U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Performs Well Despite Pandemic
U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte shared some encouraging tourism numbers about the islands compared to the rest of the Caribbean. While the region as a whole saw a steep decline in visitors since March 2020, the U.S. Virgin Islands credit a smart, sensible publi
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
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 […]
Mardi Gras Déjà Vu?
Who could have possibly known that when the original Mardi Gras embarked on March 11, 1972, it and its sister-ships would revolutionize the onboard experience, propel an upstart line into a cruising behemoth, perfect the paradise-probing possibilities the world over, and basically change everything
Can I Travel to Ireland?
Unfortunately, St. James Gate at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin will remain closed this St. Patrick’s Day, but what about the rest of the country? The Emerald Isle sees more than 9 million tourists every year but for obvious reasons, that number sank in 2020 and now 2021 as well. Can people
Norwegian Cruise Line Suspends Cruises Until July
In a statement issued this morning, Norwegian Cruise Line announced they would be extending the suspension of operation through June 2021. They also temporarily halted bookings for cruises to Alaska due to the Government of Canada’s Interim Order which suspends passenger cruise ships calling
Virgin Voyages Will Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
It’s been a busy morning for Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin. In a statement released to USA Today, McAlpin announced COVID-19 vaccinations would be mandatory for passengers and crew when the cruise line returns to operation this summer. He then joined Good Morning America to
Cruising Returned to America This Weekend
For the first time in over a year, a cruise ship departed from an American port with passengers onboard. American Cruise Lines resumed service over the weekend and American Queen Steamboat Company is setting sail today and that is great news for cruisers! American Cruise Line set sail from Amelia Is
Choose Your Cruise – March 12, 2021
It was exactly one year ago today that Princess Cruises and Viking Cruises announced they’d be pausing operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s truly unbelievable but here we are a year later on the cusp of a vaccine that will jumpstart the cruise industry and get everyone back to no
Alcatraz Cruises to Resume Prison Tour Operations
For the first time in over a year, Alcatraz Cruises will resume ferry service operations to Alcatraz Island beginning March 15, 2021. Alcatraz, an island in San Francisco Bay, grew to infamy as a federal prison home to a whole host of unsavory characters like notorious mobster Al Capone. The is
Traditional Tlingit Tastes
The Last Frontier, otherwise known as Alaska, has always maintained a certain mystique to those in the Lower 48. One of the least populated and visited states in the country, many travelers have misconceptions of Alaska, its economy, its landscape, the food, and, naturally, its people. And nowhere i
WATCH:MSC Lirica Damaged by Fire
Anyone in and around the port of Corfu, Greece today saw something very unsettling, a cruise ship on fire. Black smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the starboard side of MSC Lirica as it sat in port early in the afternoon. It took local fire fighters around an hour to put out th
This is the World’s Longest River Cruise
It’s never too early to start planning for the future so if you’re looking for the ultimate return to cruising, do we have a European river cruise for you! AmaWaterways announced they’ve put together the longest-ever river cruise which takes guests on a tour of 14 unique countries
Virgin Voyages Names 3rd Ship Resilient Lady
Resilient is certainly a great way to describe the cruise industry and according to Virgin Voyages, it’s also a great name for a ship! The new cruise line and lifestyle travel brand announced today that they’re naming the third ship in their fleet Resilient Lady. The announcement coincid
Two Brand New Restaurants Coming to MSC Virtuosa
Specialty dining is all the rage in cruising these days and MSC Cruises has announced two new specialty dining concepts featured on board their new flagship MSC Virtuosa. Joining the five main dining rooms, the 1,336-seat buffet, 21 bars and restaurants and three other specialty dining venues w
Australia Extends International Travel Ban Until June
Those hoping to visit the Land Down Under as their first post-pandemic vacation will have to wait a little longer. This week Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the country would be extending their ban on international travelers until June 17th. The ban, known as the “human biosecuri
Jamaica Travel Restrictions Get Tighter for Visitors
The Caribbean island of Jamaica tightened up their COVID-19 travel restrictions for visitors, reducing the time frame in which travelers need to get tested for the virus. Currently, Jamaica requires tourists to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test within 10 days of travel to the
MSC Cruises Will Deploy MSC Seaside in the Mediterranean
Since August 2020, MSC Grandiosa has carried more than 40,000 passengers on cruises from Italy and the cruise line announced they’ll be adding another ship to the region. Beginning May 1, 2021, MSC Seaside will sail 7-night cruises calling Genoa, Valetta in Malta and C
Port Canaveral is Now Ready to Fuel the Cruise Ships of the Future
Something very special just arrived at Port Canaveral and it’s ushering in a new era of cruising! The Q-LNG 4000, a ship-to-ship articulated tug and bunker barge (ATB), made its way into port and it’s tasked with fueling up cruise vessels powered by liquefied natural gas.&
25 Years of Cruising with Porthole Cruise Magazine
Time flies when you’re having fun! And trust us, there’s nowhere better to have fun than onboard a cruise ship. Porthole Cruise Magazine is proud to celebrate 25 years of publishing the world’s best consumer cruise and travel magazine and looking back, it’s been a long journe
