St. Maarten Explore The Island
Welcome to the beautiful island of St. Maarten! St. Maarten is one of the best-known islands in the Caribbean, known for its beaches, culture, and fantastic shopping. Its cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, world-class restaurants, and vibrant nightlife make it a great destination for travelers look
“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
The Summer of ‘21 Travel Resumes Tour
Making up for the travel drought of 2020, a four month summer escape in the midst of pandemic pandemonium was just what the doctor ordered. Flying in the face of highly touted CDC warnings and after 12 flight segments, 6 cruises, 7 hotels, 15 different beds and 15 negative COVID tests, I’m surpris
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
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.
The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Will Return in 2022
Starting with a mere 12 vessels participating in the inaugural race in 1980, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has quickly grown in stature, with a record 284 boats racing for the title in 2008. With the trade winds of the Caribbean propelling watercraft that converge from all around the world, it’
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
This Cruise Leaves from St. Maarten Next Weekend
For what seems like an eternity, pandemic related restrictions have reined in the flourishing popularity of cruising and worldwide travel. Regulations may have challenged the possibility of arrivals and departures from US ports but the old adage necessity is the mother of invention has intervened an
St. Maarten Travel Restrictions You Need to Know About
With the news that cruise lines will begin sailing from St. Maarten in just a few months, cruisers all over America are booking their flight to the Caribbean island. However, there are a few important things to know about traveling to St. Maarten because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a rund
Choose Your Cruise – March 26, 2021
This was a wild week in the cruise industry. CLIA and the CDC went back and forth about the Conditional Sail Order and several more cruise lines have concrete start dates in June cruisers can now book! Since we still can’t sail from American ports, these cruises leave from islands in the Baham
Saint Lucia Prepares for Summer Cruise Tourism
For the first time in a year, the island of St. Lucia is preparing to welcome back international cruise tourism. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has jumpstarted the return of the cruise industry to Saint Lucia after more than a year of inactivity, naming the island as a port-of-call on a mid-July i
Celebrity Cruises Announces June 5th Return
There’s some excellent news to report from Celebrity Cruises this morning! Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced this morning that the cruise line would return to service on June 5th from St. Maarten on board the recently renovated Celebrity Millennium! Bookings for the 7-nig
Port Day: St. Barthelemy, French West Indies
Tiny St. Barthelemy has an outsized reputation for an island that is all of 9 square miles. It is very French, very chic and can be very expensive. It is also absolutely beautiful with phenomenal beaches, crystal clear waters, and beautiful villas that tumble down its hillsides. It is also a wonderf
Great Cruise Ports for Scuba Diving and Swimming
If you are planning a cruise and are looking for fun off-boat adventure in the beautiful waters of your cruise ports and destinations, these are some of the best places for a day spent diving, snorkeling or scuba diving. These destinations include ports that are great for beginners and professionals
MSC Cruises Hosts Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Annual Photoshoot
Down, set….CRUISE! The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders took to the high seas with MSC Cruises for their annual photo shoot featuring some of the most beautiful locations in the tropics. The 2018 photoshoot was more than just a chance for the gorgeous ladies to take great pictures, but also tour some c
Following Last Season’s Hurricanes… a Caribbean Comeback
By Linda Garrison The 2017 Caribbean hurricane season was one of the worst in decades, with four major storms roaring through the region in less than a month. Two of these hurricanes, Irma and Maria, did significant damage on several Eastern Caribbean islands that are popular cruise ship ports of ca
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Reaches $2.5 Million Goal for Hurricane Relief
Cruise News – Feb. 23, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced that it has met the company’s goal of raising $2.5 million for the Hope Starts Here hurricane relief program. In less than four month
Fathom and Princess Cruises help travelers help the Caribbean
Cruise News – Jan. 18, 2018 Social-impact travel brand Fathom has teamed up with Princess Cruises to lend a helping hand to communities rebuilding after the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean. The first Cruise for the Caribbean sailing, on January 20, has already sold out, so the partnership h
