All Things Grape and Small
Monday Mantra All Things Grape and Small On a luxury cruise, nothing (and we mean nothing) is overlooked. I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… Allow me to set the scene. My husband, Michael, and
Five Faves: Theme Cruises
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Theme Cruises … From gourmands to ghost hunters, there’s something for every cruiser to love. Who doesn’t love a good theme cruise? Board a ship with other like-minded folks and set sail for a week of, well, anything you can image! From country music cruises to
Five Faves: Cruise Indulgences
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Cruise Indulgences … And the Science Behind Why You Shouldn’t Say No Inhibitions are like lighthouses — those things are best left on land! The next time you go on a cruise and start hearing yourself make up excuses for why you shouldn’t do something, remember th
Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls
Monday Mantra Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls Take a taste of Norwegian Cruise Line’s bread heaven home with you. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. Mention Norwegian Cruise Line to most cruisers and you’ll hear tales about the line’s
Five Faves: The Old Cruiser and the Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves The Old Cruiser and the Sea Five favorite ways to enjoy reading Hemingway on board There’s something absolutely satisfying about a warm deck chair, a cool sea breeze, and a great book – it’s totally indulgent and totally good for you at the same time. Few writers
Culinary Adventures aboard Oceania Cruises
For cruisers who want to bring more back from their vacation than just great memories, Oceania Cruises has Bon Appétit Culinary Centers aboard the 1,250-passenger Marina and Riviera where you can actually learn some cooking skills. Bon Appétit Culinary Centers You slice and dice along with pr
Just Desserts and Cocktail Culture
Brand-new treats on both Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are geared toward an adults-only audience. On Disney, the indulgence is desserts. Exclusively on Disney Fantasy, a new experience for grownups is a five-course dessert tasting in the fancy French restaurant Remy. “Remy Fea
Holland America Line Adds Signature Burgers to New Terrace Grill Menu
I’m one of those people who enjoy being pampered with multiple courses served by armies of waiters in cruise ship dining rooms. But at some point on every cruise I find myself craving something simple — like a good burger. Apparently, I am not alone. New Cruise Ship Burgers Celebrity chef Gu
Royal Caribbean goes with “Dynamic Dining” for Quantum-class ships
In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International is shaking up the dining scene on its Quantum-class ships, eliminating main dining rooms and shipwide formal nights in favor of what the line is calling “Dynamic Dining.” Passengers on Quantum of the Seas (debuting in November) and sister
A Taste of Nassau
When cruisers arrive at a port, it’s best to have a plan. Some may prefer organized shore excursions. Some may want to explore on their own. In either case, making last-minute choices when you arrive on-island is not always the best way to go. I’ve seen cruise passengers disembark totall
“Chopped” and Delicious on Norwegian Getaway
Fans of Food Network’s Chopped know New York chef/restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian as the smart judge with white hair who opines on creations by the show’s competing professional chefs. Some lucky cruisers on the new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway‘s inaugural Caribbean cruise
Top Chef at Sea
I am an unabashed fan of Bravo TV’s Top Chef – so much so that I once more or less stalked show judge (and noted chef) Tom Colicchio at a casino opening. So I think Celebrity Cruises is really smart for its new partnership “Top Chef at Sea.” You’ll remember last year Ce
Cruising 2013: A Year in Review
Just as in years past, 2013 brought some great innovations and unique enhancements to the cruise experience. Here’s a look at some of the highlights. The 4,000-passenger, New York–based Norwegian Breakaway made waves with its Big Apple–inspired décor and a first-of-its-kind expansive water
Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister Jan and Cindy Brady might disagree, but it’s not always the oldest sister who gets all the attention. In cruising, though there’s undeniable hoopla when a new ship in a new class debuts, it’s often the sister ships that represent new innovations and enticements that define the c