Publisher’s Letter
CHECK OUT THIS YEAR’S EDITOR-IN- CHIEF AWARDS, WHICH RECOGNIZE THOSE IN TRAVEL WHO’VE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN TERMS OF QUALITY AND SERVICE.
HAVE YOU CRUISED BURGUNDY YET? WHEN I STARTED IN the world of cruising on Carnival ships, I couldn’t even have imagined that question. Burgundy was something we served with dinner, a wine named for a land-locked region of central France. But times have changed, and yes, you can cruise there. The rivers and canals are home to barge hotels, which are like beautiful floating French bistros, serving pastries, cheeses, wines, and other delicacies as you float past the meadows and fields to medieval villages, day after day. Our Europe-based author takes us along on that unforgettable culinary cruise on page 28.
How about the Black Forest? On page 52, we take a luxurious Crystal Cruises river ship down the Rhine, sampling from “black kitchens” and exploring the land of cuckoo clocks and kirsch-infused cakes.
In this issue, we also cruise on an antique tall ship out of Portsmouth, England on page 72, following Judi Cuervo as she explores Brittany, Normandy, and the Basque Country. Yes, you can cruise there! We spend 48 hours in Havana on page 90, and hike and bike on some of the greatest trails in the Caribbean on page 94. You can cruise there, too!
The world of cruising is constantly introducing new ways to experience the world, so Porthole Cruise Magazine has to keep changing with it, year after year. For 2019, we’re introducing new departments and columns focusing on social media ( VIP@Sea, page 32), wellness ( Vitamin Sea, page 84), and environmental efforts (Green Seas, page 98), as well as new takes on old favorites, sharing what’s new and exciting in theme cruises, shore excursions, pre-/post-cruise vacations, ship reviews, and much more!
Plus, be sure to check out this year’s Editor-in-Chief Awards (page 38), which recognize those in travel who’ve gone above and beyond in terms of quality and service.
No matter where you cruise in 2019, I hope this issue inspires you to simply never stop cruising! Happy sailings!