posted by admin on May 4
Why A Cruise Ship Wedding Is Fun For Everyone
A cruise ship wedding is an experience you will hold dear forever. Wedding on a cruise ship is unique and fun. Many cruise ships even have wedding chapels designated for cruise ship weddings or vow renewals.
A cruise ship wedding can be more fun than a traditional wedding. All cruise lines have different packages and rules for receptions and number of guests. The internet and your travel agent should have all the information about a wedding on a cruise ship for any particular cruise line. Not all the captains are licensed to marry you, but many lines will have a priest or rabbi or some other officiate that may provide these ceremonies. If you considering a cruise ship wedding, plan early so you won t be disappointed. Lots of cruise ships limit the number of ceremonies per cruise. Some of the Cruise Lines that offer cruise ship weddings are discussed below.
Princess Cruises has a wedding chapel where they perform the cruise ship weddings. The Grand Princess and her sister ships all have wedding chapels. Here the Captain is able to perform the ceremony. Wedding options start at $1400.00 per couple with receptions around $70-$80.00 per head. There will be hot and cold hors d oeuvres, drinks and an official marriage certificate, a cake and music. The ships photographer is available and the ships florist can design any arrangements that you have in mind. You can check out their packages on line. Click on the On Board link and then the wedding/special occasions link to get information on weddings on a cruise ship. They even supply you with a phone number for a wedding consultant. The Hearts and Minds Chapel is quite quaint and perfect for a wedding on a cruise ship.
A more upscale option is Crystal Cruise who will perform ceremonies for weddings, vow renewals or anniversaries. Your cruise ship wedding will be performed by the captain or a member of the clergy and includes Champagne, a Portrait, and a cake. They also have a Honeymoon Package with a cake, champagne, a picture and a certificate signed by the captain. I would discuss this one with your agent but of course you could check out their website.
Royal Caribbean s Voyager of the Seas has a wedding chapel and performs cruise ship weddings on the day of embarkation. Their wedding packages start at $800.00. They include flowers for bride and groom, a photo session, champagne and a cake. Go to their website to check out their options.
Carnival Cruises has shore side packages that are all inclusive. There will be a toast with keepsake flutes, a photograph, the wedding cake topper and an engraved announcement. You can also customize any extras for a fee. Talk to your travel agent, or, if you want to do some research on your own, go to the Carnival website.
After your cruise ship wedding take tons of pictures. Especially today with digital cameras, this helps to keep the cost of film and the film development down. Be sure to bring a lot of memory cards. Save stubs from tours you have taken, the invitation to the Captains Table for dinner, any notes you receive from the officers, the brochure that lists the itinerary, the dates of each port of call. You can make many beautiful well documented photo albums that will bring lots of smiles and many fond memories. It is highly recommend building a scrapbook from your trip; you will love it later when you pull it out and relive the experiences. It takes some time but is so worth it to have these pictures after your cruise ship wedding. On our honeymoon aboard the Volendam at the end of the cruise they supplied us with a beautiful menu from each dinner. On one side was the menu and on the other a beautiful scene from Holland.
All ships have a Newlyweds game. Go to it. It s fun and hopefully, you ll only be a newlywed once. Participate in all the activities, they are a little bit corny but they do make you laugh. Let everyone know you ve just been had your cruise ship wedding, people love that. You might even get a few free drinks.
Honeymooning on a ship is a great way to kick back and relax after that year of stressful planning for the cruise ship wedding. It is now time to enjoy you and your spouse and the journey of a lifetime. Take advantage of your time together in a luxurious atmosphere. Have fun, meet new people, make new friends and be yourself, most of these people you will never see again.
Here s to a Bon Voyage, a wonderful cruise ship wedding and great honeymoon.
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
A New Queen Rules the Seas - Queen Victoria Sets Sail December 2007
by Roy Witman © 2006, All Rights Reserved
For the first time in its history, Cunard Cruise Line will have three stately ladies ruling the seas. The trio includes Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and - as of December 2007 - Queen Victoria. Though many aspects of Queen Victoria will ring true with Cunard cruise enthusiasts, she quickly shows she has her own personality and her own agenda.
What passengers will relish most is Queen Victoria’s dedication to the Cunard standard of luxurious White Star Service at every turn. This dedication by every crewmember ensures each guest is utterly pampered with his/her every request being met.
Grandeur and Elegance Reign Supreme
Following in her sisters’ footsteps, Queen Victoria has been elegantly adorned with an exceptional d cor reminiscent of the most elegant ships ever to sail. A common element found throughout the ship is the use of interesting and sometimes dramatic staircases.
The English Library spans two decks and houses over 6,000 books. The central point is a delightfully wonderful spiral staircase leading from 2 Deck to 3 Deck. Two full-time librarians are available to assist with finding the perfect novel to whisk you away to worlds unknown.
The three-tiered Grand Lobby offers finishes of mahogany and marble along with intricate metalwork and ornamental glass. However, what is truly grand about this lobby is the sweeping staircase laced with wrought iron and a marble stringer. Unmistakably sophisticated, this centerpiece is offset by a chandelier and other details one would expect on a ship of this caliber.
The Britannia Restaurant, the main dining room, set in the stern of the vessel, offers yet another classic architectural highlight with its expansive staircase framed by decorative pillars, archways, and bronze and glasswork accents. Described by Cunard as a “contemporary interpretation of a dramatic and elegant restaurant from the golden age of liners,” Britannia will offer exceptional cuisine intended to impress travelers from all across the globe.
New Innovations Enhance Tradition
Those familiar with Cunard will recognize the comfortably sized interior and ocean view staterooms. Expertly designed to offer the most space, all cabins offer bathrobe and slippers, hairdryer, safe, refrigerator, satellite TV, 24-hour room service and nightly turndown service complete with pillow chocolates.
For those seeking a more elaborate cruise vacation, Queen Victoria will not disappoint. Staterooms are available in Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill suites with up to 2,131 square feet. Amenities include private courtyards, dedicated wait staff, marble bath with whirlpool and impressive ocean views via your private balcony.
Delightful surprises aboard Queen Victoria include al fresco dining in the Courtyard Terrace, private box seats on the upper level of the Royal Court Theater and a grand conservatory complete with retractable glass roof and luxurious rattan furniture.
Queen Victoria also offers the latest technology via an Internet Caf and the ConneXions Conference Center, which will accommodate enrichment programs as well as business events.
Sailing the World
Queen Victoria will enter service December 2007 with two maiden voyages: one 10-day voyage on December 11 to Northern Europe and one 16-day cruise on December 21 to the Canary Islands and Morocco. Unlike her sister ships, Queen Victoria will offer primarily longer itineraries of 21 days or longer.
Sailing the world, Queen Victoria can transport guests to such exotic locales as Singapore, Sydney, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera. For those who truly want it all, Queen Victoria offers 106-day world cruises as well.
Steeped in a heritage of classic elegance, Queen Victoria is a legacy offering incomparable service combined with unique onboard experiences and exceptional ports of call. For avid cruisers, she will provide any opportunity for adventure and romance like no other.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center. Visit them online today at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> for the best deals on vacations from including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/cunard_cruise_lines.htm">Cunard Cruise Lines</a> including the luxurious <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/cunard_cruise_lines.htm">Queen Mary 2</a>.
Caribbean Cruises 101
The Caribbean offers may exciting destinations to explore. There are three major areas in the Caribbean; they are the western, eastern and southern Caribbean. All have their unique actives and natural beauty. It is impossible to say one is better than the others. One of the most popular destinations is Grand Cayman. It offers everything you are looking for, from racing sailboats to swimming with stingrays. You can explore ruins of ancient civilizations and investigate rain forests. The variety of activities, natural wonders and very pleasant temperatures make the Caribbean cruises very popular. The temperatures are so pleasurable; in fact, that you will be very comfortable in short sleeved shirts and shorts, no matter if it is day or night in the Caribbean. Now you know why to go on a Caribbean cruise, all you need to know is what to bring. Well, beyond the obvious essentials of everyday clothes and toiletries, it is a good idea to put in a couple of swimsuits. This will help ensure that you will have a dry suit to go put on when ever you want to go for a dip. It is no fun trying to get into a cold wet suit! Another thing to put on your packing list is a camera and plenty of film if it is not a digital. You will be seeing so many things and having so much fun, you will not want to miss a second of the action. Also, you will be able to show your friends and family what they were missing while you were on your Caribbean cruise. While you will probably spend most of your time switching to your shorts to swim suit and back again, you will want to have some dress clothes as well. When night falls and you want to have a nice dinner with your traveling companion, you will want to look good. Also, with cruises, there is at least one event that will require tuxedos and evening gowns and you should be prepared for this. The nice thing about cruises is they understand it is not always an option to travel this with type of formal ware and will have shops available to rent the evenings attire. With all the time you will spend outside enjoying the sun, you will have to pack sunscreen. It is important that you use it every day and have a SPF sunscreen. Even if you don t think you are getting more sun and don t notice the extended time spent outside, your skin will. Perhaps the most important thing to bring with your on your Caribbean cruise is your appetite for fun and adventure. Remember, the trip is what you make of it. If you would rather just sit on the deck soaking up the sun, than partaking in a whole bunch of scheduled activates, do it.
To read other great articles on all of the different cruise vacation options avaliable to you then check out: http://www.enjoythecruise.com
Cruising Might Not Be For You
The options can suit just about anyone; you have the luxury of being in the tropics with a traveling concierge; no worries about luggage or accommodation changes. It is all about you: dine and dance in the evening, and explore during the day; it is all your choice.
