45 Years at Sea! An Interview with Cruise Director Gary Hunter
For the past month, we’ve been sharing some of our favorite cruise memories from our readers and from the Porthole team. When Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff was working on board Carnival ships in the 1970’s, one of his best friends on board was entertainer Gary Hunter.
Viking Mississippi River Cruise Ship Coming in 2022
Soon you won’t have to go far to experience the wonders of a Viking river cruise. The popular cruise line announced new itineraries for the Mississippi River upon the completion of their newest ship, Viking Mississippi, in 2022. The ship is currently in production at a shipyard in Louisiana and wi
Carnival Extends Cruise Stoppage Until May
Carnival Cruise Line made a disappointing, but not altogether stunning announcement today that they would extend the halt on all cruises across their fleet through May 11. Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise conglomerate in the world, owns and operates a number of prominent cruise brands includ
Barbados Takes Humanitarian Approach to Cruise Ships
As more and more ports turn their backs on incoming cruise ships, even those with a clean bill of health, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados is taking a decidedly different approach. The country has welcomed incoming cruise ships looking for a place to port while they wait for the go-ahead to r
Way Out West in Australia
As an intrepid traveler I’m always on the lookout for off the radar, next big thing destinations. Finding myself half the way around the world In the very midst of an essential travel related shutdown, rather than give in and beat a retreat home I made a decision to follow through with cruis
COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Isn’t for Cruise Lines
A key provision in the new COVID-19 stimulus bill currently awaiting the President’s signature provides $500 million in aid for large corporations, but there’s a catch. In order to qualify for the aid, corporations must be “created or organized in the United States or under the laws of
Choose Your Cruise
We’re all getting the itch to cruise again, but in the meantime, let’s do the next best thing: start planning our next vacation. There are plenty of great cruise deals to take advantage of these days, particularly for cruises leaving in late 2020 and early 2021. We took a look at some of the bes
Cruise Memories: Just What We Needed
While we wait for cruising to come back into our lives, we’ve been asking cruising from all over the world to share their cruise stories from over the years. One story we received caught our eye for its message of hope, love, perseverance and the ability of a cruise to melt away the stres
Zuiderdam Crew Jam Out To Their Own Radio Station
Anyone looking west from the beaches of Great Harbour Cay today might see something unusual; a gathering of cruise ships. In fact, eight ships from three different cruise lines have chosen to wait out the cruise delay in the calm, Bahamian waters, including Holland America Line Zuiderdam. Sinc
Royal Caribbean Ships Will Return May 12
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., one of the world’s foremost cruise operators, released a statement last night extending the suspension of their fleet until May 12, 2020. While every cruise line imposed a 30-day stoppage, Royal Caribbean is the first major cruise conglomerate to extend the date past
Interview: How P&O Britannia Pulled Off Last Minute Transatlantic
For well over a decade, Jason Bridge has travelled the world via cruise ship fulfilling one of the most important roles on board: Port Shopping Consultant. When you get off a ship in port and want to find that perfect gift or souvenir to bring home, Jason and his peers are there to guide you [&helli
Humor: COVID-19 Says It’s all Groove, No Cruise
The Monthly Mantra 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 […]
#MyNextVacation: Share Your Stories & Spread Positivity
“What’s your next vacation?” It’s only four words, but it’s a question that truly has it all. Curiosity. Instant aspiration. The promise of hope, the opportunity for fellowship, and nothing ahead but blue skies, clear paths, and whatever else is conjured or awoken by that most magical of w
Cruise Director Christine LaVonna Shares an Update from MS Koningsdam
While cruise ships prepare for the next crop of happy cruisers to come aboard, one of the most common questions we’re getting is about what the crew is up to without any passengers. Today, Porthole Cruise Magazine Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff caught up with the Cruise Director Chri
Cruise Memories with Bill Panoff: Carnival Mardi Gras
It’s day three of Cruise Memories with Bill Panoff! Many of you have heard of the upcoming Carnival Mardi Gras, but did you know that this will be the second ship with that name operated by Carnival Cruise Line? The first Mardi Gras set sail under the Carnival brand in 1972 and our o
Living On Fiji Time: Kava Root
If there is one thing the people of Fiji do exceptionally well, it’s knowing how to kick back, oftentimes facilitated by the traditional national drink, kava. Despite the organic beverage’s calming effects, partaking by way of a traditional ceremony is pure cultural engagement. Purposely maroone
Cruise Memories with Bill Panoff: The Tom Jones Years
Welcome to the second installment of cruise memories with Bill Panoff! Yesterday, we asked Bill about his first memories of cruising on board TSS Carnivale where he worked as a magician. One of the events on board the ship was a talent contest and that’s when Bill decided to try his hand
Cruise Deal of the Week – March 20, 2020
Okay, we can all agree that 2020 is the WORST. But don’t let your pure, unadulterated hatred for this year prevent you from scoring a great deal on a cruise for 2021. Since cruise lines are on a short hiatus from sailing, they’re focusing on making their future sailings some of the best
Marella Cruises Reminds Us to Smile
Cruise lines are doing a lot to keep their crews busy while on board ships without passengers, but >Captain Jason Ikiadis and his crew decided to have a little fun during their practicing of routine maneuvers off the coast of Montego Bay, Jamaica. They steered the ship along in a very familiar patte
Cruise Memories with Porthole Cruise Founder Bill Panoff
Since we’re all taking a break from cruising for the time being, we decided the best thing to do was to share some of our favorite cruise memories! There’s nothing better than a cruise vacation and the memories we make while at sea and in port are some that will last forever! There
