A Healthy Scarlet Lady Heads Back to Europe
It was a beautiful March morning in Miami when Virgin Voyages’ first ship Scarlet Lady slid gracefully into her berth at PortMiami. The excitement was palpable as the sleek grey and red vessel arrived, despite a warning from the State Department against cruising as COVID-19 was spreading the world
Windstar Cruises Announces Return Date
One of the foremost small ship cruise lines in the industry announced their date for return following the pause in operation due to COVID-19. Windstar Cruises will return to operation on September 3, 2020 when their motor sailing yacht Wind Spirit sets sail in Tahiti. The cruise line first
The Mysterious Magic of the Venice Art Biennale
The Venice Art Biennale is the most important contemporary art show in the world. For six months every other year, it takes over the entire city of Venice. But it’s much more than an art show. If you are at all interested in art, architecture or just a lover of Venice, you should consider extendin
Cruising to Genoa: Your Guide to a Day in Port
Cruise passengers arriving into Port Genoa are gliding through waters steeped in history and mystery. Some of the world’s most notorious explorers hail from this hearty seaport city, including none other than Christopher Columbus himself. In fact, an 18th-century reconstruction of the house in whi
Port Guide: Cruising to Capri
A shining aquatic star of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, the island of Capri has long been the haunt of literati, glitterati and heads of state ranging from regal queens and kings to Emperor Tiberius from Roman times. The sweeping rocky coastline, deep natural caves and expansive plateaus make it h
Cruises Cancelled Amid Coronavirus Concerns
UPDDATE :Editor’s Note: This article was published on February 26, 2020. Click here for the latest Coronavirus news and cruise updates. Everyone is discussing the issue of Coronavirus and what cruise lines were doing to prevent the virus from entering a ship’s ecosystem to ensure passenger
Cruise to Portofino: An Onshore Guide
If any port encapsulates the heart and soul of Italy, it’s the lively and picturesque fishing village of Portofino. Like an Italian Renaissance painting springing to life before your very eyes, this posh little piece of surreal seaside life washes the Ligurian coastline with color and vivacity. Fr
Australia, Hawaii Top List of Desired Destinations
Everyone has a bucket list, but according to Travel Leader’s Group, a lot of you are dreaming the same. One of North America’s largest travel agencies conducted a survey to determine the most desirable destinations for travelers and the results were clear: Americans want to go FAR away f
When in Rome: Where to Stay Before a Cruise
Located approximately one-hour north-west of Rome, the port of Civitavecchia sees almost two million passengers pass through it annually. This popular port has eight cruise terminals and is the third busiest port in the Mediterranean. Given those statistics, chances are you will find yourself sailin
‘Valiant Lady’ Announced by Virgin Voyages
Soon Scarlet Lady will have a twin sister cruising the Mediterreanean. Virgin Voyages announced in a press release this morning that their second ship will be named Valiant Lady and will sail the Mediterreanean upon her completion in 2021. The line’s first ship has yet to debut but is one of the m
Amore on the Amalfi Coast
Traffic moves at a painstaking crawl as it snakes along Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, heading from Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples, onto the world-famous Amalfi Coast, framing the Gulf of Salerno. The road hugs, at times, perilously close to steep coastal cliffs, winding through villages such as Po
Venice Reroutes Cruise Ships Away from Historic City Center
A decades long fight for Venice’s historic city center is over, and it’s the residents who are claiming victory. Amidst concerns of the impact of ships docking in Venice and a few regrettable incidents in recent months, the Italian Government has announced a gradual re-routing of cruise ship
Vatican VIP – Miracles Do Happen
Monday Mantra It’s a Miracle … It’s a Miracle … It’s a Miracle Vatican VIP Room to breathe, a papal address — this is a trip with a difference. Life is full of surprises. Like today, I saw the Pope. Bam! Just like that. I guess I should explain that I’m in Rome
Side Trip to Cinque Terre
Known as the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre (pronounced Ching-kwe Ter-ray) is a cluster of five picturesque villages in Northwest Italy that adorn the shoreline with colorful buildings, steep cliffs, beautifully rugged and rocky beaches, and small but completely charming ports and harbors. And if you
Cruise Your Way to the Perfect Honeymoon Vacation
Newlyweds are some of the most adorable people you will see. As they head out to start their new lives together, many new couples celebrate their wedding with a honeymoon trip. Most of the time, the honeymoon is off to an exotic and exciting place, usually on the couple has never been to before
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
4 New Ultra-Luxury Ships Ordered by MSC Cruises
The ultra-luxury cruise market has a new player thanks to a renewed partnership between MSC Cruises and famed Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The duo announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement for a slew of new high-end cruise ships with a cost totaling well over two billion dollars. Four N
Meet the Newest Princess at Sea (VIDEO)
Fleet expansion is all part of the plan for Princess Cruises, who announced the name of their latest build scheduled to launch in 2020. Enchanted Princess, as the ship will be known, is the fifth ship in Princess Cruises’ Royal-Class vessels. Why the name Enchanted Princess? Jan Swartz, presiden
Off Season Cruising, Is It Worth It?
We often get asked, when is the best time to cruise? Most are shocked when I tell them that cruising off-season is one of the best vacations you can take! Not only are they a great way to get a great deal, but there are plenty of other perks, too. Here are some of our […]
Grape Destinations: Getting Lost in Florence
Bubbles come in handy when you are fashionably late. That was a great lesson learned on a trip I recently took to Tuscany. You and your travel partners are sharing the wheel. On those hills the views are stunning and nobody cares if the GPS is audible, at least. The Winding Roads of Florence I [&hel
