Remembering Phil Reimer: Celebrated Canadian Cruise Journalist and Founder of Ports and Bows Dies at 84
Phil Reimer, respected Canadian cruise journalist and founder of Ports and Bows, has passed away at the age of 84. Known throughout the cruise industry for his thoughtful coverage and authentic storytelling, Phil’s work helped shape how travelers and professionals alike viewed the world of cruise travel.
A former CBC broadcaster turned full-time cruise journalist, Phil brought more than two decades of clarity, fairness, and enthusiasm to the industry. His legacy lives on not only through his published work, but through the deep respect he earned among peers across the travel and cruise media landscape.
From Canadian Newsroom to the Cruise Deck
Born in Winnipeg and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Phil began his career in media as a teenage radio host before becoming a household name as a weather anchor for CBC Vancouver. But it was his later years where he reinvented himself, one more time, as a trusted voice in travel.
Through his widely read columns in Postmedia newspapers, Canada.com, and eventually his own platform, Ports and Bows, Phil became one of Canada’s most trusted cruise travel journalists. He covered hundreds of sailings, ship launches, and industry milestones with accuracy and genuine interest.
The Voice Behind Ports and Bows
Phil’s work on Ports and Bows helped him build a loyal readership. He spoke to both seasoned cruisers and first-timers, offering insights into everything from new ship designs to behind-the-scenes operations. His writing was always approachable and detailed—never hype-driven, always honest.
In an industry often dominated by marketing, Phil stood apart as a journalist who never compromised his integrity. He believed that travel writing should empower readers with knowledge, not just inspire them with photos.
A Lifelong Traveler With a Grounded Perspective
Outside of his journalistic life, Phil was a lover of the arts, music, and meaningful travel. He famously organized group tours to see Elvis Presley in the 1970s, a fun fact. That same sense of personal passion showed up in his travel reporting.
Phil understood that cruising wasn’t just about ships; it was about people, food, ports, and perspectives. His cruise coverage often reflected cultural depth and emotional nuance that made it stand out.
In Ketchikan on an Alaska press trip I hosted, Phil invited me on a quest for some “real local culture.” We landed in a diner so local it felt like trespassing: the regulars stared like we’d walked into their living room; the air was thick with smoke (this was 2010!); and the reindeer sausage and biscuits that we shared swam in gravy that just would not yield. Phil nibbled. I devoured. The story became legend between us.
A Legacy Anchored in Integrity
Phil Reimer’s passing is a loss for the cruise PR and journalism community, and the wider travel media world. For many of us, he wasn’t just a byline or a voice on air, he was a model of how to do this work with purpose, fairness, and humility.
In a digital age that often rewards speed and spectacle, Phil stood for something more lasting: trust.
Fair winds, Phil. We will miss you.
