The Monthly Mantra The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro [caption id="attachment_48927" align="alignleft" width="225"] Viking Helgrim's captain welcomes cruisers to the Douro River.…

The Monthly Mantra The Transition ... The Transition ... The Transition Could it really be only one day since my butt was crammed into an airline seat…

Pulling in to Siem Reap, we pass by markets, restaurants, and a church —establishments that would seem commonplace in any village. Except this one is floating. During…

The dominant narrative of river cruising consistently touches on the all-inclusive nature of the experience. The intimate camaraderie, complimentary excursions, fascinating villages, and delicious cuisine all make…

The gritty metropolis of Kolkata, India, displays a raucous, kinetic image framed by the Ganges River, a navigational artery directly connected to the country’s heart and soul. …

Driving through the rolling fields of the French countryside, I was already getting hungry. We were headed south of Paris in the direction of Auxerre, where, beneath…

I am sailing on the 106-passenger, high-design Crystal Bach on the upper Rhine River, enjoying all the luxuries you would expect of top-end line Crystal River Cruises.…

The charms of the cities and villages of the Danube are a joy to discover. Aboard the new AmaWaterways AmaLea, this pleasure is multiplied. This is the…

Given that travel to China involves more than the short hop and skip to domestic cruise ports in the U.S., it makes sense to plan a detailed…

Under normal circumstances, one would be hard pressed to find any commonality between intrepid exploration of the Amazon, luxury cruising, and culinary creativity. Then again, cruising with…

Ah, the French. They know how to live. So, when I had the opportunity to experience the Parisian life for two days after my recent river cruise,…

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,…

As a general rule, Caribbean cruises conjure up images of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, while Europe destinations offer up iconic cathedrals, castles and assorted antiquities…

China’s initial capital, Xian, with a population of over 8 million today, was for centuries a bustling yet virtually unknown metropolis. Then in 1974, it burst onto…

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…

Have you ever gone to a small vineyard? Did you like their wines? I did. Over 20 years ago, I visited a small winemakers’ wine-tasting in Kröv,…

The thick, weathered vines at  Sokol Blosser attest to the decades that have passed since the rootstocks were first planted. It’s almost as if the vines are…

River operator Emerald Waterways is offering savings up to $2,000 per couple on select 8-day cruises on the Danube or the Rhine. Book by March 31 with…

News Briefs - Mar. 9, 2018 Viking Ocean Cruises christened its fourth ship, Viking Sun, at a ceremony on The Bund in the heart of Shanghai. The…

Porthole's 5 Faves Cruising’s leading women reveal their secrets to success, balance, and travel. Upcoming deadlines. A sea of emails (pun intended). Kid logistics when school is…

Ranked by Forbes as Europe’s seventh-most idyllic place to live, Budapest is easily one of Eastern Europe’s most interesting cities. As Hungary’s capital and most populous city,…

News Briefs - Mar. 2, 2018 American Cruise Lines has begun construction on the sister ship to their “modern riverboat” American Song, which will make its inaugural…

By Judi Cuervo It’s 10:30 a.m. and I’m at the 20-acre Mt. Hood Winery, Oregon’s 2016 Winery of the Year. In the glass before me is a…

By Heidi Sarna Let’s face it. Most teenagers aren’t dying to go on a river cruise. But this mom of teen sons likes small-ship cruising and I’m…

At last, I was on my way to Porto, the city by the Douro River. On the train, or comboio, that I took from Oriente station in…

For wine lovers, there’s nothing as exciting as a European river cruise combined with wine tasting, wine education, and of course, gourmet food. Tasting wine in the…

Expedition-cruise firm AdventureSmith Explorations is offering a two-for-one deal on bookings in the Amazon Basin aboard the eight-passenger Delfin I, 28-passenger Delfin II, and 43-passenger Delfin III.…

Cruising in faraway destinations such as Southeast Asia encourages consideration to pre- and post-cruise options. These opening acts and encores to the main event range from basic…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Jan. 5, 2018 American Cruise Lines has become a national underwriter for the iconic PBS series Washington Week, a roundtable discussion that’s…

Special services from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours go above and beyond. By John and Sandra Nowlan It was an unexpected welcome. We knew that a river…

Exploring France’s wine country with Uniworld By Steve Leland The memory of the first time never fades away: first date, car, job, or virtually first anything. My…

Cruising the Mississippi River on its first all-suite paddlewheeler. By Suzanne Carmel On August 14, 2017, in New Orleans, American Queen Steamboat Company christened its newest ship,…

Float your own boat aboard a private, small ship cruise. By Steve Leland The explicit benefits of river cruising are well documented: all inclusive, complimentary excursions and,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 22, 2017 Norwegian Cruise Line has announced its 2019 summer itineraries, with cruises aboard five ships sailing in Europe, three cruising…

How you can contribute to preservation efforts. According to the website GivingTuesday.org, #GivingTuesday is “a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Nov. 24, 2017 Tall-ship operator Star Clippers is offering round-trip sailings to Monaco for the other famous race, the Historic Grand Prix,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Nov. 17, 2017 American Cruise Lines has announced the name for the first ship in its Modern Riverboat Series: American Song. The…

Hanoi Highlights: 5 Faves of Vietnam’s Capital City For cruisers looking for that next exotic itinerary, today’s major cruise lines and river cruise operators are embracing the…

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…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Oct. 13, 2017 Guy Fieri, whose burger joints are already big hits on 19 Carnival Cruise Line ships, is opening something different…

Cruise Deal of the Week – Oct. 13, 2017 Small-ship operator American Cruise Lines is offering Complimentary Pre-Cruise Packages on popular 2018 itineraries: the Mississippi River from…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Sept. 22, 2017 Princess Cruises presented its first donation from the Princess Animal Welfare Sponsor (PAWS) to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center…

Cruise Deal of the Week - Aug. 25, 2017 The American Queen Steamboat Company is offering savings of up to $1,400 per stateroom on holiday cruises aboard…

A first-timer set sails for Europe aboard Avalon Waterways By Elizabeth Martinez If you’re like me, you have a slight fear of the unknown. It really doesn’t…

All-Suite Paddlewheeler American Duchess Debuts in New Orleans Cruise News - Aug. 15, 2017 American Queen Steamboat Company has welcomed its newest riverboat, the 166-guest American Duchess, the…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Aug. 11, 2017 River cruise line AmaWaterways has announced the godmother for its upcoming ship, AmaLea. Travel industry leader Filomena Andre will…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Aug. 4, 2017 Holland America Line is expanding its presence in the Panama Canal, with eight ships visiting the region on 19…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Jul. 28, 2017 Norwegian Cruise Line has begun bookings for 4-day roundtrip cruises from Port Canaveral to Havana. Guests who book one…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Jul. 21, 2017 Seabourn announced their exclusive line of bath and body products from Molton Brown will be made available in Molton…

Cruise Deal of the Week - Jul. 14, 2017 Scenic Cruises is offering cost-saving incentives and free airfare to travelers who book select 2018 sailings. All guests…

Cruise Deal of the Week - Jul. 7, 2017 Emerald Waterways is saving you airfare on its 2018 itinerary, The Charms of Holland & Belgium. Guests who…

Crystal River Cruises Unveils Culinary Concepts for Crystal Bach Cruise News - Jul. 5, 2017 Crystal River Cruises has unveiled detailed highlights of the culinary concepts and…

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…

Magic on the Mekong Luxury awaits for travelers ready to cruise Asia. For been-there-done-that cruisers, an Asia itinerary is often next on the list. And lucky for…

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,…

Cruise Deals of the Week - Jun. 23, 2017 DEAL 1: Quench your thirst with Princess Cruises’ Sip & Sail promotion that offers free all-inclusive beverages, plus…

Cruise Deals of the Week - June 9, 2017 DEAL ONE: American Queen Steamboat Company is discounting holiday-themed cruises this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Book before September…

Five favorite author-inspired shore excursions From Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Cuba, stories in far off places can sometimes fuel wanderlust stronger than any postcard-esque picture can. Unfortunately,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – May 19, 2017 Bookings are open for the Premiere Voyage and 2018-19 inaugural Caribbean cruise season of Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - May 12, 2017 Disney Cruise Line has scheduled two first-time visits for fall 2018, calling on both Bermuda and Quebec City for…

AmaWaterways Debuts Game-Changing Ship Design Concept Cruise News - May 12, 2017 AmaWaterways today announced plans for AmaMagna, its biggest ship ever, to be launched in 2019. The 194-guest AmaMagna represents…

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…

Cruise Deal of the Week - May 5, 2017 Avalon Waterways is celebrating solo travelers by waiving the “single supplement” on every European departure and select Asian…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Apr. 28, 2017 The newly revitalized Empress of the Seas has become the first Royal Caribbean International ship to call on Cuba.…

Cruise Deals of the Week – Apr. 21, 2017 DEAL 1: Cruising down China's Yangzi River and past the Three Gorges Dam is more enticing than ever…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Apr. 7, 2017 UnCruise Adventures has added a seventh ship, 88-guest replica coastal steamer S.S. Legacy, to its Alaska fleet, which will…

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…

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…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 3, 2017 One Ocean Expeditions is offering three small-ship adventure cruises to the Canadian Arctic and Antarctica with award-winning wildlife filmmakers…

Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 17, 2017 DEAL 1: Expedition line Hurtigruten is offering deals on their coastal itineraries, including $250 off per person plus…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 17, 2017 Cunard, the only line to carry pets across the Atlantic, sponsored the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, welcoming four-legged…

A River Runs (and Bikes and Hikes and Swims) Through It Boomers are steering river ships to more active itineraries. By Ilona Biro Baby boomers realize that…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 3, 2017 The private residential ship The World has broken the record for the furthest south ever sailed. The 43,188 g.r.t.…

Uniworld Announces Dame Joan Collins as Godmother of S.S. Joie de Vivre Cruise News - Feb. 1, 2016 Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced that award-winning…

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…

Cruise Deals of the Week – Jan. 27, 2017 Happy Year of the Rooster! DEAL 1: Cunard Line is ringing in the Chinese New Year with fares…

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…

DEAL 1: Asian river operator Pandaw Expeditions is offering discounts from 10 to 25 percent – as well as no single-cabin supplements – on voyages exploring Burma,…

Cruise Deal of the Week - Jan. 6, 2017 River operator Emerald Waterways is offering free round-trip airfare from major U.S. and Canadian gateways to any 2017…

U BY UNIWORLD to Debut for Adventure-Seeking, Younger Travelers Cruise News - Dec. 21, 2016 Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection announced its newest addition, U BY UNIWORLD, a…

Cruise Deals of the Week - Nov. 23, 2016 BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY SPECIALS Porthole Cruise Magazine is giving readers a special discount for subscriptions, plus access to…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Oct. 28, 2016 This week, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna served as a floating fashion runway in New York City. Supermodel Jessican Minh Anh…

American Queen Steamboat Company Reveals American Duchess Suites Cruise News - Oct. 25, 2016 American Queen Steamboat Company has announced it will be the first and only…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - October 14, 2016 Adventures by Disney is expanding its river cruise offerings with AwaWaterways in 2017. Among the new Rhine River sailings…

Cruise Deal of the Week - September 23, 2016 Boutique river cruise operator Uniworld is offering 2017 Solo Travel Savings, waiving or reducing the single-supplement fee on…

Monday Mantra A Real Peach … A Real Peach … A Real Peach … A Southern Lady in the Big Apple American Duchess is one mighty fine…

American Duchess Joins American Queen Steamboat Company Fleet Cruise News - September 13, 2016 The American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of American Queen and American Empress, has announced…

Cruise Deals of the Week – August 12, 2016 Running Rivers DEAL 1: Boutique river operator Uniworld has launched two airfare deals. The Free Air promotion gives…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - August 5, 2016 Crystal Cruises has finished its technical survey of S.S. United States and found that though the classic ocean liner…

Cruise Deal of the Week - July 1, 2016 DEAL: Asian river and coastal-cruise operator Pandaw is offering savings of up to 30 percent on cruises booked…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 17, 2016 * The American Queen Steamboat Company has announced a series of 9-day holiday sailings on the Lower Mississippi, which…

Aqua Expeditions Announces Third Boat on the Amazon Cruise News - Jun. 16, 2016 In line with its aggressive growth strategy, Aqua Expeditions announced it will start construction in December…

Cruise Deal of the Week - May 27, 2016 American Queen Steamboat Company is offering a special Memorial Day sale in honor of those who served in…

Can’t Help Falling in Love with an Elvis Theme Cruise Cruise News - Dec. 9, 2015 Elvis will be “Rockin’ the Mekong” in September 2016 with one…

Disney leaps into river cruising Apr. 17, 2015 Disney's tour company arm, Adventures by Disney, will launch a series of one-week river cruises on the Danube next…

The 2014 State of the Cruise Industry forecast from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicts a good year for cruising, of course, but there are some…