Getting Around Europe on a Budget
Taking a European river cruise is a great way to see a lot of beautiful foreign cities in a short time, while enjoying the comfort of a cruise ship and not having to take up all the work associated with planning your own itinerary. Planning trips can be stressful, especially when everything is in a
5 Overlooked Cruise Destinations
Cruises to places like the Bahamas and the Caribbean are a dime a dozen. To get the most for your money, consider a cruise destination that isn’t the typical choice of the masses. There are a few you may never have thought of, that you owe it to yourself to check out. Here are five […]
Cruise Deal of the Week – February 15, 2019
Love is in the air, so why not book a cruise with a line whose name literally means love! Ama (or amor) means love in Spanish and AmaWaterways is offering one of their best deals yet in honor of Valentine’s Day! Actually, it’s really THREE offers all rolled into one awesome cruise deal.
Bonjour Luciole, the Bistro Barge!
Driving through the rolling fields of the French countryside, I was already getting hungry. We were headed south of Paris in the direction of Auxerre, where, beneath the city’s ancient gothic cathedral, hovered Luciole — the barge patiently awaiting our small group’s arrival for what was slate
French Country Waterways Celebrates 35 Years of Cruising
Congratulations to French Country Waterways! What did you do for your 35th birthday? Imagine sipping a lovely glass of Bordeaux while actually in the famed wine region of France. Sounds pretty great, right? Well, for the past 35 years, French Country Waterways has offered that experience and more on
Luxury and Tradition on Sea Cloud II
It’s nearing 10:00 p.m. and Sea Cloud II is about to depart St. Malo under a ceiling of puffy, silver clouds. Most of the ship’s 94 guests are at the ship’s rail enthralled by the view — the lights of the historic fortress are the only illumination on this balmy evening. It’s the Feast of
Into the Forest on Crystal Cruises
I am sailing on the 106-passenger, high-design Crystal Bach on the upper Rhine River, enjoying all the luxuries you would expect of top-end line Crystal River Cruises. Dining is extraordinary, suite accommodations are hotel-like with views and a butler who brings treats. I’m pleasantly plump and h
6 Must-Sees In Cadiz, Spain
Most cruise passengers whose ships call at Cadiz, a White City in the Costa de la Luz (the Coast of Light) in the Andalusia region of Spain, immediately head out of town. It’s understandable, as the nearby treasures of Seville and the wines of Jerez de la Frontera beckon – I myself visited Sev
Viking Announces 2020-2021 World Cruise
Are you ready to relive the most fascinating wager in fiction? When Jules Verne wrote Around the World in 80 Days, the fiction trip he imagined was a perilous one. The one major gripe most have with the novel is the lack of time protagonist Phileas Fogg had to spend in each new place as […]
TRAVEL TIPS: Ajaccio, Corsica – a Hidden Gem in the Mediterranean
Perhaps you remember hearing the name “Corsica” in your high school history class, since the island is the birthplace of one of Europe’s most well-known historical figures: Napoleon Bonaparte. The French emperor was born right in Ajaccio, so the city is packed with history and offers visitors
Editor-in-Chief Awards 2019
2019 Editor-in-Chief Awards As editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine, Bill Panoff travels a lot. So each year, he reports back on his favorite travel experiences around the world. Here are this year’s picks of those who left amazing impressions in terms of service, quality, and memorable mom
When is the Best Time to Cruise?
If you’ve never thought about taking a cruise before, one of the first questions that comes to mind is usually: when is the best time to cruise? When it comes to going on vacation, it’s obvious that certain locations are only desirable during certain parts of the year. If you’re looking for a
Cruise Ship Review: AmaWaterways AmaLea
The charms of the cities and villages of the Danube are a joy to discover. Aboard the new AmaWaterways AmaLea, this pleasure is multiplied. This is the 10th ship of their Certo class, and as AmaWaterways has evolved, they’ve incorporated the latest technology, architectural flow, and attention to
Heading Ashore: 9 Things to See in Rome
For most cruise passengers sailing in the Med, a call at Civitavecchia, Italy, the port of the Eternal City, means that, as the saying goes, “All roads lead to Rome.” It will necessarily be a long day on those roads – it is about a 45-minute to one-hour’s drive (or longer, depending on traff
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 23, 2018
It’s every deal-hunter’s favorite time of the year! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the best days to book a cruise thanks to outrageous deals from a number of different cruise lines. Our deal of the week is a special one from the cruising pros over at Princess Cruises. The Cyber
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 16, 2018
It’s almost upon us. No, not a soul-crushingly cold winter with endless hours of shoveling and shivering. We’re talking about Cunard’s famous Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale where guests can book available staterooms on select 2019 voyages all over the world, aboard all three sh
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 9, 2018
Those looking for a great cruise vacation can treat themselves to a room with a view for a lot less than usual thanks to the Double Upgrade Deal from Azamara Club Cruises. There are more than enough places to explore around the world. From Alaska’s icy shores, to Africa’s exotic landscapes, to S
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 2, 2018
It’s time to put away the bubbling cauldrons and spooky skeletons because the Holiday season is officially upon us. One of the best ways to get the spirit of giving is to book a Christmas market European river cruise from the professional cruisers at AmaWaterways. Their latest cruise deal is a
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 19, 2018
You know if it’s coming from Emerald Waterways, it’s a suite deal! The famous river cruise experts have a deal running through Halloween if you’re looking to save big on European river cruises. RELATED: Twiggy to be Godmother of Emerald Waterways River Ships Now through October 31
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 5, 2018
Celebrity Cruise Lines is moving, so now is the best time to save on a cruise for you and the family! Well, the website is moving anyway, and because the site will be offline while they change hosts, the cruise line is offering one heck of a deal in the days and hours before the […]