Five Faves: Crewmember Confessions
Porthole’s Five Faves Crewmember Confessions Porthole got some onboard staffers to spill it We at Porthole Cruise Magazine have connections. We know people. People who are on cruise ships not to enjoy the never-ending food buffets, explore the world’s most amazing ports of call, or spend their t
Coming Clean – One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry.
Monday Mantra A Clothes Call….A Clothes Call…A Clothes Call… Coming Clean One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry. When I design a cruise ship, it may not have a water park, a myriad of alternative dining venues, all-suite accommodations, or butler service, but it wil
Five Faves: Superstitions at Sea
Superstitions at Sea Fortunately for your mama’s back, the ocean has no cracks to cruise over or inadvertently step on. That doesn’t mean the sea is without its share of unique beliefs and interesting ways of dealing with them. So you’re in the cruise ship elevator and you noticed there’s no
Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! – Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not.
Monday Mantra Gambling! Sort of …. Gambling! Sort of … Gambling! Sort of … Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not. “Wait! I’ll go with you! Just let me get rid of this,” I say to Rosemary as she’s headed for the ship’s piano bar. What I’m [&h
Roll of the Dinner Dice. – You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates
Monday Mantra Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating…. Roll of the Dinner Dice You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates. “Would you like to join others for dinner?” Wouldn’t it be great if you get the lowdown on
Celebrity Cruises Partners with Project Runway | Cruise News – July 10, 2015
Celebrity Cruises Partners with Project Runway Cruise News – July 10, 2015 Celebrity Cruises has become Project Runway’s first-ever cruise line partner. Save the date for the upcoming August 20 episode of the Emmy-nominated competition series, which will feature special guest Lisa Lutoff-P
Don’t Show Me the Money! – Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.…
Monday Mantra Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising! Don’t Show Me the Money! Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.… Nothing’s better than entering your cabin on embarkation day and ditching your wallet in the safe knowing your signature is all y
There Goes the Sun – What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship?
Monday Mantra Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… There Goes the Sun What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship? Yay! We’re at sea! You wake and imagine a full day lazing in the sun, sipping cool drinks and reading, listening to music, [&hell
Going Home to Holland America Line – A familiar ship can feel like an old friend.
Monday Mantra I’m coming back!… I’m coming back!… I’m coming back! Going Home to Holland America Line A familiar ship can feel like an old friend. It’s been quite a while since I sailed Holland America Line but I’ll be returning to the line on July 4 when my friend Rosemary and I sail
Five Faves: Father’s Day Gift Upgrades
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 magic of cruising to enhance your Father’s Day gift. Father’s Day is only a few shopping days away, but planning your present could
Man the Baby Stations! – We’ve got a ship-load of kids ahead!
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 sometimes — I’m wrong about children. Like Antoine. Antoine, about 2 years old, was perched on his mom’s lap in the seat next to m
Flash Back – The old cruise photographers might have been worth a thousand words after all.
Monday Mantra Picture this… Picture this… Picture this… Flash Back The old cruise photographers might have been worth a thousand words after all Here’s a picture of me with a double chin and my eyes closed. Here’s another of me with my mouth full, my jaw sort of twisted as I chew a mouthfu
Marketplace, Ahoy! We’re shipping out for shopping!
Monday Mantra A bazaar reason to cruise… A bazaar reason to cruise… A bazaar reason to cruise… Marketplace, Ahoy! We’re shipping out for shopping! Fact: I love to shop in foreign lands. Another fact: I once went on a cruise specifically to buy a new wallet. Ironically, the wallet I was out t
Carnival Vista to debut with first-of-its-kind family features | Cruise News – May 26, 2015
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 one-of-a-kind onboard features. In fact, Carnival Vista is being specifically designed with families in mind, said t
Sympathy for the Sticky-Fingered
Monday Mantra I plead guilty…I plead guilty…I plead guilty… Sympathy for the Sticky-Fingered It’s hard not to want to take a little piece of paradise home with you. Shiplifter (ship-lift-er) n.: One who disembarks from a cruise with stemware, dishware, linens, ashtrays, or other items clearl
Five Faves: Sea-centric Songs
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. If you were putting together the typical cruising soundtrack, it would need to include the Love Boat theme, a dozen Bob Marley son
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
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: 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
