SAM

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic. My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor. I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season. Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit); Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100. Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too! Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area. Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something. Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it. Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early. Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast. I hope this helps!

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic. My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor. I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season. Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit); Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100. Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too! Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area. Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something. Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it. Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early. Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast. I hope this helps!

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic. My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor. I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season. Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit); Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100. Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too! Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area. Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something. Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it. Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early. Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast. I hope this helps!

I took it last summer while in Italy. I HIGHLY recommend it. We went during the day so I didn't sleep on the train. It was very inexpensive and nice to see the country side.

Jtds2713 August 7, 2008 Oahu, HI Twinkiez August 8, 2008 Oahu, Hawaii Waialae Beach Jovan August 15, 2008 Maui, Hawaii azhuskergirl August 28, 2008 Kapalua Bay, Maui, HI Alyssa September 5th, 2008 Kona, Big Island, HI CTHawaii14 September 12, 2008 Oahu, HI Sherry October 4, 2008 Wailea, Maui, HI Aramintha October 10, 2008 Kapalua, Maui, HI Chiquita November 5th, 2008 Maui, HI Turtlebaybride November 5th, 2008 Oahu, HI Pisces (Jenn) December 30, 2008 Wailea, Maui, HI Tammy Jan. 13, 2009 Maui Stephanie (stefnicole) May 29, 2009 Kauai, HI April (litl_april) June 1, 2009 Wailea, Maui, HI Jessica (Ebbica) August 8, 2009 Kauai, HI Lisa (Lisa09) September 17, 2009 Maui Stephanie (The Rinns) July 10, 2009 Honolulu, Oahu, HI Jenny & Kev (WeLoveHawaii) New Years Eve, 2009 Somewhere in Hawaii (tbd) Christie (Island Princess) Oahu, Hawaii May 10, 2010 Lori (gossip girl) October 10, 2010 Kauai, HI Mike & Stacey (SAM) West Maui, HI April 15th, 2009 __________________

Welcome fellow maui bride

Congratulation! Your honeymoon sounds wonderful and I highly recommend this cruise and honeymoon. My FI and I went on a very similar cruise last year and loved it. We went on celebrity cruises too. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). The excursions were okay...some better than others. I'm not sure which places you are going but here a few things I would recommend in some of the cities. Turkey: If you go to Ephesus, Turkey I would recommend an excursion as the sites are about 30 minutes from where the cruise ship docks. The site "Ephesus" is amazing...200AD if I remember. The tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable. Most of the merchants love to bargin "part of the culture", it is encouraged and they speak english. My Future Hubby bought a hooka and brought down the price from $170 to $110. I picked up beautiful "real" pashminas that would cost a fortune in the US for about $12 USD (easy to pack). Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. Alot like the trains in NY- nothing fancy. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent too much money. ***They do have a few stray dogs laying around in the downtown area...not agressive in any way just dogs without a home. They actually looked very healthy, well fed and people just ignore them and they ignored the people. They don't really have any animal shelter there so this is an everyday thing for them. I felt very safe being around them. Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area. Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Parthenon. Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it. Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early. I hope this helps!

I've been to the Mira Vista Country Club several times for meetings/banquets. Very nice staff, beautiful grounds, on a clear day views of the bay area, parking is an issue and they have a nice bar.

Hello Kelly, The White Orchid House is run by "White Orchid Weddings". They are high end...out of my price range but responsive to emails. For the Olowalu Plantation House-The only down fall is their beach is rocky, not ideal for a "beach wedding". I think they have the ceremony on the lawn. I had the same issue with finding "real wedding pictures". I looked at photographer websites. Leah Robb with Island Wedding Memories is very nice, professional and her website is great. She has a photo of her family on the site. Great connections too!

Check out Welcome to Ailana Kai for these cute bags abd boxes. I picked up a similar one when I was in Hawaii five years ago and I still have it. It was easy to pack. My cousin bought towels with a logo on it and gave it to her guests. Another friend bought books on the destination "Frommer's" for her guests. She got a discount on Amazon as she purchased around 20.

Thanks, I will post there

I must agree, the older I get the more nervous I get when I fly. I just prepare my-self that I'm not going to sleep that night; watch movies, drink a few glasses of wine, take a walk and take it easy. If it's a short flight then I just suck it up and take a cat nap on the plane. If it's a long flight then I try to stay up, making my-self tired, so I will sleep on the plane. When I get on the plane I take a valium or something to relax me and bring an eye mask...sound asleep. When I do fly long flights I try to catch a red eye when ever possible...makes life easier.

Let your caterer know that you have a few vegetarians. They should be prepared and have something; pasta, eggplant, stuffed portobella mushrooms, etc.

That's tough...Religion is such a touchy subject. I studied Mayan culture in college, very cool religion and culture. I would try to inform her about the ceremony, culture and religion. If not then I would just leave it out of conversations My mom was somewhat the same way..."Don't you want god's blessing". I just stopped talking about it with her.

I plan on hyphenating my last name but will be in no rush to do this.

* My Mom and Dad are walking me down the aisle (not sure about the whole giving away thing) * Groom's mom is walking him down the aisle * No wedding party * No "wedding dress"...I'll be getting a sundress * No ring exchange * We are adding a lei exchange * In memory of groom's dad we will be throwing a lei into the ocean during the beach ceremony * No shoes * Dinner afterwards- no traditional reception * BBQ party when we return

We are staying together that night as we are going to a luau that night and will probably go out for drinks afterwards. That morning we will have breakfast together, then we will go our ways separte ways to get ready.

Hello Everyone, We are basically eloping with our parents in Maui next year; 12 people total including us. I want to buy our parents something but nothing cheesy and I'm stuck. Any thoughts? websites? unique gifts? Bride's Mom:: We are very very close, she is my best friend. I want this gift to be perfect. Thoughts? Brides Dad: Maybe a frame with a photo of him and I when I was a little girl. He likes pictures and has everything. Step-Mom: We aren't close at ALL...but I want to make peace. She is very hard to buy for. Maybe a starfish keychain?? Groom's Mom: She doesn't wear alot of jewerly and it can't be the same as his step-mother's. They get along but it's just weird. Maybe an ankelet with starfish charm? or a necklace with a locket? Thoughts? Groom's Step-dad: I'm thinking of a "zippo" since he smokes Groom's Step-mom: A "starfish" gold charm for her charm braclet? Groom is taking care of the sibling, etc. Any ideas would be great. Thanks

Hello Everyone, We are basically eloping with our parents in Maui next year; 12 people total including us. I want to buy our parents something but nothing cheesy and I'm stuck. Any thoughts? websites? unique gifts? Bride's Mom:: We are very very close, she is my best friend. I want this gift to be perfect. Thoughts? Brides Dad: Maybe a frame with a photo of him and I when I was a little girl. He likes pictures and has everything. Step-Mom: We aren't close at ALL...but I want to make peace. She is very hard to buy for. Maybe a starfish keychain?? Groom's Mom: She doesn't wear alot of jewerly and it can't be the same as his step-mother's. They get along but it's just weird. Maybe an ankelet with starfish charm? or a necklace with a locket? Thoughts? Groom's Step-dad: I'm thinking of a "zippo" since he smokes Groom's Step-mom: A "starfish" gold charm for her charm braclet? Groom is taking care of the sibling, etc. Any ideas would be great. Thanks

Hello Ladies, Airfare to Maui went down today...Yesterday it was $880 RT from SFO to Maui now it's $799. Check Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets, Cheap Airfare & Discount Travel Deals - Kayak.com and ITA Software - Solving the Travel Industry's Most Complex Problems

Thank you for the support. I must say I feel so much better, and I'm not feeling as stressed. My mom is going...I may to pay for her airfare, either way we will figure something out. I'm hoping my dad can make it, we aren't that close but I still would like him to come. He remarried so I'm not sure how much I can help him out. I will figure it out. Good news, airfare went down by $100 today, from $900 to $800 per person

Thanks to everyone who gave advice. I'm sure that most DW have lots and lots of stressful things that come up. We decided to go ahead with our plans and I hope my parents can attend... I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I agree. I didn't use Leah but she was very helpful and answered all of my questions in a very timely manner. She is also a florist and creates most of her brides bouqets, etc.

Thanks Ladies! If you ever have the chance go to Venice with your hubby, leave the kids, dogs and in-laws at home. I must say it is the romantic place in the world.

I've been to Germaine's and The Polynesian Cultural Center. Germaine's is okay, after a few Mai Tai's I really didn't care. The food was okay, entertainment was good but not worth the $$ we spent. The Polynesian Culural Center is really cool but away from Honolulu. The food was good and the show was also good. I think they don't serve liquor.