Routine Reminders – Cruise memories last a lifetime
Monday Mantra A Shipload of Memories…A Shipload of Memories…A Shipload of Memories… Routine Reminders Cruise memories last a lifetime. Nothing drives home how frequently my husband and I sailed more than the heartbreaking task of sifting through Michael’s possessions since his death on April
Five Faves: Private Label – Five reasons to toast MSC Cruises’ wine-blending program.
Porthole’s Five Faves Private Label Five reasons to toast MSC Cruises’ wine-blending program There’s never a shortage of wine on a cruise ship, but imagine getting a Napa Valley or Sonoma experience of both wine tasting and blending right on board. That was our experience on a recent sailing a
Here’s to you, and to me, and to all the ships at sea! (Why does cruising wake up the inner imbiber?)
Monday Mantra Cruisin’ for a boozin’…Cruisin’ for a boozin’…Cruisin’ for a boozin’… Here’s to you, and to me, and to all the ships at sea! Is it the rum? Or just the vacation spirit? Why does cruising wake up the inner imbiber? Do I like to drink? I might say I do, but the re
Five Faves: The Mother of All Gifts
Porthole‘s Five Faves The Mother of All Gifts Five great gift ideas for the cruise-loving mom in your life. We all go through it. “What in the world am I going to get mom for Mother’s Day this year?” If the mom on your list loves to cruise, then check out our roundup of five […]
Five Faves: Bring on the May Flowers (and More Celebrations)!
Porthole’s Five Faves Bring on the May Flowers (and More)! Our five favorite May Day celebrations around the world. The April showers are just about over, which means it’s time to have a little fun in the sun for May Day. The first of May is a holiday with deep roots in different parts of [&hell
Five Faves: Hot Miami
Porthole’s Five Faves Hot Miami Five favorite things to do in the Magic City this spring and summer While some people may avoid South Florida during the hotter months, spring and summer are actually wonderful times of the year to explore Miami. The crowds have lessened so traffic isn’t as crazy,
Five Faves: Serenity Now
Porthole‘s Five Faves Serenity Now Five Favorite Cruise Moments to Savor Ask any cruiser about their favorite moments on deck, and you’ll likely find the list is long and varied. But when it comes to those aaaahhhh moments, there are certain snapshots of time spent on board that define the w
Remembering Michael
Monday Mantra May he rest in peace… May he rest in peace… May he rest in peace… Remembering Michael Calling on Bermuda, and points beyond…. When I signed up to do this blog last May, I understood that I’d be contributing lighthearted and silly humor pieces to Porthole.com. Never did I imag
Five Faves – Absolutely True Cruise News
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 for a boom in business, thanks to a brand-new cruise line laying the groundwork for a port facility on the California-Nevada border. T
Rock the Ship – Theme cruises keep the good times rolling.
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 sort of the sound I’d make when, as a teenager, I’d open the latest edition of T
Five Faves: Gracious Godmothers
Gracious Godmothers Not all ship christeners are royals and big-screen celebs. In the cruise industry, the role of godmother comes with a few responsibilities beyond overseeing the proper demolition of a bubbly bottle. But when push comes to Champagne shove, it’s hard to pin down exactly what make
One Cruise at a Time – The first step is admitting you have a cruising problem.
Monday Mantra I need a fix… I need a fix… I need a fix… One Cruise at a Time The first step is admitting you have a cruising problem. On one hand, there are the casual cruise vacationers. They are those who might mention they’re going on a cruise but, when pressed for details, won’t [&hell
Five Faves: Spring Has Sprung! What better time to check out these amazing gardens around the world?
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 from winter, we thought it’d be a good time to warm up to some of the world’s most beautiful gardens. Imagine stepping off a ship and into a [&
Not Exactly Homesick. Ever get that queasy feeling now that the cruise is almost over?
Monday Mantra Home, bleak home…Home, bleak home…Home, bleak home… Not Exactly Homesick Ever get that queasy feeling now that the cruise is almost over? Somewhere between the moment you place your luggage outside your cabin door on the final night of your cruise and 7:00 a.m. the following morn
Five Faves: Cut Costs, Not Corners! – Five smart ways to save on your next cruise vacation
Porthole’s Five Faves Cut Costs, Not Corners! Five smart ways to save on your next cruise vacation I don’t know about you, but when I go on a cruise vacation I’m always looking for the best ways to save money. Personally, I’d rather spend money eating at specialty restaurants, drinking extra
Choice Dining – The specialty restaurants on today’s cruise ships are a delicious delight… for most of us.
Monday Mantra What’s for dinner?… What’s for dinner?… What’s for dinner? Choice Dining The specialty restaurants on today’s cruise ships are a delicious delight… for most of us. You never forget your first… alternative dining venue aboard a cruise ship. For me, it was Norwegi
Five Faves: Unforgettable Lines – Take a fond look back at some of the best bygone cruise lines.
Porthole‘s Five Faves Unforgettable Lines Take a fond look back at some of the best bygone cruise lines. This has been a year of unbelievable advances in cruising, from apps to bionic bartenders. But the simple fact is the same now as it was a century and a half ago: There’s something magica
Save us. The muster drill isn’t fun or fabulous. But at least it’s fast.
Monday Mantra Report to your muster station… Report to your muster station… Report to your muster station… Save us. The muster drill isn’t fun or fabulous. But at least it’s fast. There’s no question that some important things in life are a bother: dental checkups, airport security, holi
Destination Discovery/Seychelles
For Cruisers Who Have Done It All By Lynne Helm Next Stop: The Seychelles . . . It’s no wonder that William and Kate, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, chose to honeymoon in the Seychelle Islands. There’s no better place to get away from it all than these tropical stepping stones in the [&h
Five Faves: Under the Sea – Made by man and normally found on land, these intriguing attractions really are better down where it’s wetter.
Porthole’s Five Faves Under the Sea Made by man and normally found on land, these intriguing attractions really are better down where it’s wetter. Cruising, as you know, is an incredible option for exploring the surface of the planet. If it’s the undersea world you’re interested in, cruise s
