Cruise Connection: Running Cruises
Cool Runnings A Caribbean cruise is the perfect backdrop to try out a new travel tend: the “runcation.” By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Heat, hills, and humidity. As a runner, that’s my Kryptonite. Even though I live in Miami, where humidity is high and temps are almost always north of 80 degrees, I
Cruising the Mississippi River
A River Runs Through It The mighty Mississippi is one of today’s fastest-growing cruise destinations. By Theresa Norton Masek Is there a travel experience more traditionally American than rolling on the Mississippi River on a steamboat with a red paddlewheel splashing? The Great River is the heart
Like a Local: Halifax
Halifax to the Max Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By John and Sandra Nowlan We’ve lived in Halifax for decades and love its seaside location, friendly residents, and lively street vibes. It’s the capital of the province and the East Coast base for the Royal Canadian Navy. Cru
Just Add Land: African Safaris
On Safari Stay a little longer before or after your cruise from Africa. By Kay Showker Whether your Africa cruise starts from Cape Town on a northbound itinerary or ends there on a southbound one — as most Africa cruises do — high on your list should be a safari add-on. Going on safari doesn’t
A Crystal Honeymoon in Southeast Asia
Ever After A pair of honeymooners celebrates romance in Southeast Asia By Fran Golden and David Molyneaux You may have read about our romantic wedding at sea in the last issue of Porthole Cruise Magazine. Aboard Regal Princess out of Fort Lauderdale, we exchanged vows among family, friends, and hund
Cruise Wisdom: Smoking
Fired Up So what’s the real deal with this smokin’ hot topic? By Cindy O’Neil Q: My husband is a smoker and we are considering our first cruise. Whenever I ask my friends about cruise ship smoking policies, I just get heated opinions instead of answers. Will my husband be able to smoke on
Cruise Exec Spotlight: Michael Bayley
Loyal to Royal Michael Bayley is happily back where he began his career. By Susan J. Young It’s a tale fit for a storybook. In 1981, a 22-year-old starts his cruise industry career as assistant purser on Nordic Prince and three decades later, he’s named president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Inter
Christmas Markets Cruises
’Tis the Season Indulge your holiday senses on a Christmas markets cruise. By Jodi Ornstein So there we were. My mom and I. Escaping the heat of Miami bound for Europe to get our Christmas on. It’s not that eating potato latkes in 90-degree weather isn’t festive, or that white lights str
Yacht Watching
Yearning for Yachts Discover 20 top cruise ports with world-class marinas By Lynn and Cele Seldon Though we’ll likely never own a 150-foot-plus megayacht with all the amenities imaginable, it’s never stopped us from yacht-watching in cruise ports around the world. Whether they’re ogled from ou
Artisans of the World: Antonio Olave
Life Calling Peru sculptor Antonio Olave is inspired by faith and passion By Richard Varr Antonio Olave Palomino is surrounded by angels. He sits amid paint-splattered carving knives and a bevy of brushes alongside open jars of muted and earthen-toned pigments. Four unfinished, slender wooden sculpt
Greek Odyssey
Greek Odyssey Set sail on a back-to-basics family vacation. By Heidi Sarna After 30 cruises on the world’s megaships enjoying playrooms and video arcades, my 12-year-old twin sons were finally old enough for a small-ship cruise. We booked a 7-night sailing round-trip from Athens on the 178-passeng
My Big Fat Cruise Ship Wedding
My Big Fat Cruise Ship Wedding Nothing is more romantic than nautical nuptials. By Fran Golden I’m walking in my Badgley Mischka wedding gown through the elegant Piazza atrium aboard Regal Princess. My fiancé, David, and Gavin MacLeod (yes, The Love Boat captain) are waiting for my arrival. A
Like A Local: Barcelona
The Best of Barcelona When cruising from this popular port city, close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Sally Davies A resident of Barcelona since 2001, I have left no stone unturned in the quest for the perfect café con leche, the fluffiest tortilla, the bar with the longest hours,
LGBT Cruises: Out and About
Options abound for today’s LGBT Cruises By Randall Shirley “Where’s the craziest place the two of you have ever made whoopee?” It’s a question you may have heard during some version of the classic Newlywed Game on a cruise ship. Ten years ago, my partner and I were the first gay couple to
Inside Alaska
Inside Alaska Go beyond the shoreline to experience even more of Alaska By Loren Holmes If your first sight of Alaska is by cruise ship, you’ll no doubt be in awe of this beautiful land. With surprises around every turn, it’s rarely a letdown for first-time visitors. But the coast is just the ti
Cruise Exec Spotlight: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo takes the helm of Celebrity Cruises By Susan J. Young Celebrity Cruises turns 25 this year with exciting developments under way. A letter of intent has been signed for Project Edge, the newbuild project that will bring two 117,000-grt, 2,900-passenger ships to set sail in 2018 and
The Best Cruise Ports for Fishing
Cruising lets you catch the big one while in ports around the world. By Lynn and Cele Seldon We live on the North Carolina coast, where there’s world-class fishing in inland waterways, right from our beach, and out for miles in the Atlantic Ocean. With fishing as a favorite pastime, we’re always
Cruise Wisdom: Cruise Lingo
Learn the Lingo A handy cheatsheet for first-time cruisers By Cindy O’Neil Q: Several of our friends are avid cruisers, and when they talk about their recent voyages, my husband and I are often left in the dark. It almost seems that cruisers have their own secret language! Can you help us with
Just Add Land: Europe
More to Explore Consider these city add-ons before or after your European cruise. By Felicity Long No matter how glitzy the ship, half the fun of any Europe cruise is the chance to explore new destinations. Sure, pre- and post-cruise stays are a great choice for passengers who want an in-depth look
Cruise Ship Review: Grand Celebration
Cruise Ship Review: Grand Celebration There’s much to celebrate now that the Bahamas just got a little easier to experience. By Rico Bronte The ports of Fort Lauderdale and Miami have long been the gateways to cruising the Caribbean, but with the recent inaugural sailing of Grand Celebration out o
