Though we did not experience the sunniest of summers this year in Alaska many of you did manage to capture some wonderful photographs. I have promised that I would post links whenever possible for you to see and share some of these beautiful shots. So here’s a start!

Special thanks to Sylvain Laferrière, of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory who snapped this great photo of a beautiful rainbow over Gastineau Channel in Juneau. I was at the top of Mt. Roberts with no camera!

Heather McKinnon

http://alaskacruise2010.shutterfly.com

Jeff Wood

http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/shareereg/p=54301285879221926/l=2062356026/g=3895943026/cobrandOid=1000/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/otsc=SYE/otsi=SAER/pns/snapfish/share/p=54301285879221926/l=2062356026/g=3895943026/cobrandOid=1000/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/otsc=SYE/otsi=SAER

Thank you all for purchasing the Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide to Alaska’s Inside Passage this Alaska season. I have exciting news regarding the new edition; starting May 2011 not only will the book be printed in beautiful, vibrant full-color, there will be a complimentary fold-out map!

The most frequently asked question on-board over the years has been, “Do you have a map?” Now we do! The 8″ x 21″ map details the north Pacific coast from Seattle to Seward. You can follow along and create the course of your cruise using the easy to identify navigational markers.

I love the old movies where the impetuous couple run to the captain and plead for him to marry them at once. Well, in the good old days, that was actually possible. The captain had the power to perform legal and binding marriage ceremonies. Today things have changed a little but nothing has changed when it come to the romance of the sea getting the best of two smitten souls. So, can you get married on a cruise ship?

Good question. My initial answer would be, no. The captain does not hold the license of justice of the peace or minister that would allow him to legally officiate over a ceremony. However, I have been told that on some Princess and P & O ships the captain does have the proper licensing depending on the ship’s registry.  According to P & O, the number of couple who got married at sea in 2009 was up 32 per cent than the number who married at sea in 2007 and 64 per cent higher than in 2006.

Those in the United States wishing to tie the knot at sea can bring your own registrar on board in port where appropriate licensing has been obtained and the ceremony can be conducted on-board or in town. Some cruise lines offer packages with the civil ceremony taking place on an Alaskan glacier or a Caribbean beach.

The experienced staff and crew on a cruise ship can make holding your wedding on a ship a piece of cake — really good wedding cake! In addition to the happy couple, friends and family will also enjoy not only the day but the cruise.

Don’t forget that cruise ships have also offer wonderful services for those wishing to celebrate an anniversary or to renew vows. Many cruise ships now have actual chapels just for renewal ceremonies. Packages come with the music, photos, cake, champagne and of course, the captain!

I hope that everyone enjoys the upcoming holidays. As the leaves start to change I am looking forward to taking some time to enjoy being at home for soon I will be back on the Mariner (yippee!) Hope to see you there!