A wedding, whether it is your first or fifth, can be the best, and the most stressful, experience of your life. Except, of course, if you choose to tie the knot at sea. When getting married on a cruise ship, you’ll have a host of professionals trained to accommodate your every need during your cruise wedding. From cakes to tuxedos, accommodations to the reception hall, you won’t have to go off-board for anything. Unless of course you choose to have your reception on shore. In which case, the amenities come to you.

Imagine saying your vows on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, on a hillside vineyard in Italy, or on the snowy-white glaciers of Alaska. The possibilities are endless.

There are a few stipulations when getting married on a cruise ship. First, the captain generally does not marry the couple (except with Princess Cruises). A wedding officiant will be provided by the cruise line for that purpose. Second, cruise weddings take place while in port, not while at sea. You can choose to get married on board when in port or at a selected location on shore. Finally, the bride and groom must be sailing on the cruise in order to get married on it. Your guests can, however, board the ship for the wedding without sailing on the cruise.

Many cruise lines provide cruise wedding packages and coordinators to make sure that your day is special and runs smoothly. Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International, all provide wedding packages for couples sailing on their ships. Crystal Cruises and Cunard Line do not allow weddings on their ships. The cost of tying the knot at sea ranges from $900 to $2,400 and generally includes transportation to and from the port, wedding facilities, wedding officiant, wedding coordinator, ceremony music, flowers for the bride and groom, cake, champagne, photographer, wedding album, and dinner. Many will also arrange spa and hair appointments, as well as tuxedo rentals. Of course, each line has their own packages. Read below for information on the most popular cruise lines and their wedding options.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices provided on this page are general indicators of wedding package costs. They are provided to give a general indication of costs for couples in the early stages of planning their weddings. Stated prices are not guaranteed and do not include taxes.

Carnival Cruises
For those looking to celebrate a special occasion, Carnival offers a variety of packages designed to suit every need. Wedding ceremonies are performed by a wedding officiant before the ship sets sail and Carnival provides a photographer who takes pictures both during the ceremony and the reception. These photos are available for purchase during the cruise.

The basic cruise wedding package is for eight guests (including bride and groom) and includes the ceremony, bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, bottle of sparkling wine, wedding cake, wedding music, and photography service. This package is priced starting at $750, prices vary depending on the port. The other wedding packages offered by Carnival add to the basic package with a combination of wedding luncheon, open bar, champagne, and the accommodation of up to 20 guests. These packages range in price from $1,050 to $1,450. Guests may wish to add a videographer, tuxedo rental, additional food and beverage service, or live entertainment.

Holland America Line
Holland America Line offers a variety of packages for those celebrating weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Weddings
Holland America’s wedding package is called Anchors Away. It includes the ceremony setup, personal wedding coordinator, personalized wedding ceremony, bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, wedding cake, champagne, and a cruise album. This package starts at $1,295 USD.

Renewal of Vows
Holland America Line’s renewal of vows package is priced at $99USD and includes flowers in your stateroom, renewal ceremony with hors d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as a photograph and photo album.

Special Occasion
The basic celebration package includes flowers in your stateroom, champagne, a special dessert in the dining room, framed photograph, and special recognition. This package is $79USD. You can add to this package with amenities like a dozen roses, a pair of terrycloth bathrobes, a special chocolate pillow gift, couple’s massage, and a guaranteed table for two in the dining room. The price for the more elaborate package is $410 USD.

If your special occasion is of a romantic nature, Holland America has a romantic package that provides you with flowers, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a framed photograph, $25 in casino chips, and an aromatherapy massage. This package is priced at $169 USD.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Lines gives passengers a variety of options when planning a wedding on one of their ships. Wedding packages range in price from $1200 USD to $2,399 USD and can accommodate anywhere from eight to twenty five guests.

Wedding Package
Norwegian’s basic package will accommodate a maximum of eight guests (including the bride and groom) and includes the wedding officiant, wedding music, keepsake marriage certificate, ceremony location, wedding cake, champagne, and a photograph package. The photograph package provides the bride and groom with twelve portraits, a mini-album, and two 8″ by 10″ selected portraits. You can add to this package with such amenities as additional guests, a one-hour, open bar reception with hors d’oeuvres, additional champagne, additional photographs, a two-hour sit-down lunch with wine, and live music.

Anniversary and Honeymoon Package
Whether you’re looking for a deluxe package with all the fixings or a small combination of some simple luxuries, Norwegian Cruise Line can accommodate your needs. With prices ranging from $79 to $329, the basic package includes champagne and strawberries, canapes in your stateroom, photograph, and romantic dinner for two in the bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine. The most deluxe offer gives couples champagne and strawberries, spa wrap, massage, breakfast-in-bed, a formal portrait, and a romantic dinner for two in the bistro with a bottle of wine.

Princess Cruises

Weddings
Princess Cruises offers customizable cruise wedding packages that include everything from bouquets and wedding cake to portraits and tuxedo rental. You and your Cruise Consultant can work together to create the package that suits all of your wedding needs. One special bonus with Princess is that your wedding ceremony will be conducted by the captain of your ship.

Renewal of Vows
The basic package costs $205 and includes the ceremony, bouquet, boutonniere of orchids, commemorative certificate, a bottle of champagne with engraved champagne glasses in your stateroom, and a framed portrait of the ceremony. For an additional cost, the package can be upgraded to include champagne and breakfast-in-bed, two Princess terrycloth robes, a thirty-minute massage or facial per person, and a visit to the bridge while the ship is in port.

Special Occasion
Celebrating a birthday, promotion, or graduation? Do it in style on a Princess ship. Princess Cruises offers a variety of packages for people celebrating something special. The most basic package includes a bottle of champagne, framed formal portrait, hors d’oeuvres delivered to your stateroom, and breakfast-in-bed with champagne. All for $135 per couple. Passengers can add to that package with amenities like Princess terrycloth robes, spa visit, a visit to the bridge, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Prices range from $135 to $430 per couple, depending on the package.

Royal Caribbean International – Weddings
Royal Caribbean offers seven wedding packages ranging in price from $1,095 to $1,595.

Duet, the simplest onboard package, includes the wedding coordinator, wedding ceremony, wedding officiant, ceremony music, bride’s bouquet of roses, groom’s boutonniere of roses, wedding cake for four, photographer, one wedding photo, wedding certificate keepsake, and champagne. Additions that are made for other packages include more wedding photos, larger bridal bouquet, champagne and breakfast-in-bed for two, round-trip transportation to the port in a chauffeured limousine, and chocolate-covered strawberries in the couple’s stateroom.

These packages can be enhanced to include live music, videography, beauty appointments, tuxedo rentals, wedding invitations/announcements, wedding reception, and marriage license processing. Ask your Cruise Consultant about the cost of these additions.

Shore Weddings
For weddings on shore, Royal Caribbean includes many of the same amenities found in the Duet package, but adds indigenous wedding flowers, escorted transportation to and from the territorial court and ceremony site, local wedding cake, and secured, marriage license documents.

Renewal of Vows
If you would like to renew your vows on a cruise ship, you can do so for $400. Your vows can be renewed in the wedding chapel (if there is one) or in a designated spot on board. This cost includes the ceremony, ceremony music, bouquet for the bride, boutonniere for the groom, keepsake certificate, wedding cake for four, photograph, and champagne.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices provided on this page are general indicators of wedding package costs. They are provided to give a general indication of costs for couples in the early stages of planning their weddings. Stated prices are not guaranteed and do not include taxes.

By: John S. Hanson

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You already know that Poipu condos put you right in the middle of the action: Poipu Beach Park with its gorgeous sand, warm inviting surf, and wide variety of sea life; and the Spouting Horn, where the sea forces water through a lava tube which makes a huge plume of hissing spray. You know that Kauai condos are on the doorstep of Poipu Bay and Kiahuna Golf Courses, which offer world-renowned, championship links. You know about the fabulous surfing, kayaking, ziplines, hiking, waterfalls, rope swings, even hayrides which provide fascinating entertainment for the entire family visiting Kauai. But did you know that Poipu is the scene of a gourmet deluxe feast with its outrageously sumptuous luau’s, without which no Hawaii vacation rental is complete! In and near Poipu there are several terrific luau’s to choose from: the Kauai Sheraton Luau, Grand Hyatt Luau, Smith’s Family Luau, and Hiva Pasefika Luau. As you enter the luau you are greeted the traditional Hawaiian way, with a hand-made shell lei. Most of the dishes are served in relaxed buffet-style. You can start with a cocktail or traditional mai-tai, and enjoy the mouth-watering smells and tastes of authentic Hawaiian cuisine such as Lomi Lomi Salmon, Namasu (pickled cucumber) with Ogo, Kim Chee, Grilled Huli Huli Chicken, Pipi Kaula, and Poi. The piece de resistance, of course, is watching the unearthing of the Imu-steamed Kalua Pig. Besides these traditional Hawaiian delicacies you can savor a huge variety of Pacific Rim cuisine dishes which are inspired by the many ethnic foods brought to Hawaii by settlers of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai and Filipino origin, such as grilled beef Teriyaki steaks, Polynesian chicken, many fresh Hawaiian fish dishes, accompanied by roasted Hawaiian sweet potatoes steamed in coconut lemongrass, Hawaiian-style Somen salad, Garden Island baby greens with macadamia nuts, fresh sliced tropical fruits with lychee and papaya. If you have any room for dessert, try guava chiffon pie, coconut coated haupia, pineapple upside down cake, guava mousse cake, or chocolate macadamia nut cake? And top it all off with freshly brewed Kona coffee.

Then unbuckle your belt and lay back for some great entertainment. The big Poipu luau’s all present evening programs of traditional Polynesian song and dance which will thrill and amaze you. Traditional Hawaiian stories and chants, called mele, preserve the ancient cultural traditions of Hawaii and the other islands of Polynesia in exciting and entertaining format. Watch the lithe, swaying ancient kahiko hula dances; the thrilling, pulsating Tahitian drum dance, the passionate and scary fire knife dance of Samoa, all against the romantic backdrop of the sea and night sky.

By: Alice Lane

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Looking for the best gifts for men is of interest to most women, especially during the holiday gifting season. Women are busy looking for gifts for their husband, boyfriend, dad, or male business associates. This article provides some gift ideas for men.

The best way to select gifts for men is to see what their interest and passion might be. The gifts selected should be in line with what they like to eat or what they like to do at their leisure. Your gift can also remind him of you. Once you have decided what they like, you will find that the selected gifts can be sent not just for Christmas, but also for birthday, anniversary, or thank you.

Some gifts most men like include the following:

1. Meat and Cheese Gift:

Food gifts are the most popular gifts for any occasion. Most men enjoy meat and cheese. Thus, meat and cheese baskets are the most popular gifts for men. There are meat and cheese baskets designed especially for men. Your manly man can enjoy truly manly snacks and gourmet treats if you send him a sausage and nut tote gift basket. The basket is filled with Stone wheat crackers, Pepper Jack cheese, tomato basil cheese, garlic summer sausage, salami, cashews, honey sweet peanuts, and deluxe mixed nuts. The lovely wooden gift tote will last long after all the treats have disappeared.

Instead of sending a meat and cheese gift basket, you can also send these gifts in a tray, a lunch box, or in a gift pail. This is especially convenient for your recipient if he brings his lunch to work.

2. Executive gourmet Desk Caddy:

If your man works in the office, you may want to send him an executive desk caddy filled with gourmet snacks. Every man will be proud to display the desk caddy long after the goodies have been enjoyed. The savory snacks will ease the tension of the work day while the solid wood chest graces the office decor. The wood chest will also remind him of you while he is in his office.

3. Executive Antique Truck:

If the man in your life is an antique buff or the truck fanatic, you can send him an antique truck filled with gourmet treats. This beautiful solid wood antique truck carries lots of sweet and savory goodies that can be enjoyed at home or at the office. He will find “You’re A Winner” theme bag with fruit gems, chocolate chip cookies, caramels, gourmet coffee, crackers, fudge filled cookies, summer sausage, mustard and chocolates. After the goodies have been devoured, the lovely truck remains to grace his desk or mantel.

4. Golf Gifts:

Most men love sports, and golf is one of the popular sport. If your man loves golf, you can send him a golf gift basket or gift box. These golf themed gifts are filled to overflowing with snacks to eat and treats for the golf course. For example, in one of the gift box, they can find golfers fortune cookies, golf ball magnet, golf coffee mug, golf theme bag with honey sweet peanuts, hot pepper cheese, summer sausage, water crackers, seasoned pretzel dipping sticks, caramel corn, Greens keeper turf kit, birdie pack, golf tees, and chocolate cream filled wafer cookies. This is a great gift to the golfing husband, father, brother, or for corporate gifting. Other golf gifts may contain a book of golf wisdom. Alternatively, you can select a tote bag filled with all these treats and golfing goodies such that your golfer can carry these treats around during his games.

5. Fishing Gift:

If the man in your life enjoys fishing, then send him a fishing gift basket. The handsome creel gift bag contains The Wisdom of Fishing book with 350 pages of fishing antidotes and stories, as well as delicious treats to accompany his fishing trip, including: fisherman shortbread cookie, chocolate cream filled water roll, cheese dip, coffee, caramel corn, smoked almonds, and other goodies.

6. Nascar Gift:

If your man is a Nascar fan, he will be thrilled when the NASCAR Lovers gift basket arrives. The gift consists of a cooler filled with cheese, crackers and other snacks, and a history book of stock car racing which will entertain your NASCAR aficionado. The goodies will treat him as he reads.

7. Motorcycle Gifts:

For weekend warriors and motorcycle fans, they will love to receive a motorcycle themed gift basket. The basket is filled with motorcycle mementos, including: ceramic motorcycle bank, ceramic motorcycle picture frame, motorcycle coffee mug, bandana. They will also find gourmet snacks for their road trips, including Jack Daniels coffee, cheese snack mix, chocolate cream filled wafer cookies, water crackers, chocolate chip cookies, cheddar popcorn, and summer sausage. They will remember your thoughtfulness for years to come.

8. Bullseye Treats Dart board:

You can send your man a dart board with delicious treats. This unique exclusive gift is filled with delicious cheese, crackers, Smokey beef sausage, chocolate Wafer cookies, smoked almonds, caramel corn, and more. He can relax with the game while enjoy the treats. This deluxe dart board set is sure to hit its mark.

9. Football Gift Basket:

If your man is a die hard football fan, you can send an exclusive football gift basket. The red basket is filled with a ceramic football mug, ceramic football chip and dip plate, ceramic football desktop change holder, cheese & dip spreader, sports theme bag with deluxe snack mix, chunky salsa, roasted peanuts, sugar cookies, tortilla chips, white cheddar popcorn, and summer sausage. This unique gift will delight the football fanatics in your life.

10. Baseball Gift Basket:

Similarly, if your man is a baseball fan, you can send him a baseball gift basket. This baseball shaped tray is full of snacks, including, sunflower seeds, peanut butter pretzel nuggets, butter toffee pretzels, cinnamon sugar pita chips, Water crackers, caramel popcorn, smoked almonds, beef salami, hot pepper cheese, and cheese spread. The baseball fan can enjoy the game while eating these delicious snacks and throwing the soft baseball around.

In summary, in selecting the perfect gift for men, it is best to make your selection based on their passion and what they like to eat. Most men enjoy meat and cheese, so cheese and meat gift is probably the logical choice. Alternatively, You can send him an executive gourmet desk caddy or antique truck to grace his office. You can also send him a gift basket based on his favorite sport, including golf, fishing, Nascar, motorcycling, football, or baseball.

By: Kate S

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Which of these occasions is coming up – birthday, anniversary, wedding, baptism, graduation? None of the above? It does not matter. Whatever occasion or holiday you are preparing for, there is simply nothing like NASCAR gifts to give to your loved ones. Whether he or she is a racing fan or a racing enthusiast, these gifts will surely be enjoyed.

Give A Caricature calls this the Unique NASCAR gift. For as low as $99.99, you can have a customized caricature featuring any NASCAR team or driver. You can even send your photo so that you will be included in the caricature! If you have a scenario in mind, just describe it in your email and Give A Caricature will take care of it. You are given choices for printing and framing.

Get a Large NASCAR Gift Set from GoGoods! Each set contains an ice chest, pistachios, cooler cups, hot tamales candies, “A History of Stock Car Racing” book, tomato basil crackers, Wolfe’s Deluxe party and snack mix, Longhorn cheese, Budweiser NASCAR hat, and NASCAR pad with pen. You get all that for only $65.00. With all the items included in the set, you surely would not go wrong.

If large is too big, consider the Medium NASCAR Gift Set, also from GoGoods! Each set is worth $43.00. This gift set includes an ice chest, pistachios, cooler cups, hot tamales candies, “A History of Stock Car Racing” book, tomato basil crackers, Wolfe’s Deluxe party and snack mix, and Longhorn cheese.

From Give A Share comes the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, Inc. stock worth $110.00. It is registered at NASDAQ under the DJRT symbol. The price is already inclusive of transfer fees. Just provide the shareholder information and your gift is ready to be delivered! That is one NASCAR gift any fan will surely enjoy.

Available at Amazon.com is the Victory Lap NASCAR Race Car Gift Basket of Gourmet Food Snacks & Treats – The Perfect Gift For Him! (Whew!). Some of the products included in this NASCAR gift are gourmet cookies, beer bottle nuts, butter mints, stick pretzels with honey mustard dip, chocolate caramel nut clusters, car-themed music CD, and many more. Get that for $69.99.

Another good NASCAR gift is the Ultra Pro NASCAR “Days of Thunder” Card Collector’s Gift Set from the NASCAR.com Superstore. For $189.99, this set contains 500 trading cards, Ultra Pro binder, and 100 Ultra Pro pocket pages.

If you are looking for something below $20.00, then get the McArthur NASCAR Tailgate Kit from Your Electronic Warehouse. The kits costs $19.99 and contains a team apron, a 13 in. mitten, and a potholder (8in x 8in). These come in a reusable pouch with zipper. Talk about handy.

For a very tasty NASCAR gift, consider the NASCAR Deluxe Snack Tin from The Popcorn Factory. The tin costs $39.99 and includes tortilla chips, salsa, honey roast peanuts, pretzels, popcorn (in cheese, white cheddar, and caramel flavors), chocolate chip cookies, fruit chews, and milk chocolate racecars. That is definitely, sweet, crunchy, and yummy!

By: Cassaundra Flores

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Note: This dish is simply amazing and out of this world. If you have any pasta on hand, this fancy meal takes very little time to prepare and is quite yummy. Whip up a zesty green salad and dinner is done. Plus, this meal easily serves up to 6 people.

Carbs per serving 11.7 grams of carb. NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 6.

Ingredients:
4 cups pasta