NCL Announces EMBARK – The Series
In preparation for a return to cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a docu-series which offers a closer look at the brand and it’s long-awaited cruise comeback. The first two episodes kick off with a look at the Broadway-caliber entertainment on board. EMBARK NCL Spotlight Series wil
Here’s How to Sign Up for a Test Cruise
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted the no-sail order last month, you could probably hear the collective cheer from the cruise industry from outer space. However, the CDC didn’t open up cruising for a free-for-all. Instead, they’ve instituted a tiered approach to a return
Pfizer Appears Close to Effective COVID-19 Vaccine
A COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech SE is showing some promising results and that’s great news for the prospect of cruising again! In a study, the vaccine was given to thousands of volunteers and found to be around 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection. There is still
Questions Cruisers Want to Know with Seatrade’s Anne Kalosh
Back in October, the cruise industry came together for an event called Seatrade Cruise Virtual. The event provided a forum for cruise lines, executives, journalists and travel agents to asses the state of the industry and look towards the future. One of the most important people involved with the ev
Key West Votes to Limit Cruise Passengers, Large Ships
This election was important for any number of reasons, but for Key West, cruise ships were at the forefront of the voting. Residents of the popular vacation destination were faced with approving three amendments to the city charter, all revolving around cruise ships and passengers disembarking at Ma
Top 5 Best River Cruise Lines
Far from the 20-story behemoths sailing the seven seas, river cruise ships offer a cruise vacation full of relaxation, enrichment and discovery. Many cruisers prefer the slower pace, focus on high-end amenities and impeccable service that comes with a river cruise. Porthole Cruise readers in particu
Norwegian Cruise Brands Cancel Sailings Through December
Cruisers were thrilled last Friday when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chose not to renew their no-sail order that had been in effect since March. However, in it’s place the CDC placed what they’re calling a conditional sail order with a laundry list of things cruise line
CDC Lifts No-Sail Order, Outlines Cruise Return
The CDC announced this afternoon they would let the no-sail order expire, but in it’s place they’ve instituted a conditional sail order with plenty of hoops cruise lines will need to jump through before they set sail once again. While the news is an overwhelming positive for an ind
Costa Toscana to Spend Inaugural Season in South America
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises has announced they will deploy Costa Favolosa and their new flagship Costa Toscana in South America for the 2021-2022 cruise season. Embarkation ports will be Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Itajaí in Brazil. Costa Favolosa’s season will also extend an
Florida Governor Wants to See Cruise Ships Sail Again
Another ally has emerged in the fight to get cruise ships sailing again, but how much impact he’ll have is yet to be seen.as we enter the last few days of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s no-sail order. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Tuesday “we want to see
Tom McAlpin of Virgin Voyages Talks Scarlet Lady, Ship Eats & More
One of the newest cruise lines to join the industry, with a ship design unlike any other, Virgin Voyages was scheduled to sail from Miami for the first time just days before the pandemic took hold. Their first ship, Scarlet Lady, has now been joined by a sister ship, Valiant Lady, and both are geari
CDC Reaffirms Warning Against Nonessential Travel, Including Cruises
The CDC has updated a level 3 warning to avoid nonessential travel, citing cruises in particular as a known spreader of COVID-19. The update on the CDC website doesn’t leave any room for interpretation: Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectiou
Crystal Cruises Expands Booking Confidence Program
One of the world’s foremost luxury cruise lines is giving their guests the confidence to book a cruise vacation with an updated booking confidence program. Crystal Cruises new Crystal Confidence 2.0 now offers extended no-money-down deposits until January 5, 2021 for new and existing
The Royal Promise
After receiving approval from the Singapore Government to restart cruising operations, Royal Caribbean International unveiled a new comprehensive prevention protocols designed to keep guests safe. They’re calling the new protocols “The Royal Promise” and it includes enhancements al
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Announces December Return
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line today announced a voluntary extension of its sailing operations until December 18, 2020. The news comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced their no-sail order would lift on October 31. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line sails from Port of Palm
President Trump in Miami, Will He Talk Cruising?
He might be the most important man in cruising. Who could that be, you ask? Why, the President of the United States, of course. The one thing stopping us from taking a cruise vacation right now is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s no-sail order in effect since March. Who
Costa Cruises Releases New Sustainability Report
How often have you heard the phrase “Going Green” or something similar? From reducing plastic waste to fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, everywhere you look people are trying to help out a planet riddled with pollution. The cruise industry is no different. For the past few years,
November Cruises Are No More
The writing was on the wall, we just didn’t want to read it. Carnival Cruise Line, the last holdout for cruising in November, has officially cancelled all cruises from PortMiami and Port Canaveral in the coming month. The news was posted on the cruise line’s social media channels t
P&O Cruises Welcomes Iona to Their Fleet
Meyer Werft shipyard played host to a special moment on Friday when P&O Cruises officially took ownership of Iona, their newest ship. P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow was on hand for the event. At 185,000 tons and over 1100 feet long, the ship is the largest e
VP to Host Conference Call with Cruise Lines Today
According to Vice President Mike Pence’s Daily Guidance and Press Schedule, today is a big day for cruisers. At 2pm this afternoon, the Vice President will lead a conference call with the U.S. cruise industry and hopefully make some progress in negotiations for a return. The meeting was previo
