A new port charge imposed by the Chinese government is threatening the operation of U.S.-owned cruise ships in the country, according to local media reports. Introduced earlier this month, the policy requires ships linked to the United States to pay a special port fee effective immediately. According to China Economic Review, vessels have to pay 400 yuan (approximately $55) per net ton, an amount … [Read more...]
Norovirus outbreak sickens 75 on cruise ship bound for Boston
A cruise ship headed from Canada to Boston has reported a norovirus outbreak that sickened 75 people on board. The Oceania Insignia, operated by Oceania Cruises, departed from Montreal on Oct. 16, according to CruiseMapper.com. It is making several stops in Canada before docking in Portland, Maine on Oct. 26 and then Boston on Oct. 27. The Centers for Disease Control says that the outbreak was … [Read more...]
Air Canada Announces US Flight Expansion from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Air Canada has unveiled its most significant expansion at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in 35 years, introducing new daily transborder flights to four major US cities and enhanced domestic service to key Canadian destinations. Starting in spring 2026, Air Canada will launch non-stop service to New York (LGA) four-times daily, Boston (BOS) three-times daily, Chicago (ORD) … [Read more...]
Cruise Line Creating “130-Year-Old” Cabin on One of Their Ships
In 2026, a cruise line is celebrating their 130 anniversary of offering expedition cruises. To celebrate the historic achievement, they are creating a 130-year-old cabin that you can stay in on one of their cruise ships.The 1896 Cabin on MS Fridtjof Nansen The 1896 Cabin will be added to MS Fridjof Nansen, a ship that sails with HX Expeditions. The cabin will transport guests back to the year when … [Read more...]
What is noctourism? The travel trend changing cruising
What is noctourism? … [Read more...]
Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau Day Pass Review
During one of our cruise stops in Nassau, we purchased a day pass to the Margaritaville Beach Resort, a vibrant oasis just a short walk from the cruise port. I included a brief overview of our experience in a trip report, but this place deserves a deeper dive into nearby retreat. <img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" … [Read more...]
I sailed on Royal Caribbean's newest giant cruise ship. These were my 8 favorite amenities.
Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Star of the Seas, is poised as the best family vacation out there, and there's plenty to see and do while onboard.The 1,198-foot-long, 250,800 gross-ton floating resort offers just about everything you'd want or need over the course of a week-long sailing. There are over 40 restaurants and bars, and each has its own draw to as to why you'd want to go there.I … [Read more...]
Star of the Seas (Finally!) Makes Inaugural Call to St. Kitts
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, celebrated her maiden call to St. Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The ship was originally scheduled to call at St. Kitts during a cruise that departed Port Canaveral on September 28, 2025, but Tropical Storm Imelda prompted the cruise line to revise that itinerary away from the Eastern Caribbean. Star … [Read more...]
How To Find A Guide For Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Traveling to Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is an unforgettable adventure, but the most important decision you’ll make for your trip is choosing the right guide. This Omo Valley travel guide explains why a knowledgeable and trusted guide is essential for navigating remote villages, tribal communities, and the region’s unpredictable logistics. This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small … [Read more...]
Americans Can Fly Nonstop To These 3 Underrated European Cities This Winter
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The 15 Most-Loved European Cities This Year (And A 30-Second Quiz To Find Your Favorite)
img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}Europe has always held a special place in travelers' hearts, a continent rich with history, culture, and endless charm. But in a region … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Launches Flash Deals on 15 Cruise Ships
Over the next five days, Royal Caribbean is offering flash deals on 15 of their cruise ships with prices starting at $289 per person, including taxes and fees. This latest flash sale from Royal Caribbean starts today, October 14, 2025 and runs through October 28, 2025. It includes cruises in 2026 to the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda and Mexico across cruise ships on all of their classes. The deals … [Read more...]
US Embassy Issues Security Alert For Popular Latin American City
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Virgin Voyages CEO Spills the Secrets about Brilliant Lady
Porthole Cruise and Travel Since the early 2000s, Porthole.com has been the go-to digital destination for cruise news, travel updates, and inspiring stories from Porthole Cruise & Travel Magazine. The site delivers breaking industry news, ship reviews, destination spotlights, travel tips, and exclusive interviews for both seasoned travelers and those dreaming of their next voyage. Porthole.com … [Read more...]
Personal Navigators: Disney Dream 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale – September 27, 2025
Personal Navigators, and other details from the Halloween on the High Seas 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale. The Disney Dream set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on September 27, 2025. There are additional Personal Navigators from other sailings of this same itinerary for comparison. During this cruise, the ship was under the control … [Read more...]
Royal Princess named Worlds Best Culinary Cruise Ship
Julie Bouchner Julie Bouchner is the Marketing Lead for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie. Appeared first on: Porthole.com … [Read more...]
These were the 4 cleanest Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year, according to the CDC
Cruise ships are regularly inspected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure they're offering paying passengers and crew members a healthy and safe environment. And this year, four Royal Caribbean ships earned a perfect score. These inspections aren't limited to Royal Caribbean, either. All cruise lines, ranging from Carnival to MSC, Norwegian, Virgin, Celebrity, … [Read more...]
Copenhagen named Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2025 for the second year in a row
At a ceremony in Sardinia on October 22, Copenhagen was announced as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2025 by the World Travel Awards. The award, based on votes from qualified individuals within travel and tourism as well as consumers, is a testament to Copenhagen as an amazing all-year destination and regional cruise hub, with excellent cruise facilities and logistics. Furthermore, the prize … [Read more...]
Virgin Voyages Simplifies Names for 17 Caribbean Itineraries
Key Aspects: Virgin Voyages’ is renaming its Caribbean itineraries in an effort to simplify the cruise booking process and make it easier to understand what different sailings entail. Three itineraries have new names as of October 23, 2025, and 14 more itineraries will have new titles before the end of the year. Some cruise fans are not happy about the change and think that it’s … [Read more...]
Carnival Cruise Line Provides Update on Tropical Storm Melissa
Key Aspects: While Tropical Storm Melissa is growing in strength, there are no confirmed itinerary changes for Carnival cruise ships at this time. Carnival Cruise Line is urging booked guests to opt in for text updates to stay informed if any changes are necessary. Melissa will likely strengthen into a major hurricane in the coming days and could impact several Carnival ships in the … [Read more...]
Norwegian Epic Alters Course to Rescue Over 60 Refugees
Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic diverted to rescue 67 migrants on an overcrowded sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea. The rescue occurred early into an 11-night sailing to the Greek Isles and Italy, which embarked in Rome one day prior on October 21, 2025. As a result of the rescue, the first port on the itinerary, which was in Santorini, had to be … [Read more...]
Viking Becomes First Cruise Line With 100 Ships in Their Fleet
Viking became the first cruise line to have more than 100 ships (river, ocean and expedition) in their fleet when they christened another nine new river ships that will sail in Europe, Egypt and Asia. The christening ceremony for nine new Viking river ships took place in Basel, Switzerland on Viking Honir. Photo credit: Viking The simultaneous christening ceremony took place in Basel, … [Read more...]
Wonder of the Seas 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise Compass – October 20, 2025
Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]
Celebrity Takes Delivery of its Newest Ship… While Also Revealing What’s Next
Fans of Celebrity Cruises have two big reasons to cheer as the cruise line announced a double dose of good news. Not only has the cruise line welcomed its newest ship to the fleet, it’s also revealed the name of the ship that’s coming next. Celebrity Xcel — the fifth Edge-class ship in the fleet — joined the cruise line officially. It will begin sailing with passengers in … [Read more...]
Air Canada Updates Million Mile & Elite Status Program Features
In August, Air Canada announced that it will move to a revenue-based model for earning Aeroplan points on flights and for Elite status qualification in 2026. After the announcement, some frequent flyers and Elites raised concerns about how the changes would affect their pursuit of Million Mile recognition (and the benefits they’d enjoy), amongst other issues. Recently, Air Canada has sent … [Read more...]
Construction Begins on Royal Caribbean’s 7th Oasis Class Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean has announced construction has officially kicked off on their seventh Oasis class ship which will debut in 2028. The first piece of steel was cut on Oasis 7 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique attended the milestone event to commemorate the moment alongside the teams of innovators, … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean delays new 2027 seasonal cruise deployment a few weeks
Royal Caribbean pushed back one of its planned deployments a little later.An updated deployment schedule was posted today and it means a longer wait for the Seasonal Caribbean itinerariesThe change came right after releasing the 2027 Alaska cruises, as originally scheduled.Unfortunately, Seasonal Caribbean cruises were pushed back until the week of December 8. Previously, they were supposed to be … [Read more...]
Virgin Voyages Set the Seas Ablaze with “Olas de Fuego” This December
A new Latin music experience at sea brings handpicked Latin artists, Puerto Rican flair and Nicky Jam’s top hits aboard Valiant Lady from December 5–13, 2025. This December, Virgin Voyages will ignite the Caribbean with Olas de Fuego: Nicky Jam x Virgin Voyages, an all-new, eight-night celebration of Latin music and culture aboard Valiant Lady. Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Dec. 5-13, … [Read more...]
Steel Cutting Held for Royal Caribbean’s Next Oasis-Class Ship
Key Aspects: A new Oasis-class ship has officially begun construction with the first steel cut on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The seventh ship in the famed class is being constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. Passengers will have to wait until the vessel’s projected 2028 delivery to set sail. Royal Caribbean has begun construction on its … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean’s Seventh Oasis Class Vacation Begins Construction
It’s a celebration seven days a week as Royal Caribbean marked the first of many milestones for the seventh Oasis Class vacation in the fleet. The first piece of steel was cut for the next in the revolutionary Oasis Class lineup of game-changing ships that first redefined the industry more than a decade ago. The soon-to-be-named vacation is officially on its way toward its bold introduction in … [Read more...]