8 When friends ask, “Where are you traveling to next?” my quick retort is, “Somewhere else!” However, 45 years of intensive world travel has created a dilemma. Having cruised all seven seas, sailed most of the rivers in Europe, and crisscrossed the canals of France, I’m running out of somewhere elses. For my latest, I relied on my friend Stephanie at Barge Lady Cruises to find me a unique … [Read more...]

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...]

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its 2027-2028 Voyage Collection, featuring 234 new sailings across regions including Africa and Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, and the South Pacific. Guests can now pre-register at RSSC.com/2027-2028-voyage-collection, with … [Read more...]

40 As the sun rose over Sydney on March 14, 2025, a historic moment was unfolding in the harbor. Just east of the Heads, the 108,865-gt Pacific Adventure was slowly sailing towards its home port.  Arriving in Sydney is something the Grand-class cruise ship had done many times, continuing a tradition that dated to 1932, when the P&O liner Strathaird inaugurated local cruising from … [Read more...]

4 Regent Seven Seas Cruises set a new record for its biggest single booking day on June 25 with the launch of its new ship Seven Seas Prestige. Bookings topped the cruise line’s previous record, set in 2018, by 26%. Regent also sold out its Skyview Regent Suite on 6 of 13 available sailings during Seven Seas Prestige’s inaugural season. The suite, available at $25,000 per night, is the … [Read more...]

7 Celebrity Cruises’s newest ship Celebrity Xcel will feature four brand new venues, including a pool club, an arcade lounge, an expansive spa and Celebrity’s first flagship store.  “Celebrity Xcel will set sail with seven new elevated experiences that invite guests to escape their daily routine and make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity … [Read more...]

Luminara, the third yacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, launched on July 3, 2025, from Monte Carlo. The seven-night cruise to Rome includes stops in Cannes, Livorno, and Portofino. The christening ceremony included executives Jim Murren, Ernesto Fara, Tina Edmundson, Captain Tom Roth, and General Manager Muna Azab. British actress Simone Ashley served as godmother and officially named … [Read more...]

4 To mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Holland America Line will sail a special seven-day cruise round-trip from Boston aboard Zuiderdam! Departing July 4, 2026, the “America’s 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage” includes calls at Saint John (New Brunswick), Norfolk (Virginia) with access to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, and an overnight in New York City. The cruise … [Read more...]

Cruising is booming like never before—and cruise industry legend Bob Dickinson reveals why. In this exclusive interview with Bill, Dickinson shares insider insights on how smart ship design, operational efficiency, and unbeatable value are making cruising the top choice for travelers today. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or just curious about what’s driving this surge, this interview offers a … [Read more...]

8 Hurtling into the future can be so tiring, and worse … it can be tacky. Things that last tend to be not just practical but classy. And as any traveler knows, practical plus classy equals worth packing, worth bringing home, and worth remembering for years to come.  Amsterdam I.J. Hallen stakes a claim to being the largest flea market in Europe, located in the heart of the Dutch capital one … [Read more...]

Having sailed on MSC World Europa in Europe back in 2023, I was eager to experience MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC World America—the second in the World-class fleet—this time departing from my home state of Florida. Instead of a seven-hour flight across the Atlantic, it was just a 45-minute drive to PortMiami.The convenience was a definite perk, but I was equally curious to see how MSC Cruises … [Read more...]

Located in the heart of Athens, the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne is an ideal place to begin or end a Mediterranean cruise. Overlooking the Acropolis, Parthenon, Lycabettus Hill, and the original Olympic Stadium, the hotel offers a front-row seat to Athens’ storied past. Just 20 minutes from the Port of Piraeus and 35 minutes from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, the hotel sits in … [Read more...]

13 MSC Cruises is the official main partner of Tudor Pro Cycling through the 2027 season. The partnership will launch at this year’s Tour de France, starting on July 5. MSC announced the partnership on Thursday in Lille, France, ahead of the Tour de France Official Team Presentation, during which team jerseys are revealed ahead of the race’s start. Tudor Pro Cycling will display the MSC logo … [Read more...]

11 Following the April 2025 launch of Explora Club, Explora Journeys introduces the second phase of its loyalty program. Members can now track points and status directly through their My Explora Account on explorajourneys.com, with every night sailed, eligible onboard purchases, and Destination Experience bookings contributing to point accumulation. The expanded program also introduces Explora … [Read more...]

16 Holland America Line, the leading cruise line for Alaska wildlife and wilderness tours, is partnering with Sony Electronics for the 2025 Alaska season. This collaboration offers guests exclusive onboard photography experiences and a photo contest designed to capture Alaska’s stunning landscapes and wildlife. Photo Sweepstakes As part of the partnership, Sony and Holland America Line will … [Read more...]

Viking Cruises held a naming ceremony on Monday for its new ocean ship, Viking Vesta, in Split, Croatia.  The ship, which will resume its inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, has 499 staterooms and can host 998 guests. It is classified as a small ship, as are all of Viking’s ocean ships, and has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons.  More About the … [Read more...]

4 Crystal Cruises has finalized financing for its first two high-end cruise ships via an Export Credit Agency facility backed by Italy’s SACE. The expansion is part of a larger effort by the cruise line to upgrade its fleet. “Securing this financing represents a decisive step forward in Crystal’s expansion and demonstrates the strong market confidence in our strategy,” said Manfredi Lefebvre … [Read more...]

12 Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is now open for bookings on cruises to Nassau starting in late December 2025. The all-inclusive day pass includes access to beautiful beaches and pools, top-tier restaurants, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and more.  The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first destination in the cruise line’s Royal Beach Club Collection. The … [Read more...]

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...]

1 Carnival Cruise Line announced it will partner with The Coca-Cola Company across its North American fleet! Starting later this summer, guests can enjoy Coca-Cola products, including classic sodas, zero-sugar, low-calorie options, and sparkling flavored water. “Carnival Cruise Line and Coca-Cola are two iconic brands that celebrate fun, family, friendship, food and fabulous memories,” said … [Read more...]

Windstar Cruises has announced that its newest yacht, Star Explorer, will debut in the Mediterranean for winter 2026/27! Launching on December 28, 2026, the ship will join the Star Class fleet as part of Windstar’s expanded year-round European cruises. The winter itineraries will feature overnights in Florence (Livorno), Barcelona, and Nice, plus visits to Genoa, Catania, and Malaga. Guests can … [Read more...]

Ready for your next bucket-list adventure? Century Cruises is redefining river cruising across China, Japan, Vietnam—and soon Egypt. Discover how their luxury ships on the Yangtze, innovative visa-free itineraries, and upcoming Nile River expansion are changing the way travelers explore the world. In our interview with David Fredericks, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, learn how Century Cruises … [Read more...]

5 Barcelona just got a whole lot more glam — thanks to Bridgerton bombshell Simone Ashley, who officially christened Luminara, the third luxury ship from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, during a sun-soaked ceremony on the Med yesterday, June 26.  Champagne splashes on Luminara’s mast. | Photo: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection/Getty Images The new godmother, best known for her roles in … [Read more...]

3 Viking announced the delivery of its newest ocean ship, Viking Vesta, which was presented this morning at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy! With 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests, Viking Vesta expands the company’s fleet of award-winning ocean ships. She will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. “We are proud to welcome … [Read more...]

20 Princess Cruises Earns 16 Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence for 2025  Wine Spectator has granted Princess Cruises 16 Awards of Excellence for its 2025 Restaurant Awards. Princess has now earned the title twice, with 15 of its main dining rooms recognized as well as the Sanctuary Collection restaurant on Sun Princess.  Presented annually, the Wine Spectator magazine’s Awards of … [Read more...]

24 MSC Cruises appears in cinemas worldwide starting today with the release of F1® The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris as drivers on a fictional Formula 1® team. The cruise line partnered with Apple Original Films, director Joseph Kosinski, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, with its branding featured throughout the film. MSC’s logo appears on race cars, team uniforms, and driver overalls … [Read more...]

Silversea has announced a 2026 Venetian Society Reunion Voyage aboard Silver Shadow! The 12-day round-trip cruise departs Nice on June 19, 2026, visiting ports across Italy and smaller coastal towns. Open to past guests and newcomers, the voyage offers the chance to explore Italy and connect with fellow travelers. “Our Venetian Society Reunion Voyages truly reflect what makes Silversea special,” … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line is getting ready to open its new Celebration Key venue, the first Carnival destination built from the ground-up.  Celebration Key is located on the south side of Grand Bahama island and exclusively open to Carnival guests. The area spans 65 acres and five distinct “portals,” and features a mile-long white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, local … [Read more...]

1 Cunard announced Tuesday that Olympic silver medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson will headline the cruise line’s first Wellness at Sea voyage, launching in 2026.  Wellness at Sea Offers Health and Wellness Experiences Johnson-Thompson will share tips for maintaining mental and physical wellness as well as stories from her athletic career during a Cunard Insights talk in the Royal Court … [Read more...]

12 CroisiEurope announced a new four-day hotel barge cruise to Belgium’s Christmas markets on Tuesday.  The cruise, which will travel from Bruges to Ghent, launches in December. Guests will visit Bruges’ two Christmas markets — one in the Grote Markt, featuring traditional chalets and an ice-skating rink, and a smaller market near Simon Steyinplein known for artisanal crafts.  At the … [Read more...]