Carnival Dramatically Expands Cruises from the West Coast
Cruise News – Feb. 12, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has announced several significant initiatives designed to further bolster its West Coast presence: the deployment of Carnival Panorama to Long Beach in 2019 — the first new Carnival ship based in Southern California in 20 years; the grand re
News Briefs – Seven Seas Mariner’s amazing upgrade, and more….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 9, 2018 Seven Seas Mariner is undergoing a major upgrade before returning to Alaska. The world’s first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship will undergo a 20-day dry-dock this April, getting a new mosaic-tiled pool, an open layout and teak flooring on the poo
Miami Dolphins Fan Cruise to Set Sail on the City’s Newest Ship
Cruise News – Feb. 8, 2018 MSC Cruises will bring beloved football legends, the Miami Dolphins alumni, to the sea on a Dolphins Fan Cruise on March 17, 2018, aboard the brand-new MSC Seaside. The Miami Dolphins Fan Cruise is the result of a three-year partnership between MSC Cruises and t
Royal Caribbean Bartender Wins Bacardi Cruise Competition
Cruise News – Feb. 7, 2018 The North American Finals of the 2018 USBG Legacy Cocktail Competition, sponsored by Bacardi, was held in Miami last night to determine which bartenders in the Cruise, United States, and Canada divisions will go on to compete in the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition Gl
Total Eclipse: Celebrity Cruises is the perfect backdrop for a music cruise.
The Monthly Mantra I loved the Eclipse! … I loved the Eclipse! … I loved the Eclipse! And I’m not talking about that thing last August where, in New York at least, we all piled out of our office buildings with silly glasses on to watch something that turned out to look like nothing mor
A Scenic Sequel: Scenic Eclipse II to Launch in 2020
Cruise News – Feb. 5, 2018 A Scenic Sequel: Scenic Eclipse II to Launch in 2020 Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, having already piqued the interest of adventurous cruisers and luxury-accommodation lovers alike with the upcoming summer debut of Scenic Eclipse, has announced a second “6-star”
News Briefs – Cousteau in the Amazon and more….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 2, 2018 Luxury river operator Aqua Expeditions has announced a series of theme cruises on the Amazon and Mekong rivers for 2018, including 3-, 4-, and 7-night departures hosted by conservationist and filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau (February 9 to 16 and October 5-
Norwegian Starts Construction on Newest Ship, Norwegian Encore
Cruise News – Jan. 31, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line has marked the start of construction for its newest ship — and the 17th ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. Named Norwegian Encore, the new ship will sail the Caribbean from Miami seasonally beginning fall 2019. Norwegian Cruise Line Ho
Cunard Partners with The New Yorker to Present “Cartoonists at Sea”
Cruise News – Jan. 31, 2018 Cunard Line and The New Yorker magazine have partnered to offer the opportunity to explore the world of cartoons while sailing aboard the line’s flagship ocean liner, Queen Mary 2. During select 2018 Transatlantic Crossings from June to November, the magazin
Holland America Line Expands Denali Experience in Alaska
Cruise News – Jan. 30, 2018 Holland America Line is expanding its Alaska Land+Sea Journeys with the addition of new guest accommodations at its Denali operation. The 99-room addition will feature the first-ever junior suites at the resort and is expected to be open for the 2019 summer Alaska c
News Briefs – P&O Cruises builds largest British ship, SuperStar Gemini becomes floating hotel….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 26, 2018 P&O Cruises has contracted for a new “green-cruising” ship which, on completion, will be the largest cruise ship built for the British market. The 5,200-passenger vessel will be built at Meyer Werft and delivered in 2022 as a sister ship to a
Set Sail on the First Cartoon Network Cruise Ship
Cruise News – Jan. 25, 2018 Some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters will set sail on their very own cruise ship, Cartoon Network Wave. This fully branded ship is the result of a partnership between Oceanic Group, Asia-Pacific’s leading cruise management company and Turner,
Porto Highlights
Porthole’s 5 Faves It’s hard to believe I almost missed visiting Porto the first time. During a recent Windstar cruise, I sailed from Dublin to Lisbon on Wind Surf. Porto was one of the last stops on our itinerary. We were only scheduled to be in this port for six hours. I considered not eve
Disney Adds Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea for 2019
Cruise News – Jan. 24, 2018 Disney Cruise Line is bringing back two popular special itineraries — Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea — in 2019. Star Wars Day at Sea From January to early March 2019, special 7-night Disney Fantasy sailings will cruise to the Caribbean — and a
5 Fave Theme Cruises for 2018
Porthole’s Five Faves Cruise fans are fans, first and foremost — and every fan’s got a theme cruise to make ‘em go “Oh, man!” It doesn’t matter what you’re into, from prosecco to pro wrestling, or NPR news quizzes to serene sun salutations, this year has an upcoming theme cruise that
Easy, Breezy: Extend your South Florida cruise vacation at Margaritaville Beach Resort
You definitely won’t be wasting away if you choose to spend some pre- or post-cruise time at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Less than 10 miles south of Port Everglades, the Jimmy Buffett–themed beachfront resort is the perfect place to wind up or gear down before or
The Best Trains for Cruisers
I’m of the belief that you can never get enough of a good thing. So, when a fantastic 7-day cruise just isn’t enough to fill those precious holiday days, continue your luxurious indulgence with a classic train journey. Choosing a “choo choo” as a post-cruise holiday extension offers a contin
Cutting Steel Commences for Crystal Endeavor – Shipbuilders Begin New Luxury Expedition Yacht
Cruise News – Jan. 19, 2018 The newest member of Crystal Cruises’ fleet is officially on its way after the shipwrights at MV Werften in Stralsund began cutting the first piece of steel this week. Crystal Endeavor, the luxury line’s first polar-class expedition yacht, is set to debut in 2020 wi
Royal Caribbean Helps You Discover Your Adventure Personality
Cruise News – Jan. 17, 2018 Royal Caribbean International is teaming up with CPP–The Myers-Briggs Company, an international authority on personality research, to create a way for travelers to navigate the possibilities for their next adventure from start to finish. Adventure seekers can visit
Fathom and Princess Cruises help travelers help the Caribbean
Cruise News – Jan. 18, 2018 Social-impact travel brand Fathom has teamed up with Princess Cruises to lend a helping hand to communities rebuilding after the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean. The first Cruise for the Caribbean sailing, on January 20, has already sold out, so the partnership h