From Russia With Love: Matryoshka Nesting Dolls
Matryoshka dolls are an instantly recognizable symbol of Russia. They can take on many forms, but are always a series of wooden dolls of decreasing sizes that fit one inside the other, typically painted to represent either traditional Russian folklife or more topical or satirical themes. It has be
St. Thomas Prepares For Travel Boom as Cruising Returns
As more and more cruise lines lay out their plans for a return to operation, it means that popular island destinations across the Caribbean are gearing up for tourism as well. It’s been a difficult year for tourism around the world, but there’s hope that cruising’s return can help
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
St. Thomas had a deep-rooted seafaring heritage long before I plied its waters. As a cruise director for many years, I visited the small, quaint island every Tuesday. Twenty-five years later, it has matured into destination adulthood, but in spite of its modernization, the island retains its playful
Cunard’s Captain Christopher Wells Retires After 20 Years
After 20 years with Cunard and 30 in total with Carnival Corporation, Captain Christopher Wells is retiring and being awarded the rank of Commodore for his outstanding service. For the past 13 years, Wells has been at the helm of Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 after being involved in
Holland America Line To Celebrate 25 Years at Half Moon Cay
Private islands are all the rage in cruising lately, but one cruise line has been well ahead of the trend! Holland America Line announced plans to operate seven ships in the Caribbean with calls on Half Moon Cay during the 2022-2023 cruise season in honor of 25 years of cruising to the Bahamian isla
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Returning in July
One of Florida’s most popular local cruise lines is coming back soon! Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced today their plans to resume operation from Port of Palm Beach on July 2, 2021. Citing the new industry standards for health and safety as well as the recent pushback against the CDCR
Choose Your Cruise – April 9, 2021
It was a wild week in the cruise industry! First we had a handful of cruise lines announcing new sailing dates from places all over the world. Then we had the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line call the CDC “borderline ridiculous” in an interview with Porthole Cruise Magazine Founder and Edito
Disney Wish is One Step Closer to Completion
The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is another step closer to completion! The cruise line celebrated a major milestone in the life of a cruise ship today with the traditional keel laying ceremony for their new ship Disney Wish, the first of three new ships in the line’s fleet ex
CDC Cruise Line Restrictions ‘Borderline Ridiculous’ says NCL CEO
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an update to their conditional sail order last week, many thought it meant good news for the cruise industry. Upon closer look, the new protocols instituted by the CDC actually make life more difficult for cruise lines and put them further f
Virgin Voyages Announces Summer Sailings in the UK
Just one day after cancelling their summer cruise season from Miami, Virgin Voyages is joining other cruise lines in offering select sailings from the United Kingdom for residents of the country. The upcoming staycation-at-sea series will include two, three and four-night itineraries with a total of
Virgin Voyages Cancels All Summer Sailings
Eventually we’ll write a story about Virgin Voyages that includes details about our time on board the ship, but unfortunately we’re going to have to wait a little longer. The world’s most anticipated cruise line has unfortunately made the decision to cancel all sailings between Jul
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
Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Return Date
It’s been a long time since Norwegian Cruise Line carried passengers on a cruise vacation, but we finally have a date for the company’s restart. Beginning July 25, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line will resume cruise operations in Europe followed by the Caribbean on board three ships; Norwegia
Bermuda Is Open for Travel – Here’s What You Need to Know
For the first time ever, a major cruise line is going to homeport in Bermuda and it’s going to be a major factor in the island’s post-COVID recovery. The island has done an incredible job limiting infections over the past year compared to some other popular cruising islands and the local
The CDC’s Technical Guidance for Cruise Ships Explained
In a classic Friday afternoon news dump, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an update to their conditional sail order with a number of new rules cruise lines will have to follow if they want to resume operation. After a week of taking heat from politicians, particularly in Florida
Choose Your Cruise – April 2, 2021
Cruising is back! We promise that’s not an April Fool’s Day prank, cruises are actually back and we are absolutely thrilled about it! Pretty much every major cruise line has announced their return date in places like the Mediterranean, the United Kingdom, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Car
Royal Caribbean Extends Singapore Season to October
Since Royal Caribbean International began cruising from Singapore in December of 2020, more than 50,000 cruisers have sailed safely on board. As a result, Royal Caribbean International today announced Quantum of the Seas will continue sailing from Singapore through October 2
Windstar Cruises’ New $500 Million Sea Submarine Initiative
You’ve cruised the high seas, now Windstar Cruises is aiming to give guests an exclusive look underneath the waves thanks to a new $500 million submarine initiative. Called Star Fish, the vessel has the ability to duck down below the surface to avoid choppy seas, resurfacing at sunny, unc
Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Odyssey of the Seas
The latest ship from Royal Caribbean International is finally here! Odyssey of the Seas was delivered to the cruise line by Meyer Werft Yard in Papenburg, Germany in a ceremony attended by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Roya
Windstar Cruises Makes Vaccines Mandatory
Another cruise line has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccine for passengers when they resume operation. Windstar Cruises made the decision based on the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places their yachts visit. Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s Pres
