All Ships Great AND SMALL!
If you follow my cruise escapades, it’s obvious that size doesn’t matter to me. It’s not that I’m not impressed by a ship with a bowling alley, ice skating rink, elaborate shows, or robot bartenders — I am. But I don’t need those types of accoutrements to make my cruise fantasies come
In Brief: Cruise ship in D.C., Viking boosts Picasso, and more…
Cruise News – Apr. 27, 2018 For the first time since the 1950s, a cruise ship was docked at The Wharf on D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront last Sunday. American Cruise Lines’ American Constitution called at the port during her inaugural cruise, a 10-night Chesapeake Bay sailing that was also the lin
In Brief: Carnival adds 20 Havana trips, Viking combines ocean and river cruises, and more…
Apr. 6, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has added another 20 voyages to Cuba on Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019. The 5-day trips will include day-long or overnight stays in Havana. These come in addition to the 17 Cuba cruises on Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019. Viking Cruises announced its 201
A Trio of Exciting Cruise Soirées
Monthly Mantra I Love New York…I Love New York…I Love New York… A Trio of Exciting Cruise Soirées There’s been a flurry of New York–based cruise events lately, and since I’m here in the Big Apple, and the fine folks of Florida-based Porthole Cruise Magazine are not, I’m often their gi
Viking Orders Seven New River Ships for 2019
Viking Orders Seven New River Ships for 2019 Cruise News – Oct. 24, 2017 Viking Cruises has announced that it has placed an order for seven new river ships that will debut in 2019. The newbuild order includes six Viking Longships, which will sail the company’s most popular itineraries on the
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 6, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 6, 2017 Viking Ocean Cruises is looking to the stars to welcome their fifth ship, Viking Orion. The vessel will be christened by chemist, emergency room physician and recently retired astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher in July 2018. The ship was named after the conste
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 30, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 30, 2017 Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first custom-designed ship for the Chinese cruise market, was christened this week in a lavish ceremony in Shanghai that featured a performance by the ship’s godfather: singer-songwriter, music producer, act
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 23, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 23, 2017 Viking Cruises’ third ocean ship, Viking Sky, was officially christened during a public celebration in Tromsø, Norway. The 930-guest, 47,800-ton Viking Sky navigated into the Tromsø harbor on June 22, where she received a warm welcome from flag-w
Viking River Cruises Unveils Design for New Ship in Egypt
Viking River Cruises Unveils Design for New Ship in Egypt Cruise News – May 10, 2017 Viking River Cruises has announced details of the newest addition to its river fleet, Viking Ra. Recently acquired, the vessel has been stripped down to the steel to undergo a complete renovation that will re
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 24, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 24, 2017 Cunard Line has announced a uniquely beautiful partnership with feature film florist Jenny Tobin, a special guest on Queen Victoria’s Festival of Flowers cruise this June. Tobin, who has created floral arrangements for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Fin
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 10, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 10, 2017 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has named its two upcoming expedition ships HANSEATIC inspiration (serving the international market) and HANSEATIC nature (serving the German-speaking market). Both ships feature extendible glass balconies, three restaurants, a marina
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 27, 2017
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 27, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon, will debut in April 2018 with a series of European voyages, followed by cruises in the Caribbean. The ship, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, will include
Cough Drops and Cruise Dreams
Monday Mantra Aaaaachooo! … Aaaaaachooo! … Aaaaachooo! … Cough Drops and Cruise Dreams Here’s to good health and a good ship … and they can’t come soon enough! God, I feel awful. I’ve surrendered to the horrible head cold that’s made me miserable all week so I find myself
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 23, 2016
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 23, 2016 Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has given a sneak peek at the construction of their first newbuild, National Geographic Quest, in a video shot at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Washington’s Whidbey Island, just outside Seattle. T
The Third Annual Judi’s Choice Awards – And the Winners Are!
Monday Mantra The Judi’s Choice Awards…The Judi’s Choice Awards!…The Judi’s Choice Awards… And the Winners Are! Cruising has plenty of biggest, first, and most wonderful accomplishments. The Judi’s Choice Awards recognize the best of the rest. Today, I look back on 2016 and recogni
Post-Cruise Blues – The hardest thing about a cruise is coming home – and the first time can be the worst.
Monday Mantra Too bad. So sad…Too bad. So sad…Too bad. So sad… Post-Cruise Blues The hardest thing about a cruise is coming home – and the first time can be the worst As we celebrate this magical time of year, I ask each of you to briefly pause and send kind and encouraging thoughts to [
Caribbean Cruising Gets Cool – and Hot!
Monday Mantra SPActacular! … SPActacular! … SPActacular! I don’t want to be scrubbed with grated coconut or have my body wrapped in banana leaves. The tinkle of chimes doesn’t help me achieve well-being and I sure don’t want to dunk my feet in a tank and let hundreds of hungry litt
Going Down? – Viking Star soothes away everything — including the arrival of the elevator, every time.
Monday Mantra Viking SUPER Star…Viking SUPER Star…Viking SUPER Star… Going Down? Viking Star soothes away everything — including the arrival of the elevator, every time. Life is pretty darn good when everything is so perfect that an elevator’s “ping” is your big
Nun Better
Monday Mantra Heavenly…Heavenly…Heavenly… One of San Juan’s most divine hotels started as a Carmelite convent Now, here’s an eye-opener: Before sailing from San Juan last week, I spent an extraordinary night in a convent. I’d wager that few who know me would believe
Five Faves: Caribbean Cruise Debuts
Porthole’s Five Faves Caribbean Cruise Debuts Five new ships repositioning to the U.S. this fall In case you missed it, there have been some amazing new cruise ships that have debuted recently, introducing new features in luxury, onboard thrills, décor, entertainment, dining, and more. Follow