CATEGORIES

NATURAL WONDER

Porthole explores the (mostly) wild allure of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

SOME LIKE IT HOT...SOME PREFER NOT

When the promise of Caribbean sunburns and crowds have lost their luster, it may be time to head for cooler climates further north.

SOUTH SEAS TRIFECTA

In a land far, far away — from Porthole HQ, at least — lies the Down Under continent of Australia, flanked on the southeast by New Zealand and the petite island paradise of Fiji to the northeast. A marathon flight to these far-flung destinations may require diligent planning, but there is nothing more rewarding than scheduling an indulgent multi-segment cruise or two (or even three).

FULLY IMMERSED

You may not be 20,000 leagues under, but when you descend into Ponant’s Blue Eye lounge, you immediately know you’re in a world unlike any you’ve ever experienced.

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

GET THAT DISCO NAP IN EARLY BECAUSE THERE’S A WORLD---------------OF NIGHTCLUBS TO HIT UP EVERY NIGHT.

CRUISING WITH A CONSCIENCE

Silversea’s latest ship may indeed prove to be the origin of a necessary evolution.

ANCIENT & AWE-INSPIRING

SIX WAYS TO SPEND TWO DAYS IN GREECE’S CAPITAL

AMERICAN DREAMING!

Six dream destinations North Americans can reach by river ship or RV. No matter where you are on the continent, you’re a short trip from the vacation of a lifetime.

Sea of Cortez in the time of coronavirus

We’d left the dinghy on the beach and hiked up to a isolated coastal rancho (family farm) to resupply our fresh vegetables. It was 25 miles north of Loreto, far from even any village. Cruisers on the VHF net said the rancho made excellent goat cheese.

Problems in the emergency beacon network

When voyagers purchase and register an EPIRB, they have a reasonable expectation that should they activate the beacon, the Sarsat system will swing into gear and rescue them. And in many places around the world, that expectation is well-founded. Two recent cases of EPIRB activation, however, suggest that even the best, most reliable EPIRB might not help you in an emergency.

Satcom for the sailor

When long-range cruising, it’s nice to get away from it all — but some of us still must remain connected. We are spoiled on land with Internet access at speeds of 300 Mbps for prices as low as $50 a month. The same speed at sea may cost you $50,000. Therein lies the challenge: How can we surf the Internet at sea without blowing the entire communications budget?

Mid-ocean plague ship disaster

NAV PROBLEM

How we found the right boat

My wife, Clarice, and I talked about living aboard a boat for years before we made the plunge. Here are some of the considerations we worked through.

Stuck in the U.S. Virgin Islands

“You couldn’t have picked a better time to be living on your sailboat” seems to be the sentiment of many of our friends as they see pictures of us snorkeling the clear waters off St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many ways, a sailboat makes a great home for being isolated and self-sufficient.

The humble yet capable marine VHF

Although marine VHF radio has been around for a while, it has not only remained useful but is also still a vital part of any vessel’s safety equipment. In fact, VHF units are so capable that many cruisers may not even be aware of all the things they can do. And even with the advent of cellphones, VHFs are still important to any vessel’s communications system.

In serious hot water

Devising a multiple-input system for producing hot water

Desperately Seeking Solutions

Voyagers and closed borders

Amazing trades

A perfect passage from Cape Town to Barbados is a magical end to a circumnavigation

The Origins of 'Paradise'

Reading and writing about Iran could not prepare me for what I saw there.

Slice of Heaven

Find your personal paradise in the islands of the South Pacific.

Sleeping with the Past

At storied hotels around the world, luxury comes layered with legends.

Sailing Away

Embark on a luxurious adventure with a personalized yacht charter.

Night Shift

Quintana Roo pulses with after-hours activity.

Mountain Retreat

Escape to serenity in Asheville, North Carolina.

Coast to Coast

Journey along the John Muir Way to explore Scotland’s heartland.

Among the Trees

Take a road trip to see nature in all its autumnal splendor.

All in the Family

Gather multiple generations to enjoy a journey together.

UNPLUG AND RECONNECT ALONG FLORIDA'S FORGOTTEN COAST

If you’re looking to unplug and reconnect simply, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the quiet coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Eastpoint and Alligator Point. This area in rural Franklin County is known as Florida’s Forgotten Coast and it is a protected oasis with quiet beaches, wooded trails and scenic paddling sloughs. The environment is the economy here and folks enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, discovering heritage sites and, of course, eating fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood.

Two New York Hospitality Icons Celebrate Milestones

The storied history of Mohonk Mountain House, a luxurious Victorian Castle resort in upstate New York’s scenic Hudson Valley, dates back more than 150 years, and its legacy of bespoke hospitality continues today. The facility itself is continuously renovated and restored to ensure that history is preserved for guests now and in the future.

Taste Tennessee

From hearty mains to tasty sides, Tennessee knows food. Southern cooking is an art form, and no one understands this better than the skilled chefs throughout the Volunteer State whose expertise in the kitchen is legendary.