The coalition of marine mammals has pledged a donation of more than a million rolls of toilet paper to help humanity fight back against the virus. They have employed the help of sea turtles to begin delivering the supplies to coastal communities in Florida and New York this week. 

Those species in attendance included representatives from the Blue, Humpback and Killer Whale delegations. 

Not a Unanimous Vote 

While the vote to provide the aid passed with 49 fins, one group voiced opposition to the measure. Sperm Whales, who have long maintained their distaste for humanity due to the “slanderous and blatant falsehoods propagated by human author Herman Melville”, could not be convinced to vote in support for humanity. 

READ: Hawaiian Shirt Owners More Often Win Lido Deck Limbo, Study Suggests

In a strange turn of events, it was Killer Whales who came out strongest for helping humanity. In a statement submitted to the press following the summit, the whales expressed concern that a lack of humans cheering and taking pictures would make jumping out of the water “far less enjoyable”. 

Repurposing Atlantis 

The whales also discussed turning the lost city of Atlantis into a temporary COVID-19 treatment facility before it was remembered that humans cannot survive underwater. The lost city, which slipped into the sea nearly 3,400 years ago, was most recently used to host Conchella, a music festival for mollusks. 

The post Whales Come Together to Save the Humans, for a Change appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

The number was even higher for those wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the time of the competition and if the competitor in question was named ‘Gary’. The results also showed a strong correlation between getting low and Crocs footwear. 

Past Winner Recount Success 

Gary Worthington, 55, of Greenfield, OH took home first place on his sailing from Jacksonville last July and credited his victory to his diet and his favorite Hawaiian shirt. 

“That morning I had Eggs Benedict but I switched out the ham for a sausage patty. That’s a veteran move for those of you at home,” he explained. “I also packed one of my favorite Hawaiian shirts specifically for the contest.” 

The shirt in question, found at a Marshall’s in Cincinnati back in 2006, was purchased in size XL because he “enjoys the room”. Red, with large white flowers, Gary also credits the shirt with his 9th inning home run which won the Ohio Valley Insurance Brokers Softball League championship in 2012. 

READ: Virgin Voyages Tech Breakthrough: Underwater Wi-Fi

It’s been a staple of Gary’s cruisewear for years, much to his wife’s dismay, however it wasn’t just one wardrobe choice that made a difference that day. “Thankfully, I also wore my Crocs instead of flip flops to the lido deck that afternoon. I can’t get low without them,” Gary explained.

And get low, Gary did. He was able to sneak under the 32 inch bar after his opponent, a 10 year old gymnastics student from Potomac, MD, bumped the bar at 34 inches. 

Advice to Future Winners

Gary was happy to share advice with future cruisers about what they can do to improve their odds at winning. 

“Look, it’s about finding vacation mode. Once you achieve your inner beach, there’s no telling how low you can go,” he said with a long and wistful stare out the window. 

The post Hawaiian Shirt Owners More Often Win Lido Deck Limbo, Study Suggests appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Ship out of luck … Ship out of luck … Ship out of luck …

I’d like to drink a toast to the organizers of Cruise to the Edge and the On the Blue Cruise, two of the most spectacular music theme cruises you’ll ever sail.

Of course, I’d really like to drink that toast at the pool bar aboard Norwegian Pearl on March 27 but that’s not happening since both cruises were postponed thanks to the pandemic known as Covid-19 (which we rock fans can’t help but put to the tune of “Come On, Eileen”). Imagine: More than a year’s tireless planning, bringing rock acts from all over the world to two massive floating music festivals and then, splash, it’s all overboard a couple of weeks before sailing. No doubt it was devastating to the organizers.

And to the fans.

Cruise to the Edge and On the Blue

While I’m sure not alone in the paralyzing disappointment of having the gangway pulled out from under me at nearly the last moment, Cruise to the Edge and On the Blue were to mark my retirement after more than 40 years in the 9-5 corporate world. I got a haircut and highlights in preparation. I bought a terrific new Jam’s World dress. I’d booked my leg wax appointment. And I was all ready to kick off my retirement against a soundtrack of music by bands like Yes, the headliners of prog rock’s 5-day Cruise to the Edge — and then — without missing a beat, or changing cabins — I’d swing right into the 7-day On the Blue Cruise with Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, the Orchestra, Art Garfunkel, The Zombies, Al Stewart, and more.

READ: Rock the Ship: Theme cruises keep the good times rolling

Ironically, it was Yes that was the first to say “no.” Others followed, either out of health concerns or because the travel ban took their trans-Atlantic flights to Miami off the table. Soon, even the acts that were ready and willing to appear (special shout out to the fearless ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett who planned to attend with his 90-year-old mom), found themselves ship out of luck when the world of cruising came to a screeching halt.

We were baffled. We were enraged. And we were really ticked that damning fingers were pointing squarely at cruise ships though it was smooth sailing for over 99 percent of them. (I’m still really ticked about that, to be honest.)

But as the news coverage intensified, something was becoming clear: The “elderly” with underlying health issues were most at risk from this pandemic. I suddenly realized that while, in our mind’s eye, we’re all still be back in the 1970s, wearing fringe vests and Earth shoes, smoking cigarettes, and drinking a bottle of Boone’s Farm, let’s face it: For many of us veteran rockers, “elderly with underlying health issues” is a pretty accurate description.

I want all of us — both passengers and artists — to be around when Cruise to the Edge and On the Blue finally set sail. So until then, let’s stay at home and play the music we expected to hear live at sea, bump fists, hoard toilet paper, self-quarantine, and await word of our newly-scheduled sailings — an announcement that will be music to our ears.

— Judi Cuervo

^{Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line}

The post Humor: COVID-19 Says It’s all Groove, No Cruise appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Cruise Memories with Bill Panoff

What made you decide to impersonate Tom Jones?

Growing up my mother used to watch Tom Jones on tv and I was forced to watch with her. When I was younger I wasn’t a fan of his gyrating and women throwing their unmentionables at him…. but when I got older I eventually decided to learn it.

Onboard we had a passenger talent show and I just came up with this idea that I’d imitate Tom Jones. Every sailing I would start a rumor that a special guest star was coming on, and the waiters would play in, the room service, everyone. So by the time the talent show started everyone was excited for Tom Jones and absolutely beaming!

How did the crowd react? 

They really thought it was him when I came out! It was dark, the band knew the tunes. It was pandemonium! It was done so well I would have two security guards. After the first time, we decided to make it a regular thing. I think some people were really let down when they noticed it wasn’t Tom Jones. They would come early, some would skip dinner… it was a big deal.

I did actually, the whole act started as a serious magic act but I was such a bad magician. Everything would go so wrong. I would constantly fumble and everyone laughed all the time, so I decided to embrace it and become a comedy magic act. I’d come on stage all serious and then fail. Later on when I worked on the Carnival Festivale I had my act fine tuned and I had people laughing so hard they were crying.

Bill’s act developed into a comedy show

How do you feel about performers and how their techniques have changed?

Now acts are so much more sophisticated. It’s much more spectacular now than it once was, but I think people were entertained then just as much as they are now. I think the smaller cruise ships made a difference in that the passengers could interact with me all day long and we had a relationship with our guests because we were with each other all day long. So it’s just a different dynamic of entertainment. Seeing someone you know perform is just a different experience than seeing someone you don’t know perform.

If you have any questions for Bill or want to share any of your own cruise memories, let us know in the comments below! You can also follow Porthole Cruise Magazine on Twitter and Facebook to share your stories there. If you want more Bill, and who wouldn’t, make sure you check out Cruise Control will Bill Panoff on YouTube! 

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Worth the Wait! … Worth the Wait! … Worth the Wait!

There are lots and lots of big things coming our way this year — Virgin’s Scarlet Lady, Celebrity Apex, Carnival Mardi Gras, P&O’s Iona, Princess’ Enchanted Princess, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas and more. But I, personally, am waiting for next year when a little thing comes our way: Emerald Azzurra.

After years of operating award-winning European river cruises, Emerald Waterways is dipping its toe — or should I say its bow — into the ocean with a brand new megayacht: Emerald Azzurra which launches in July 2021 under the newly-announced brand Emerald Yacht Cruises.

And here’s why that news really floats my boat:

1. 100 Passengers

The Infinity Pool on Emerald Azzurra | Photo: Emerald Waterways

When it comes to ships, I’m a “good-things-come-in-small-packages” kind of girl and Emerald Azzurra will carry only 100 passengers. I’ve been in subway cars with way more people than that — like, yesterday, in fact — so I’m anticipating glorious space and no fist fights for a deck chair.

2. Little Yacht; Little Ports

Emerald Azzurra will sail the Mediterranean and, thanks to her size, will be able to tie up at off-the-beaten track ports giving guests a more authentic, local experience. Hey, I’ve got nothing against major ports aside from the nine megaships we have to share them with, but there’s something magical about visiting some little spot in Croatia (once you figure out how to pronounce the name of the place) and having it all to yourself.

RELATED: When Kings Were Gods; Cruising the Ancient Nile

3. Free stuff

No dining surcharges; complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals, all on board gratuities, transfers to and from the yacht, and a few complimentary shore excursions at each port: LOVE free stuff so I’m thrilled that Emerald Azzurra will follow the largely inclusive price structure offered aboard the riverboats of Emerald Waterways … there’ll even be free wi-fi!

4. Balconies

Emerald Azzurra will feature private balconies in most of her cabins (88 percent of ‘em in fact). Sure, balconies haven’t been a real big deal since about 1992 but on a small yacht like this, balconies are revolutionary! And the cabins themselves are pretty spectacular for such a small yacht: from 182 square feet to a staggering 1,192-square-foot owner’s suite — artist renderings suggest sleek, cool, and modern — with color schemes of restful beiges, blues, and whites.

6. Watersports

The Skydeck on Emerald Azzurra | Photo: Emerald Waterways

Nothing is cooler than a yacht with a marina. Boom! They lower the platform and you can dive right into the sea or take part in a variety of activities like paddleboarding and snorkeling. This is also where Zodiacs are stored for shore landings — leave the fancy shoes at home for those, because Zodiacs usually mean wet landings which mean swinging your legs over the craft and wading into the surf toward dry land. (My fabulous Mephisto sandals are still recovering from my last wet landing.)

7. The Ship Itself

 Somehow, Emerald Azzurra will fit an infinity pool, spa, two restaurants (fine dining at dinner with breakfast and lunch buffets, all stocked with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients), and two bars into its diminutive footprint. I, personally, will be headed for the Sky Bar, an alfresco spot that has a futuristic vibe to it and a welcome shaded covering — hope they have a good stock of New Zealand sauvignon blanc.

Timeline for Emerald Azzurra

Right now, Emerald Azzurra is being built at the Ha Long Shipbuilding Company (HLS) in Ha Long City, Vietnam. And while July 2021 might seem an awful long way away, I have no doubt she’ll be worth waiting for.

— Judi Cuervo

^{Photos: Emerald Waterways}

The post <i>Emerald Azzurra</i> … What a Gem! appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions….

It seems everyone’s making resolutions this month:  Lose weight, stop smoking, stop drinking and rev up the fitness routine.  As a cruise fanatic, my resolutions are a bit different.  Below are just a few of the ones I’d like to conquer in 2020:

Share and Share Alike: I will do my best to remember that the petit four tray is not for me alone.

Picture This:  I will sort through my four decades of cruise photos and discard the stupid ones:  out-of-focus people I can’t remember, the filet mignon I ate 35 years ago and about 300 shots of the Baked Alaska parade.

Style and Sensitivity:  I will not make fun of anyone’s formal attire, even the woman with the silver lame dress that makes her butt look like a pan of Jiffy Pop just off the burner.

Animal Rights:  I will not decapitate a carefully constructed towel animal to wipe up the wine I spilled on the dresser.

The Lotion of the Ocean:  I will carefully read toiletry labels so that when I emerge from the shower, I don’t slather half a bottle of hair conditioner all over my arms, legs and chest believing it to be body lotion.  It was Bulgari, but still.

Patience:   I will strive to appreciate professionalism in cruise ship servers and feign interest in endless presentations of a particular restaurant’s olive oils, salts or eight varieties of garlic.  And I’ll do this even when I really just want the server to stop talking and bring out the food.

Bubbling Over:  I will not sneak bubble bath into the hot tub just to see what happens.  Not even a capful.

Foot Loose: I will no longer pack my fabulous Giuseppe Zanotti 6” black suede stilettos that have traveled to three continents but have never left the cabin because they’re simply too painful to wear.

Alone Time:  Unless the chef wants to check out the local jewelry shops and handbag stores, I won’t go shopping with him.  I buy enough fish and produce when I’m at home, thank you.

Blame Game:  The morning after an evening filled with margaritas and my first taste of absinthe, I will acknowledge that it was the booze and not last night’s shrimp scampi that has made me feel violently ill.

Forgiveness:  I will not blame my travel companion when, in a period of 45 seconds, I lose $50 at the slot machine–even when said travel companion was hovering right there looking impatient the entire time and, no doubt, bringing me lousy luck.

Cold Feet:  When I enter the snow room of a shipboard spa, I will always wear flip-flops so as not to disturb others by letting loose a deafening string of profanities when my bare feet hit the icy snow room floor.

Eye Contact:  I will have greater tolerance of other cultures and not get totally grossed out when served shrimp with the eyes still on.  Okay…maybe I have to work on this one a bit.

Home Work:  I will be mindful in my cabin:  I will select a safe combination that is easy for both me and my travel mate to remember, I will identify one spot to place my card key each time I enter the cabin and, from the very first day, I will pay attention to which light switch operates which light.

Techno Tolerance:  As one who still marvels at the flush of a vacuum toilet, I will try to embrace today’s  virtual side of cruising — even though I really want a card key, a human bartender, a real balcony and if I want to sky dive, I’ll jump out of a plane, dammit, and not be shaken up on some gizmo in a penny arcade.  (I believe these anger issues might trace back to working at a company with truly useless IT people.)

Here’s to smooth sailing into 2020…what are your resolutions?

The post Sailing into a New Year! appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards …

It’s time for the 2019 Judi’s Choice Awards! Unlike all those hum-drum “best-ofs” that tackle the obvious aspects of a cruise like dining, entertainment, and itineraries (anyone could do that), the Judi’s Choice Awards delve just a tad deeper to recognize the realities of what was best, baffling, or bothersome at sea this past year:

Best Bread Basket: The award goes to the bread basket at Oceania’s Toscana Restaurant which is filled with an assortment of ciabatta, garlic bread, crispy wafers, breadsticks, and a whole head of pungent roasted garlic. Now, they just need to do something about the long-winded guy who does the olive oil and balsamic presentation so I can dive into the basket before I pass out from hunger.

Best Ups and Downs: This one’s a tie between Carnival, whose coaster on the top deck of Mardi Gras will be the first of its kind at sea, and Norwegian Encore for its virtual reality version which lets guests design their own ride with drops, loops, and other harrowing elements that let you enjoy a terrifying experience … without even moving!

RELATED: The 2018 Judi’s Choice Awards

The Anything-You-Can-Do Award: You know how the cruise industry is. Now that Scenic Eclipse has debuted its helicopter launch pad, how long will it take for Royal Caribbean to announce its new ship will include an Airbus A340 on its top deck or for Virgin to affix a space shuttle to Scarlet Lady? (Winner will be announced at a later date.)

Most Romantic Taxi Driver: En route to Pinney’s Beach in Nevis, Sam was just an ordinary taxi driver picking up fares at the dock. On the return trip, he pretty much decided he and I should get married. I shunned his advances but now I’m sort of regretting it. I could be living in sun-drenched Nevis.

Playing with Food Award: Chef Rudi Sodamin wins this one for his limited-edition line of dinner plates that sport images of the colorful and inventive faces he designs using the same ingredients he uses in his food: Think purple cabbage hair, cucumber eyes, and red pepper mouths. You can admire the plates at Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurants aboard Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. And, oh yeah, you can eat there as well.

All Teched Out Award!: When I first sailed MSC aboard MSC Melody in the 1990s, it was a decidedly low-key experience … but look at MSC now: Not just 17 dazzling ships and a brand spankin’ new private island, but the introduction of Zoe, the world’s first virtual onboard personal assistant — a voice-enabled artificial intelligence tool that can speak seven languages, answer hundreds of questions about the cruise and provide information about onboard services, guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. Sounds like sharing a cabin with a know-it-all, if you ask me.

Most Outlandish Newbuild: This year, Saga Cruises introduced Spirit of Discovery, a sensibly-sized 58,000-gross-ton ship with a manageable 999 guests, and 517 crew. And — get this — it even LOOKS like a ship! How nuts is that?? No labyrinth of waterslides, deck top theme parks, kooky condo-like afts, or aircraft of any kind attached to its structure. Those English just kill me with their wacky ideas! (Pssst — Saga? Any space on an upcoming Spirit of Discovery sailing?)

The Biggest Cheaters Award: To those Canadians who won the Music Trivia contest aboard Viking Helgrim’s Douro sailing this past July, we saw you looking at our answer sheet on your way up to the dance floor. Nobody knows ‘60s music better than I do and the guy leading the other team was in a band, for Pete’s sake. No way you guessed the name of the group who sang “Black is Black” and the country they’re from without peeking at my team’s answer sheet. No way in hell.

Oceania Cruises’ deck-chair warnings | Photo: Judi Cuervo

The You-Tell-‘Em Award: Not just a written warning, prominently displayed, but Oceania times how long items have been left on deck chairs and removes them if unattended for more than 30 minutes. And they’ve invested in printed materials to drive the message home. Bravo!

The Never-Heard-of-It Award: SeaDream Yacht Club will be the first to call at Canouan, a teeny, 3.5-mile island in the Grenadines purported to be where billionaires go to avoid all those pesky millionaires. No wonder I never heard of the place.

Wishing you smooth sailing in the year ahead!

The post The Judi’s Choice Awards 2019 appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Move it! … Move it! … Move it!

Blue World Voyages is betting that it can get my fat butt out of a deck chair and transform my cruise experience into an active and healthy one with an exclusive focus on sports, fitness, and wellness.

And from what I learned from the line’s founders, health and fitness entrepreneur Gene Meehan and former Residensea CEO Fredy Dellis, they just might succeed.

Blue World Voyages sets sail in Spring 2021 with the first of three cruise ships designed to appeal to fitness and health fanatics who until now have shunned cruising, believing that it’s all about Jell-O shots, massive buffets, formal dress, and being herded around to tourist traps aboard overly air-conditioned motor coaches. BWV is attracting these first-timers through strategic partnerships with health-focused companies like Outside Integrated Media, Yoga Journal, Well + Good and more.

RELATED: Twenty Years of Onboard Innovations

Veteran cruisers can join the party if we’re into the health and wellness thing. | Photo: Blue World Voyages

Fortunately, veteran cruisers like us can join the party too if we’re into the health and wellness thing because the BWV’s ultimate goal is to create an environment filled with like-minded people (and they probably don’t want all first-timers, because having to explain over and over and over what a tender is and how to put on a life jacket would drive anyone mad). Sailings will be open to adults and active kids 16 and older (which I interpret to mean kids who will happily play something besides video games).

I’m always a little nervous when I suspect someone’s trying to transform my hard-earned vacation into something wholesome and healthy — I envision tofu and broccoli for dinner each night and maybe a white wine spritzer — but as Gene and Fredy revealed their plans, I realized that this just might be the innovative line active cruisers have been waiting for: five-star casual luxury for decidedly active folks.

Imagine:

• A full deck dedicated to sports, exercise, and wellness with cool complimentary stuff like a golf and soccer simulator, batting cages, training center, yoga, spinning, and a TRX studio.
• A second deck focused on rejuvenation, including the largest guest spa afloat with a relaxing therapy tub, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, and solarium.
  

  A seawater pool attached to the side of the ship| Photo: Blue World Voyages

• Three swimming pools including, when docked, a seawater pool that’s created by affixing an open platform to the side of the ship — it even has space for deck chairs — and the bottom of the structure is netted, which means Jaws and jellyfish won’t interrupt your laps. Water toys like wave runners and kayaks will also be available … at no charge.

All that activity will sure work up an appetite, so Blue World Voyages plans to offer a selection of healthy and delicious dining options, from a farm-to-table main dining room to Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, an extensive food-and-wine-pairing lounge, and a demonstration kitchen. The focus at all venues will be rave-worthy dishes — NOT diet food!

Blue World Voyages: Shrouded in Intrigue

At this point, the ships themselves are shrouded in mystery although it appears that two of the three vessels have been confirmed and all three are currently sailing with an unnamed cruise line (or cruise lines). Capacity will be about 500 guests and each ship will undergo an extensive refit before it takes to the seas for Blue World Voyages, transporting guests to off-the-beaten- track ports the world over for — you guessed it — active shore excursions that will include things like cycling, hiking, golfing, water sports, and more.

A two-bedroom owners’ residence | Photo: Blue World Voyages

If all of this floats your boat, consider cruising with Blue World Voyages…or maybe moving in! Those who were paying attention might have noticed that BWV co-founder Fredy Dellis had served as CEO of Residensea, the original live-aboard cruise ship. Fredy and Gene have decided to take the owner’s concept to BWV with 40 spectacular one-and two-bedroom balconied residences available for purchase on each ship. While the hefty price tag (apartments start at $2,350,000 with annual maintenance approximately of $200,000) might be a deterrent to all but the crazy wealthy, lottery winners, and embezzlers, owners may rent out the digs to generate income. And don’t forget that apartments include all include furniture, linens, daily cleaning, free internet, food and beverage, most shore excursions, and, of course, all the sports and fitness activities aboard.

With the way my health club membership fee keeps rising, I just might have to look into it.

For more information, visit Blue World Voyages online. 

— Judi Cuervo

The post Blue World Voyages: The Healthy Choice in Cruising … AND Living! appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

Artist on Board … Artist on Board … Artist on Board …

“Can we go to Cucina for dinner?”

That was Bermudian maritime artist Stephen Card’s immediate reaction to me telling him I’d be visiting the island aboard Carnival Sunrise’s 4-day sailing from New York. Not “Oh, it’ll be so nice to see you!” Not “It’s been way too long!” Not even “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Unfortunately for Stephen, the ship would only be in Bermuda from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so the dinner-only Cucina del Capitano, Sunrise’s Italian restaurant, would be shuttered for my entire call at the island. Ha. Ha. Ha.

***

I can’t believe I’ve known Stephen Card for 26 years.

It seems like yesterday that he joined our table at the Ocean Bar aboard Holland America’s Statendam in 1993 claiming to be a Bermudian and a maritime artist. I believed neither. He had no discernable accent and, seriously, he didn’t look like an artist — no piercings, tattoos, man-bun, or tattered Ramones t-shirt. For heaven’s sake, he was wearing a blazer with a little embroidered emblem on it like a Catholic grade-school uniform.

RELATED: Cruise Artiste – Maritime painter Stephen Card has got the ticket to the good life.

As it turned out, Stephen wasn’t yanking my chain and, ever since, I’m always on the lookout for Stephen Card paintings whenever I sail the ships of Holland America, Cunard, Carnival, Saga, and Costa.

Stephen Card with his painting in Cucina del Capitano | Photo: Judi Cuervo

I recognize them immediately by the puffy cumulus clouds that always seem to hover above whatever magnificent ship is featured on the canvas.

A self-taught artist, Stephen was destined to be at sea and, without fate intervening, he just might have found himself at the helm of one of the ships he loves. In fact, his early years are sprinkled not with artistic achievement but with stints that range from deck hand to harbor master, delivery master of ocean-going tugs, and even a position aboard the private luxury motor yacht of entertainment mogul Robert Stigwood. In the early 1980s, however, a chance encounter with Nico van der Vorm, then Chairman of Holland America Line, led to a three-painting commission for van der Vorm’s office, and convinced Stephen to trade in his dress whites for a set of paintbrushes. It was a decision that triggered commissions that continue to this day and recognition as a premier cruise ship artist.

***

Aboard Carnival Sunrise, Stephen and I stroll around until we come upon Cucina del Capitano on deck 10. We enter to find no tables set with straw-covered bottles of chianti, menus, or baskets of warm parmagiano-topped bread but, on the far wall, I spot a Stephen Card painting in its golden frame. In this painting — big surprise — cumulus clouds hover above Carnival Triumph (which is now Carnival Sunrise) and the ship sits beside an ornate lighthouse. “For Cucina, Carnival wanted a connection to Italy so I set the ship in Messina, alongside the lighthouse topped by the golden Madonnina,” says Stephen, explaining that the quote that appears at the base of the lighthouse — Vos et ipsam civitatem benedicimus — is a blessing contained in a letter from the Virgin Mary to the citizens of the city. “The only problem,” admits Stephen, “Is that Triumph never sailed to Messina.”

Well, I won’t tell if you don’t….

To date, Stephen has produced 21 paintings for Carnival and, next on the agenda, is a painting of Carnival Mardi Gras, the line’s first ship, that will be displayed aboard the new Carnival Mardi Gras which sets sail next year. Look for it — where else — at the Cucina del Capitano restaurant on board.

The Best Cruise Ship Artist

A Delft tile of Holland America Line’s Statendam | Photo: Stephen Card

Fans and collectors of maritime art will want to pick up Stephen’s books Cunarder, Holland America Line: The Spotless Fleet, and his most recent volume, Steam and Canvas, a collection of over 100 maritime paintings — or they’ll want to check out his line of Delft tiles, Famous Dutch Liners, all available through all-liners@att.net. If you happen to be in Bermuda early next month, you can catch Stephen’s November 8^th one-man show at Gallery 117, an exhibition that includes about 20 paintings — maritime subjects along with a few surprises — like aviation works and still life.

Aviation and still life?? Suddenly my world tilts like it did when the Bee Gees went disco, but I recover and ask Stephen what he’s working on now.

“I’ve just finished a painting of Swedish America Line’s Kungsholm in Fort St. Catherine, Bermuda,” he says. “Her Easter cruise, 1937.”

And, just like that … the world rights itself.

—

Not an engagement photo. | Photo: Judi Cuervo

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Stephen and I are NOT engaged. A rumor like that starts when a bartender snaps a photo that seems to focus on a subject’s ring finger and the shot is innocently posted on Facebook. So, save your congratulations, gravy boats, and monogrammed bath towels for an actual celebration of love. I’m still pretty ticked about dinner at Cucina being the first thing Stephen thought about when I said I was coming down.

— Judi Cuervo

The post A Lifetime of Painting Cruise Ships appeared first on Porthole Cruise and Travel.

The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro … The Dazzling Douro

Viking Helgrim’s captain welcomes cruisers to the Douro River. | Photo: Judi Cuervo

Pinhao! Gaia! Regua! Favaios! Lamego!

No, I’m not cheering on a soccer team. I’ve just returned from a Viking Helgrim “Rivers of Gold” sailing and these unfamiliar towns located along the stunning Douro River in Portugal are now sitting at the top of my list of favorite European destinations.

And I have Viking Helgrim to thank for that.

After two glorious pre-cruise days in Lisbon, we were whisked away from the five-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel via Viking motor coach and delivered to Vila Nova de Gaia and the gangway of Viking Helgrim where the captain himself welcomed us aboard the gorgeous little vessel — I just love personal attention from the big guy!

RELATED: Perfect Pre-Cruise Prep in Portugal

Viking Helgrim on the Douro | Photo: Judi Cuervo

Fresh from the shipyard, Viking Helgrim is a no-kids, no-crowds and no-drama experience. Cabins — only 53 of them — are cozy and comfortable (ours even included a veranda) and The Lounge is a lovely setting for entertainment, cultural shows and talks. The sun deck features a swimming pool (rare on riverboats … and a refreshing bonus during our sunny and dry sailing) and The Restaurant, an opulent one with floor-to-ceiling windows, serves up full breakfast and lunch buffets and sumptuous five-course dinners. Like a tipple? Wines are complimentary at meal times — and there’s even a mimosa set-up at breakfast!

Portuguese fire-grilled sausages on Viking Helgrim | Photo: Judi Cuervo

Best of all, Viking Helgrim doesn’t just sail the Douro, it is the Douro, bringing guests the sights, sounds and tastes of the region even while on board. We sip port and tonic, the country’s most popular cocktail, or choose from an impressive collection of superb Portuguese wines and a variety of ports from The Lounge’s fully-stocked bar. A literal taste of Portugal is offered at dinner time, particularly at the Portuguese buffet that features a dizzying selection of specialties including fire-grilled sausages, luscious local seafood, succulent duck, and briny mussels. Scrumptious pastel de nata, the custard tarts displayed in every Portuguese bake shop window, are celebrated not only as an onboard dessert, but as the subject of a cooking class (recipe included) so guests can duplicate the treat when they return home. We learn about Portuguese cork in a fascinating (really!) talk by an expert, view a film that documents the tumultuous Douro of yesterday (with the captain providing commentary), enjoy local folk music, and, at Salamanca, our one Spanish port, are treated to flamenco.

Pastel de nata served on board | Photo: Judi Cuervo

Compared to the bustling Danube and Rhine, the Douro is a well-kept secret. Few have heard of the picturesque little villages that dot this river. They haven’t seen the sun set as they sail past banks of endless terraced vineyards dotted with medieval stone structures or walked the narrow, cobblestone streets. They haven’t heard an emotion-drenched fado music performance with its hypnotic, plaintive vocals and the crying wail of a Portuguese guitar or felt the warmth of locals proud and eager to welcome them to their small village. They haven’t been dwarfed by the magnificent cathedrals, marveled at the countless port cellars on the river’s south bank or immersed themselves in the history of the Douro’s wine-making culture. And they haven’t sipped a refreshing, slightly effervescent vinho verde or a deceptively potent sour-cherry ginja liqueur at an unpretentious neighborhood wine bar.

At least not yet.

Portugal’s history is filled with tales of great and momentous discoveries … and after my Viking Helgrim sailing, I realized that the Douro River just might be the best discovery of all.

— Judi Cuervo

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