St. Kitts Just Set a New Record!
St. Kitts, a Caribbean island part of the island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, set a record this week when four cruise ships docked in the port city of Basseterre. It was the first time ever that four cruise ships have docked at Port Zante and with them came 10,629 cruisers eager to explore [&helli
Excursion Immersion: Costa Rica is More Than a Surfcation With Travelia
I am from Florida, a state blessed with white sandy beaches although plagued with inconsistent and choppy surf. I was eager to zip on over to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, again for a 5-day surfcation. It’s a magical place where there is always swell and the winds are always right. So what is a “surfc
A Greek Island Paradise: Discover Corfu
To the Northwest of the Greek mainland, there sits an island where history and adventure await. The island of Corfu, part of the Ionian Islands, has long been a central figure in Greek history and mythology. The island, known for its fabulous beaches and iconic architecture which often blends into t
When in Rome: Where to Stay Before a Cruise
Located approximately one-hour north-west of Rome, the port of Civitavecchia sees almost two million passengers pass through it annually. This popular port has eight cruise terminals and is the third busiest port in the Mediterranean. Given those statistics, chances are you will find yourself sailin
Cruise Deal of the Week – December 13, 2019
Everyone needs a little magic in their life during the holiday season. One of the best ways to spread the joy of the holidays is to book a cruise vacation for the people in your life who mean the most. They’re always there when you need them, so why not return the favor and give […]
Sneak Peek: Cirque Du Soleil COSMOS, EXENTRICKS on MSC Grandiosa
Fans of MSC Cruises woke up to a surprise this morning when the cruise line released never before seen images and videos of their newest Cirque Du Soleil shows on board MSC Grandiosa. The cruise line and famed acrobat company first got together in 2015 prior to the completion of MSC Mergaviglia whic
Miami’s Best Holiday Events for Cruisers
When most think of the holidays, they don’t picture palm trees, perfect beaches and a nice, even tan. If you’re headed to Miami for a cruise vacation for the holidays, there’s no better place to get into the spirit of the season! Miami has a number of fantastic family-friendly events running n
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Now Open
We’ve been waiting with patient anticipation and today for the first time, MSC Cruises welcomed passengers on board MSC Divina to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s new private island in The Bahamas. What is Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve? The island’s opening is a ma
Scarlet Lady Completes Sea Trials
It seems like just yesterday we were getting excited for the first cut of steel for Virgin Voyages’ upcoming ship Scarlet Lady. Now we’re here to celebrate another huge milestone in the life of a cruise ship, successful sea trials. You can’t fill a cruise ship with happy passengers before maki
CruiSea is Helping People Meet at Sea
Have you tried one of the apps out there to meet new people, romantically or otherwise? Now the CruiSea App is proving to be a game changer for the cruise industry as it offers users the ability to meet others on their cruise vacation, mingle, and communicate all from the comfort, security, and con
Waves in Cruise Fashion…What is Resort Casual?
The Monthly Mantra A Clothes Call … A Clothes Call … A Clothes Call … I confess. I was once turned away from a cruise ship dining room for not adhering to its dress code. It happened in Oslo in 2004 and at the time I was looking fabulous in pristine, dark blue AG boot-cut […]
What to Do in Miami Before Cruising: Guide to Unique Miami
Miami is home to one of the world’s largest ports and one of America’s best vacation cities. You have probably heard about the famous beaches and 365 days of summer, but there’s a whole lot more to this town once you peel back the layers. We’ve created this handy guide for the cruiser seekin
Fort Lauderdale for First-Timers
Life in the Sunshine State is a little different than elsewhere across the country. Florida is where America comes to vacation thanks to beautiful weather, gorgeous beachside hotels and the world’s busiest cruise ports. No matter who you are or what your idea of a good time is, Fort Lauderdale and
Silver Cove Sets the Private Island Standard
Private islands are all the rage in cruising these days as lines are jockeying to have the most exclusive, luxurious or exciting private island experience in the industry. Norwegian Cruise Line has a handful of new ships in service and many of them are making stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cr
‘Valiant Lady’ Announced by Virgin Voyages
Soon Scarlet Lady will have a twin sister cruising the Mediterreanean. Virgin Voyages announced in a press release this morning that their second ship will be named Valiant Lady and will sail the Mediterreanean upon her completion in 2021. The line’s first ship has yet to debut but is one of the m
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 15, 2019
In just 6 days, Porthole Cruise Magazine will be on board the new Norwegian Encore sailing on her christening cruise with Godmother Kelly Clarkson. We’ll be doing updates all weekend long as we explore the ship and learn all about her exciting new features. Nothing beats cruising on a brand ne
Pack These Vitamins for a Healthy Cruise Vacation
Your bags are all packed, your embarkation documents are all ready to go, you’ve arranged accommodations for your pets, yet you might be forgetting one crucial element to a happy and healthy cruise vacation: vitamins. Have you ever found yourself out to sea wishing you had brought along the ba
The Best Place to Get Breakfast in Seattle Before You Cruise
A cruise is a fantastic way to see the sights of Puget Sound or extend a vacation on the water to more distant locales. While you’ve packed your luggage and are awaiting those famous cruise ship buffets, you’ll still need time to grab breakfast before you go. Fortunately, this city known
Tips for Tipping on a Cruise
A necessary (but often confusing) part of planning for a cruise is budgeting to tip the hard-working service staff. Failing to plan for gratuities can lead to a significant expense that is expected to be paid in the last few days of your cruise. However, navigating how to plan for gratuities doesn&#
Saga Reveals New Spirit of the Rhine
When Saga launched their new river cruise ship Spirit of Discovery earlier this year, we already knew the cruise line had her sister ship planned for 2020. The cruise line announced ANOTHER new river ship to set sail in Spring of 2021, Spirit of the Rhine. The ship will be built by Vahali, a Dutch [