What I Wish I Packed For My Antarctica Cruise
I told myself I wouldn’t leave packing for my Antarctica cruise until the last minute. I’d be braving unforgiving and extremely changeable weather – wind, snow, rain, and ice – not to mention living onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen with Hurtigruten Expeditions for 10 days on my first-ever cruise v
Tips for Packing for Comfort
For those of us who aren’t the backpacker/mountaineer type, the hardest part of travel is doing without the comforts of home. Luckily, though, there are some designers (what the backpacker type would call “outfitters”) who specialize in items that make anywhere in the world feel as comfortable
Cruise Packing: In All Kinds of Weather
Not too long ago, it seemed cruising was synonymous with sun-drenched islands, sweltering heat and turquoise seas.Nobody worried about what to pack for a cruise vacation. A few pairs of shorts, sleeveless tops, sandals, and swimsuits were all we’d need for daytime sightseeing, beach going, and la
Top 7 Things People Always Forget to Pack
The excited feeling of getting to go on vacation is something to be looked forward to; the day is finally here. All of the suitcases are packed, directions to the port are in-hand, passports and boarding passes are – wait, where are they?!? As that horrible sinking feeling of when you realize
Packing is Such Sweet Sorrow
The Monthly Mantra Packin’ it in … Packin’ it in … Packin’ it in … It’s late afternoon the day before disembarkation and I’m on my balcony gazing out at the ocean, serenaded by the gentle swish of the waves. But ever so subtly, I find myself bracing for the transition from carefree h
Handheld Travel Steamer Fights Wrinkles Fast (VIDEO)
Whether they’re in your plans, on your face or in your clothes, nobody likes wrinkles. One of the most difficult things for travelers is packing for a trip without leaving your clothing looking ragged, unwashed and full of wrinkles. It’s especially tough with delicate items like dresses, suits a
What’s the Biggest Mistake You Can Make on a Cruise?
Here at Porthole, we talk with a lot of cruise experts about the do’s and don’ts of a cruise vacation. If you’ve never taken a vacation on a cruise ship before, you’re probably getting excited about heading out on the high seas, but, before you go, there’s something very important which ne
Wear-everrr! Why does cruising bring out our inner fashion plate?
Monday Mantra All decked out…All decked out…All decked out… Wear-everrr! Why does cruising bring out our inner fashion plate? Confession #1: Sometimes I go to work wearing clothes that are so wrinkled they look like I just grabbed them out of my laundry bag. Confession #2: I did just grab them
Don’t Remind Me – I’m on vacation. What else do I really need to know?
Monday Mantra I forgot! … I forgot! … I forgot! … Don’t Remind Me I’m on vacation. What else do I really need to know? The first thing I do when I arrive at my cruise port is buy a toothbrush to replace the one I left on the sink at home after brushing my […]
Nothing to Declare but Décor
Monday Mantra Nothing to Declare but Décor Pack light on the way out … so you can pack heavy coming home! I will bring my cruise home with me…I will bring my cruise home with me…I will bring my cruise home with me…. “Do you have any alcohol or cigarettes?” the customs officer barked. At
In the Bag
Monday Mantra In the Bag A luxury cruise to Alaska stretches packing strategies to the limit. I will begin packing…I will begin packing…I will begin packing… In just two days, I’ll be off to Vancouver to board Silver Shadow for an 11-day Alaska cruise. I’ll be combining two of the
Cruising Barefoot
Monday Mantra Cruising Barefoot When novice packing mistakes seem to carry on. I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes… More than 35 years have passed since then and I now think of myself as a cruise veteran. I know h