Cruise Deal of the Week – May 10, 2019
What does Mom really want for Mother’s Day? You could go with the traditional route of flowers and the like, or you could step it up with year and show your Mom how much you really care! Holland America Line has revamped their gift card services so it’s easier than ever to give Mom the [
Grab Lunch in Tampa Bay Before You Cruise
Tampa Bay is a beautiful port in Florida, and one of the largest cruise destinations on the East Coast of the United States. Thousands of cruisers head to the port for their cruise vacation and most are wondering where the best place to grab lunch in Tampa is before boarding the ship. Waiting to boa
5 Lighthouses Every Cruiser Should Know
Lighthouses have been a beacon in the sea since early man started sailing. While the lighthouse does not have as prominent a place in the modern world thanks to GPS, they are still an amazing shore visit on your cruise. They make for spectacular backgrounds for all your vacation photos, especially i
What is a Deck Chair Hog?
It’s your first morning on board one of today’s brand new cruise ships and everything is perfect. Your stateroom was pristine and you woke up to the bright Caribbean sunshine basking your room in a warm glow. Nothing, and we mean nothing could get in the way of this perfect day, right? You strol
Introducing Costa Firenze
At Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera, Costa Firenze is more than a year away from completion, but the buzz around the newest ship from Costa Cruises grows by the day. The sister ship of Costa Venezia, Costa Firenze is the second ship designed specifically for cruising in China. Meet Costa Firenze Lik
Finding the Perfect Asado in Buenos Aires
There’s no denying the beauty and Old World charm of Buenos Aires. From the European-style architecture to the passion of the Argentine people, it is truly a cultural haven of the southern hemisphere. However, any discussion of Buenos Aires would not be complete without taking a look at the amazin
Things to Do When You Skip a Shore Excursion
Just like all cruises, Carnival cruise ships are like hotels on the ocean when you are sailing to your vacation destination. The excursions may be delightful and offer lasting memories, but what if you are not up for going out for the day? Lucky for you, there are still things to do when you are [&h
The Belly Flop Competition: Keys to Victory!
Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular cruise lines and there’s something special for everyone to enjoy while on board. Passengers can go ice skating, scale the rock climbing wall, go roller skating, enjoy some quiet time in the Solarium, and even attend the “Love & Marriage
5 Fun Things to Do in Montevideo, Uruguay
Though Uruguay is often overshadowed by its cultural and geographical counterpart, Argentina, the small South American country actually has a lot to offer. More than a third of the country’s 3.5 million people live in the capital city of Montevideo, and it is easy to see why. The city’s European
Deal of the Day – April 26, 2019
Here’s a fun challenge; hop on your favorite airline booking site and see if you can snag some free tickets to Antarctica. No dice? Well thankfully Hurtigruten is here to make sure your cruise vacation isn’t saddled down by high prices to fly. The price for those flying from select airpo
The Ultimate Game of Thrones Cruise
Do you think they take vacations in Westeros? Seems like after the last few years in the Seven Kingdoms, everyone could use a little rest and recuperation. If you’d prefer a ship full of tourists to a ship full of Iron-born, Variety Cruises is offering a unique way for Game of Thrones fans to get
Martha Stewart Celebrates Discovery with MSC Cruises (VIDEO)
From magazines to television and everything in between, Martha Stewart is as well known in the home, cooking and gardening industries as anyone. Now the famed decorating guru is taking her talents to the high seas thanks to a new culinary and discovery program with MSC Cruises. The partnership is be
Making it Safer to Fly with Pets
You can’t bring your pet with you on every vacation, but a new service from VistaJet is making it safer and easier to fly with your furry friends. VistaPet is a new service designed to make sure all passengers make it to their destination, no matter how many legs they have. Why VistaPet? VistaJet
For Shore: Animal Encounter Shore Excursions
There’s nothing like a shore excursion to really make your cruise memories magical: Taking in the scenery, enjoying the regional cuisine, and, of course, meeting the locals … including the kind with fur, feathers or fins. We’re talking, of course, about animal encounter shore excu
Captain Minnie Mouse Inspires Tomorrow’s Female Leaders on Disney Cruise Line
Family-friendly Disney Cruise Line has launched a new program aimed squarely at little girls and young women who dream of a life at sea. The collection of new initiatives – which include maritime scholarships, exclusive merchandise, and onboard programs with Captain Minnie Mouse – hopes to inspi
Scenes from the Porthole Cruise Party 2019!
The Porthole Cruise Party, Porthole Cruise Magazine’s afterparty event at Seatrade Cruise Global, was a huge success again this year with cruise line executives and industry partners flocking to the Paris Theater on Miami Beach for an action-packed evening full of singing, dancing and fun! Che
Cruise Deal of the Week – April 19, 2019
Have you ever gone all in? No, not at a card table, but on a much-deserved cruise vacation! MSC Cruises, one of the biggest names in the industry, wants you to go all in on your next vacation and they have just the deal to make it happen. Save big with unlimited drinks, free wifi […]
Vitamin Sea: Scents at Sea
If you’re among the millions who use essential oils on a daily basis and you enjoy taking sanity-saving cruise vacations, odds are you’ve often found yourself in a challenging quandary: Which of my oils should I take with me on the ship, and which ones can I leave at home? Not an easy question.
Vatican VIP – Miracles Do Happen
Monday Mantra It’s a Miracle … It’s a Miracle … It’s a Miracle Vatican VIP Room to breathe, a papal address — this is a trip with a difference. Life is full of surprises. Like today, I saw the Pope. Bam! Just like that. I guess I should explain that I’m in Rome
Behind the Cruise Line: Arnold Donald At The Wheel
Five years ago, cruise lines were reeling from several highly publicized cruise ship incidents around the globe. [Ed. Note: — Porthole may or may not have neglected to mention some of those less-sunnier subjects.] Many believed it would take years of incident-free cruise travel and millions of dol
