Publisher’s Letter

CARIBBEAN SEASON IS IN FULL SWING, MEDITERRANEAN AND ALASKAN SEASONS FEEL JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AND THE THOUGHT OF SEEING SO MANY CRUISING FRIENDS — NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CRUISING PROCLIVITIES AND PREFERENCES — FEELS ABSOLUTELY THRILLING.

FOR AS LONG AS WE’VE BEEN PUBLISHING PORTHOLE

CruiseMagazine, I’ve always cherished spring and what it’s meant for cruising. Ultimately, it probably has something to do with being in the sweet spot where Caribbean season is in full swing, Mediterranean and Alaskan seasons feel just around the corner, and the thought of seeing so many cruising friends — no matter what their cruising proclivities and preferences — feels absolutely thrilling. Call it hope springing eternal or just a personal quirk, but spring for me feels like it covers a bit of everything. Knowing that, you’ll understand why the stories here cover so many bases … topically, geographically, and personally.

In this issue, we look at Alaska through the eyes of photographer JD Andrews (page 60) and Anchorage native Susanna Kelly (page 100). Never one to pass up adventure, personal friend Steve Leland takes us river cruising along the Rhine (page 70), while writer Elizabeth Martinez leads us through the Italian Riviera (page 50). Getting the industry spotlight is none other than Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation and, as Sharon Kenny explores on page 80, the reason for so much that is going well in our industry today.

As much as there is promise in today and tomorrow, I do want to take a moment and remember Peter Ferrier, a fantastic friend and a beloved coworker who recently passed away. “Database Administrator” was his technical title here, but laugh riot is a lot closer to his description and responsibility. After many years working at sea and living a life we celebrate on page 24, he brought daily light into our lives here on land, and we will miss him dearly and daily.