Cartagena, Colombia Welcomes Back Their First Cruise Ship Call
The sight of Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze docked in Cartagena, Colombia was a welcome sight yesterday as the ship became the first to call on the country since the COVID-19 pandemic first began last year. Windstar was the first of a scheduled 26 cruise line to call on Cartagena during this cr
Princess Cruises Successfully Completes First Voyage Back
When Majestic Princess arrived back in Seattle yesterday after completing a 7-day cruise to Alaska, it marked an important milestone for Princess Cruises. Arguably one of the hardest-hit cruise lines by the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess hasn’t had a ship sailing since March of 20
Cruise Deal of the Week – June 4, 2021
Ladies and Gentlemen, we made it! For the past year, we’ve been writing Choose Your Cruise because the future of cruising was so murky. But, thankfully, we’re back to everyone’s favorite column, the Cruise Deal of the Week! Now that cruising is on the cusp of a return, we’re
Choose Your Cruise – May 21, 2021
Yesterday was a great day for cruising! First we had Royal Caribbean International hinting that recent conversations have them under the impression that cruising is coming back sooner rather than later. Then we had the U.S. House of Representatives pass the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act by a unanimous
Choose Your Cruise – May 7, 2021
Another week, another CDC update that doesn’t really help us at all. Sure, they outlined exactly what needs to happen during a simulated cruise, but the list of demands clearly pushes cruise lines toward the option to skip them altogether so long as their passengers are all vaccinated against
The Best Margaritas at Sea for Cinco De Mayo
Happy Cinco De Mayo! In Mexico, today is used to celebrate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Here in America, it’s an excuse to grab your salt, limes and tequila to mix yourself up a fantastic margarita.&nb
Choose Your Cruise – April 30, 2021
Wow what a week for cruising! We got the opportunity to check out not one, but TWO brand new ships coming in the near future and the CDC even gave cruise lines some wiggle room when it comes to getting started again. It’s really starting to look like July is the target month for cruises [&hell
Carnival Corporation Partners with Bureau Veritas on Cruise Return
Carnival Corporation today announced they are contracting Bureau Veritas, a worldwide testing, inspection, and certification company, on the safe restart of cruise operation. Carnival, the world’s largest travel and leisure company, has been dormant since last March when the COVID-19
Choose Your Cruise – March 19, 2021
The United Kingdom has been in the news lately for a number of reasons. Cruisers may have been following the quarrels of the Royals, but we bet the news that the UK would allow cruise ships to sail starting in May was a bit more important! Before you pack your Wellies and your bowler hat […]
Choose Your Cruise – March 5, 2021
With the announcement earlier this week that America would have enough COVID-19 vaccines for the entire country by May, cruisers flocked online to check out the cruise deals still going strong across the internet. It will just be a few more months until the CDC gives the green light to cruise lines
Princess Cancels More Sailings Due to Canada Cruise Ban
Along with their Carnival Corporation brand sister line Holland America, Princess Cruises was forced to cancel select Alaska, Canada, New England and Pacific Coast cruises in 2021. Earlier this month, Canadian Transport Ministry announced an Interim Order that extends the closure of Canadian po
Princess Cruises Bets on Growing Popularity of Sports Gambling
The big game is just a week away and for NFL fans, the championship match is one of biggest gambling days of the year. In fact, the popularity of sports gambling has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years as several states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and now Michigan have legal
Carnival Cruise Line Releases Plans for Additional Ship Deployments
Cruise lines have made it clear throughout the pandemic that when they restart operation, it will be a phased approach. Today, Carnival Cruise Line released new details about their plan to restart operation and it includes some interesting nuggets about where the cruise line will be sailing in 2021
OceanMedallion to be Used on All Princess Cruises Ships
As cruise lines prep for a return to service, new details continue to emerge about what life on board will be like for cruisers. Princess Cruises, who’s return is scheduled for April, announced today that their MedallionClass Experience will be available across the global fleet in 2021. T
Leadership Changes at Carnival Corporation
Carnival Corporation announced today that several prominent members of their leadership team would be moving to new roles within the company. Stein Kruse, the former CEO of Holland America Group and Carnival UK, will now serve as Senior Advisor to the Chairman and the CEO. Jan Swartz, the
Disney Cruise Line Will Now Return in February
Cruise lines continue pushing back their restart date as they work their way through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new framework for conditional sailing. The latest brand to push their start date back a month is Disney Cruise Line. In a posting on the Disney Cruise Lin
CDC Upgrades Cruising Risk to Level 4, the Highest Possible
On Saturday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their travel advisory for cruise ships to level 4, meaning that there was a “very high” risk for COVID-19 infection on board. The CDC now recommends that all people avoid travel on cruise ships worldwide. “At this time, C
Princess Cruises Cancels All Cruises Until April
On the heels of Carnival Cruise Line cancelling all cruises until February 2021, their sister line Princess Cruises has decided to push back their restart as well. In a press release this morning, the cruise line announced they won’t be returning to service until April 2021. They’ve also
Top 10 Best Cruise Specialty Restaurants
One of the most important factors cruisers take into consideration before they book is the cuisine served on board. Cruise lines have long been known for their attention to detail not only in the kitchen, but also the ambiance of each dining venue. Porthole Cruise readers voted for their favorite sp
Top 5 Best Cruise Lines for the Money
Who said your next vacation has to break the bank? Cruising is one of the most affordable vacations, particularly for families, thanks to all-inclusive dining, entertainment and amenities as well as constant deals, perks and promotions offered by cruise lines all over the world. Some cruise lines ev