Madeira’s Cruise Recovery is in Full Swing
One of the best kept secrets in cruising is the Portuguese island of Madeira, a sub-tropical paradise visited by millions each year for its unique culture, outstanding flora and fauna and a bustling downtown port area with lots to explore. Now that we’re finally putting the pandemic behind us
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
St. Kitts’ Lindsay F.P. Grant Named Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year
The island of St. Kitts announced today that Minister of Tourism Lindsay F.P. Grant has been named Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year in the Caribbean Journal’s 8th annual Caribbean Travel Awards. The editors chose Minister Grant for the award thanks to his leadership during the pande
St. Kitts: Awake Your Sense of Wander
When was the last time you really felt a sense of adventure? One of the best things about travel is it awakens within us a natural curiosity about the world we live in and fuels our sense of adventure and desire to experience new things. Of all the islands in the Caribbean, St. Kitts is […]
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
“Great Enthusiasm” for Cruise Return Says New St. Maarten Tourism Minister
If you’re a frequent cruiser, you’re no doubt familiar with the island of St. Maarten. The island is poised to make a huge tourism comeback post-COVID and cruising is going to be a big part of it. Porthole Cruise and Travel Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff met up with newly
MSC Seashore Naming Ceremony to Take Place at Ocean Cay
The newest ship from MSC Cruises will enjoy an extra-special naming ceremony according to a press release from the cruise line! MSC Seashore, which just entered service this summer, will be at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve on November 18th for a naming ceremony featuring the Godmother of 16 MSC Cruis
Aweigh We Go! Three Dream Destinations – St. Maarten, Athens, and Valletta
After ships sat idle for what seemed like an eternity, cruising has returned with a race to establish homeport advantage. Straight out of the gate, favorites like St. Maarten and Athens are making strong bids for prominence, and Malta is nosing ahead of a crowded field of Mediterranean options. Sail
How to Kick Back and Relax in St. Kitts
There’s nothing quite like the Caribbean. Most say the region is special for its pristine beaches, crystal clear water and lush, tropical landscapes, but there’s another reason why cruisers and tourists alike enjoy spending time in this incredible part of the world; the laid-back and rel
Falling into Paradise; Grenada’s Spectacular Waterfalls
Torrents tumble down rocky outposts sheltered by a leafy rainforest canopy, cascading with a sparkling white sheen into a cooling pool below — no doubt a picturesque Caribbean paradise. On Grenada, the island’s many scenic waterfalls with their swooshing downpours and scintillating mists a
CDC Upgrades Jamaica to “Level 4: Very High” Travel Risk
Another popular Caribbean island has found itself on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of places to avoid due to rising COVID-19 cases. Jamaica was added to the CDC’s Level 4 Travel Advisory list meaning people should avoid travel to the island. Those who must travel
Port St. Maarten Group Appoints Alexander Gumbs as CEO
One of the most popular ports in the Caribbean has a new CEO! Longtime cruise and travel industry professional Alexander Gumbs, who previously worked with the Harbor Group of Companies, has been selected to replace former Port of St. Maarten Group CEO Mark Mingo as the top executive at the company.
Three Luxury Hotels and Resorts For Your St. Kitts Vacation
Visitors to the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis have no shortage of options when it comes to those who like to indulge in the finer things, the island’s luxury accommodations are second to none. From oceanside resorts to historic Plantations Inns tucked into the lush countryside, St. Kitts and Nevi
The Secrets of St. John, USVI
You won’t find St. John, USVI on any cruise itinerary and that’s both good and bad. It’s good because you’ll never have to share the island with platoons of cruise passengers. If you are on a ship it’s bad because if unless you take an excursion from St. Thomas, you’ll never experience t
Cruising to St. Kitts: A Guide to Port Zante
As cruise ships begin sailing the Caribbean once again, islands are getting ready to welcome back tourists to their shores. St. Kitts is one such island getting ready for cruise tourism and Port Zante has everything cruisers need to shop, eat, drink and have fun just steps away from the ship.
Sint Maarten Ready to Welcome Back Cruisers
Every island in the Caribbean has a story, but few are as unique as Sint Maarten. The island is so unique, in fact, that it has two names depending on which side you’re on. Steeped in colonial history, the 37 square mile island is governed by both France (Saint Martin) and the Netherlands (S
5 Ways to Spend the Day in St. Kitts
If you look up the word “paradise” in the dictionary, a photo of St. Kitts would not be out of place. This spectacular Caribbean island offers a delightful mix of fun, relaxation and natural beauty wherever you turn. As we inch closer to cruising’s return, the island is gearing up to welcome b
NOAA Predicts an Above Average Atlantic Hurricane Season
With all the news and surrounding the cruise industry, you may have forgotten that it’s about to be hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Climate Prediction Center has released their forecast for the Atlantic Hurricane season and the good news is they don&#
St. Kitts Is the Island of Limitless Possibilities
Attitude is everything, just ask the people of St. Kitts. In many respects this laid-back island paradise is your quintessential Caribbean island. It’s a place where beach shack bars grill up fresh caught fish and lobster, where you can see the colorful fisherman boats dotting the horizon in the m
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
St. Thomas had a deep-rooted seafaring heritage long before I plied its waters. As a cruise director for many years, I visited the small, quaint island every Tuesday. Twenty-five years later, it has matured into destination adulthood, but in spite of its modernization, the island retains its playful
