Cruises are set to return to the Bahamas in a matter of weeks, so of course the CDC issued an upgraded warning for travel to the islands.…

Attitude is everything, just ask the people of St. Kitts. In many respects this laid-back island paradise is your quintessential Caribbean island. It’s a place where beach…

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…

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.…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

This was a wild week in the cruise industry. CLIA and the CDC went back and forth about the Conditional Sail Order and several more cruise lines…

Serendipity has provided a new take on the old adage, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. On the US Virgin Island of St. Croix it’s become…

For the first time in a year, the island of St. Lucia is preparing to welcome back international cruise tourism. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has jumpstarted the return…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

Just because you won't be able to cruise with your Valentine this February 14th doesn't mean you can't start planning for an epic experience next year! Norwegian…

Welcome to the Caribbean, where thick, lush rainforests and turquoise waters play host to more than just your envy-inducing selfies. They are home to the locals —…

Would I be alone in sharing that over the past ten months of travel isolation, I’m tired of the ritualistic trip to the supermarket, the daily perusal…

It’s inconceivable how the vibe of two neighboring regions could be more disparate than the tequila-induced debauchery of Cancún and the upscale chic of the Riviera Maya.…

Something is happening in the Caribbean. Across the islands, people are getting ready for tourists to once again flock to the pristine beaches, lush jungles and scenic…

In my 10 years of weekly visits to St. Thomas by cruise ship, it had never entered my mind that a food tour would be an excursion…

The not-so-good news is that we’ll likely be wearing facemasks for the foreseeable future. The good news: Face coverings can be fashionable! Months after we considered ourselves…

Face masks are going to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide your personality along with…

It feels like everyday we're inching closer and closer to a return to cruising. While some are focused on booking for the next couple of months, Disney…

Have you been dreaming about relaxing on a tropical beach with the sun shining overhead and your toes in the sand? Then this column is for you.…

Throughout my entire corporate career, nothing was more important to me than providing answers or, when definitive answers were elusive, regular updates that informed and enlightened my…

Speaking to the Bahamian people in a national address on Monday, Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D'Aguilar announced additional details of the forward-looking recovery and reopening…

Like countless other Caribbean islands, the economy of Barbados is centered around visitors from all over the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic first began, Barbados lost both visitors…

Earlier this week, we profiled Holly Johnson, the President of Wings Airways & Taku Lodge in Juneau, Alaska. Holly and her staff are struggling to get by…

It seems like it's been forever since we had good news to report in the Caribbean, but thankfully today is the day! The U.S. Virgin Islands are…

Another Caribbean nation is gearing up for a return to normalcy and it's especially good news for cruisers! The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis announced in…

Does it feel like summer is flying by? Pretty soon we'll start to wake up with a crisp September chill in the air and you'll know it's…

Sometimes—even during a pandemic—a girl needs to immerse herself in a turquoise sea, feel powder-soft sand between her toes and have some crispy, deep-fried conch fritters for…

As if we didn’t have enough problems right now, Tropical Storm Gonzalo is knocking at the door. The tropical storm officially formed in the Atlantic Ocean this…

Fort Lauderdale-based MSC Cruises has announced that Port Canaveral will be the new homeport for two of their ships this upcoming winter. MSC Seaside will begin sailing…

As the return of cruising seems to be within reach, it’s time to mitigate lockdown loneliness.  My brother Nick Leland sets it up perfectly in the song…

The cruise and travel industry lost a familiar face over the weekend as Robert Hamaty, founder of the Tortuga Rum Company, passed away at the age of…

I’m not one to moan about inconveniences, but take away my life’s passion and I’m likely to go off the deep end. Take away the ability to…

Last week, we reported several popular cruising destinations in the Caribbean were in the process of reopening to tourism. Over the weekend, the Turks and Caicos announced…

We know, cruise gang, the waiting isn't fun. But! We've had plenty of good news this week with several popular cruise destinations announcing timelines to open up…

One of the foremost small ship cruise lines in the industry announced their date for return following the pause in operation due to COVID-19. Windstar Cruises will…

When COVID-19 first began spreading globally, the island of Nevis in the Caribbean took an aggressive approach to fighting the virus and it appears those measures have…

In an address to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands yesterday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. outlined a five-tier plan to reopen the islands for tourism by…

Fridays don't quite mean the same things anymore, but we're still here with an end of the week option for those dreaming about their next cruise vacation.…

Citing "the continued impact of COVID 19," Cunard Line made the decision to pause their voyages further past the initial date of May 15, 2020 previously announced.…

Some things really make you think of cruising, like Tortuga Rum Cake Company. The Caribbean brand of cakes, sauces, coffee and more was founded by Robert Hamaty…

Continuing our series of interviews around the Caribbean, today we interviewed Joseph Boschulte Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands about COVID 19 and what life…

Whatever you do, don’t call it a cruise. Call it a voyage. In fact, Richard Branson, founder of the world-renowned Virgin Group, was so inclined to stress…

We’ve been covering a lot of news from cruise lines and their employees lately, but one thing getting neglected is how the numerous island nations across the…

As more and more ports turn their backs on incoming cruise ships, even those with a clean bill of health, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados is…

Anyone looking west from the beaches of Great Harbour Cay today might see something unusual; a gathering of cruise ships. In fact, eight ships from three different…

For well over a decade, Jason Bridge has travelled the world via cruise ship fulfilling one of the most important roles on board: Port Shopping Consultant. When…

Have you ever heard the expression "once in a blue moon"? It means something that doesn't come along very often, if at all. Today we've got the…

The Virgin Islands are a popular destination for cruisers. Not only is it an amazing experience to visit the port of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands…

We're just weeks away from the arrival of Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and the hype surrounding the newest ship at sea is only growing. Since the first people began…

We’re still a few months away from summer 2020, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start booking an epic summer vacation for 2021. Disney Cruise Line announced…

Going on vacation is about experiencing new things and of course, having a lot of fun. NFL legend Randy Moss appeared to be doing both in a…

Chocolates again this year? Trust us, nobody wants that, or flowers or another necklace for that matter. What they want for Valentine's Day is the vacation of…

If you enjoy shopping…and getting a deal while doing it…you are going to love to shop ‘til you drop in St. Thomas. This duty-free port in the…

One of the top names in luxury cruising added a new ship to its fleet this week with the delivery of Seven Seas Splendor at Fincantieri's shipyard in…

If you have ever said, “cruising isn’t for me,” you might reserve judgment until you have sailed on the Royal Clipper. She is the perfect alternative to…

Tiny St. Barthelemy has an outsized reputation for an island that is all of 9 square miles. It is very French, very chic and can be very…

Everyone has a bucket list, but according to Travel Leader's Group, a lot of you are dreaming the same. One of North America's largest travel agencies conducted…

Welcome to San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico, USA. It’s one of the Caribbean’s favorite destinations welcoming cruise ship passengers from around the world. There’s much to…

Back in the days of swashbuckling pirates, they sailed the seven seas in search of their favorite thing (no, not rum)...LOOT! We've got a very special cruise…

When cruising to Nassau in the Bahamas, spending the day at Atlantis is one of the most popular cruise excursions for guests – and with good reason!…

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…

As a name, "Hispaniola" seems better suited for history books. But as an island, straddling the line between Caribbean and Atlantic, it is more likely to enter…

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…

While some may fantasize about spending a year or more on a cruise ship, for those who work on board, being away from their home, their friends…

You expect spirits on a cruise — but in a glass, with a little paper umbrella, right? You don’t expect the kind of spirits you talk to…

Today, the battlements provide beautiful backdrops to our snapshots, and their towers reach reassuringly into clear skies – but as in centuries past, they allow us to…

It’s not easy to find a great family vacation these days. People are always looking for destinations which offer a mix of fun, relaxation and adventure to…

It’s a staggering vision: a massive cruise ship topped with a dizzying network of twisting, turning pool slides that resemble giant, vibrantly hued metal snakes. In the…

Cruising is infectious. Once people get a taste of what a true cruise vacation can be like, they're always looking for the next great destination to explore.…

Who doesn't love going all in? Whether you're at the poker table or about to book yourself the cruise vacation of a lifetime, Windstar Cruises has a…

Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular cruise lines and there’s something special for everyone to enjoy while on board.  Passengers can go ice skating,…

From magazines to television and everything in between, Martha Stewart is as well known in the home, cooking and gardening industries as anyone. Now the famed decorating…

Mountainous islands burst forth from crystal clear water. Tropical birds whistle and caw from palm to palm. Fish dart among coral reefs teeming with life. Happy vacationers…

Surely this place can’t be real. That’s along the lines of what most people think when they first lay eyes on the pristine beaches of Aruba. Water…

When it comes to the islands which dot the Caribbean Sea, few come close to the stunning history, unique culture and vibrant atmosphere found on the British…

Let’s face it, taking a cruise is a luxury many Americans have to save up for, especially when, on top of the cruise fare, you add the daily gratuities,…

The week we spring forward' is a tough one. Not only do we lose an hour of sleep, but we all have to readjust our internal clocks…

Do you love to hike? Are you also looking for a cruise vacation? Well, do we have good news for you! Even though over 20 million people were set…

Sint Maarten is surely an interesting place to visit. The small island is divided into two with Sint Maarten (Dutch) occupying the southern half, while Saint Martin…

If you are planning a cruise vacation getaway on one of the many incredible ships operating today, you have one big decision to make right from the…

There's plenty of good cruise deals floating around the web, but not many of them actually make you say wow! Royal Caribbean is running a flash sale…

You can’t help but be enchanted by Jamaican ceramicist Victoria Silvera’s sea urchin collection. Delicate yet eye-catching and seamlessly combining function and form, the handmade tableware and…

Every cruise is special in its own way, but the Girls’ Getaway cruise hosted by media icon Oprah and news personality Gayle King was one passengers on…

I had spent four days surrounded by water. On it. In it. Gazing out at it as I lay sprawled on a beach. Why should I be…

Happy Friday Cruisers! It's peak season for warm weather cruising in the Caribbean and elsewhere South of the Equator, but some of you are still stuck at…

For what feels like years now, cruise and vacation enthusiasts have been hearing about Ocean Cay, a private island resort in the works from MSC Cruises. Delays…

For many visitors to Havana, the city may seem frozen in time, but if you look beyond the fading facades of its elegant past, the Cuban capital…

Calling all Miami Dolphin fans! MSC Cruises has long partnered with the NFL's southernmost franchise to offer theme cruises with personnel from the team, former players and…

2019 Editor-in-Chief Awards As editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine, Bill Panoff travels a lot. So each year, he reports back on his favorite travel experiences around the…

What better way to ring in the New Year than a week spent living like royalty? Princess Cruises is ready to make the dream a reality with…

If you’ve never thought about taking a cruise before, one of the first questions that comes to mind is usually: when is the best time to cruise?…

Browsing Grenadian fashion designer Raquel Leid’s Mt. Sealey Garden collection is like taking a Caribbean vacation. The sunshine yellows, turquoise blues, and emerald greens of her fruit-…

December is finally here and that means holiday cheer is all around. Holiday cruise deals are a popular option for cruise lines looking to fill up their…

It's every deal-hunter's favorite time of the year! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the best days to book a cruise thanks to outrageous deals…

Have you ever wanted to be a little longer? If you're a Windstar Cruise ship, you're in luck! The luxury cruise giant announced a new $250 million…

It's almost upon us. No, not a soul-crushingly cold winter with endless hours of shoveling and shivering. We're talking about Cunard's famous Black Friday and Cyber Monday…

Those looking for a great cruise vacation can treat themselves to a room with a view for a lot less than usual thanks to the Double Upgrade…

Oh yeah. Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady is about to blow your notion of a traditional cruise right out of the water. Last night, at an event at…

MSC Cruises’ private island is another step closer to completion. The first trees were planted on Ocean Cay this week, what was a sand extraction site, in…

An icon of the ultra-luxury category in cruising, the Crystal Symphony is a 51,044-ton vessel with 848 berths, reduced from 922 during a redesign in 2017. The…

Appearing as his usual casual self on the Virgin Voyages social media channels yesterday, Richard Branson made a much anticipated announcement; Virgin Voyages is headed to Cuba.…

While on a Caribbean cruise, you’re likely to see an endless number of beaches. But what if you find yourself getting tired of being a beach bum?…

Could it be that an island less than seven miles long could be your favorite stop in the Caribbean? This little strip of land known as Grand…

October is National Cruise Month and there’s never been a better time to get a great deal on a cruise for you and the whole family. Star…

Another week, another hurricane bearing down on Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. This storm, named Michael by the National Hurricane Center, is moving its way north…

Celebrity Cruise Lines is moving, so now is the best time to save on a cruise for you and the family! Well, the website is moving anyway,…

New Orleans has always been a popular vacation destination, but The Big Easy has even more to offer thanks to Disney Cruise Lines. The cruising giant announced…

One of the world’s largest cruise ships is now calling Galveston, TX home. Carnival Vista, which arrived in port on Sunday, was greeted by Carnival Cruise Line…

A Caribbean cruise is the perfect destination to try new excursions and get a taste of how islanders live. Cruise lines offer excursions that you may not be able…

Aruba, fanned by cool trade winds, is an idyll that lies safely below the hurricane belt. Its climate is tropical, but not extreme. Temperatures in the 80s…

Going to the Bahamas has more benefits than you can count. Everyone loves the culture, non-stop sunlight, beautiful beaches, excursions, and food. This destination is known for…

You’ve probably seen commercials on TV for Sandals Resorts in Jamaica and across other Caribbean islands. The white sand, the beautiful blue water and the smiling, happy…

When it opened in Puerto Rico in 2015, the Mall of San Juan drew patrons to more than 100 stores, including Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and the…

While ships are getting bigger and more technologically advanced, there’s another trend in the cruise industry that’s making ships stand out even more. Hull art is popular…

For those who get seasick when the ocean is calm, being on board a cruise ship during a hurricane sounds like an absolute nightmare. Though it’s been…

Make the most of your San Juan port of call and engage in enchanting experiences, each less than an hour from your cruise ship terminal. Every year,…

Celebrity Cruises is kicking off Labor Day weekend with a sale you aren’t going to want to miss. Through Wednesday, book your next quality luxury vacation—more than…

September 6th, 2017 isn’t a day the people of Tortola will forget anytime soon. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, laid waste to the island with winds…

When it comes to holidays at sea, Halloween is definitely one of the best. Part of what makes it so great is when cruise lines plan spooky…

Per Kristoffersen may not remember the first time he parallel parked a car, but he’ll never forget having to park one of the world’s largest cruise ships…

Residents of Florida can breathe a sigh of relief after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted minimal storm activity for the rest of Atlantic hurricane season.…

Are you singing the back to school blues? Royal Caribbean International has a new Back to Cruise Sale that will save you big bucks on a cruise…

I’ve always been a fan of aquaria and parks dedicated to the ocean –I mean, what could be more natural to do than seeing more of the…

When Spanish explorers first brought mangoes to the island of Nevis in the West Indies, the fruit took to the temperate climate and rich soil like a…

The Caribbean is home to over 700 islands. Despite the region being such a popular tourist and vacation destination, there are still some spots that fly under…

Along with phenomenal weather, the West Indies enjoy a rich history in the Caribbean and as a result, it’s a popular vacation destination for cruise ships and…

The best kept secret of the ABC Islands may very well be Bonaire. Many have heard of its sister islands, Aruba and Curaçao, but there’s so much…

The 4th of July is now a day for fans of British cruise line Cunard Line to celebrate thanks to their latest luxury cruise deal. The 4th…

The city of San Juan, Puerto Rico is the largest and one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean for good reason. Its variety and…

Cruisers to the Caribbean in the throws of a northern winter are probably ready for some fun in the the sun, but be warned, it’s hotter than…

It’s pretty common for cruise ship lines to ask big name stars to christen their ships, but for Holland America Line, anything less than the best was…

Father’s Day is right around the corner and those looking for something more interesting than a tie or golf balls for Dad need to check out the…

Memorial Day savings are all around us and that means it’s a great time to find the best deals on a cruise. The Memorial Day sale from…

One of the things people love most about cruising is the variety of ports that can be visited on a single voyage. In fact, many travelers plan…

Cruise News – Apr. 1, 2018 Virgin Voyages’ founder Richard Branson has opened a new frontier of technical innovation by extending Internet service to the one place…

Carnival Paradise has returned to year-round cruise service from Port Tampa Bay following an extensive month-long dry dock that added a variety of spaces and innovations, including a water…

With some luck and a little fate, I found myself on a 7-day yoga retreat at the Goddess Garden in Costa Rica. One word describes my experience:…

Any modern cruise ship or hotel today undoubtedly has a pristine gym, and many have fun classes to make sweating fun, but finding an adventurous way to…

By Linda Garrison The 2017 Caribbean hurricane season was one of the worst in decades, with four major storms roaring through the region in less than a…

Cruise News – Feb. 23, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced that it has…

Cruise News - Jan. 24, 2018 Disney Cruise Line is bringing back two popular special itineraries — Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea — in 2019.…

Cruise News - Jan. 18, 2018 Social-impact travel brand Fathom has teamed up with Princess Cruises to lend a helping hand to communities rebuilding after the recent…

The Caribbean Is Open for Business Cruise News - Oct. 16, 2017 During a media call this morning, Caribbean cruising’s biggest-bigwigs provided post-hurricane updates on the region’s…

Norwegian Pearl Emerges with Shipwide Enhancements Cruise News - Feb. 28, 2017 Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl has returned to her seasonal homeport of Miami following a two-week dry dock where…

How to be a savvy shopper when your ship pulls into San Juan By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Puerto Rico’s capital is a shopper’s smorgasbord, with not only the…