Line Announces Seventh Ship, Nearly Doubling Fleet Cruise News – Jul. 17, 2017 During the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced plans to add a seventh ship to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet. Last year, the line announced p
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – May 19, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – May 19, 2017 Bookings are open for the Premiere Voyage and 2018-19 inaugural Caribbean cruise season of Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Statendam, due for delivery in Venice on December 1, 2018. Her maiden voyage will depart from Rome on a 14-day trans-Atlantic to F
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – May 12, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – May 12, 2017 Disney Cruise Line has scheduled two first-time visits for fall 2018, calling on both Bermuda and Quebec City for multiple days to give guests more time to explore. Voyages to Bermuda or Quebec City will depart from New York. Bookings open May 18, 201
Disney Wonder First Passenger Ship to Transit New Panama Locks
Disney Wonder Becomes First Passenger Ship to Transit New Panama Canal Locks Cruise News – May 1, 2017 On April 29, 2017, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder became the first passenger ship to transit the Panama Canal’s new set of locks, marking a milestone for the cruise industry. The Pana
Beauty and the Beast to Become a Brand-New Disney Stage Spectacular
Beauty and the Beast to Become a Brand-New Stage Spectacular Aboard Disney Cruise Line Cruise News – Feb. 9, 2017 A tale as old as time gets ready to take the stage with Beauty and the Beast, a brand-new musical production that will debut during Disney Dream’s 4-night Bahamas cruise departin
5 Faves: Cruiser Friendly, Kid Approved!
Porthole’s 5 Faves Cruiser Friendly, Kid Approved! Five favorite onboard activities for children Today is Take Your Child to Work Day and mom is insisting it is not just a day off for us. So she assigned me (age 11) and my sister Jenna (age 7) to work together and write a blog about what [&hel
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 13, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 13, 2017 Six different Carnival Cruise Line ships have added private destination Princess Cays to their itineraries beginning in May 2017. Located at the southern tip of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera and operated by Carnival’s sister company Princess Cruises