Choose Your Cruise – December 30, 2020
When the ball drops in Times Square this New Year’s Eve, make sure you’re tuned in to watch. It’s going to be a little bit different this year, but the spirit of the season remains. It seems like our collective New Year’s resolution for 2021 is to get out and do EVERYTH
Deep In The Art Of Mexico
Once a sprawling textile factory before converting into a hybrid museum gallery, shopping, and cafe complex, Fabrica La Aurora is one of the most popular attractions in San Miguel. The spirit of the facility is fed by diverse artistic talents and the opportunity to exhibit conceptual designs in a re
Chukka Caribbean Adventures Gears Up for Tourism
Something is happening in the Caribbean. Across the islands, people are getting ready for tourists to once again flock to the pristine beaches, lush jungles and scenic hiking trails that make the region so famous. It’s been a long break, but the Caribbean is ready and waiting for you to come have
Bankrupt Jalesh Cruises Leaves Employees High and Dry
April 17, 2019 was an important date for India’s Jalesh Cruises. It was the first time passengers set foot onboard the recently purchased Karnika for a cruise from Mumbai. Less than a year later, the cruise line is out of business and the ship sold for scrap. COVID-19 is to blame, but sources tell
The Myth of the Storm Petrel
Poets have called them “gypsies of the sea” and “black lightning.” Some sailors see them as omens of bad luck, while ancient sailors are said to have named them for the walking-on-water apostle Peter. Other seamen know them as Mother Carey’s Chickens, probably a corruption of Mater Cara, o
Choose Your Cruise – December 23, 2020
For those of you counting down the days, we’re just a week away from 2021! From all of us here at the Porthole Cruise network, we hope you spend the next couple of days having a safe and wonderful holiday with the people who matter the most. It’s been a trying year for just about [&helli
Europe’s Best Christmas Markets
Is there anything better than wandering through the warm glow of a European Christmas market while the smell of candied nuts and chimney cakes waft under your nose? From late November through the New Year, European cities transform into festive examples of Yuletide cheer and one of the best ways to
New Costa Firenze Delivered By Fincantieri
When cruise does come back, at least we’ll have some brand new ships to enjoy! Costa Cruises officially took delivery of their newest ship Costa Firenze from Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. The 135,500 ton ship was inspired by the Florentine Renaissance and
Appreciloving The Harmony at Rastafari Indigenous Village
Rastafari is the second-largest faith in Jamaica and has been practiced since 1930. Across the island, people coexist in Rastafari villages with horizontal societies and equitable exchange. Near Montego Bay, Rastafari Indigenous Village welcomes visitors to its experiential cultural capsule. To reac
Steve Leland’s 2020 Travel Recap
After nine months of travel lockdown, 2020 hindsight takes on new relevance as we grapple with how things could have been done differently, but then again who could have imagined the havoc that a renegade virus would wreak on the travel industry. Finishing out 2019 with a Transatlantic cruise from L
Attend Your Favorite Cruise Ship Art Auction From Home
There’s a lot people miss about cruising. From exploring new ports of call to the impeccable service that makes you feel like royalty, cruising is an experience you can’t recreate anywhere else. Since the industry went on pause, cruisers all over the world have been waiting patiently for their c
Mardi Gras Delivered to Carnival Cruise Line
We’ve been hearing about this ship for a long time, now we’re another step closer to getting on board! Mardi Gras, the highly anticipated new ship from Carnival Cruise Line, was delivered by Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland in a live virtual signing ceremon
Choose Your Cruise – December 18, 2020
We’re smack dab in the middle of the holiday season and if you’re still looking for a last-minute gift for that special someone in your life, do we have some options for you! Last week we published a few awesome gift ideas for cruisers but if you’re looking to make someone’s
Gus Antorcha of Holland America Talks Rotterdam, New Excursions
When former Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford stepped down earlier this year, Carnival Corporation decided to promote from within, naming Carnival Cruise Line COO Gus Antorcha the new president. What made Antorcha the right man for the job was his nine years of experience at Carnival Co
Rich and Famous Eye Barbuda for Development
Barbuda may very well be the most untouched island in the whole Caribbean, but if Robert De Niro and other wealthy investors have their way, the island will see some major developments in the future. Plans to build multiple luxury resorts on the island are currently in the works, along with bu
Santa Takes a Ride on Mardi Gras‘ Roller Coaster
Mardi Gras, the newest ship from Carnival Cruise Line, had a special guest this week as the ship prepares for delivery at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Jolly old Kris Kringle, otherwise known as Santa Claus, took a break from cobbling together Pelotons and Playstation 5s to give the shipR
The Cruise Show Must Go On!
Heavy metal fans aren’t going to let a worldwide pandemic stand in the way of their fun. With cruising at a virtual standstill, Monsters of Rock, which for a decade has been the ultimate seagoing celebration of the explosive world of hard rock and metal, is taking the party ashore! Originall
Eating It Up in St. Thomas
In my 10 years of weekly visits to St. Thomas by cruise ship, it had never entered my mind that a food tour would be an excursion of any consequence. I had indeed savored dozens of delicious dinners at world class restaurants on the island but with gourmet dining my prime objective, a food tou
Choose Your Cruise – December 11, 2020
The cruise industry took a step back this week with the news that more cruise lines are pushing back their start date well into the spring. But there was also some AMAZING news this week about the development of a COVID-19 vaccine which seems like it will be here sooner rather than later. The vaccin
Talking Star Plus-Class Yachts with Chris Prelog of Windstar Cruises
Have you ever seen the shows where the CEO of a major company goes undercover and spends the day working like one of the regular employees to see what it’s like? The new President of Windstar Cruises won’t have to participate in a show like that because he already knows what it’s l
