I am stealing this article because it has a wealth of information for anyone thinking about a wedding at sea.  Thanks to Carolyn and Erica.  Being a bit biased toward Holland America which is not mentioned, I can say that they do a nice job on their weddings as well, especially if you would like to marry on Half Moon Cay in the wedding chapel.  Beautiful spot.  Hope these details help with some decisions.  You can call me for assistance in booking the wedding and the guests.

There’s good news for couples who want to get married in a beautiful location without the hassle of planning a formal, sit-down dinner for 300 of their closest friends. Many cruise lines now offer a variety of services to help you plan a shipboard or shoreside ceremony, which, of course, will be combined with a romantic cruise honeymoon.Planning a cruise wedding can be as easy as making one call. Just dial and — poof — in-house wedding coordinators will begin arranging the ceremony, menu, cake, flowers and music. Some will even help you to obtain wedding licenses or provide invitations. And it’s easy to let them handle all the extras — from tuxedo rental to hair and spa appointments.An onboard wedding can be a great value, as well. Prices start at about $1,100 (the sky’s the limit), on top of the cost of the cruise. Typically, onboard weddings are held in a ship’s chapel (if one exists), a lounge, the library or a boardroom. While the members of the wedding couple must be passengers on the cruise, most lines with full-service packages include an option for land-side guests to come onboard for a couple of hours. Married folks can also get in on the fun with onboard vow-renewal ceremonies — a perfect way to celebrate on your anniversary trip. Weddings and vow renewals at sea can, indeed, be the ultimate in romance. But, before you book your cabin, remember these tips: If you want to get married at sea by the captain, you’re limited to only a handful of cruise lines, due to legal limitations that are based on ships’ countries of registry. New to the “can officiate” list are Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, whose ships are now registered in Malta. Princess Cruises‘ captains are also able to marry couples at sea; its ships are registered to Bermuda. Note: Disney Cruise Line captains can lead wedding ceremonies onboard or at Castaway Cay. However, the actual “legal” marriage (and paperwork signing) must occur in the cruise terminal before the ship sets sail — not terribly romantic. For the most part, it’s the big-ship, mass-market cruise lines that have embraced full-service weddings. Some, such as luxury operators Crystal Cruises and Cunard, don’t allow onboard weddings. Others — mostly in the high-priced, luxury category, like Seabourn — don’t have a problem with your wedding or vow renewal plans, but it’s strictly a do-it-yourself deal. Weddings have become so popular on some ships that Carnival and Royal Caribbean both levy surcharges for certain times of the year. Cruise-ship weddings may not be for everyone. If you’ve always dreamed of picking out each flower yourself or getting married in your hometown in front of 300 people, you may not be happy with this simple approach. And, getting married legally while at sea is complicated, so plan to have your ceremony on the ship while it is in port. Weddings in ports of call can be fabulous, but what happens if the ship has to cancel the call? Consider very carefully ports that require ships to tender; Grand Cayman, for instance, can be a highly unpredictable site, as winds often hamper tender operations, causing cruise ships to skip stops at the island. For the same reason, we do not recommend planning a shoreside wedding at a Caribbean locale during hurricane season. And while many brides start planning their dream nuptials a year to a year-and-a-half in advance, don’t jump the gun by planning land-based, post-cruise celebrations too early. Couples have been bumped from their wedding cruises — due to full-ship charters after they booked — forcing them to reschedule everything. Check out our picks for the best cruise options for weddings. Princess Cruises Why? Princess is a prime choice because, of all the lines offering shipboard wedding options, it offers the best combination of features, services and facilities. Princess’ Weddings at Sea packages are available on all ships, but only Caribbean Princess, Crown Crown Princess, Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Grand Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sapphire Princess and Ruby Princess have dedicated wedding chapels. Package Details: Princess offers three wedding packages. The “Tie the Knot at Sea” package, for $1,800 plus a $450 license fee, includes use of the onboard wedding chapel, a candlelit ceremony officiated by the captain, use of a wedding coordinator, live music, two floral arrangements, rose bouquet for the bride, groom’s boutonniere, the services of a photographer and a selection of prints, wedding cake, Champagne and two keepsake flutes, and a keepsake wedding certificate. The “Tie the Knot Harborside” package — ranging from $1,300 to $2,000, plus licensing fees up to $500, based on destination — includes priority check-in and boarding for the couple and guests, onboard wedding ceremony performed by a non-denominational officiant, wedding coordinator, recorded music, silk floral arrangements, bouquet and boutonniere, photographer and one included print, wedding cake, Champagne, and a keepsake certificate. The “Tie the Knot Ashore” package — ranging from $1,800 to $2,200, plus licensing fees up to $500, based on destination — includes a beach or garden ceremony, transportation for the couple, officiant, wedding coordinator, bouquet and boutonniere, photographer and one included print, cake for two, Champagne, and a keepsake certificate. Receptions, photography packages, and enhanced ceremony options are available at extra cost. Coolest Quirk: Not only can your ceremony be conducted at sea by the captain, but the line has also installed state-of-the-art technology that allows you to broadcast the ceremony live, via Web cam, to friends and family on land. Some Princess captains are pretty romantic; on one particular cruise over Valentine’s Day, the captain casually announced he’d conduct vow renewals for anyone who wanted them, and about a half-dozen couples showed up. Vow Renewals: Princess’ “Renewal of Vows” package costs $205 per couple and includes a group ceremony, an orchid bouquet and boutonniere, a commemorative certificate signed by the captain, a bottle of Champagne, two souvenir Champagne glasses and a framed photo of the ceremony. The “Deluxe Renewal of Vows” package, at $485, adds a few extra amenities, such as breakfast in bed and a 30-minute spa visit. Celebrity Cruises/Azamara Club Cruises Why? Until recently, the only North American line that was able to host at-sea weddings, officiated by its captains, was Princess, whose ships are registered to Bermuda. Celebrity created new options for engaged cruisers when it re-registered its ships in Malta (except for Expedition), where new regulations permit legal marriages at sea. Azamara’s two ships are registered in Malta, as well. Package Details: Celebrity and Azamara put brides and grooms in touch with “The Wedding Experience,” a wedding planning organization that handles weddings onboard cruise ships (as well as destination weddings). Packages begin at $2,500 and include the captain-led ceremony, an event coordinator’s services, live music, photography services (photographs sold separately), cake a bouquets and boutonnieres. Weddings can take place in an indoor location or outside on deck. For an additional fee, Celebrity passengers can also arrange shoreside weddings. Coolest Quirk: Couples also get some romantic extras, such as chocolate-covered strawberries, bottles of Champagne, Champagne flutes, fresh floral arrangements in their staterooms and rose petals on their beds on their wedding nights. Caveat: Licensing and regulatory fees are not included, and the number of wedding ceremonies performed on each sailing is based on the captains’ availability. Azamara and Celebrity recommend that couples book their wedding packages in advance to allow time for the processing of marriage licenses and legal documents; all legal documentation must be completed and submitted no later than 10 weeks prior to sailing. Vow Renewals: Both Celebrity and Azamara offer vow-renewal packages. The “Aisle to Isle” option — at $475 — includes the services of a precruise event manager, an official, recorded music, Champagne and cake for two, a certificate, a rose and matching boutonniere and one hour of photography services (photos sold separately). The $650 “True Love Knot Renewal” throws in some photos (including one signed by the captain), Champagne flutes, an upgrade to a bouquet and breakfast for two delivered to the stateroom. Disney Cruise Line Why? It’s a fun and quirky choice — particularly for second-wedding folks who have young kids — and Disney offers a low-stress, low-hassle package. Package Details: Disney’s “Cruise Collection” wedding package is available on all cruises out of Florida. Packages start at $2,500 and include a Florida marriage license, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, the services of a wedding official, a solo musician (typically a pianist), Champagne toast, two-tier wedding cake with keepsake topper, a special wedding gift and Disney wedding certificate, $100 onboard credit for the wedding couple, in-cabin Champagne and strawberries, and dinner for two at Palo, the alternative restaurant on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The assistance of a wedding coordinator in planning the wedding is also included. Coolest Quirk: Dress-steaming is included in the package price. We love it, too, that you can opt for a ceremony on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. (But remember our advice about hurricane season.) Caveat: Beyond the cake and Champagne, Disney’s wedding package does not include a reception or other services for wedding guests, though an appetizer/open bar reception is available at an additional cost. You can invite additional guests to your wedding ceremony, but events with more than eight guests need to request special permission and incur an extra cost. Note that, if the couple is married onboard, the captain or a ship officer will preside over the ceremony. But, the legal marriage must take place on embarkation day, while the ship while is still docked in Florida. If the marriage occurs on Castaway Cay, it’s performed by a Bahamian official, but the couple will be legally married before the ship departs. Vow Renewals: A renewal of vows package is available for $1,500 per couple for an onboard ceremony or $2,500 on Castaway Cay. It includes all the amenities of the wedding package, except the marriage license. Carnival Cruise Lines Why? Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle have onboard chapels, though you can buy Carnival’s wedding packages on any of the ships in the fleet. Package Details: Carnival offers three wedding packages. The “Just for the Bride & Groom” package starts at $1,195 and includes an official civil ceremony with a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a Champagne toast with keepsake flutes, a wedding cake with cake topper, prerecorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle and a photographer (prints are extra). The “Welcome Aboard” package costs $1,635 and includes all the aforementioned amenities, plus a cocktail hour with an open bar and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, a traditional two-tiered wedding cake and coffee service. The “Deluxe Romance” package starts at $1,795 and includes all of the above, plus a 90-minute reception and an ice carving. Prices for packages and marriage licenses — which are extra — vary, based on the port in which the ceremonies are performed. Videography services, live music and tuxedo rental are also additional. Shoreside packages are available in certain ports, such as Key West, San Juan, Grand Cayman and Barbados. Caveats: Plan ahead, if possible; weddings are available only when in port (including embarkation ports), and there’s a maximum of three allowed per day. Additional surcharges apply for certain months — May and June, in particular — as well as holidays. Vow Renewals: Carnival offers vow renewals, starting from $385, including a shipboard ceremony performed by the captain, a Champagne toast, flowers, wedding cake, photography services and recorded music; up to eight guests are permitted. A deluxe package, starting at $735, adds a one-hour reception with an open bar and hot and cold canapes; it allows up to 20 guests. Norwegian Cruise Line Why? NCL offers a vast array of options, which can turn basic packages into full-blown extravaganzas. And their newer, designed-for-Freestyle vessels — such as Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Jade and Pride of America — feature a wide range of restaurants with easily available romantic dining for two. Package Details: NCL offers two basic packages — “Onboard Aisles” for shipboard weddings and “On Shore Aisles” for those held on land. Both packages are available in a wide range of ports — including, but not limited to, embarkation ports — in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean and Bermuda. “Onboard Aisles” starts at $1,850 per couple. The package includes priority embarkation for the couple and their guests (if the wedding is on embarkation day); snacks and refreshments in the couple’s stateroom upon embarkation; a ceremony, conducted by a local, civil official; prerecorded music; a wedding coordinator; a basic bouquet, and matching boutonniere with one bloom; professional photography service for one hour; one 8 x 10 photo; a personalized slideshow to view and order photographs and gifts; a wedding cake; one bottle of private-label Champagne; and a keepsake certificate. “On Shore Aisles” packages start from $2,450 for picturesque weddings in Florence, Rome, Venice or in a colonial chapel in New Orleans. The package includes the same amenities as “Onboard Aisles,” except for the priority boarding and in-cabin snacks. It also includes private taxi transportation for the bride and groom to the wedding location in port. Marriage licenses are extra in all cases, and prices vary depending on local authorities. In addition to the basic packages, there is a huge range of a la carte options, including spa and beauty services (not available on embarkation day), flowers (including custom orders), live music, photography and videography, transportation to and from the ship or wedding location, tuxedo rentals, and a wide variety of wedding receptions — from cold hors d’oeuvres with an open bar at $29 per adult to a full, sit-down luncheon at $48. Caveat: An extra wedding coordinator, at $150, is required for every 25 guests above the first 25. Vow Renewals: The “Affirmation Aisles” vow renewal package starts from $550 and includes the same amenities as the “Onboard Aisles” package. Royal Caribbean International Why? Royal Caribbean’s program rivals NCL’s in terms of variety, with one extra plus: its coordinators will also arrange shoreside ceremonies at various ports of call. Royal Caribbean is also the first line to offer adventurous shipboard and destination weddings through its sub-program, Explorer Weddings. Best ships to aim for are part of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class series, which includes Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas. Package Details: There are three levels of Royal romance. The “Shipboard Duet Package,” starting at about $1,995, is the most basic and includes an onboard ceremony, photography, recorded music, a bouquet and boutonniere, chocolate-covered strawberries and Champagne. The “Shipboard Harmony Package,” from $2,295, allows for a few more extras, including a Champagne breakfast in bed and nicer flowers in the bride’s bouquet. The third option is a shoreside wedding. With prices starting at $2,295 (but varying more widely, based on the shoreside wedding site), this package includes roundtrip transportation to the ceremony site, an onshore ceremony (typically on a beach or in a garden), wedding official and coordinator, bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, certificate, wedding cake, sparkling wine and the services of a photographer. Receptions are not included in the price of the ceremony, but several options are available. They include a formal wedding lunch at $48 per person, a buffet with bar service for $48 or hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and bar service for $32. There’s a 25-person minimum for the lunch or buffet and a minimum of 16 and maximum of 50 guests for hors d’oeuvres. Other add-ons include entertainment, cake and ice carvings. Booking an Explorer Wedding adds an adventure component by combining exotic-destination cruises with themed weddings or vow renewals. Swap nuptials, for example, on the FlowRider (on Freedom, Liberty or Independence of the Seas), the ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall or ship’s golf course — or on top of an Alaskan glacier, in a rainforest, mid-air in a hot-air balloon or in a medieval castle. Packages include the wedding ceremony and official, wedding coordinator, ceremony music, a bouquet and boutonniere, sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, a keepsake Explorer Weddings marriage certificate and use of a photographer. Onboard Explorer Weddings start at $300, plus the cost of one of the traditional onboard wedding packages. Shoreside Explorer Wedding packages start at $2,595. Coolest Quirk: The aforementioned shoreside ceremonies, which run the gamut from the simply scenic (a beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico) and the funky (a winery in Santorini, Greece) to the exotic (a ceremony atop a glacier in Juneau, Alaska). Caveats: Watch out for a la carte charges that can add up. For instance, couples that want to plan a Royal Romance wedding less than 45 days from sailing pay an extra $250 late fee. You’ll pay $150 for a wedding coordinator if you have an onboard reception, and wedding parties of more than 25 guests require an additional wedding coordinator for another $150. Weddings on Voyager-class, Freedom-class and Oasis-class ships (which have chapels) have become so popular that there is also a $100 surcharge for shipboard wedding ceremonies on those vessels (Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas). Beyond that, an additional $100 surcharge applies to weddings and vow renewals scheduled in May, June, September or October. Holidays — such as New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve — are subject to a $200 surcharge. Vow Renewals: The “Royal Encore Shipboard Vow Renewal” package, $595, includes a shipboard ceremony performed by your ship’s Cruise Program Administrator, recorded ceremony music, bouquet and boutonniere, keepsake certificate, chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling wine and use of a photographer. The “Labadee Shoreside Vow Renewal” package, $695, includes a ceremony on secluded Dragon’s Point Beach on Royal Caribbean’s private island, as well as the aforementioned sparkling wine, strawberries, flowers and certificate. P&O Cruises Why? P&O’s ships have different clientele — and knowing who you’re sailing with definitely comes in handy when planning an event as important as your wedding. Arcadia and Artemis are child-free (nobody under 16 allowed onboard), while Aurora, Oceana, Oriana and Ventura do allow children. Package Details: Beginning at £699, the “Weddings at Sea” package includes the ceremony venue, ceremony conducted by the ship’s captain, floral arrangements for the ceremony, music, certificate, Champagne, a professional photographer to capture the big day, an onboard wedding coordinator, invitations and thank you notes. Brides and grooms receive VIP treatment, starting with a bottle of champagne, flowers and fresh fruit, delivered to their cabins on embarkation day. Licensing fees will cost an additional £249. Other services — like the cake, wedding album, Champagne breakfast in bed, reception parties/dinner, videography and spa and salon services — are not included, and pricing is available upon request. Coolest Quirk: You can book a shore excursion — like a gondola ride in Venice or snorkeling in the Caribbean — to personalize your day. (Keep in mind, though, that the cruise line cannot guarantee your request.) Vow Renewals: For £250 per couple, the “Vow Renewal” package includes a ceremony conducted by the captain, an iced celebration cake, a bouquet for the “bride,” a matching buttonhole for the “groom,” Champagne and a professional photographer during the ceremony. Gifts given to the couple are two Champagne flutes, a silver-plated frame, a portrait photo of your choice and a certificate signed by the captain. –by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief. Updated by Erica Silverstein, Senior Editor

Make a Smilebox slideshow Some photos of my trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a meeting of the ASTA Chapter presidents.  Wonderful destination, beautiful beaches, good food and lots to do.

It has been a long time since I cruised as a passenger and I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.  I am with a group of friends on the MSC Poesia sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

My friend, Eileen, and I flew down Monday and stayed at the Ramada Cruise and Port.  I have to say that other than being well away from any restaurants and shopping it is very nice hotel.  The staff was pleasant, the room was clean and spacious, new bathrooms, a lovely pool area, free buffet breakfast and free airport and ship transfers.  I would book any client into there for the one pre-cruise night.  If I were staying longer, I would move closer to Los Olas or the beach.

We did take a cab to Los Olas Boulevard shopping and enjoy the boutiques and a cute al fresco restaurant for a glass of wine.

MSC Poesia

The ship is beautiful.  It is a year old but we are on its inaugural North American sailing.  MSC is an Italian owned company and they are one of the fastest growing, having added a ship a year since 2001.  The crew is multi-national, European and now Indonesian.  I felt right at home and got to practice my Indonesian.

Mirrored Cabin

We have a balcony cabin 11049 and it is a decent size, with interactive TV.  I could order room service, make spa appointments, and rent movies.  Didn’t do any of those things, though because we spent little time in our cabin.  There is a HUGE mirror at the end of the bed that opens up the room but it is a little scary in the morning when you sit up and see what you look like.  They have dispensers for soap and shampoo in the shower but no lotion (word of warning).

Lunch view

The pool deck has two pools with a hot tub area and 3 bars.  The buffet dining and the spa are on the same deck.  The spa is gorgeous, Balinese in style.  The gym is adequate with treadmills, elliptical and the usual weight machines and free weights.  They do need to put in a water fountain or water cooler though.

Two of my favorite areas are the Zebra Bar and the wine Bar.  One is great fun with Everything done in zebra; the other is very elegant with marble counters and leather furniture.

Wine Bar

We had a meet the people day in Ocho Rios, Jamaica today.  We did some jewelry shopping and had such a good time with the sales people we left as friends.  One owner and I discovered that we knew one of the Holland America captains in common which resulted in an excellent discount.  Thanks, Bobby.  From there we wandered down the street into the Market Place.  We were kindly escorted by Morris, one of the merchants.  This aspect of Jamaican shopping has not changed in 30 years.   The mall moves with you!  We wandered in the market place meeting the merchants and inspecting their handicrafts, some of which are spectacular.  Between Morris, Angela and Mary we had some great laughs and learned about how their economy is doing.  This particular market place is a couple of blocks from the port and the passengers are not venturing past those on the cruise corner, which are not owned by Jamaicans.  These small merchants are really struggling and they are the real people of Jamaica.  We, as tourists, should be more mindful of where we leave our money.

Morris, Our Guide to the Market

I asked Mary for a recommendation for good local food for lunch.  She said her favorite lace was just across the street in a shopping center.  I said great, what is the name of the restaurant and she My Favorite Place.  Sure enough that is the name of the restaurant and it is a tiny little place where for $10 we got beers, curried goat, home-style chicken, pumpkin rice and rice with peas.  Excellent food and a fun experience.

Grand Cayman turned into a forced march to the beach.  We did a little shopping in town but for liquor and rum cake.  Enjoyed the beach for a couple of hours and then back to the ship.

Grand Cayman Beach

The last day at sea was a bit cloudy but warm so had some time outside at the pool enjoying the entertainment.  The entertainment staff really works hard all day and night.  Richard, the director, was multi-talented and multi-lingual as well.  They had line dancing, aerobics, yoga and games on the pool deck each afternoon.  Even if you did not participate, it was good fun watching.

Our evenings consisted of eating in the dining room with our friends, visiting the casino, catching the shows and karaoke.  All in all it was a very pleasant 5 days sailing with friends.

If you are considering the MSC Poesia you  need to be aware that although it is sailing in North America, it is a distinctly European ship.  The staff speaks English on a widely varying level so be patient.  The dining room service needs to be stepped up a bit.  It was better at the end of the 5 days but still needs some work.  The dinner menu is not as extensive as on other cruise lines, although they had some interesting choices.  The wireless service is spotty and slow, not always available in the cabin even with an ethernet cable.  Bring a cable with you to avoid renting one from the ship.

It is a beautiful ship, as stated, and you will enjoy it as long as you know what to expect.

Sunset from Balcony

Just found this article on The Independent Traveler and loved it so thought I would share.  I have been packing a lot lately and these tips are just great.
Last Updated: 11/16/09

Travel supply stores have made a fortune selling things you can get for free. A number of items you might typically throw away, from old towels to empty yogurt containers, make excellent replacements for expensive specialty travel products. Trash — yes, trash — can help you organize your suitcase, stay clean on the road, protect your valuables and more. Plus, finding something to do with your garbage other than tossing it in the bin is an excellent way to go green. Recycle, outsmart the travel supply companies and save some cash by getting creative with your trash.

Bubble Wrap
To protect packed bottles from breakage, travel supply companies sell items like WineSkin, a protective sleeve that retails for $9.85 from Magellan’s. WineSkin is bubble wrap in the shape of a wine bottle that cushions your merlot and cabernet. Here’s how to make your own: Put a bottle of wine on that sheet of bubble wrap that has been hanging around in your closet. Fold over the bubble wrap so it covers the wine. Cut the wrap to fit the wine, and staple the side and bottom (leave an opening at the top). You’ve just saved $9.85.

Sheet/Bedding Casing
Most comforters, sheets and pillow cases are sold in sturdy, rectangular, clear plastic casings. These casings, which are quite durable and usually have a zipper, closely resemble “packing cubes,” zippered containers that help travelers organize luggage. In fact, they’re pretty much the exact same product. You can save a Jackson by saving your sheet casings: a Rick Steves Packing Cube 3-Set retails for $19.95 on TravelSmith.com. I actually prefer using plastic sheet casings to retail packing cubes, which are usually opaque, because the clear casings allow me to easily find my belongings.

Free Samples
Ever notice how the rows of travel-sized toiletries at your local drug store resemble free samples? The only difference is travel-sized bottles aren’t free. They can cost upwards of $4 a piece, and those costs really add up if you purchase a handful of travel-sized items. Instead, stock up on free samples. I’m willing to bet you have a number of sample-sized toiletries sitting in your bathroom cabinets that are fated for the trash can. If you don’t have free samples sitting around, it’s easy to score some. A number of product Web sites offer free product samples available through the mail, and sites like Walmart.com and Free Samples Blog will show you how to get them. Keep in mind most companies require you to submit your e-mail address and other contact information in order to obtain a free sample. Be sure to uncheck the “Yes I’d like to receive product news and offerings” box if you want to stay spam free, and don’t enter your contact information on a company Web site without reading (and feeling comfortable with) that company’s privacy policy.

Old Towels
At home I reuse my old towels untold times; they’re good for dusting, cleaning up messes, lining animal beds and much more. On the road, my old towels take on new and exciting roles as disposable airline seat covers (disposable seat covers retail for $14.85 from Magellan’s and look very much like large towels), airplane seat cushions (just fold it a few times) and suitcase padding (wrap it around your breakables). Got more ideas? Share them on our boards!

Old Pillowcase
Commandeer your teenage son’s drool-soaked SpongeBob SquarePants pillow case — it’s time he advance to more sophisticated bedding anyway. But don’t throw it out! Travel supply stores sell similar sacks and pouches for $10 or more. Use that ratty pillow case as a dirty laundry bag (secure the top with a rubber band or tie it with something stringy if you want some closure), a shoe bag or a disposable just-in-case-this-spills bag to protect your liquid-filled bottles and tubes.

Paper Shoes
If your local nail salon gives you a pair of paper shoes with your pedicure, don’t toss ‘em the moment you exit the salon. Air travelers must remove their shoes and walk barefoot (yuck!) through the airport security checkpoint … unless they have disposable paper shoes. According to the TSA Web site, “Disposable booties or slippers may be worn through the checkpoint to help protect your feet, but they must be disposed of prior to leaving the screening area.” You can purchase disposable shoes from companies like Airport Booties ($10 plus $4.95 shipping for a pack of 10 pair) or Ekosteps ($19.95 for a pack of four pair). Or you can snag a free pair of TSA-approved disposable shoes while treating your feet to some pampering before your next getaway.

Old Wallet
If you go through a new wallet every year or two, hang on to the worn-out wallet and use it as a decoy when you’re traveling. Keep most of your money in a second “real” wallet or money belt, and then put some small bills and perhaps even an expired credit card or two in the dummy wallet. If you run into thieves in a foreign land, throw the criminals your dummy wallet and make a quick getaway.

Egg Carton Tray
A half-dozen egg carton tray makes an amazing travel jewelry box. It doesn’t appear enticing to thieves, it has segregated compartments to keep your necklaces from getting tangled and, best of all, it’s free. For an even fancier jewelry box, allow your child or pet to decorate the carton. The plastic container in which wet wipes are sold also makes a handy jewelry box, sans separate compartments.

Nylons
Duct Tape is the ultimate fix-all travel item. Nylons are a close second. You can use old nylons to tie up a broken suitcase, to tie around your luggage for easy identification in baggage claim, as a laundry line in your bathroom or to use for washing delicate items (instead of a mesh bag). Keep your old soap scraps, stuff them in an out-of-use stocking and you have a free exfoliating soap scrubber to use in the shower!

Yogurt Container
Browsing on travel supply Web sites, I came across the innovative “Tie Caddy” ($6.49 on ProTravelGear.com), which keeps packed ties wrinkle free. There’s also the “Scarf Caddy” for ladies. Both products are clear tubes filled with a “patented winding mechanism” that curls scarves and ties into neat rolls. While empty yogurt containers don’t have an inner winding mechanism, they work fine as a scarf- or tie-protector if you don’t mind taking the time (it took me about 60 seconds) to roll the thing up yourself. Make sure you clean out the yogurt container before you stick your husband’s tie in there (unless he’s been acting like a jerk lately).

Packing seems to be a stress item that goes along with any vacation.  We all want to be sure we have everything we think we may need.  With the airline weight/piece restrictions and extra fees they now charge, packing becomes an even bigger issue.   I know I hate paying fees but I also hate worrying about whether there will be enough bin space on the plane by the time I board.  Carrying on also restricts the sizes of toiletries you can pack.

There is a lot of advice out there on how to pack and what to pack.  There is a web site called www.onebag.com that offers good ideas on a packing list and types of bags.  The link below is from TravelSmith, a retailer who sells clothes and accessories for traveling.  What is great about it is has actual diagrams to go along with each step.  You may or may not have your own system that works for you but take a look at this and you may pick up a few good ideas.  I am the queen of packing light but this list gave some good suggestions on placements in the suitcase that I will try on the next trip.

travel packing advice – wrinkle-free packing advice – TravelSmith

Posted using ShareThis

Budget Travel put together this collection of interesting boutique hotels at a great rates.

Palm Springs, Calif.
The third branch in the white-hot Ace chain makes the most of its expansive desert resources: Occupying a 1965 Howard Johnson, the 9-month-old Ace Hotel & Swim Club has a dedicated stargazing deck near the pool and is in the process of going fully solar-powered. But design is really the brightest light here. The 180 rooms, with cork floors and tree-trunk tables, have whimsical accents like denim-covered headboards and vintage National Geographic magazines scattered about. Throughout the property, designers make playful use of space: An ice-cream truck serves as the poolside bar, and spa treatments take place in Mongolian yurts. The on-site King’s Highway restaurant, once a Denny’s, is a foodie’s riff on a retro diner—think ricotta hotcakes served with maple-crunch butter. acehotel.com, from $109.

Berkeley, Calif.
Two blocks from the UC Berkeley campus, Hotel Shattuck Plaza is just the kind of place grad students at the college’s architecture school aspire to live in. The 1910 building reopened in June after a cosmetic overhaul of the 199 rooms: They now have bright new fabrics and vibrant red walls. The restaurant, Five—with its crystal chandelier and arched windows—puts a refined farm-to-table spin on comfort foods with dishes like orzo mac ‘n’ cheese. hotelshattuckplaza.com, from $119.

<!—Tags include: ” –>   NEW BOUTIQUE HOTELS We scoured the globe and found the best. • Launch the slide show

San Francisco
Union Square’s 102-room Hotel Vertigo takes its theme to great heights. Named after Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller Vertigo, which was filmed on location and plays on a loop in the lobby, the property preserves the dizzying spiral staircase featured in the movie, while also sprucing up most rooms with white tufted-leather headboards and orange-vinyl chairs. hotelvertigosf.com, from $129.

Los Angeles
When opening the El Tres Inn in May, former music execs Melanie Tusquellas and Dave Neupert literally built on the success of their El Chavo Restaurant and Chavito Lounge—they added a trio of soundproof suites above. Befitting its artsy Silver Lake neighborhood, El Tres makes a statement with red-velvet sofas and florid wallpaper. All rooms have private kitchens and come with two free drink tokens for house margaritas. Ask for the Uno suite, which has a turntable and classic vinyl (Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Dolly Parton). eltresinn.com, from $125.

San Francisco
The year-old Good Hotel promises a novel service: absolution. An orange phone in the lobby connects guests with volunteer activities like sorting cans at a local food bank. The 117 ecofriendly rooms are each done up with reclaimed-pine headboards, chandeliers constructed out of empty Voss water bottles, and cheeky reminders to BE GOOD painted on the walls. jdvhotels.com/hotels/good, from $109.

San Diego
A block from the harbor, the 23-room Pearl Hotel is a Palm Springs–style motel that forms a horseshoe around a saltwater pool. In the 2-year-old hotel, cypress-tree stumps serve as coffee tables and pet betta fish as roommates. By the pool, the butterfly lounge chairs and cabanas are the best seats for weekly movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s. thepearlsd.com, from $79.

Teton Village, Wyo.
Pro skier turned hotelier Rob DesLauriers didn’t compromise on comfort when going green. His 132-room Hotel Terra Jackson Hole—built using old barn lumber—has bathrooms with radiant-heat slate floors and amenities like a full-service spa and an outdoor infinity pool. The hotel is less than a five-minute walk from the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, and after a punishing day on the slopes, nothing beats soaking in the rooftop hot tub while sipping a fair-trade latte. hotelterrajacksonhole.com, from $119.New Bu

Astoria, Ore.
A lodge for ferry passengers crossing the Columbia River in the 1920s, the Commodore Hotel Astoria was revived by new owners this year. The lobby and 18 rooms combine authentic artifacts (antique books and suitcases), splashy furniture (bright-orange metal chairs), and creative recycling that pairs the old with the new (a coffee table made from the original fir floorboards). Book one of the eight suites that has a view of the river and a private bath. commodoreastoria.com, cabins from $69, suites from $129.

Portland, Ore.
Avid shoppers will feel right at home at The Nines, which occupies the upper nine floors of the restored Meier & Frank department store building downtown. The lobby shows off a 419-piece collection of paintings and sculptures by Portland artists, and the lounge lets you browse another local treasure: books from the legendary Powell’s shop. Many of the 331 rooms, dressed in silver wallpaper and furniture upholstered in turquoise velvet, face a large atrium; the old Meier & Frank space downstairs—behind its original white terra-cotta façade—is now a Macy’s. spg.com, from $149.

Chicago
Chocolate-brown carpets spun from recycled soda bottles are just one of the many earth-friendly details at the Hotel Felix. The 225 rooms have motion sensors to control the heat and lighting, and the spa has sustainably produced bamboo floors. Drivers of hybrids park free, but the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Hancock tower, so you could also skip the car entirely. hotelfelixchicago.com, from $129.

New York City
Staying at the 133-room Jane hotel in the West Village feels a bit like stepping back in time: For starters, the clanky elevator still uses a manual operator. Celeb hoteliers Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode restored the century-old building, which housed Titanic survivors in 1912, and dressed it up with bohemian details like zebra-print chairs and mismatched velvet sofas in the lobby. Suited to solo travelers, the 90 wood-paneled single rooms have been fashioned after train and yacht cabins, with built-in drawers underneath twin beds. thejanenyc.com, singles from $99.

Milwaukee
The Iron Horse Hotel was dreamed up a year ago to cater to people visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum down the street. Owner Tim Dixon’s goal was to welcome guests wearing everything from business suits to buckle boots. The look in the 100 rooms is all oak floors, exposed-brick walls, and black-leather headboards. And metal hooks for hanging motorcycle gear are just the kind of thoughtful touches to warm a biker’s heart. theironhorsehotel.com, from $149.

Alexandria, Va.
Built on the site of the first Civil War skirmish in 1861, the 2-year-old Hotel Monaco Alexandria pays respect to the area’s rich history. Free bike rentals are the best way to see the Old Town neighborhood, once home to George Washington and Robert E. Lee and now a shopping district. In the 241 rooms, deep jewel tones echo soldiers’ uniforms, including Union-blue and Confederate-yellow throw pillows. With star-shaped mirrors and ink-print portraits on the walls, the Tall Rooms also have eight-foot beds, long enough for Lincoln himself. monaco-alexandria.com, from $149.

Las Vegas
A marriage of Miami Beach art deco flair and old-Vegas glitz, the 64-room El Cortez Cabana Suites is bringing the groove back to the Fremont East area near the Strip. The renovated motel opened in May and has a swanky club-like lobby with Tiffany-blue walls and checkered floors of black granite and white marble. The apple-green rooms have equally mod flourishes: funky trellis-patterned wallpaper and armchairs covered in white leather or black chenille. Even amid Sin City’s quest for ever more flashiness, this kind of decadence calls for a double take. elcortezcabanasuites.com, from $42

Twitter: TasteTheWorld Facebook:  THE Travel Specialist

Ilhabela Island, Brazil
In 1997, German native Wolfgang Napirei and his Brazilian wife, Adriana, vacationed off the coast of São Paulo and vowed to return. Eight years later, the couple came back and opened the beachfront DPNY Beach Hotel, where the 70 suites have tropical-island decor like king-size canopy beds with headboards embedded with seashells. If you ask nicely, the concierge will tell you about a secret spot where you can swim under a waterfall. dpnybeach.com.br, from $148.

Managua, Nicaragua
Adventure seekers typically sweep through Nicaragua’s capital en route to the southern beaches or the northern mountain reserves. Hotel Contempo, in the leafy Las Praderas district, gives you an excuse to linger. The 18-room property brings together the brick shells of three 1950s houses, where creamy leather covers the teak and mahogany furniture. If you tire of lounging by the pool, the staff can arrange day trips to colonial Granada or a nearby eco reserve. contempohb.com, from $130.

Monterrey, Mexico
Since opening last September, Hotel Habita Monterrey has given boutique-hotel aficionados a reason to detour to northeast Mexico. In the 39 rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and a stark black-and-white palette make it feel almost as if you’re floating. The sleek minimalism continues in the lobby with mirrored mosaics and exposed-concrete floors. Twin rooftop infinity pools attract crowds for cocktails and views of the Sierra Madre mountains. hotelhabitamty.com, from $150.

Paris
There’s no mistaking Oops! for a regular backpacker’s dorm. This 2-year-old boutique hostel exudes energy as soon as you walk in the door: Red and white lighted boxes spell out oops! in the lobby (the architect just liked the sound of the word), a mural dresses up the breakfast area, and the 46 rooms have flourishes like electric pink or green walls. The place closes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for housekeeping, so be ready to spend the day exploring the neighboring Latin Quarter, a five-minute walk away. Request one of the 12 double rooms, which have private bathrooms. oops-paris.com, from $85 with breakfast.

Paris
Only Philippe Starck could turn a parking garage in the 20th arrondissement into Mama Shelter, a 172-room hotel that draws locals to its weekly live music shows. Quirky phrases are threaded into carpets and chalked on the walls—in the elevator, for example, you’ll learn that porcupines can float in water. For bedside lamps in the rooms, which all have kitchenettes, Starck hung illuminated Halloween masks of famous characters such as Batman, Superman, and Han Solo. Best touch: A communal kitchen pantry is stocked with bread and Nutella for late-night noshing. mamashelter.com, from $126.

Bordeaux, France
Among the region’s 18th-century châteaux, the lakeside cluster of mini houses at Camping de Bordeaux Lac is an unexpected sight. Ranging from 183 to 377 square feet, the 92 cottages are divided into nine categories, each with its own whimsical motif. Toy sailboats sit on the tables inside the Cabanes de Pêcheurs (Fishermen’s Cabins), and the Chalet Prestige looks like it’s made of Lincoln Logs. The bungalows, which opened in June, all come with a full kitchen and a patio or porch. camping-bordeauxlac.com, one-bedroom cottages from $50, two-bedrooms from $57.

Liverpool, U.K.
You’d think a Beatles-themed hotel would have popped up in the Fab Four’s hometown long ago, but the Hard Days Night Hotel opened just last year. Beatles memorabilia and artwork is everywhere in the 110-room property: A Yellow Submarine jukebox sits in the lobby, and six-foot-tall photos of John, Paul, George, and Ringo line the spiral staircase. harddaysnighthotel.com, from $141.

Llandeilo, U.K.
A four-hour train ride from London, Fronlas (Welsh for “Blue Hill”) is a worthy weekend escape. The three rooms in the luxurious Edwardian town house face Brecon Beacons National Park, and they’re all about comfort (solar-panel-heated floors, rain showerheads, log fires). If you arrive by train, the husband-and-wife owners will greet you at the door with a free bottle of organic wine. fronlas.com, from $133 with breakfast, closed mid-October through mid-January.

Edinburgh
A night at the two-room Millers64 is like visiting your cool cousins. Sisters Shona and Louise Clelland bought and renovated an 1890s row house last summer, taking care to retain details like the turquoise tiles framing the fireplace. Inspired by their 11 years of living and traveling in Malaysia and Thailand, the Clellands added accents such as pewter washbasins from Phuket. Louise uses local ingredients for her Scottish breakfasts, which feature homemade apricot jam. The sisters live on the third floor with their mom, Sally, and are happy to point you to their favorite sites, like Holyrood Palace. millers64.com, from $133 with breakfast.

Budapest
The glass-paneled Lánchíd 19 hotel embraces its location right on the Danube River. At night, the façade comes alive with a colorful light installation, and the rooms on floors four to seven offer unobstructed views of the river. Named after the Chain Bridge, the 2-year-old hotel also has a transparent lobby floor, which allows you to see the excavated remains of a medieval water tower below. Fun design elements are sprinkled throughout the 48 rooms: a magnetic chessboard mounted on a wall, or a platform bed separated from an orange-tiled bathroom by a sliding glass door. designhotels.com/lanchid, from $101.

Berlin
The Circus Hotel in the Mitte district is the grown-up alternative to a popular hostel that shares its name, just across the square. The 60 individually designed rooms have blue, tangerine, lime, or hot-pink accents, and all have dark-oak floors and flea-market finds like vintage glass vases. The organic restaurant, Fabisch, is named after the family that once owned the 19th-century building. Netbooks and iPods preloaded with local artists like German indie rockers Sportfreunde Stiller are on loan at the front desk. circus-berlin.de, from $111.

Kui Buri, Thailand
Impersonal tropical resorts are a dime a dozen in Thailand, which is why X2 Kui Buri is so refreshing: The staff greets you by name, and chefs are happy to go off-menu and customize meals. The first of four resorts in a growing regional chain, X2 Kui Buri has 23 villas spread across four acres of virgin beachfront on the Gulf of Thailand. Each villa has a terrace and garden, and most have a private pool. The exposed rock in the walls was mined from local quarries, and a peaceful walkway connects the rooms to the pool, the open-air restaurant, and the beach, where candlelit dinners complement the fiery sunsets. x2resorts.com, from $148 with breakfast.

Siem Reap, Cambodia
Most guests come to see the Angkor Wat ruins about four miles away, but the experience of staying at Viroth’s Hotel is itself a historic treat: The property is in one of the few remaining examples of New Khmer Architecture, a modernist style that thrived here in the 1960s. Two years ago, owners Kol Viroth and Fabien Martial converted the boxy, two-story villa into a seven-room boutique hotel with a saltwater pool, a rooftop hot tub, and an open-air spa. Each of the rooms has a beige duvet covering a white queen-size platform bed, a woven mat on the gray Khmer tile floor, and dark-brown drapes that open onto a private balcony. viroth-hotel.com, from $90 with breakfast.

Bangkok
Owner Pylin Jane Sanguanpiyapand grew up in a family that has sold Sherwin-Williams paint in Thailand for decades, so it makes sense that the 31-year-old went color crazy in 2007 when creating the Seven hotel. The six guest rooms each use distinctive shades of yellow, pink, green, orange, blue, and purple in the bedding and murals. A red-themed communal space serves as the seventh room, an all-purpose reception area, bar, art gallery, and breakfast nook. sleepatseven.com, from $88 with breakfast.

Hanoi, Vietnam
The fact that the year-old Maison d’Hanoi Hanova Hotel lies in the Old Quarter is both a design challenge and opportunity. The newly built 55-room structure occupies a “tube house”—a traditional type of architecture with a narrow 19-foot-wide façade—requiring a resourceful use of space. Skylights, circular mirrors, and silk lamps maximize airiness, while the redwood floors, scarlet walls, and gray-silk headboards lend an authentic old-world feel. Double-glazed windows help block out the motorbike traffic below, and the city’s best tailors are steps away on Hang Gai, or Silk Street. hanovahotel.com, from $140 with breakfast.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
It’s easy to confuse the Blue Lime with an apartment building—only a small gold plaque next to a sliding wooden door confirms you’ve found the 14-room hotel, opened last year by French expat Alexis de Suremain. Inside, all of the furniture (including the built-in shelves, tables, and window seats) is shaped from concrete. Green-silk curtains and fuchsia and tangerine pillows soften the urban vibe and brighten the rooms, most of which have balconies. Out back, banana and mango trees shade the saltwater pool. bluelime.asia, from $40 with breakfast.

Cape Town
You have to be a bit of a dreamer to fully understand (and appreciate) the Airstream Penthouse Trailer Park, seven aluminum trailers perched on the rooftop of the Grand Daddy hotel. Local artists created fanciful themes for each of the rentals: The all-white Ballad of John & Yoko suite comes with a harmonica, a guitar, and board games for replicating the rock icons’ 1969 bed-in; the blue Dorothy trailer is covered in white polka dots to echo Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz dress. www.granddaddy.co.za, from $120.

This comes from the LA Times and is a great write up on the culinary aspects of Barbados.  If you are looking for a food  and sun holiday, think Barbados.  And Zagat — holy book of the foodie traveler — has proclaimed Barbados the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.  Enjoy!

Barbados makes the belly happy – Travel – LATimes.com.

 

 

 

 

Chicago has museums to rival any city.  Remember, too, that most of them have one free day a week that allows all of us to enjoy them.  Check their web sites for hours and policies.  Take advantage of our city’s offerings and let me know how many you visit.

1.  John G Shedd Aquarium

2.  Art Institute

3.  Museum of Science and Industry

4.  Field Museum of Natural History

5.  Chicago Cultural Center

6.  Chicago Children’s Center

7.   Chicago Architecture Foundation

8.  Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

9.  Kohl Children’s Museum

10.  DuPage Children’s Museum

Looking for something to do in the city?   Sometimes we forget what we have right in our own backyard.  This list does not include our cultural attractions like our museums.  Another list to come.

1.  Navy Pier

2  Millenium Park

3.  Chicago Trolley & Double Decker bus

4.  Lincoln Park Zoo

5.  Six Flags Great America

6.  Brookfield Zoo

7.  Willis (ex Sears) Tower Skydeck and now the Ledge

8.  Morton Arboretum

9.  Chicago Botanic Garden

10.  John Hancock Observatory

I, big time chocolate lover, actually felt over served the other night at a wine and chocolate tasting.  It wasn’t the wine but the chocolate that got to me.  I believe now that it is because the chocolate was such good quality, of which I get little, so my system shut down.  Of course, my friend asked “compared to what?” and I had to reply M&M’s.  I thought I would pass along the pairings so that you, too, could experience the comparison.

Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips (don’t laugh)/Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs

Helen Graham Truffle (my favorite)/Mionetto Prosecco Brut

Raspberry Truffle/Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon

Milk chocolate Wild Cherry/377 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark Fleur De Sel Caramel Square/Rosemount Shiraz

Cinnamon Espresso Truffle/Brazin Old Vine Sinfandel (my favorite)

Dark English Toffee (second favorite) / Sandeman Founders Reserve Port

All of the wines were quite reasonable, the highest being the Beringer Cab at $21 a bottle.  I think the chocolates will run you more than the wine.  Chocolates by Graham’s, by the way.