Five Faves: Caribbean Bars
Five Faves Caribbean Cravings Cruise up to these tropical hotspots to really get into the spirit of the islands. You don’t have to do an excursion in every cruise port you go to. In fact, I personally sign on for only one or two excursions per cruise. The rest of the time, I create my […]
Cabin Fever. From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.…
Monday Mantra Cabin sweet cabin…Cabin sweet cabin….Cabin sweet cabin… Cabin Fever From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.… From yesteryear’s humble inside upper and lower, I have risen phoenix-like to the extravagance of spacious
Five Faves: Onboard Thrills
Five Faves Cruise Enthused Five Favorite Onboard Thrills Modern-day cruisers might not realize that there actually was a time when shuffleboard and bingo were it for onboard activities. But then came waterslides and rock-climbing walls and today, the opportunities — and possibilities — for onboa
The Long and Short of It – There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less.
Monday Mantra I’m thinking small… I’m thinking small … I’m thinking small … The Long and Short of It There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less. “I know what you mean about small ships,” the lady next to me at the bar said. “We sailed Holland America Line’s Westerdam last yea
Five Faves: Cruise Ship Superlatives
Five Faves Cruise Ship Superlatives We’ve lined up five of cruising’s top … most … best … to the extreme!!! Cruising is an experience that always asks for more. One more day on vacation. One more mojito. One more shrimp at the buffet. So it’s no surprise that cruise lines take great prid
Jost van Dyke’s Hidden Heaven: One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain.
Monday Mantra I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… Hidden Heaven One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain. San Juan. St. Thomas. St. Maarten. Jost van Dyke. Jost van what??? Unless you own a private yacht or have cruised […]
Five Faves: Unique Stores At Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves Unique Stores At Sea Not all ship shops are stocked with brand-stamped hats and duty-free booze. In honor of Black Friday, we highlight our favorite onboard, one-of-a-kind proprietors. The fourth Wednesday of November has always been a day devoted to two worthwhile pur
Home, sweet Gem- Even after a few changes, it’s good to be aboard a friend.
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 good to be aboard a friend. I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of the cruise industry but lately IR
Five Faves: Selfies at Sea… aboard Quantum of the Seas
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 International’s brand-new Quantum of the Seas is a ship that impresses with its high-tech features, innovative cruise sty
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters.
Monday Mantra I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … Should I Stay or Should I Go? When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters. I’m going on a cruise this Saturday! Maybe. That’s right: “Maybe.” He
Five Faves: Five Favorite Things to Love About Regal Princess
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Favorite Things to Love About Regal Princess Princess Cruises’ newest gem has so many fantastic features, it’s hard to pick just five. Not to humblebrag, but it’s hard work traveling away from home for business just to christen a cruise ship with some of the
Cultured Cruisers – This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools.
Monday Mantra I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition… Cultured Cruisers This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools. Who would think an SPF-toting, rum punch–slugging, limbo-dancin’ gal like me would love an expedition ship? Unlike the
Five Faves: Rums of the Caribbean
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 you immediately get a picture in your mind that has three things in it — a ship railing, an endless blue horizon, and someone sitting in the sun [&
Thinking Big
Monday Mantra Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance! Thinking Big On your next cruise, why not just embrace the calories? I slipped into my white pants, fastened the button on the waistband and – boinnnnng! – off it flew, arcing ac
Five Faves: Halloween Thrills on Disney Cruise Line
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Fave Fearfully Fun Photos Halloween Thrills on Disney Cruise Line Celebrating the spooky season at sea can be sensational – especially if you’re on a Disney Cruise Line ship. These folks are experts at festivities. And dressing up? It’s better than seco
All Aboard Already!
Monday Mantra I want to sail…on time! ….I want to sail…on time! I want to sail…on time! All Aboard Already! If you’re late to the ship, we’re all late. It’s 5:45 p.m. and right now we should be sailing toward St. Thomas. Instead, the ship is still tied up at the pier, a few officers [&
Five Faves: Baseball Parks To Cruise To
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 Series getting off to an exciting start last night, it reminds me that 1) there’s nothing better than baseball this time of year, and 2) there’s only so [&he
Five Faves: Fall for Foliage
Porthole’s Five Faves Fall for Foliage ’Tis the season for some great leaf-peeping shore excursions If you’re cruising on a Canada/New England itinerary this fall, consider yourself lucky! The region offers some of the world’s best fall foliage scenery, and visiting cruise passengers get to
Home Makers – Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise.
Monday Mantra I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward… Home Makers Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise. I have never had a cabin steward who sucked. Ever. That could be today’s entire Monday Mantra right there if not for those pesky little wor
Five Faves: Unique Museums of the Western Med
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 not be the first ones that come to mind in the culture-rich Western Mediterranean. However, as an a
