I had always dreamed of visiting the beautiful island of Hawaii, so when it came to making plans for my honeymoon, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Since we were looking for a holiday that would be extra special, we were drawn to the luxury of a transatlantic cruise, which we booked to coincide with our autumn wedding.
For our transatlantic cruise to Hawaii, we looked at several different departure points, but found that the most convenient would be to embark on our voyage from the bustling historical port of Southampton in England, cruises from Southampton are very popular in the UK. This meant that we didn’t have to bother with booking flights and going through the tedium of airport check-in at the start of our holiday. Instead we started our honeymoon in a leisurely way, spending the night before our departure in a gorgeous boutique hotel and enjoying a breakfast in bed before making our way to the port.
The cruise experience itself started as soon as we boarded the spectacular ship and were welcomed by the friendly crew. We’d booked a stateroom with a balcony, and were assigned a stateroom attendant, who explained that if we needed anything to make our stay more comfortable, simply to speak to him. This high level of customer service made us feel like truly valued guests on board the ship and was something we experienced with every member of crew that we came into contact with during our holiday. We felt that the staff were genuinely willing to go the extra mile which added to our overall enjoyment of the cruise.
After we set sail, we started to settle down to life on the waves. When we were researching the holiday, we came across some online tips from veteran cruisers, who suggested booking spa and beauty treatments and so on, as quickly as possible, since there are a limited number of appointments available. Luckily, we followed this advice, and were able to book massage sessions, though we did meet other couples who’d missed out and been disappointed. The range of entertainment available meant that whatever we felt like doing, there was something to appeal to our mood. On days when we were feeling energetic, we got involved in some lively activities such as salsa dance and aqua-aerobics, while on days when we felt like having winding down a little, we read books from the library, or sunbathed on deck. Another highlight of the holiday was dining – there was a selection of casual and formal eateries on board, all of which offered delicious meals cooked to perfection. From burgers and fries served at the snack bar, to elegantly served lobster in the evening, there really was a restaurant to suit every mood. Again, the staff were efficient and knowledgeable, helping us to select wines to match our chosen meals.
For anyone looking to mark a special event in their lives, a transatlantic cruise to Hawaii is an excellent choice which we would fully recommend. The combination of a luxurious setting, with superior quality customer service adds up to a holiday of a lifetime!
If you are planning on having your honeymoon or wedding in Hawaii then there is one aspect about this tropical paradise which you might not already know; it is fantastic for taking videos.
The stunning variety of natural scenery means that professional film makers have used it for decades and have let it represent many different parts of the globe as well. You probably guessed that the Elvis film Blue Hawaii was made here but what about the second Karate kid movie, Jurassic Park, Planet of the Apes and even Avatar? The list of famous movies which use the exotic beauty of Hawaii as a backdrop is impressively long; you will have seen the beautiful scenery up and down cinemas across the UK.
Of course, the directors of these films all went to Hawaii with huge budgets, cutting edge equipment and those funny folding chairs. What can you do with a normal camcorder and a bit of imagination? You will be pleased to see that it is actually very easy to capture some long lasting memories on the islands of Hawaii. It might be seen as a paradise for professional film makers but it isn’t at all bad for keen amateurs as well.
Film the Volcanoes
Is there any natural sight on Earth more awe inspiring than that of volcanoes in action? Hawaii is one of the top places around to capture these special moments. It might not sound like the most romantic idea in the world but being together and witnessing the raw power of the planet is a magical experience. If you can get some of that feeling captured on your home movie then you will be able to relive your time in Hawaii for the rest of your lives.
The Beach
Is there a beach in Hawaii? Yeah, I think there might be a small stretch of sand somewhere. You will probably want to spend a fair bit of your time here enjoying the sun and the warm water, so getting some memories of this is very important. It is very possible that this is the best holiday you ever take, so make sure that you make the effort to take some decent quality videos. It might not seem like all that much at the time but you can rest assured that in the future these videos will hold some very special memories for you. Don’t miss the opportunity to make those amazing moments on a spectacular beach take pride of place in your home video collection.
The Sightseeing
There are lots of things to do and see in Hawaii and you will want to make sure that you keep a record of the best ones. Whether you decide to explore the Polynesian culture, drink in the atmosphere of the Pearl Harbour memorial or go shopping you will find lots of memorable moments in every one of your days there. The bright, sunny days mean that getting a good, clean home movie filmed is actually pretty easy. You certainly don’t need to be an expert with a camcorder in order to record something which you will treasure in the years to come.
Aren’t there some times in life when you wish that you could do everything at the same time? Life sometimes seems just too short to cram in everything I want to do. For example, when a friend told me recently that he had enjoyed a fantastic time on a Hawaii wedding cruise I decided to the same thing as well. The only problem is that my wife might not be too happy at me getting married again.
That’s the problem you see. Unless you plan to do a Liz Taylor and make wedding cake an almost permanent part of your diet you only get one shot at it. We got married in Gretna on the Scottish border and as lovely as it was I would really fancy doing it again on a cruise holiday somewhere romantic like Hawaii, I am forever fighting the urge to jump on a Transatlantic Cruise.
The same goes for other things in life too. You only really get one shot at the big things in life and if you aren’t left completely satisfied then there isn’t a lot more you can do about it. Because of this I decided to come up with a few tips to make sure that I make the most of every one of my future options.
Think About the Options
If I can go back to the wedding idea again, Gretna was the best idea we had but then we didn’t know that a trip to exotic Hawaii was a possibility. If I am going to be making any big decisions in the future then I will want to make sure that I am fully aware of all of the options. This might sound like it takes away a bit of the spontaneity from the occasion but I don’t think it does at all. After all, there will still be time for enjoying myself once I am actually doing whatever it is.
Give it My All
It is all very well coming up with a great set of ideas for doing something, but what if I then go about it half heartedly? If I look back I can clearly see that the occasions on which I have most enjoyed myself are those in which I have thrown myself wholeheartedly into it. However, have I sometimes let myself down by not trying hard enough? I certainly have, and I will try to never forget from now on that you only get one shot at a lot of things in life.
Forget the Rules
Who said I have to do what everyone else does? If I want to treat my wife to a special holiday why can’t I take her on a cruise to Hawaii and call it a second wedding? She might not get to wear her white dress and I might not end up abandoned and drunk on the train to London the night before it but we can still have a great time. If it sounds great fun and no one is going to get hurt then what do I care if it is the conventional thing to do or not?
What do you reckon would be the ideal type of wedding? A bit of sun would be nice, of course. Some friendly people around would be very welcome as well. Do you think you might find those things in Hawaii?
Most of us plan a local wedding and it is a bit of a jump from that to seriously considering the idea of joining a cruise to get a Hawaii wedding. However, once you open your mind to the idea you will probably find that it is something which you slowly start to get more and more of a feel for.
Great Weather
One of the big worries for anyone getting married is whether it will be a nice day for them. No one wants to tie the knot under a leaden sky or with a chilly wind blowing while you pose for your pictures. Hawaii has one of the best climates on the planet and if you want to celebrate the first few days of wedded life together under a beautiful sun then this is one of the best places around to do it.
A Romantic Idea
We all have different opinions on what is and isn’t romantic, but it unlikely that few of us can consider taking a cruise trip to Hawaii as not being romantic. With this kind of wedding you will have a lot of time on board together and in pretty, relaxing places on the way too. All in all, it is a really special way to pass lots of time together and build up a store of wonderful memories for the future. Just think how you will look back on those pictures in years to come. Even for people who have married for years or decades a cruise is often the best way for them to enjoy some time together and recapture the magic feeling all over again. Just think how easy it would be for a young couple on the way to their wedding to feel the enchantment of a trip to sun kissed, tropical islands.
Less Hassle
This last point might be a bit controversial for some people. After all, if you are going to have your wedding on a cruise to Hawaii some people might think you are taking the easy way out, Hawaii Cruises are not the easy way out but possibly the most enjoyable.. This way you won’t need to organise all of the things like flowers, food and music which make wedding planning so difficult for so many couples. Is this a bad thing? Some people might think so but you should concentrate on what is important to you. If you and your partner would like to enjoy your special day in the most relaxed way possible then going away together is a very good way of doing this. If you feel guilty about doing this then maybe you could sort out some sort of party for when you get back. Just try not to make all of your guests too jealous with your tans, your fabulous holiday snaps and your big smiles.
Helen as an outsider, was to meet the villagers before the wedding. She was eventually taken to the cottage of Oren O’Neill, one of Sean’s myriad relatives and said to be too old to remember the year of his birth. He shook both their hands in the traditional way, circling them round and round until Helen thought her hand might fall off. Sean made an excuse to leave soon after and left the two of them alone. Helen thought he must have heard Oren’s stories many times and was glad anyway to have the chance to ask about the family curse.
‘They say, Mr O’Neill, that they cannot marry outside of their people but now we’re marrying. What will happen do you think?’
‘Girl, is the bolt of cloth still being used?’
‘Yes my dress is made of it and I have matching wedding shoes and a borrowed pearl tiara.’
‘Then the fairy king will claim you right as right. There’s no getting away from it. It was a terrible day that day. ‘
‘What day, Mr O’Neill?’
‘My wedding day. The day of the curse.’
Helen thought she had perhaps been left with a madman but decided to press on.
‘What if I don’t wear it?’
‘You will fall out with your fiancé and never return here again.’
Helen was distraught. She had every reason to believe in the curse, having met one of the fairy folk in the shape of the maker of her shoes and being tricked by Brigid, Sean’s mother, to use the cloth for her dress.
‘It will be better for you to just leave, unless you want to spend eternity in the fairy kingdom as a stolen bride.’
‘What if we marry elsewhere, secretly?’
There are no secrets from the fairy folk. One couple ran all the way to Australia but they drowned on their honeymoon. You have no choice but to leave.
‘Is there no way to lift the curse after all this time?’ Helen asked in desperation.
After a thoughtful silence the old man nodded.
‘You must trick someone into taking your place with the fairies.’
Helen immediately thought of Brigid. (follow the wedding shoes link to find the other chapters and continue reading)
Visit the beautiful islands of Hawaii by cruise holiday. It is home to lovely islands which are worth a cruise to sample this serene beauty. So if you’ve never been to Hawaii and are thinking about taking your next vacation to a world of paradise, a cruise may be the option for you. In fact, even if you’ve already been to the Islands, you might experience a completely different holiday upon the cruise ship.
There are six main islands of Hawaii – Hawaii, Lanai, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu– which all have something different to offer for every explorer. The islands are truly amongst some of the most beautiful places on earth and Hawaii is consistently rated as one of the Top 10 Destinations. When you decide to take a cruise holiday, you will be taken to the beautiful islands of Hawaii where you can enjoy the warm tropical island weather as you sail from one incredible island port to the next .The wonders of Hawaii are unlimited and when you think you have seen it all, you realize that you have not even started.
Cruises to Hawaii will give you one to two days to spend on each beautiful island allowing you to see all the loveliness and experience the thrills without the inconvenience of changing hotels and the packing and unpacking that goes with it; the Hawaiian Islands Cruise ships are my Hawaii hotel that’s what make me choose cruising over land vacations. The great thing about taking a Hawaiian Cruise is that you get to see the difference in the islands and then if it’s your first time in Hawaii you can find the one you really like and want to return to later. Hawaii Cruises are perfect for friends, family and couples that want to get away and enjoy a very quiet and romantic time together. In a Hawaii cruise you are able to visit just about every one of the main islands but many Hawaii vacationers can’t decide on which island to visit.
On the other hand, the price of a cruise can vary depending upon the duration of the trip, the number of people sharing a cabin, the type of accommodation and the time of year. Of course the best time to take Hawaii cruises is during summer because there is less traffic of people, and the Pacific Ocean is a great place to cool off. Spring also is a good time to visit Hawaii, especially as you have a better chance of spotting whales during your voyage but the summer can be the best as a high climate is available.
Hawaii Islands Cruises are a wonderful way to see the wildlife of Hawaii with Marine life, such as the whales, dolphins & turtles. And for those of us of a romantic nature, to watch a glorious Hawaii sunset as your ship cruises beneath a canopy of Pacific stars is an unforgettable experience. It is a wonderful opportunity to see several cities on several Hawaiian Islands – and still give you plenty of time on shore for activities, tours, and exploring. Although, the volcanic peaks are delightfully visible from the cruise ship and the camera cannot resist clicking away at all these breathtaking sites.
In fact there is nothing as fascinating as Hawaii cruises and the magical beauty will sure keep you going back. The warmth and excitement of the islands will reinvigorate you.
They come in pink, they come in gold, they shine and shimmer, they’re very bold. They’re blue with diamonds, they’re white with pearl, they’re in every style, to suit every girl…
‘That’s what it said on the advert so why on earth can’t I find one that suits me’, Tracy wailed into her pink fleece sleeve; it was already wet from where she had accidently hung it in her coffee when she was yelling down the phone to Gina; ‘ It’s not fair’. That was the phrase she liked best for anything and everything that didn’t go her way. ‘For goodness sake’, her mother shouted, ‘the world doesn’t revolve around you.’ This had never had much impact on Tracy; not the time her leggings split just as she sat to eat her third doughnut beside the dodgems; not the time she was hauled out of class to read her homework to the headmaster: ‘This is the worst homework I’ve ever seen. Did you get your hamster to write this Tracy?’ She hadn’t even thought of doing that, she had just scribbled and blobbed it into her jotter on the second half of the bus journey to school after someone had remarked that old Hoskins would kill her if she hadn’t done it again; and, as if that wasn’t bad enough, her Mum had grounded her for a week for getting into trouble again. ‘It’s not fair’, she wailed, every time.
Now she stood in Perfect Bridal Wear, the shop for modern brides and bridesmaids, with a lilac and peacock blue feather concoction, contrasting wildly with her red rimmed eyes and her perfectly round scarlet face, as she looked up at the sign that said, ‘wedding hair accessories for everyone’ and wiping her nose again with her sleeve she hung her head and sniffed quietly, ‘It’s not fair’.
‘Don’t blame me if your wedding falls flat’. That was what my friend’s lovely sister said to her recently. How helpful is that? What she was complaining about was the fact that my friend Susan had planned to have a minimalist wedding, a wedding free of frills and friction she said. Her sister couldn’t see the connection but Susan explained that the more details there were to arrange, the more stress there would be, so for her a simple dress, a small number of attendees and her bridal accessories were to be kept down to just the ring.
‘Darling,’ I put in, ‘you wouldn’t even leave the house normally with just one ring. What about your lovely pearl necklace, that simple one?’ ‘Well yes, I will be a bit naked without a necklace’, she admitted. ‘And what about a lovely new dress, you’ll have to buy that at least?’ ‘Well obviously’ she acquiesced.
‘I suppose you will be buying some new shoes won’t you’? Her sister added, ‘and you’ll have to carry a purse of some sort if you’re going straight to the reception.’ ‘Which will look so silly if they don’t match’, I pointed out. ‘Yes, yes, I know’ Susan frowned. ‘Oh, and you’ll need something for your hair.’ I remembered.
‘It can still be simple you know but bridal accessories can be fun to buy. Can’t we go now? I know just the dress that would look fab on you.’ Susan was looking a bit frazzled by then so we dragged her out shopping before she ran upstairs and buried herself in the bedclothes.
Nowadays, even small babies and toddlers are made to dress elegantly for weddings of their aunts, cousins or sometimes even their mothers. Most of these dresses come in faux fur or satin with lacy tights and adorable little ballet shoes, something they call as communion shoes in the United States. In today’s weddings, it is not just the bridesmaids and page boys who get to dress up and make a show. Almost all the guests from 70-year-old grandma to 7-month-old little nieces or nephews get in on the act. The best outfit that you have will just not do anymore.
It must be quite taxing for the couple to make sure that each of their guests is properly dressed for the occasion. It’s not going to be a surprise if one day they just take up the responsibility of choosing the apparel for all the guests and come up with coat, suit, dress, shoes, etc. for all the guests as a part of bridal accessories. Very soon, weddings would witness matching theme, colour and style in the case of outfits for guests too. You’ll find brides worrying about matching brooch for her old aunt Jane or tiny shoes for little nephew David. The wedding planning would start even a year before, for to find clothes for so many people is not a trivial matter. The wedding photographs will find a new symmetry between the costumes of the couple and the many guests who come to witness the ceremony.
If you are thinking that there are no great locations for couple of same gender to get married, think twice. Perhaps Travelbee is the only service provider in the UK that offers the ceremonies of civil partnership in an exquisite location like the Ice Hotel in Canada. Besides arranging the ceremonies, Travelbee can make sure that your guests are also accommodated comfortably and entertained thoroughly.
The civil partnerships from Travelbee include the flights, stay at the Ice Hotel, private reservation of the Ice chapel for 45 minutes, photographer, violinist, Ice cafe for reception and the Champagne. As for the guest package, you could bring 6 guests with you for whom Travelbee provides the flights, 2 nights at the Ice Hotel with the use of spa and drink to toast. What more do you want to make the day you step into a new life special?