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Romantic
Sailing Aboard the Golden Princess
by Eleanor S. Morris
There's a lovely wedding chapel aboard the Golden Princess, star
of the Princess Cruise Lines, that's always ready for nuptials,
or for renewing your vows, while sailing the high seas and visiting
adventurous ports of call. Stained glass panels grace the walls,
candles and white ribbons line the aisle between the seats, and
there are two tall stands holding bouquets of white flowers and
a white grand piano on the dais.
Even though there's only one day at sea, there are plenty of opportunities
to enjoy the luxurious ship. The Library is stocked with current
books, the Lotus Spa will pamper you or give you a workout, and
there are simulated links aboard for you golfers, as well as a
nine-hole putting green. The two of you can take classes in Line
Dancing and Ballroom Dancing, Arts and Crafts and Painting Ceramics,
Digital Photography and Wine Tasting, among others.
The Golden Princess offers a choice of restaurants and bars, as
well as afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries
and music. Room service is available any time of the day or night.
Also offered is a new dining experience in cruising--personal
choice dining. Two options are available, the usual Traditional
Fixed Dining where you arrive at the same time for dinner each
night with the same dinner partners and waiters throughout the
cruise, and Anytime Dining. With Anytime Dining you can choose
when and with whom you wish to dine.
 The
shore excursion choices are many. On one of the Golden Princess
itineraries the ship leaves New York harbor heading for Canada
and the U.S. east coast, making Halifax, Nova Scotia the first
port of call. The second Canadian port is Saint John, New Brunswick,
before the shop turns south toward the U.S. ports of Bar Harbor,
Maine, Boston, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
The British established Halifax as a naval base in the mid-18th
century. Now the city's finely preserved old waterfront offers
chic shops and restaurants. The hilltop fortress, the Citadel,
built in 1828, is a National Historic Site. The Maritime Museum
of the Atlantic has a Titanic Exhibit; the Public  Gardens,
landscaped in 1753, are the oldest on the continent; Grand Pre
commemorates the expulsion of the French, first settlers of Nova
Scotia, by the British; and the lighthouse down at Peggy's Cove
is one of the province's most popular attractions.
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
The Old City Market, Canada's oldest continuing market, was built
by shipbuilders, with a roof in the shape of a Ship's hull. Carleton
Martello Tower, another National Historic Site, was one of 16
such towers built by the British during the War of 1812 to protect
the coast from American raids. A sight to be seen are the Reversing
River Rapids, where the fierce tides of the Bay of Fundy actually
force the longest river in Canada to reverse direction and flow
upstream.
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Here you can work off some of that fabulous food aboard ship by
taking a bicycle tour of Acadia National Park, sea kayaking in
the park, going on a walking tour of Victorian Bar Harbor to see
Victorian mansions or on an Ocean Trail Walk, even a walk in Acadia
to Cadillac Mountain. There are also opportunities to take a whale-watching
cruise or go on a lobster-and-seal watch. And lobster lunches
are included in most of these excursions.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Beautiful Boston boasts the Boston Common, the oldest public park
in America; Freedom Trail, connecting the city's principal historic
sites; Faneuil Hall, the "Cradle of Liberty"; the Old
North Church where Paul Revere hung two lanterns in the tower;
Beacon Hill, upscale living; Lexington Green where the Minutemen
faced the British; and nearby Salem, home of the infamous witch
trials.
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Here's the place to get your fill of fabulous mansions of the
robber barons, Vanderbilts, Astors and Morgans. Various tours
take you to Vanderbilt's Marble House, Doris Duke's Mansion, the
Astor's Beechwood and many others, all very impressive.
Tie the Knot
 Whether
you're having your wedding on this romantic journey, or renewing
your vows, your ceremony can take place in the charming wedding
chapel at sea, or in an exotic port. The ship's expert wedding
consultants attend to every detail-- while the Princess provides
the ultimate "something blue."
Four options may make a choice difficult. AT SEA you can be married
by the Captain while the ship is in international waters; HARBORSIDE,
your family and friends can join the festivities aboard ship before
it departs the home port; AT SHORE, the Princess Line offers 80
unique itineraries on various ships to more than 200 exciting
world ports; and with the LUXURY UPGRADE OPTIONS you can personalize
your ceremony and reception with several choice options.
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