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
Heritage Expeditions Adds New Yacht to Their Fleet
One of New Zealand’s small ship adventure cruise lines has a new addition to their fleet! Heritage Expeditions announced the acquisition of the 18-passenger yacht Heritage Explorer which will be used on adventure tours around the coast of New Zealand. The new ship brings th
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
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
American Queen Steamboat Company CEO Explains Mandatory Vaccine Decision
As talk in America turns from preventing COVID-19 infection to administering the COVID-19 vaccine, all eyes are on cruise lines to see what their policy will be on a return to cruising. Will cruise lines require a vaccine for passengers? We got some clarity on that issue recently from American Queen
Princess Cancels More Sailings Due to Canada Cruise Ban
Along with their Carnival Corporation brand sister line Holland America, Princess Cruises was forced to cancel select Alaska, Canada, New England and Pacific Coast cruises in 2021. Earlier this month, Canadian Transport Ministry announced an Interim Order that extends the closure of Canadian po
Holland America Cancels Cruises That Depart or Conclude in Canadian for 2021
When Canada banned cruise ships from visiting their ports until 2022, it created a whole host of headaches for cruise lines. We’re now starting to see the repercussions of that decision as Holland America Line has paused all sailings that depart from or conclude in a Canadian port in 2021
Carnival Cruise Line Pauses Operation Through May 31, 2021
Some more not-so-great news for cruisers. Carnival Cruise Line has announced a pause in operations until June 2021. The full press release from the company including a quote from company President Christine Duffy is below. Statement from Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line ha
Antigua Completes Construction on Fifth Cruise Pier
Just because it’s been nearly a full year since cruise ships last called on the island of Antigua doesn’t mean the people there haven’t been preparing for their return. The island recently completed construction on the fifth cruise ship berth at St. John’s Port at a cost of $
Dominican Republic Travel Restrictions You Need to Know
As we count down the days until cruise ships can sail from the United States once more, cruisers are turning to other getaways to satisfy their wanderlust and for many, escape the cold and snow of winter. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean, seein
These River Cruise Ships are Available for Private Charter
In the age of social distancing, cruisers are turning to private yacht charters as a way to fulfill their wanderlust and still adhere to the social distancing necessary to stay safe in a pandemic. One cruise company decided to open up their fleet of luxury cruise ships for private charter and if you
Crystal Cruises to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Guests
One of the most common questions we get asked these days is will passengers need a COVID-19 vaccination to sail when cruise lines resume operation. There wasn’t a concrete answer previously, but one major cruise line has come out and made the issue black and white. Crystal Cruises will require
Shore Power Coming to PortMiami
Newly-elected Mayor of Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava has made clear she cares deeply about the well-being of her county and perhaps it’s most important industry; cruising. Today, her office announced another initiative which will help out both immensely. The Mayor and Miami
Royal Caribbean Group’s “Pay it Forward” Program Now Open
The past year (year!) has been difficult for everyone involved in the cruise and travel space. Empty planes, empty cruise ships and for travel agents, empty bookings day after day. Thankfully Royal Caribbean Group decided to do something about it. As part of the second phase of their successful RCL
Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Cruises Until June
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that they’ve suspended all cruises until June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global travel climate. The news also applies to NCL’s sister brands Oceania Cruise and Regent Seven Seas. According to the NCL website:
AIDA Cruises To Resume Operation March 20th
German cruise line AIDA announced today that they plan to resume cruise operations beginning March 20, 2021 on board their ship AIDAperla. The first sailing will visit Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Northern Africa. The decision comes in part because of the German federal go
New Azamara Chairman Orlando Ashford Bullish on the Industry
There’s been plenty of cruise news lately, but one of the most significant news breaks came in January when Royal Caribbean Group announced they’d sold their small ship brand Azamara to a private equity firm in New York called Sycamore Partners. If that news wasn’t big enough, the
Royal Caribbean Extends Singapore Season for Quantum of the Seas
Ladies and gentlemen, we have good news! Royal Caribbean International today announced they will be extending Singapore season for their ship Quantum of the Seas following a successful restart in December 2020. The ship will now sail from Singapore until June 2021, but the cruises remain f