Myanmar by Strand
From ship to shore, The Strand experience best showcases Myanmar. By Steve Leland It’s been said that stepping outside your travel comfort zone makes for an exhilarating experience, and I will concur that there is nothing more exhilarating than a journey to Myanmar. Decades of self-inflicted isola
Silver Discoverer in South Pacific paradise
A Land Far, Far Away Discover paradise in the South Pacific aboard Silver Discoverer. By Art Sbarsky On the last night of my cruise, some guests were talking over dinner, picking out our favorite ports. This was much more difficult than usual since, even collectively, we couldn’t remember the name
Like A Local: Bar Harbor
The Maine Attraction Discover Bar Harbor’s Golden Age while exploring its modern-day charm. By Earl Brechlin Despite Bar Harbor’s many current charms, its reputation remains rooted in its Golden Age, more than a century ago — long before the creation of Acadia National Park, in a time when the
Tried & True: Johnny Jet Travel Tips
Surviving Long Layovers Travel expert Johnny Jet answers your most common questions. Traveling 150,000 miles a year, it’s no wonder Johnny Jet knows a thing or two about the subject. From money-saving tips to how to get an upgrade, he’s constantly asked travel-related questions from both first-t
River Ships: Kid-Friendly, Cruiser Approved
Kid-Friendly, Cruiser-Approved Family fun awaits on today’s river ships. By Michelle Baran Who says river cruises aren’t for kids? While there may be a long-held stereotype that river cruising isn’t suitable for families traveling with kids — smaller ships mean no mega-slides or rock-climbin
Design Time: Viking Sea’s Nordic Décor
Home Is Where the Heritage Is Viking Sea shows off Nordic culture through its onboard décor. By Jason Leppert In many ways Viking Ocean Cruises’ newest ship, Viking Sea, is a welcome return to basics — comfortable destination-based cruise travel at its heart and soul without any unnecessary bel
Cuba Uncovered
Cuba Uncovered Porthole sent two travel writers on different cruise ships to experience this mysterious, magical destination and report back. Here’s what they found. Cultural Immersion Fathom By Sharon Kenny “Are you from the American cruise ship?” asked the young woman showing me Cuban art po
Cruise Control: Jason Montague
Double Duty A Day in the Life of Jason Montague By Fran Golden Jason Montague has a lot to be excited about these days. And when he gets excited — like when he’s giving a speech in Barcelona at the christening of Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger Sirena — a Rhode Island accent comes out. Never
Cruise Ship Review: Carnival Vista
Carnival Vista takes cruisers to new horizons By Lynn and Cele Seldon Carnival Vista might be described as a blushing bride, in that she brings something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue to the horizon. As Carnival Cruise Line’s newest flagship — its first new ship sinc
Ciao, Costa – A cruise director returns on board
Ciao, Costa After 25 years, a former cruise director returns to his roots. By Steve Leland After living under the yellow and blue funnels of Costa Cruises for 10 years as cruise director, along with my wife as casino manager, we left our pseudo, onboard Italian family in 1990 to raise our own. Now,
Cruise Control: Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line
Queen of the Fun Ships A Day in the Life of Christine Duffy By Cele and Lynn Seldon What’s a typical day like when you’re Christine Duffy and you sit at the helm of the world’s largest cruise line? “One of the things I like best about my job is that there is no typical […]
Design Time: Chandeliers
Art Illuminated Massive cruise ship chandeliers do more than just light the way. By Fran Golden As you wander your way around a cruise ship, sometimes it pays to look up. Strategically placed chandeliers provide more than just brightness. The light not only creates mood, but the often-immense fixtur
Tried & True: Johnny Jet Travel Tips
Tried and True Travel expert Johnny Jet answers your most common questions. Traveling 150,000 miles a year, it’s no wonder Johnny Jet knows a thing or two about the subject. From money-saving tips to how to get an upgrade, he’s constantly asked travel-related questions from both first-time and e
Like a Local: Tokyo
A Tour of Tokyo Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Rebecca Milner Tokyo has been my home for 14 years. My husband (Tokyo born and bred) and I sometimes talk of leaving, but then we realize that would mean giving up the world’s best sushi, an impressively efficient public transpo
National Parks: Park It!
Park It Cruise into the United States’ Most Beautiful Natural Gems By Suzanne Carmel As the National Park Service celebrates its centennial this summer, where better for cruisers to get their land legs back than hiking or biking in one of this country’s 59 national parks? There are many ways to
New Zealand: Coastal Connections
Coastal Connections Natural wonders and amazing adventures along the shores of New Zealand. By John Montague and Carolina Panoff Fluorescent lights, the gentle pitter-patter of keyboards, and the dying groan of late-’90s swivel chairs. That’s our office. To a degree, this is our life. Like most
Rio de Janeiro: Marvelous Metropolis
Marvelous Metropolis Rio de Janeiro’s Cruise Port Gets Its Moment in the Sun By Lucy Bryson Appearance counts for a lot in Rio de Janeiro. Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) by Brazilians, the 2016 Olympic City is rightly proud of its stunning natural landscape and the golden curves
Cruise Connection: Holistic Holiday at Sea theme cruise
Cruise Well Holistic Holiday at Sea offers a healthy way to cruise the Caribbean. By Margot Bigg I’ve always wanted to take a cruise. But because I’ve been a vegetarian or vegan since I was a small child, the idea of spending a week or more at sea subsisting on salad and bread held me […]
Vitamin Sea: Shore Excursion Challenges
Up for the Challenge Today’s shore excursions offer fun ways to test your mettle. By Christine Koubek The cruise industry is constantly developing new ways for travelers to experience a destination, whether that means catering to families, foodies, or folks looking to sample a city like a box of c
Ship Review: ms Koningsdam
Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam hits all the right notes. By Anita Dunham-Potter Stepping aboard ms Koningsdam it quickly becomes apparent that this isn’t your typical Holland America Line ship. At 99,500 gross tons and carrying 2,650 passengers, ms Koningsdam is the largest ship ever
