Island Finds: Something to Say
When you think of Bahamian art, what comes to mind? Is it watercolors of curvaceous beaches, swaying palm trees, and jolly market vendors with bountiful baskets of fruit propped between their legs? If it is, think again. A new crop of creatives is turning those sun-drenched stereotypes upside down,
Island Style: Pascale Theard’s Passion for Fashion
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Even if you’ve never been to Haiti, you’ve probably seen Haitian art and craft. That’s because the island’s signature paintings (depicting multitudes of colorful stick-like figures crammed onto canvases) and creative pierced-tin and metalwork craft are sold througho
St. Thomas Shopping Guide
Island Finds By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon When you pull into port in St. Thomas, no doubt you’ll be tempted by all the duty-free shopping on offer. After all, this busy Caribbean cruise port is packed with boutiques selling jewelry, watches, and fine leather goods from prestigious international brand
Caribbean Fashion – Five Hot Designers
The Caribbean isn’t only about sea and sand. Local designers are adding style to the equation with island-inspired clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Check out five of the region’s hottest talents, and then take their tips for looking stylish under the sun. By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Kristin Fra
Island Finds: Spice artist Jessie-Ann Jessamy
Grenada artist Jessie-Ann Jessamy creates spice-inspired crafts. By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon If you’ve ever been to Grenada, the eastern Caribbean country also known as the Isle of Spice, you know that there’s one aromatic ingredient that’s particularly prevalent. Here, nutmeg — the round arom
Savvy Shopper: Holiday Gift Guide
A holiday gift guide from your favorite island locales By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s also the best time of year to purchase a present for your favorite cruiser (or yourself). So as you make that shopping list prior to setting sail on your Caribbean
Savvy Shopper: Grand Cayman
How to be a savvy shopper when your ship calls on Grand Cayman By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon You’ll be tempted to spend all your time basking on Grand Cayman’s rightfully famous Seven Mile Beach or exploring its underwater wonders (this is the place where scuba diving was born, after all). But do sa
Savvy Shopper: In the British Virgin Islands
How to be a savvy shopper when your ship calls on the British Virgin Islands By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon A string of roughly 60 pieces of paradise afloat in 56 square miles of Caribbean blue, the British Virgin Islands seduces visitors with sandy coves, rollicking beach bars, and, of course, those mam
Savvy Shopper: Jamaica
Your Jamaica Shopping Guide By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon The word “Jamaica” means “land of wood and water,” but you’ll find much more than carvings and coconut water in the Caribbean’s largest English-speaking country. From kids’ clothes to colorful canvases, the irie island’s got the g
Savvy Shopper: U.S. Virgin Islands
In the Bag How to be a savvy shopper when your ship calls on the U.S. Virgin Islands By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Shopping in “America’s Caribbean” (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St John) definitely has its advantages, the biggest being that U.S. residents are allowed to bring back $1,600 of duty-fr
Savvy Shopper: San Juan
How to be a savvy shopper when your ship pulls into San Juan By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Puerto Rico’s capital is a shopper’s smorgasbord, with not only the Caribbean’s largest shopping mall (the 300-store Plaza Las Américas), but also its most luxurious at the Mall of San Juan, which has more
Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Savvy Shopper Heads to St. Lucia
Shopping Tips in St. Lucia Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Savvy Shopper, takes us to her favorite destinations for shopping tips and a behind-the-scenes look at what awaits cruise travelers. In this episode, she travels to St. Lucia for a chat with mask artist, Zaka, at Zak
Five Faves: Bountiful Barbados
Bountiful Barbados Five things you MUST eat and drink when your cruise calls on Bridgetown. We believe that the best way to appreciate the true local flavor of a new destination is to actually … well … taste it. From patties in Jamaica to ceviche on Cozumel, we’re big fans of Caribbean cuisine
Five Faves: Selfies at Sea… aboard Quantum of the Seas
Porthole’s Five Faves Selfies at Sea Quantum of the Seas is the perfect backdrop to show off your favorite cruise-ship moments. Perhaps you’ve heard. Royal Caribbean International’s brand-new Quantum of the Seas is a ship that impresses with its high-tech features, innovative cruise sty
