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…

It’s late night on the dimly lit dance floor, and music feeds the festive atmosphere. Two ladies wearing black dresses and Mardi Gras masks adorned with peacock…

The world’s most faaaaabulous LGBTQ-friendly Cruise Ports By Paul J. Heney Once predominantly relegated to specialty or theme cruises, out gay and lesbian travelers have since had…

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…

Ready to boogie, get funky, and feel the groove with soul music royalty? Then take “the hippest trip at sea” via the Soul Train Cruise. The 7-day…

Attention all Marvel fans: Book a Marvel Day at Sea theme voyage aboard Disney Cruise Line immediately! It doesn’t matter if your penchant is for the Marvel…

Dream Cruises is collaborating with Sony Picture Entertainment this summer to offer a theme cruise with a spooky side. Guests aboard two of Dream Cruises ships, Genting Dream…

By Fabien DeGuffroy Are you a salsero (a salsa dancer or fan)? Do you enjoy the warm air and soft breezes of ocean cruising? If you answered…

Rock Music Cruises - Cruise News - Apr. 24, 2018 Classic rock? Prog rock? Heavy metal? Whatever floats your boat, On the Blue is singing your tune…

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…

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 Janice Wald Henderson Ah, Windstar Cruises. Who doesn’t love a line so passionate about its cuisine? As Windstar Cruises zeros in even further on upping its…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Feb. 9, 2018 Seven Seas Mariner is undergoing a major upgrade before returning to Alaska. The world’s first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship…

Smaller cruise lines are shifting their focus to a more tailored cruising experience through theme-cruise offerings. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line launched their  first-ever Bollywood cruise experience in…

Cruise News – Feb. 8, 2018 MSC Cruises will bring beloved football legends, the Miami Dolphins alumni, to the sea on a Dolphins Fan Cruise on March 17, 2018, aboard the brand-new MSC…

The Monthly Mantra I loved the Eclipse! ... I loved the Eclipse! … I loved the Eclipse! And I'm not talking about that thing last August where,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 2, 2018 Luxury river operator Aqua Expeditions has announced a series of theme cruises on the Amazon and Mekong rivers for…

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…

Cruise News - Jan. 25, 2018 Some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters will set sail on their very own cruise ship, Cartoon Network Wave. This fully…

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.…

Porthole’s Five Faves Cruise fans are fans, first and foremost — and every fan’s got a theme cruise to make ‘em go “Oh, man!” It doesn’t matter…

You definitely won’t be wasting away if you choose to spend some pre- or post-cruise time at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Less than…

Cruise News – Jan. 15, 2018 Princess Cruises has announced something new for visitors to Alaska – a summer program at the line’s custom-designed wilderness treehouse at…

Cruise News - Jan. 11, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has announced the names of the four craft beers that will be brewed aboard the new Carnival Horizon, which is…

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…

Here are 5 new cruise ships to look out for! Cruise News - Jan. 5, 2018 With a new year comes new goals, new dreams, and —…

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,…

MSC Seaside Launch Ceremony to Feature a Star-Studded Line-Up Cruise News - Dec. 12, 2017 MSC Seaside, which will be held December 21 at PortMiami. As part of the…

The Monthly Mantra A Whole Lot of Un … A Whole Lot of Un … A Whole Lot of Un … Go Small The big advantages to…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 1, 2017 This week, Puerto Rico welcomed over 7,000 cruise visitors from Freedom of the Seas, Carnival Conquest, and Disney Magic…

Carnival Brings Top Brands to Onboard Shops Cruise News - Nov. 21, 2017 As part of an ongoing effort to provide a wide variety of choices at…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Nov. 3, 2017 Scenic has unveiled more of what awaits cruisers traveling aboard their upcoming Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse. New excursions, covered…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 27, 2017 Cunard Line is hosting a Hollywood movie premiere, rolling out the red carpet aboard Queen Mary 2 to show…

Girls just want to have fun — on and off the islands of the Andaman Sea  By Heidi Sarna My last girls’ cruise was nearly a decade…

No matter your interest, there’s a themed sailing just for you. By Fran Golden People with particular passions like to share their interests with other like-minded folks.…

Carnival Horizon Atrium Sculpture to Feature Artwork by St. Jude Patients Cruise News - Oct. 25, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the massive LED “Dreamscape”…

Carnival Cruise Line Coaches Kids in Kindness, Compassion with Dr. Seuss Cruise News - Oct. 10, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line and Dr. Seuss Enterprises have teamed up to offer a…

Silversea to Debut Show Scored by Royal Philharmonic Cruise News - Sept. 1, 2017 A brand-new signature production show, Grande Amore, will soon premiere on the stages of Silversea…

Carnival Horizon to Feature Line’s First Teppanyaki Venue Cruise News - Aug. 28, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line will introduce its first-ever teppanyaki dining venue when the new…

Get on board for a healthier lifestyle with today’s wellness options at sea By Heather Mikesell With today’s overly connected society, it has never been more difficult…

From Mickey to Shrek, who will you meet on deck? By Carrie McLaren Every cruise is filled with characters of all kinds. From the stars behind the…

Cruise News, Aug. 13, 2017 Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed features and amenities for the 4,000-guest Norwegian Bliss, the line’s 16th ship, which will sail to Alaska…

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…

Carnival Fantasy Continues Cruising from Mobile Through 2018 Cruise News – Aug. 10, 2017 Visit Mobile has announced that Carnival Cruise Line has extended its contract with…

Carnival Updates Cruise Ship Exhibit at Miami Children's Museum Cruise News - Jul. 18, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line and the Miami Children’s Museum unveiled a newly renovated…

Five Ways to Celebrate Independence Days Around the World It’s the United States’ Independence Day on July 4, and that means blue, red, and white everything combined…

Tips for turning cruising solo into a healthy vacation retreat By Sherry Laskin Kennedy Ahhhhh, a solo getaway: the cure for the overworked and overstressed to decompress.…

Azamara’s Destination Immersion brings cruisers closer to the culture By Steve Leland Any journey that requires traveling halfway around the world demands some sort of enticement. A…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Jun. 16, 2017 Sixthman’s third annual Walker Stalker Cruise is setting sail January 26–30, 2018, aboard Norwegian Pearl sailing roundtrip from New…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - June 9, 2017 For the very first time in its history, Norwegian Cruise Line is positioning a cruise ship, Norwegian Jade, in…

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…

Royal Caribbean to Offer Total Solar Eclipse Cruise Cruise News - Jun. 1, 2017 Royal Caribbean International has announced its perfect solution for thrill seekers to experience the…

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…

Disney Wonder Becomes First Passenger Ship to Transit New Panama Canal Locks Cruise News - May 1, 2017 On April 29, 2017, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder…

Porthole's 5 Faves Bored on Board? Not a Chance! Five Fun-Ship Activities Beyond the Kids' Club They say the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.…

Windstar and James Beard Foundation Announce Culinary Cruise Collection Lineup Cruise News - Apr. 25, 2017 Windstar Cruises and the James Beard Foundation have unveiled the full lineup for their James…

Carnival Horizon to Feature Dr. Seuss–Themed Water Park Cruise News – Apr. 20, 2017 Carnival Cruise Line has announced that its newest ship, the 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon,…

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. 31, 2017 The renovated Carnival Glory celebrated its new WaterWorks aqua park on Deck 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.…

Chinese Cruise Market Gets Two Brand-New Megaships Cruise News – Mar. 31, 2017 This week, two major cruise lines celebrated milestones with their dedicated debuts into the…

Royal Caribbean to Award Adventure Travelers with Cruises Around the World Cruise News - March 27, 2017 Royal Caribbean International is seeking the “World’s Most Adventurous Squad” in a new…

10 Special Event Cruises aboard Cunard Line Cruise News - Mar. 16, 2017 Cunard Line, already known for its award-winning Insights enrichment program in which expert and celebrity speakers join voyages to inform…

Norwegian Cruise Line is partnering with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) and Nova Southeastern University’s Research Institute to host an ocean conservation-themed cruise on Norwegian Escape this fall. The weeklong cruise…

V is for Victory Meet the small ship with big character: Victory I By Barry Vaudrin When it comes to small ship luxury cruising, there’s a new…

Designing Disney Creative Imagineers use immersive experiences to tell a story. By Fran Golden Call it a coming of age for Disney Cruise Line. Not only does…

Porthole's 5 Faves #WAKENEWS As the leading media authority on cruises and numbered lists, Porthole knows exactly how much the following media outlets 1) work tirelessly on…

Windstar Cruises Expands Culinary Partnership with James Beard Foundation Cruise News – Feb. 7, 2017 Windstar Cruises has announced an expansion on its exclusive travel-culinary partnership with the…

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…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 13, 2017 Six different Carnival Cruise Line ships have added private destination Princess Cays to their itineraries beginning in May 2017.…

Princess Cruises Offers More to Younger Cruisers Cruise News – Jan. 12, 2017 Princess Cruises is expanding its Discovery at Sea program with new youth center designs…

“Game-Changing Guest Experience” to Launch on Princess Cruises This Year Cruise News - Jan. 4, 2017 Carnival Corporation has announced that it has developed the world’s first…

 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,…

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…

Dig In! Five New Foodie Experiences aboard Holland America Line’s Koningsdam When it comes to Holland America Line’s new ship, ms Koningsdam, there’s been a lot of…

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Fave Disney Wonder Reimagined Results … … As Explained By Frozen Lyrics   No one would have ever classified Disney Wonder as a…

Monday Mantra Hooked … Hooked … Hooked … A sneak peek at Carnival Vista is more than mouthwatering. If you have a serious cruise addiction, particularly if…

Porthole's Five Faves Five favorite moments of this year’s NKOTB cruise! Yes, they still got the Right Stuff —and eight sold-out cruises to prove it. If you…

Porthole Cruise Magazine announces the winners of our 18th Annual Readers' Choice Awards! Whether your votes came to us online, by mail, or by fax, one thing…

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Fave Baseball Parks To Cruise To Take me out to the ballgame, or take you on a sea cruise? Why not both! With the…

Grand Entrance See why Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer is a ship of superlatives By Fran Golden As a journalist, you’re not supposed to believe such marketing speak…

Say cheers to Florida’s Best Local Craft Breweries By Evan S. Benn In case you haven’t noticed, craft beer is on many savvy cruisers’ radar. From onboard…

What the artists, fans, and organizers say about music-themed cruises. By Bill Kopp While retirees and young professionals might not always share the same taste in music,…

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Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Oct. 21, 2016 Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans to expand the cruise terminal in Long Beach, California, nearly tripling its size…

Marvel's Mightiest Save the Day on Disney Cruise Line Cruise News - October 21, 2016 Disney Cruise Line is assembling the heroes and villains of the Marvel…

Monday Mantra That’s Entertainment! ... THAT’S Entertainment?? ... That’s Entertainment! ... THAT’S Entertainment?? ... Cruise entertainment has really grown up I endured lousy comedians and jugglers. I…

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…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-7bxAqr7zk MSC Cruises Launches Kids' Web Series, Kelly & Kloe On Board Cruise News - October 4, 2016 MSC Cruises has announced the newest addition to its…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - September 30, 2016 Boutique river operator Uniworld has announced its first Jewish Heritage themed cruises aboard River Ambassador on all of the…

Celebrate Your #CruiseSmile for a Chance to Win a Cruise Each Week in October Cruise News - September 30, 2016 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - September 16, 2016 The Strand Cruise, Myanmar’s luxury river operator, is welcoming music lovers aboard a 4-night cruise over Valentine’s Day 2017,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – September 9, 2016 New York Fashion Week was graced by a royal visit, as Queen Mary 2 joined the festivities bearing some…

May the Force Cruise with You Experience Star Wars at Sea aboard Disney Cruise Line By Jason Leppert What happens when you combine Disney Cruise Line with…

Kid-Friendly, Cruiser-Approved Family fun awaits on today’s river ships. By Michelle Baran Who says river cruises aren’t for kids? While there may be a long-held stereotype that…

Carnival Vista takes cruisers to new horizons By Lynn and Cele Seldon Carnival Vista might be described as a blushing bride, in that she brings something old,…

Five favorite upcoming theme cruises Fans unite! Whether you’re nutty for science fiction, kooky over craft beers, or a global policy wonk, there’s a ship full of…

Carnival to Serve As “Official Seagoing Headquarters” for Cat in the Hat’s Presidential Campaign Cruise News - Aug. 8, 2016 Carnival Cruise Line announced it will serve…

Carnival Cruise Line Brings Build-a-Bear Workshop to Sea Cruise News - July 26, 2016 Carnival Cruise Line and Build-A-Bear Workshop have entered into an exclusive partnership that…

Disney Cruise Line Announces Upcoming Holiday Cruises   This fall and winter, cruisers can experience specially themed Halloween and holiday sailings across the Disney Cruise Line fleet.   Halloween on…

Ciao, Costa After 25 years, a former cruise director returns to his roots. By Steve Leland After living under the yellow and blue funnels of Costa Cruises…

Art Illuminated Massive cruise ship chandeliers do more than just light the way. By Fran Golden As you wander your way around a cruise ship, sometimes it…

Cruise Well Holistic Holiday at Sea offers a healthy way to cruise the Caribbean. By Margot Bigg I’ve always wanted to take a cruise. But because I’ve…

Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam hits all the right notes. By Anita Dunham-Potter [caption id="attachment_37316" align="alignright" width="200"] Koningsdam[/caption] Stepping aboard ms Koningsdam it quickly becomes apparent that…

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…

Porthole’s Five Faves Cruiser Abroad Five “Calculated Risks” for Ovation of the Seas Cruising in China Pushing the envelope appears to be a core business strategy for…

Love Thy Ocean Five Fave Programs to Support the Sea Today is World Oceans Day, a day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. This…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - May 20, 2016 * Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a 2018 world voyage showcasing destinations across the Southern Hemisphere. The 137-night…

Costa Cruises and Aperol Break World Record aboard Costa Favolosa Cruise News - May 19, 2016 Costa Cruises, in partnership with Aperol, achieved a Guinness World Record aboard…

Monday Mantra Unqualified … Unqualified … Unqualified … Working at Sea – Is It for Me? Could you be cut out for cruising career? Could I? It…

Along the Nile: Exploring the Egypt of Today By Chris Owen Determined to see the great pyramids of Egypt with my own eyes in this lifetime, I…

Big Wheel, Big Band All aboard American Queen for a swinging good time By Jodi Ornstein A week before I was to set sail on American Queen…

Monday Mantra Decisions…Decisions…Decisions… So Many Ways to Cruise To find the perfect trip, you have to explore. When I was about 12 years old and just learning…

Star Clippers Announces Culinary Theme Cruises Cruise News - Apr. 5, 2016 Tall-ship sailing specialist Star Clippers has announced a series of culinary-themed voyages for 2016 that feature…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – April 1, 2016   Holland America Line has taken delivery of ms Koningsdam, officially making it the first Pinnacle-Class ship in the fleet. Koningsdam’s official…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Mar. 11, 2016 * Art lovers will be flocking to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ luxury ship Europa2 this September and in 2017 for “art2sea”…

MSC Cruises Introduces New Wellness Experience Cruise News - March 3, 2016 In response to a strong, growing demand for wellness travel, MSC Cruises is introducing an…

Porthole's Five Faves Fans, Ahoy! Whatever you totally geek out about, there’s a theme cruise for it. What could be better than a few carefree days eating…

Carnival Magic Gets New Restaurants and Bars Cruise News – Feb. 23, 2016 As part of a multimillion-dollar renovation, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic will be adding new…

Meet Norwegian Escape, the cruise line’s newest and largest ship. By Theresa Russell A godfather you say? How many ships have a godfather? But there we were…

Carnival Cruise Line Kicks Off Yearlong Wheel of Fortune Celebration Cruise News - Feb. 16, 2016 Carnival Cruise Line and International Game Technology (IGT) have partnered to…

Porthole's Five Faves Book It! Five Reasons You Can’t Refuse to Cruise In our opinion, we never need a reason to cruise. But in case you need…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Jan. 22, 2016 Un-Cruise Adventures is celebrating 20 years of small ship adventure cruising in 2016 with new trips to the Galápagos…

Porthole's Five Faves May the Force Cruise with You Five Things to Geek Out Over During a Star Wars Day at Sea Disney Cruise Line has just…

Getting His Sea Legs Tihany design debuts aboard two of this year’s newest ships. By Karen Egly-Thompson Adam D. Tihany is renowned for creating innovative and luxurious…

Hats off to this 2016's newest cruise ships. By Fran Golden This year is an active one for ship debuts. In fact, the class of 2016 includes…

Monday Mantra The Judi’s Choice Awards! ... The Judi’s Choice Awards! ... The Judi’s Choice Awards! And the Winners Are! It’s easy to overlook some of the…

Carnival’s “Merry Grinchmas” Celebrations Bring Holiday Cheer to Hospitalized Kids Cruise News - Dec. 14, 2015 Carnival Cruise Line, in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, brought some…

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic to Build Two New U.S.-Flagged Coastal Vessels Cruise News - Dec. 10, 2015 Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced that it has signed definitive agreements…

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…

Star Clippers to Offer Free Yoga and Meditation Classes Cruise News - Dec. 8, 2015 Star Clippers has announced it will offer complimentary yoga and meditation classes…

Porthole's Five Faves Cruise into 2016 Five new ships to look forward to in the new year. Year after year, there never seems to be a shortage…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Nov. 20, 2015 As part of their extensive expansion, Crystal Cruises is taking to the skies under the name Crystal Luxury Air.…

Cruise News - Nov. 19, 2015 If your upcoming cruise embarks or disembarks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you have a cool, new option when it comes to…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Nov. 13, 2015 Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its craft beer selections with two brews from Baltimore-based Heavy Seas Beer. The pirate-themed…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Nov. 6, 2015 Hurtigruten has announced a major renovation initiative for 2016. All four of their mid-1990s–built ships are being upgraded with new interiors and furnishings…

Upcoming Theme Cruises Not that you ever need an excuse to book a cruise, but these theme cruises provide a pretty convincing reason to set sail soon.…

Disney Dream Emerges with New Enhancements Cruise News - Nov. 3, 2015 Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream has returned from a three-week drydock with several new enhancements,…

A Star Is Born Viking Ocean Cruises debuts with a flagship like no other: Viking Star By Fran Golden Standing in your swimsuit in the first-at-sea snow…

Holland America Line Announces Three New Brand Partnerships Cruise News - Oct. 29, 2015 At a press event today in New York City, Holland America Line’s president,…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Oct. 23, 2015 * This morning, NPR’s The Takeaway news magazine show took an in-depth look at the efforts to bring the S.S.…

[sf_iconbox image="ss-star" character="" type="left-icon-alt" title="Porthole’s Featured Cruise Deal of the Week!" animation="fade-in" animation_delay="100"] DEAL: MSC Divina is decking the halls and lighting the lamps for three holiday…

Porthole's Five Faves Rock This Ship Five Reasons You'll Love a Music Theme Cruise I recently had the pure joy of spending four days on a cruise with six…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Oct. 2, 2015 Three lines will be showing a new face to passengers in the near future. Queen Mary 2, in May and…

Porthole’s Five Faves Best Senior Perks If wisdom comes with age, then perhaps no one needs this article less than the older cruisers we celebrate today Today…

Carnival Fantasy Plans Year of Mobile-Mexico Cruises Cruise News – Sept. 23, 2015 Carnival Cruise Line and the City of Mobile, Alabama, have announced a year-long schedule…

Carnival Reaches $5 Million Fundraising Goal for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Cruise News - Sept. 17, 2015 After reaching its $5 million fundraising goal for St.…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Aug. 28, 2015 Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently revealed mockups of the new suites aboard Seven Seas Explorer (summer 2016). With an intricate…

Flower Power Peace out with Mellow Yellow’s psychedelic onboard shows. By Josie Gulliksen Even though I was a first-timer on a theme cruise, I had a pretty…

Porthole’s Five Faves Moments in Time Five Fave Ways to Preserve and Share Your Cruise Memories If you agree with the saying that “a picture is worth…

Porthole’s Monday Mantra Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts… A Virgin Wish List Mr. Branson … Richard … we’re ready to be shaken up. It’s an amazing time for…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Aug. 7, 2015 American Cruise Lines announced that Queen of the Mississippi is going to be joining Queen of the West in the…

Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop Debuts on Quantum of the Seas Cruise News - July 30, 2015 Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation recently celebrated the grand…

Norwegian Cruise Line ends agreement with Nickelodeon Cruise News - July 1, 2015  Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that its agreement with Nickelodeon, which provides Nick-themed entertainment…

Discover why Costa Diadema is nicknamed “the Queen of the Mediterranean.” By Clark Norton Costa Cruises’ mammoth new flagship, Costa Diadema, dubbed Regina del Mediterraneo — the…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs June 19, 2015   P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel has made the first-ever cruise ship visit to Dili, the capital of the island nation…

It's Shark Week All Year at Princess Cruises Cruise News - June 19, 2015 Thanks to a "Discovery at Sea" partnership, Princess Cruises is bringing guests closer…

Porthole’s Five Faves Father’s Day Gift Upgrades Just as Father knows best, he also deserves the best. Rather than going with the same ol’ standbys, allow the…

Monday Mantra Kids on Board!... Kids on Board!... Kids on Board! Man the Baby Stations! We’ve got a ship-load of kids ahead! Sometimes — not often, but…

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Favorite Theme Cruises Whether you’re into progressive rock or proper punctuation, there’s bound to be an upcoming cruise that’ll float your boat Cruisers…

Carnival Vista to debut with first-of-its-kind family features Cruise News - May 26, 2015 When Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista debuts in May 2016, it’ll offer families…

Porthole’s Five Faves Sea-centric Songs Enya may have created the sounds most synonymous with sailing away, but it’s not the only song in the key of cruising.…

Learn the Lingo A handy cheatsheet for first-time cruisers By Cindy O'Neil Q: Several of our friends are avid cruisers, and when they talk about their recent…

Mrs. Brady to Dance on Holland America Line May 1, 2015 TV's favorite mom, Florence Henderson, best known for her role as Carol Brady on The Brady…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs May 1, 2015 Regent Seven Seas Cruises revealed artist renderings for the opulent pool area of the 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer. Around the…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Apr. 24, 2015 When Disney Dream heads to a 20-day dry dock in the Bahamas in October, the ship will get updates including…

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…

Sing “Do-Re-Mi” on Princess Cruises Cruise News – Apr. 3, 2015 The Sound of Music is coming to all 18 Princess Cruises ships beginning in mid-April –…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs - Apr. 3, 2015 MSC Sinfonia is the latest MSC Cruises ship to be cut in half and enlarged as part of the…

Cruise Port Reno? New Line Breaks Ground on Post-Climate-Change Megaship Hub Absolutely True Cruise News – Apr. 1, 2015 Citizens of the Lake Tahoe area are bracing…

Monday Mantra Theme Cruise… Dream Cruise… Theme Cruise… Dream Cruise… Theme Cruise… Dream Cruise… Rock the Ship Theme cruises keep the good times rolling. “Woooooooooooohoooooooooooooo!” That’s the…

Porthole’s Five Faves Spring Has Sprung! What better time to check out these amazing gardens around the world? As much of the world begins to thaw out…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 6, 2015 The new 604-passenger Seabourn Encore, to be delivered in December 2016, sold out its debut voyage in two days.…

That’s a Wrap! Turner Classic Movies cruise brings together film stars and fans. By Chris Owen Odds are increasing that if you have a special interest, there…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 13, 2015 Disney Cruise Line guests can celebrate the Star Wars saga during a brand-new, day-long celebration aboard eight special sailings…

Royal Caribbean's fourth Oasis-class ship under way Cruise News – Feb. 6, 2015 A steel cutting marked the official start of building for the fourth of Royal…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs — Jan. 30, 2015 Ornithology, wine, marine biology, and beer are among topics for theme cruises on Un-Cruise Adventures’ small ships this year.…

Celebrity's new suite-class restaurant revealed Cruise News – Jan. 23, 2015 Celebrity Cruises has revealed the name, menu, and a first look at the new exclusive dining…

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/FzzX59uK6D0[/embed] Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 23, 2015 Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Explorer reached a construction milestone this week. The keel was laid at…

Holland America Crowns Second Dancing Champion Cruise News - Jan. 2, 2015 Cruise passenger/"hobbyist" ballroom dancer Brenton Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been crowned Holland America…

Princess Makes a Splash at Rose Bowl Cruise News - Jan. 2, 2015 If you weren't one of the 80 million or so people watching the Rose…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Cruise News - Jan. 2, 2015   Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced plans to use new pollution-reducing scrubbers to "meet or exceed" upcoming…

Tauck Inspire, the newest class of ships from Tauck, raises the bar in river cruising. By John and Sandra Nowlan As ocean cruise ships get bigger and…

Get Cookin’ Celebrity Cruises’ Top Chef at Sea cruises get participants fired up. By Fran Golden Chef Angelo Sosa tried to pull my white chef's hat over…

Huge Waterpark, Ninja Turtles coming to Norwegian Escape Cruise News – Dec. 19, 2014 In an announcement that may cause an adrenaline rush for active adults and…

Beer Lovers Cruise Crystal Cruise News – Dec. 19, 2014 Fans of microbrews will find a lot to like on Crystal Cruises' latest craft beer-themed cruise aboard…

Amber Cove Welcomes Carnival Next Fall Cruise News – Dec. 19, 2014 Cruisers will be able to visit the new destination of Amber Cove in the Dominican…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs Cruise News – Dec. 19, 2014   Now that there are plans to restore diplomatic relations, will Cuba be the next hot cruise…

MSC Cruises details 2015 MSC Divina theme cruises Cruise News – Dec. 12, 2014   MSC Divina will once again host baseball fans on a series of…

New cruises, new ports Several cruise lines announce upcoming itinerary offerings Cruise News – Dec. 12, 2014 Celebrity to call Abu Dhabi home As part of its…

Monday Mantra I'm at home on Norwegian Gem...I'm at home on Norwegian Gem...I'm at home on Norwegian Gem... Home, sweet Gem Even after a few changes, it’s…

Porthole’s Five Faves   Selfies at Sea Quantum of the Seas is the perfect backdrop to show off your favorite cruise-ship moments. Perhaps you’ve heard. Royal Caribbean…

Carnival Shows off Pride in Tampa Cruise News - Nov. 14, 2014 Fresh from a $75 million redo, Carnival Pride has started its winter schedule from Tampa,…

Love Boat Crazy Cruise News - Nov. 7, 2014 Walking around the 3,560-passenger Regal Princess, docked in Port Everglades for its christening ceremonies this week, was like…

Porthole Cruise News Briefs of the Week Cruise News - Nov. 7, 2014 American Eagle will make an early debut on the Mississippi River. American Cruise Lines…

Five Faves Rums of the Caribbean A guided tour through the finest spirits of the islands. If I say the words “cruise vacation” to you, chances are…

Calling All Cat Lovers Board a Meow Meow Cruise and share your feline fervor. By Clark Norton Anna Conway, a Sarasota, Florida–based travel agent, loves cats —…

MSC Goes LEGO Crazy Cruise News - Oct. 31, 2014   MSC Cruises has a new partnership with LEGO that includes special playrooms on select ships in…

Holland America Line Keeps on Dancing Cruise News - Oct. 31, 2014   Holland America Line has renewed its successful partnership with the hit ABC TV series…

Porthole’s Five Faves Baseball Parks To Cruise To Take me out to the ballgame, or take you on a sea cruise? Why not both! With the World…

Cruise News - Oct. 17, 2014 Norwegian Jewel Debuts in Houston Houston, we've got a new ship. The recently updated Norwegian Jewel began sailing this week from…

Love Boat Fun in 2015 Cruise News, Oct. 10, 2014 Princess Cruises has been heavily promoting its 50th anniversary next year and now comes word the yearlong…

Tats at Sea, Featured Deals... and more Cruise News, Oct. 10, 2014 You knew it was coming. America's first-ever tattoo-themed cruise will take place on Royal Caribbean…

Porthole’s Five Faves Unique Museums of the Western Med Cruise through culture with these memorable - and often overlooked - collections. While these are extraordinary museums, they may…

Familiar Faces and New Places on Norwegian Escape Cruise News – Oct. 3, 2014 Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Escape, the Breakaway-Plus ship scheduled to debut next fall,…

Princess to Float a Rose Bowl Love Boat Cruise News - Sept. 26, 2014 Watch the Rose Parade on January 1 and you'll see a floating floral…

Monday Mantra I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising… Till Death Do We Debark Cruise with me, my love… on the sea, the sea…

Sky of Blue, Sea of Green On a golf theme cruise, passengers don’t just join the club — they swing it. By Clark Norton They’d love to…

Extreme Makeover: Cruise Edition When it comes to ship renovations, sometimes it’s not just the carpet and paint color, it’s a whole new identity. A Star is…

Cruise News — August 29, 2014 Celebrity Cruises debuts new package tours Celebrity Cruises is debuting more than 20 new cruisetours with a twist — the Celebrity…

  Cruise News – August 22, 2014 Carnival  Cruise Lines beefs up Baltimore options Carnival Cruise Lines will, for the first time, operate a one-of-a-kind series of…

Cruise News – August 15, 2014 Quantum of the Seas Floats Out with Giant Pink Bear Royal Caribbean International used the shipyard float-out of Quantum of the…

Monday Mantra Ode to The Black Dress Worn – and worn out – on the best of cruises. I need a new dress…I need a new dress…I need…

Cruise News - August 8, 2014 Celebrity Eclipse to Get Makeover Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-class Celebrity Eclipse is heading into dry dock in the spring – right before…

Cruise News - August 1, 2014 Princess Cruises Orders New Royal-Class Ship Princess Cruises signed a deal with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for a new Royal-class ship to…

Cruise News - July 25, 2014 Norwegian Updates Cuisine With cruise passengers increasingly moving into the "foodie" category, Norwegian Cruise Line is updating its culinary offerings—part of…

Porthole’s Five Faves Favorite Beers to Cheers Lift a glass (or more) to the best suds at sea! There's the bubbly you tip back with one hand…

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Theme Cruises Stargazing, yoga, and rock and roll - some of our favorite theme cruises for 2015 From country music cruises to chocolate…

Cruise News - July 11, 2014 Windstar Adds Private Events to all 2015 Sailings Beginning in 2015, all Windstar Cruises itineraries will feature a complimentary Private Events…

Cruise News - July 4, 2014 See the World with Silversea Silversea Cruises' World Cruise 2016 will be a 115-day sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Venice, aboard…

Porthole’s Five Faves Cruise, American Style! We crown the good… from sea to shining sea! One of the joys of cruising is getting to visit exotic places in…

Join the Club: Born to Rum Get a taste of island life aboard a rum cruise in the Caribbean. By Clark Norton As a young man, Dave…

Cruise News - June 27, 2014   Viking Star Floats Out in Italy Viking, known for its river cruises, celebrated the float-out this week of its first…

Cruise News - June 20, 2014   Seabourn Signs UNESCO Pact Luxury line Seabourn signed an agreement with UNESCO that includes raising $1 million to protect the…

Cruise News - June 13, 2014 Royal Caribbean's Quantum Entertainment Royal Caribbean International is going for the gold in terms of Quantum of the Seas' entertainment –…

Cruise News - June 6, 2014   Avalon Waterways Launches New River Ship If can imagine waking up and opening your wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors for an…

Porthole’s Five Faves Five Theme Cruises … From gourmands to ghost hunters, there's something for every cruiser to love. Who doesn’t love a good theme cruise? Board…

Cruise News – May 23, 2014   ‘NEXT’ for Norwegian: $250 Million Upgrades Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will spend $250 million through 2015 for…

Cheers to these five favorite onboard spots to grab a drink. There’s no denying that the themed bars, chic lounges, and bustling nightclubs found on today’s cruise…

Dancing with the Stars — at Sea! Holland America Line gives its guests their own time to shine. By Jason Leppert With a beaming smile spread widely…

Kids on Carnival ships will soon be making penguins out of Oreos, playing marine animal trivia, crafting their own sailboats, and designing their own aquariums in Camp…

Cruise Ship Review: MSC Preziosa Gear up and then unwind through memorable moments aboard MSC Preziosa. By Jonathan Beaumont See some of the exciting moments from the…

Another day, another river ship christening. Seriously, it's beginning to feel like that as the market, especially in Europe, keeps booming with no signs of slowing down…

In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International is shaking up the dining scene on its Quantum-class ships, eliminating main dining rooms and shipwide formal nights in favor of…

The 30th Cruise Shipping Miami conference, the premier event for the global cruise industry and its largest annual gathering, produced a lot of news this week, with several…

Just in time for spring break, you’ll find cruise lines going after the family market big time. The major enticement? Kids cruise free! Cruise Deals Where Kids…

Cruisers may soon be going "Crazy on You," or at least will have the opportunity to rock out to the music of Heart – and other top…

The cruise industry is going bananas. The new Banana Coast cruise port in Honduras is now officially on the cruise ship map. The 130-passenger ship Yorktown, operated by Travel Dynamics International,…

  The Cruise Experience of the Future Floating islands, indoor snow and starlight voyages: cruising into tomorrow By Clare Emmett Cruise ships have come a long way…

  Miami’s Wynwood Walls Where street art climbs to a whole new level By Richard Varr If these walls could talk… but they do. In this winding…

Cruise Ship Review Tere Moana: Small in Size — Big on Luxury With its incredible upgrades and more intimate itineraries, this newest Paul Gauguin star is sure…

I am an unabashed fan of Bravo TV's Top Chef – so much so that I once more or less stalked show judge (and noted chef) Tom Colicchio at a casino…

Jennifer Hudson, Lady Antebellum, Daughtry, and even such classic rock groups as Foreigner and Chicago, will soon be performing live on Carnival Cruise Lines ships, as part of a first-of-its-kind shipboard concert…

Entertainment Aboard MSC Divina from MSC CRUISES on Vimeo. This week I'm cruising aboard MSC Divina, the newest ship to sail year-round cruises out of Miami. The big attraction…

One of the most anticipated ship redos this year is the transformation of Seabourn Pride into Windstar Cruises' Star Pride. Operator of three upscale sailing ships, Windstar bought the 212-passenger motorized…

As cruise executives let their creative juices flow in terms of finding ways to enhance their product, it brings impressive new cruise ships and a number of…

Cruise Ship Review: Royal Princess Veterans and first-time cruisers will find Royal Princess is truly majestic. By Lynn & Cele Seldon Christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge,…

Join the Club: Now You Sea It… The Ports of Apparitions Cruise is sure to draw ghost-hunters and those fascinated with all things (beings?) paranormal By Clark…

  Cruising to Chicago (with prosciutto antipasto!) Royal Caribbean’s “Ship of Entertainment” boasts a world of restaurants and a city’s worth of shows By Christine Koubek My…

Making Its Move With MSC Divina about to relocate to its new Caribbean home, it’s time to revisit this spectacular ship. By Lynn & Cele Seldon A…

MEDITATIONS ON MOOREA One traveler rediscovers the beauty and culture of the South Pacific. By Amy Roe “I shut my eyes in order to see.” ― Paul…

  Cruises You Can Sink Your Teeth Into Vampire genre cruises draw fans looking for a “fangtastic” time. By Clark Norton Vampires — those sharp-fanged mythological creatures…

GOURMET BUFFETS Step aside, midnight pizza! There are plenty of new favorites to choose from at today’s buffets at sea. By Lynn & Cele Seldon Buffets at…

  ART SAILS Dramatic pieces aboard today’s ships do more than merely decorate the walls. By Matt Hannafin When you take a cruise, the idea — the…

The American Queen steamboat brings back the golden age of river cruising By Shawn J. Dake It begins with a hiss that builds into a melodic whoosh,…

SHIP-DECK SOCCER Having a Ball at Sea. By Clark Norton In the spring of 2011, a girls’ soccer club in southern New Jersey called the Cape Express…

FOOD FOR THOUGHT DIG IN Learning is full of flavor aboard today’s cruise ships. By Lynn and Cele Seldon Whether it’s for a hot new restaurant, a…

Sister, Sister Jan and Cindy Brady might disagree, but it’s not always the oldest sister who gets all the attention. In cruising, though there’s undeniable hoopla when…

JOIN THE CLUB ASTRONOMY Sea-ing Stars A cruise ship is a perfect vantage point to study the sky. By Clark Norton During a 1998 cruise to Alaska,…

JEWISH-THEMED CRUISES Mazel Tov! Everything you ever wanted to know about Jewish-themed cruises but were afraid to ask your rabbi. By Alison Lowenstein A Seder at sea?…

Can You Sea PTV? From airwaves to ocean waves, it’s smooth sailing for fans of public broadcasting shows. By Clark Norton Martha Danker, a self-confessed “public broadcasting…

Cruise Ship Review: Carnival Magic Spell! Get drawn into the newest member of Carnival’s fleet. By Lynn and Cele Seldon When the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic sailed out…

UKULELE CRUISES The Key of the Sea--On a ukulele cruise, everybody comes out to play.. By Clark Norton Susan McCormick, a music teacher from Cypress, California, remembers…

Ship Review: DISNEY DREAM Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship grants all cruising wishes. By Jodi Ornstein If you’ve never seen a cruise ship christening, this is pretty…