Princess Cruises Announces Full 2012-2013 Cruise and Cruisetour Season

Santa Clarita, Calif. (Vocus/PRWEB) March 17, 2011

Princess Cruises today opened its entire 2012-2013 season for booking, offering an extensive selection of worldwide sailings – a total of nearly 600 cruise options on 150 itineraries to more than 300 destinations around the world.

For the first time, the line has simultaneously launched its full slate of cruises which include Princess’ largest Europe deployment, an expanded Alaska schedule, new sailings from Galveston, more South American options with two ships sailing around Cape Horn, and more West Coast sailings to Hawaii, Mexico and along the California coast than ever before.

A detailed overview of Princess’ 2012-2013 cruise season can be found here.

“We know that many of our passengers are advance planners, and would like to see the full breadth of our cruise itineraries to decide where to vacation next with us,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “So for the first time we’ve released all of our itineraries at once so they have the entire world at their fingertips as they’re planning their next cruise.”

Among the line’s offerings for the 2012-2013 season, Princess will begin sailing to the Hawaiian Islands from San Francisco, will offer longer 14-day Australia & New Zealand itineraries, and will once again sail to the Western Caribbean from Galveston, Texas. More ships will sail in South America and Alaska, and several ships will make regional debuts, including Grand Princess’ first ever sailings on the West Coast and Caribbean Princess’ maiden European deployment.

Cruisetours combining a cruise and land experience will enable passengers to more fully explore Alaska, Europe, Canada and New England, Asia, Australia and South America.

Highlights of Princess’ 2012- 2013 season include:

ALASKA

Princess draws on more than 40 years of experience cruising the 49th state, offering Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage sailings with an extensive selection of cruisetours to the heart of Alaska. The 2012 program will include a seven-ship deployment, including a fourth ship added to the Voyage of the Glaciers route, and three ships sailing the Inside Passage. All cruisetour options will continue to include Alaska’s top two attractions – Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks, and Princess will take more passengers to Glacier Bay than any other cruise line.

EUROPE

The largest Europe deployment in Princess history, the 2012 season offers a wide selection of sailings through the timeless cities of the Mediterranean, the splendor of Scandinavia and Russia and the intriguing ports of Northern Europe. The season features seven ships sailing on 57 itineraries to 116 destinations, including Caribbean Princess’ European debut and new 14-day Baltic and 16-day Land of the Midnight Sun routes. And 12-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises will continue to offer overnight stays in one of the continent’s most sought-after destinations – Venice. Two new ports will debut – Korcula, Croatia on the 12-day Mediterranean Collection on Pacific Princess and Nessebar, Bulgaria (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) on the 12-day Black Sea & Crimean Coasts route.

CARIBBEAN

Princess’ Caribbean schedule will feature five ships sailing to the best of the sparkling waters of the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. Passengers can choose from 115 voyages sailing to 22 destinations on 10 itineraries. The season includes Princess’ return to the Texas Gulf Coast with the debut of Crown Princess sailing out of Galveston.

PANAMA CANAL

Princess continues to be the leader in Panama Canal cruising, with two ships, eight itineraries – including both full and partial transits – and 40 voyages aboard Coral Princess and Island Princess.

MEXICO & PACIFIC COAST

The 2012-2013 season will feature more Pacific coastal sailings than ever before, plus Mexico sailings from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Five ships will sail on 31 departures of nine itineraries sailing to 14 destinations. A new seven-day California Coastal itinerary will feature the best of the Golden State with an added visit to Catalina and an overnight in San Francisco.

HAWAII, TAHITI & SOUTH PACIFIC

The dazzling islands of Hawaii and Tahiti headline a season with more Hawaiian Islands sailings than ever before including new voyages from San Francisco. The full program includes eight ships offering 12 itinerary choices with 56 voyages to 32 destinations. Among the highlights are an expanded Hawaiian Islands program with three ships sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Francisco, Grand Princess making her West Coast debut, and two sailings of the popular 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa itinerary previously introduced with the fall 2011 schedule.

ASIA, INDIA & AFRICA

Princess’ Exotics program includes sailings throughout Asia plus passages through the Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean. Five ships sail on 28 sailings of 21 itineraries to 54 destinations. Other highlights include Bangkok once again featured as a homeport on the line’s 16-day Southeast Asia & China itinerary, plus the line’s first call in Aomori, Japan.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

“Down Under” cruising expands with a new longer itinerary, plus three ships based locally for Aussie-style cruising. Four ships will sail on 40 voyages of eight different itineraries. Highlights include a new 14-day Australia & New Zealand itinerary – adding Wellington and Picton – and a new 33-day Round Australia & New Zealand itinerary. Featuring the largest Australia deployment of any North American line in the region, Princess ships will also offer more New Zealand cruises than any other line.

SOUTH AMERICA & AMAZON

The lively Latin culture of South America takes center stage with Princess 2012-2013 cruise season, offering three ships sailing on 18 voyages of 11 itineraries. Highlights include two ships – Star Princess and Grand Princess – both sailing an around Cape Horn itinerary between Buenos Aires and Santiago, and a new 19-day Brazilian Adventure route that stops for an overnight in Rio during the world-famous Carnival. Pacific Princess will once again offer cruises up the mighty Amazon River.

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND

The North Atlantic Coast voyages offer dramatic scenery and historic attractions. Two ships sail on three favorite Princess routes visiting 12 destinations. The 11 departures include Caribbean Princess sailing roundtrip from New York, and Emerald Princess offering 10-day Classic Canada & New England sailings between New York and Quebec.

WORLD CRUISES & CIRCLE PACIFIC

Three ships will offer world voyages, including Pacific Princess rounding the globe on a 107-day voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice on January 27, 2013; Sun Princess setting sail on her first-ever global circumnavigation with a 104-day sailing from Sydney on May 16, 2012, and Dawn Princess offering a 75-day Circle Pacific itinerary that departs July 27, 2012.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at http://ift.tt/1qeJ45b.

Find us:

Blog: 50EssentialExperiences.com

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Newsroom: princess.com/news

For further information contact:

Karen Candy, kcandy(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1540

Julie Benson, jbenson(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1530

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HICTA Reboots Annual Conference

Following Through With Your Wedding Planning Correctly

Keep in mind that religion plays a central role in not just your wedding, but your future marriage. Discuss religion with both your future spouse and their family members so that you can develop a strong understanding of their beliefs.

Tip Buying a wedding gown can be very expensive. You might want to consider a dress which is not categorized specifically for the bride.

Weddings are fun as well as beautiful, but a lot goes into their planning. One can get stressed out when planning a wedding, especially within the few weeks prior to the big day. Great planning can reduce this tension. The following guidelines can really help.

Your wedding photos are important as they will be the memories you carry with you for the years to come. Choose the best photographer you can, even if it costs you extra. You want to be sure that your wedding will be remembered fondly.

Tip If you’re terrified at the thought of spending a fortune on a wedding cake loaded with calories, talk to local bakeries about something with a smaller portion size. Alternatively, consider something like low-fat cupcakes, gluten-free cake, fruit-filled low calorie cakes, or other such healthy alternatives.

When planning a wedding, alcohol needs to be a consideration as to what type you want to serve, as well as what the costs are going to be. An open bar that is available all evening can quickly become a very costly endeavor. If holding the wedding at an outside venue, they may have alcohol serving options available that can control costs.

Brides should take the time to practice walking in their wedding shoes and dress so that they will be comfortable and graceful on their big day. If you are worried about a twisted ankle, choose attractive flats instead. Reducing the risk of falling is better than going with the best-looking footwear.

Tip This person should be able to tote around all of your things for you. They can help to gather up the family for group shots as well.

Use friends or family to lend you some property for a wedding. If you’re in touch with people with a farm or a big backyard, this can be a cheap place for you to host a wedding ceremony. Saving money on the venue will allow you to hire people to set up and clean up.

Your guests shouldn’t wait while you are having pictures taken. These pictures should be done beforehand. Even pictures with parents can be shot in advance, reducing the time that guests must wait for you to arrive at your reception.

Tip A reception held around lunchtime is a great idea. Choosing a midday reception may help you to cut down on alcohol cost, since many people would be less likely to drink early in the day.

If you’re a bride that has sensitive skin, then you want to pay close attention to your skin care regimen when your big day is approaching. Consider natural ingredients and treatments that will brighten your complexion.

Even if your dress is picked and already paid for, it is a good idea to keep it safely at the shop until the big day. Bringing it home could expose it to dust or dirt, getting it stained or other damages. This will keep your dress as fresh as possible.

Tip Consider placing your colorful cake on a piece of fabric or tablecloth in a coordinating color. To make things interesting, fabric can be solid, patterned or heavily textured materials of silk, satin or velvet.

Use a mirror to visualize and practice when you walk down the aisle, especially if you plan to wear heels. If you fear turning your ankle awkwardly, think about flat heels instead. Having less than sexy footwear is an easy trade-off for not falling on your derriere!

You can look for local talent in many places; Craigslist is a great start to find people. Be certain to take the time to meet them and interview them before making any agreements or giving them money.

Tip You possibly want to think about fusing two or multiple menus together making the food available diverse and comfortable for everyone present. Add a twist with ethnic dessert options, drinks, or edible wedding favors.

In any wedding, the most important thing is the fact that the two people are perfect for each other. No matter how well you think you know someone, life can get complicated at times and you want to become closer at those times rather than allow circumstances to separate you. With any luck, you can have a great wedding day that will create memories you will cherish forever.

If you are going to be giving one of the wedding speeches, make sure you plan it out and practice enough. A poorly planned wedding speech can make the audience uncomfortable or bored, and leave you feeling disgruntled and disappointed in yourself.

Carolina Destination Weddings

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Tips And Hints On Choosing Your Bridal Party

Weddings are big occasions for both the families and the couple. Lots of folks assume that a great deal of money is necessary for a great wedding, but they are wrong. You don’t have to go into debt in order to have a beautiful wedding. The following article will give you some great ideas for cutting costs while planning your wedding.

If you choose to take care of your own food serving at your wedding, try going to wholesale stores, such as Costco. Shopping wholesale renders significant savings for food. Ask friends to help on food, too.

You save large amounts of money by purchasing your wedding dress online. However, it is crucial that you do it far in advance, should it need any alterations. A certain person claims to have spent only $100 or her gown, but had to spend another $200 to get it altered. Include this additional cost when you plan for your budget.

Hold a dress rehearsal for all members of the party that are giving speeches at the reception. This will give them a chance to practice, and you’ll also be able to make sure no inappropriate remarks are planned. There are a lot of different age groups at a wedding. This makes some jokes told by the younger crowd inappropriate to older people.

If you are hoping to wear some special jewelry of your wedding day but only have a limited amount of money left in your budget, consider renting some diamond pieces. This can help you to look more stunning while not breaking the bank so you can stick to the budget you have created.

Don’t forget about transportation! Try to have limos and taxis available for those who do not have a ride to take them back to their hotel at the end of the night. This allows people to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about drinking and driving after the reception.

Take a long time to write your vows, as this is something that is very important towards your husband or wife. Be clear about the fact that both parties must make a number of sacrifices and be consistent to the commitment of marriage. Let your partner know how much you adore them and that you really do want to spend forever with them.

Only place a few flowers in the centerpieces at your reception tables. Usually, the flowers are only in your guests’ way. You also might want to take into consideration that some guests may be allergic to the pollen in the flowers. Because of this, you should think about putting candles that are non-scented onto the table in order to achieve a more romantic look.

Though it requires some effort and time to plan, a wedding doesn’t have to cost a lot for it to be great. Implement these ideas and suggestions in order to have an unforgettable and joyous wedding.

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HomeStreet Bank Extends Employer-Assisted Housing Program to Spokane | Business Wire

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Employers in the greater Spokane area will now have access to the Hometown

Home Loan Program, an employer-assisted housing benefit offered

through HomeStreet

Bank, one of the oldest community banks headquartered in Washington

and a subsidiary of HomeStreet, Inc. (NASDAQ: HMST). Several area

employers have already adopted the program in the Spokane area,

including Community Frameworks.

The Hometown Home Loan Program was created in 1994 to help the city of

Seattle make homeownership more affordable for its employees. Currently,

over 50 public and private companies and organizations and several labor

unions in Washington, Oregon and Hawaii offer the program. Participating

employers include the University of Washington, Harborview Medical

Center, several municipalities including the cities of Seattle and

Portland, and a number of school districts.

Program benefits include free homeownership education, significant

savings on purchases and refinances, and access to down payment

assistance. Through the Hometown Home Loan Program, the average person

can save between $1,300 and $1,700 in closing costs and fees, depending

on the loan amount.

Nearly 10,000 individuals and families have used the program to purchase

or refinance a home since 1994, saving participants more than $12

million in closing costs and fees. Forty percent of the people who have

purchased homes through the program were first-time homebuyers.

The Hometown Home Loan Program partners on a local level with nonprofit

community housing organizations that focus on community development and

affordable housing solutions. In the Spokane area, HomeStreet Bank is

partnering with Community

Frameworks. In addition to providing affordable housing options,

Community Frameworks also offers financial fitness and mortgage basics

classes.

“We really appreciate HomeStreet’s approach to creating affordable

homeownership opportunities,” said Community Frameworks Deputy Director

Alan Trunnel. “We feel their emphasis on homeownership education mirrors

our goal of creating successful homeowners. In fact, we decided to make

this program available to our own employees as well as to our clients.”

“The Hometown Home Loan Program was originally developed to help

employees qualify for home loans in neighborhoods closer to their work,

with the goal of reducing traffic and retaining valuable employees,”

said Andy

Slipper, Spokane-area relationship manager for the bank’s Affinity

Lending program. “Homeownership is important to the health of our city.

Through employer-assisted housing, we can help make homeownership more

affordable for working people, as well as provide educational resources

to help them prepare for homeownership.”

For more information on the Hometown Home Loan Program, visit http://ift.tt/1ENaepX

or call 509-828-0833.

HomeStreet Bank is one of the largest community banks in the

Pacific Northwest and Hawaii and has specialized in mortgage lending

since 1921. The Hometown Home Loan Program is a nationally recognized

employer-assisted homeownership program with over 50 participating

employers and membership organizations. http://ift.tt/1ENaepX

Community Frameworks is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that

facilitates the construction of affordable multifamily housing and

supportive service projects, as well as provides homeownership

opportunities to hardworking families. http://ift.tt/1ENahlw

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Microsoft Dynamics GP Implementation: Pacific and Hawaii

Microsoft Dynamics GP is new name for Microsoft Great Plains. As Project Green is progressing, Microsoft Business Solutions or whatever is temporary name for Business Systems subdivision, renamed Project Green into Microsoft Dynamics. Now Microsoft Great Plains, Microsoft Navision, Microsoft Axapta, Microsoft Solomon and Microsoft CRM are renamed into Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM respectively. We have published articles, devoted to Microsoft Dynamics in Europe, Brazil, Russia, Australia and New Zealand and now we would like to share our experience and analytics on Microsoft Dynamics GP & CRM implementation, customization, reporting for the clientele in Pacific region.

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Ceridian Employer Services Helps Employers Understand and Benefit From New Hire Reporting Legislation Effective October 1.

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 2, 1997–

Millions of dollars saved by preventing fraud in

unemployment compensation, transitional assistance for

dependent children and by enforcing child support payments.

States already applying new hire reporting have helped save millions of dollars in unemployment compensation fraud. Tennessee reports savings of more than $11.4 million in unemployment compensation benefits. Massachusetts combated fraud in Transitional Assistance for Dependent Children, saving $14.4 million in welfare fraud and aiding the Department of Revenue in collecting an additional $15.4 million in child support payments. Another $23.1 million was saved in Massachusetts because many families now receiving the child support payments could stop receiving public assistance.

Despite the direct benefits of new hire reporting, unless employers have an experienced payroll services provider, these benefits may be out of reach. With a new hire reporting deadline that is now less than one month away, many businesses, particularly those with employees in multiple states, are still not ready to comply.

The struggle by many employers to meet the Oct. 1 reporting deadline is largely due to the state-based system of new hire reporting established under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1997. Although states must meet certain minimum federal requirements, they are given a great deal of independence and flexibility. The result is a complicated maze of inconsistent due dates, reporting periods, information requirements and file formats. Even the agency responsible for processing new hire reports varies by state.

“Employers who are not prepared for the new reporting requirements will likely experience considerable confusion, lost staff time and reduced productivity, missed reporting deadlines and penalties for noncompliance,” explains Carl Keil, president of Ceridian Employer Services. “These problems could be compounded if companies have employees in several states.”

Debera Salam, director of the national Employer Coalition on Child Support Enforcement (ECCSE), knows that employers are concerned about the extra time and work that may be involved in new hire reporting. “But employers need to understand that this legislation will help reduce unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation fraud, which costs them money,” noted Salam. “Overpayment of workers’ compensation benefits can, for example, result in increased premium rates. And incorrect and excessive unemployment insurance payments can deplete an employer’s reserve UI account. With respect to new hire reporting, there really is a return on investment for employers.”

Ceridian Employer Services has committed extensive resources to providing employers with new hire reporting solutions. Its New Hire Reporting (NHR) Service automatically generates and transmits new hire reports to each state in which a customer has employees, and as Ceridian continues to work with state agencies in developing their new hire reporting capability, they are using the most efficient and reliable technology available for transmitting new hire data.

Ceridian pioneers automated new hire reporting

Since 1994, Ceridian has spearheaded a joint effort with employers and the state of Hawaii to improve the new hire reporting system. The Ceridian solution automatically collects and sends new hire data to the appropriate state agency in the proper format and by specified deadlines.

According to Hunter Monson, a Hawaii state legislator, the new system has increased compliance among the 3,000 participating employers. “The state has been able to reduce its labor costs, plus the reports come in faster,” said Monson. “Our new hire reporting system is now much more effective, thanks to automated reporting.”

Now, Ceridian’s pioneering efforts will benefit all of its customers. To support new hire reporting and other data distribution services, Ceridian’s Central Transmission Center processes and redistributes new employee data that complies with the new regulations. As of September 1997, all Ceridian customers will have access to this automated reporting system.

The new hire reporting process requires no additional data entry and is completely transparent to payroll processing staff. With the system’s prompt, accurate filing for all newly hired and rehired employees, employers will enjoy reduced administrative burden and less risk of fines and penalties from late or incorrect filing. Compliance reports will be provided so employers can see all data transmitted to the states. Additionally, working with states and employers to develop a cost-effective new hire reporting system, Ceridian continuously monitors new hire statutes and procedures in all 50 states so changes can be quickly incorporated into its system.

All employers can track the hot issues directly affecting human resources and the payroll industry by visiting http://ces.ceridian.com. With reports from company experts stationed on the front lines in Washington, D.C., site visitors can learn more about new hire reporting, find out how the Year 2000 will affect computer systems around the world or prepare for the next big payroll issue looming on the horizon, such as wage assignments (garnishments) calculations and third-party payments.

Recent enhancements to Ceridian’s Signature(R) payroll system include the introduction of customer service on the Web and a combination wage and tax audit report that reduces the amount of paper received for an audit. Combined with CD-ROM reporting technology, these enhancements help human resource and payroll professionals save their companies time, office space and storage costs while complying with rapidly changing federal regulations. Ongoing improvements to Ceridian’s core payroll service also allow employees to create new and expanded categories for information; multiple 401(k) deductions for one employee to a single limit; and better accommodate mobile workers with local and regional tax processing support.

About Ceridian

In the human resource arena, Ceridian Corporation serves more than 45,000 customers, including 40 percent of the Fortune 1000 and 30 percent of the Fortune 100 companies, with broad, integrated solutions. Ceridian offers customers both outsourcing and in-house solutions for their growing human resource needs. Its products include human resource information systems, payroll processing and tax filing services, skills management software, time-accounting solutions, work-life effectiveness programs, decision-support applications, training and other services. For more information about Ceridian Employer Services, visit http://ces.ceridian.com on the World Wide Web. Visitors to the Web site can read more about new hire reporting compliance and Ceridian’s automated solutions.

Ceridian Corporation (http://www.ceridian.com) is a leading information services and defense electronics company that serves the human resource, electronic media, transportation, gaming and government markets. Its information services segment includes Comdata, a group of human resource businesses and the Arbitron Company. Ceridian’s defense electronics business is Computing Devices International.

CONTACT: Jennifer Dugan, 612/853-5623

Molly Buck, 612/853-3293

Ceridian Employer Services

or

Heather West, 612/371-7549

Bozell Kamstra

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The 10 most overrated vacation spots in the whole world

So you’re going on summer vacation. That’s your first mistake. Why summer? Sure, our grandparents and parents took their vacations between June and September, but they had good reason. In their day, the summer heat brought urban life to a standstill. People who could afford it headed for the mountains and the seashore; resorts were crammed, beaches mobbed. And every summer you’ll still find them that way.

But think about it: Eighty-three years have passed since Willis Carrier invented the air conditioner. That doesn’t mean that summers are any less hot and humid, but at least they’re bearable. If you work in an air-conditioned building and sleep in an air-conditioned bedroom, why join the summer-vacation crush? Why not save up your vacation money for some other season, when resorts are less hectic, Sunbelt beaches less crowded and prices more reasonable?

All right, it’s because you’re a creature of habit. You’re accustomed to summer vacations and can’t change. Have it your own way. But if you’re determined to spend your travel money between now and September – and your vacation plans aren’t yet set in concrete – a few words of advice are in order on where not to go.

I’m not talking about the vacation spots you’ve already been warned against – spots like Miami Beach and Atlantic City. I mean highly touted places where you’ll spend an arm and a leg and return home asking your spouse, “Whose idea was that, anyway?” Here they are, then, in alphabetical order – the places cited in a survey of the well-traveled as the 10 most overrated vacation spots in the world:

ACAPULCO

Like Carmen Miranda and the vision of romantic Latin America she sold in the 1940s, this resort is strictly out of the past. It’s also garish, overcrowded, overpriced and not especially hospitable to tourists from the United States.

Acapulco horror stories about tourist run-ins with the local constabulary and greedy merchants are a peso a dozen. The most frequently told stories involve U.S. tourists held by police because they were passengers in taxicabs involved in accidents.

Under Mexican law, a passenger has to have insurance in the event of an accident or spend a few hours at police headquarters untangling matters. If, however, you don’t mind taking out special insurance, there are other spots in Mexico – Cancun, for example – that might satisfy your craving for sunshine and palm trees.

AMSTERDAM

The dullest, most unkempt major city in Western Europe. You like classic architecture and museums? You’ll find them here, but only after slogging through clutter and traveling along canals that haven’t been cleaned since the German occupation.

A recent visitor to this graffiti-ridden tourist trap was greeted on his cab ride into town by “Free Bobby Seale” signs left over from the ’60s. If you have an urge to visit Holland, make it Rotterdam or the Hague.

BANGKOK

The Tijuana of the Orient, this is the “exotic” east at its raunchiest. It’s a great place for males who like a ratio of three hookers to every tourist. A recent American visitor reports that he was propositioned no fewer than five times on a three-block walk from a restaurant to his hotel. Not bad for an 85-year-old gent.

HONOLULU

Speaking of leis, the 50th state is still a great vacation spot – but not this capital city, which has been afflicted with terminal tourism. L.A.’s urban sprawl has spanned the waters. It won’t be long before they start making hula skirts out of tinsel. The way one long-time traveler puts it, Honolulu is now “Sunset Boulevard with a beach” or “M Street on a Saturday night.” Try one of the other islands of Hawaii for inviting beaches and clear blue sky – Maui, for example.

MAINE

But if what you’re looking for is inviting beaches, clear blue sky, ice-cold ocean, and mosquitoes as large, loud and numerous as the Stukas over London in 1940,try Maine. A recent traveler to Monhegan Island says she now defines “rustic” as dirty, dark and damp.

And if you’re immune to mosquitoes, there are always the giant black flies to bug you. They’ve actually been known to shut down villages when they appear like an aerial plague in a Hitchcock film. Not that Maine is the worst vacation bargain in New England. For a really overrated New England resort, there’s always:

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

The mid-life preppy summer capital of the world, this is a fine place to spend a vacation if you don’t mind interminable waits for the ferry, mob scenes and out-of-line prices – not to mention local hostility. As far as the permanent residents are concerned, you’re as much a foreigner here as you are in Acapulco. Let the social regulars from Georgetown and Elaine’s have it. They’ve learned the language and the foreign exchange rates.

NEW ORLEANS

If you’re under some Yankee delusion that this is a Gulf Coast town with beaches, re-check your geography. Lake Pontchartrain was a fine place for swimming and boating 40 years ago, but it’s long since been put off-limits by pollution. That leaves the city itself, and people who knowingly travel to New Orleans in the summer would better spend their money on long-term therapy.

The humidity in New Orleans on a summer day will leave you limp. The food is as good as you’ve heard, but on a 92-degree day, who has an appetite? If you haven’t been there, save your taste for Creole and Cajun cooking for spring or fall. But forget the overrated Mardi Gras season, a once-great tradition turned into another Fort Lauderdale orgy for the Doonesbury generation.

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS

“This is the kind of gambling resort,” says one observer, “where the people go at it with a desperate look in their eyes, as if they’re saying, `If I lose, how am I going to get home?’ ” In other words, Atlantic City South. If you crave gambling and sunshine, Las Vegas – tasteless neon and all – would be a better summer choice.

For one thing, there’s nothing going on at Paradise Island besides gambling: no shows, food ranging from mediocre to poor, and crummy service. The best that can be said for this tourist trap is that you lose your money there on your own terms, which is more than can be said for:

ROME

I know, Paris has always been regarded as the European capital that treats U.S. tourists most shabbily. But in recent years Rome has come on strong, and it’s now a place where Americans are regarded by the native population as so many mullets ready to be reeled in and de-boned.

And when the law-abiding natives aren’t taking you, there’s always the other kind to watch out for. Street crime in Rome has been institutionalized, with tourists a prime target for looters on bikes and even in limousines. If you travel in Rome in the summer, chances are you won’t be wearing mink. But our advice is clear. When in Rome, do as the smart Romans would: Leave your valuables (this includes your Timex watch and any currency above $5) in your hotel’s safe.

WORLD’S FAIR

Anywhere, any year. There isn’t any World Fair to visit this summer, but there are more being planned, so take this as fair forewarning: There hasn’t been a good World’s Fair since the New York model in 1939. The ’64 New York fair wasn’t bad, but the truth is that the international exposition is a relic of the past.

In the old days, before the airplane and mass travel, such events had a gee-whiz impact. But in an age when we’ve seen men, women and U.S. senators in space, the wonders-of-technology theme of the World’s Fairs has lost its punch. If you’re looking for real wonders of technology, go to Epcot in Florida.

ABOUT AIRPORTS

So much for the 20 most overrated vacation spots. No warning guide to summer travelers would be complete, however, without some comment about airports.

Even if you’ve picked the right vacation spot , getting there can be miserable if you have to connect with a flight at the wrong air terminal. The airport horror story is a staple of post-summer office conversation, but by consensus the following stand out as the worst of domestic airports – that is, those most likely to ruin the first day of your vacation: Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Chicago’s O’Hare, Denver’s Stapleton, and New York’s JFK.

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Princess Cruises’ 2012-2013 Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific Program Offers More Cruises to Hawaii, Plus Favorite Routes to French Polynesia and Samoa

Santa Clarita, Calif. (PRWEB) January 06, 2012

Mention “paradise” and most people will conjure up images of pristine beaches and lush, tropical islands. Princess Cruises passengers can make paradise a reality with 10 itinerary choices to the breathtaking islands of Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific between fall 2012 and spring 2013.

New next season, Princess will offer more Hawaii cruises than ever before, with four ships sailing roundtrip to the islands from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, the renovated Grand Princess will make her debut voyages to Hawaii as part of her first West Coast season.

In total, eight Princess ships will sail on 56 voyages throughout the Pacific, including favorite itineraries such as the 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia route that sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti to some of the most gorgeous islands of French Polynesia. An 11-day Hawaii & Tahiti itinerary offers the best of both the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the highlights of French Polynesia. And the cruise line’s 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti and Samoa itinerary that debuted last season returns with two sailings roundtrip from Los Angeles to American Samoa, taking in Hawaii and Tahiti along the way.

“The storied and romantic South Pacific just might capture the imagination of travelers more than most destinations,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We’ve been traveling to the South Pacific for more than 30 years and these idyllic islands never cease to deliver a breathtaking and relaxing vacation to our passengers.”

Princess’ 2012-2013 cruises to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific include:

Tahiti & Polynesia – This classic Princess itinerary sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti for 10 days among the islands of Polynesia, with two overnight visits. Ocean Princess starts with an overnight in the Tahitian capital and then calls on Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora (Two-day Experience includes two full days and an overnight), and Moorea. Sailings depart on December 18, 2012; January 19 and 29, and February 8, 2013.

Hawaii & Tahiti – Travelers can enjoy the intimacy of a small cruise ship on a voyage that features both the Polynesian paradises of Hawaii and French Polynesia. These 11-day sailings between Papeete and Honolulu on Ocean Princess include calls at Moorea, Bora Bora, Hilo, Maui, and Kauai. Sailings depart December 28, 2012; January 8, February 18, and March 1, 2013.

Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa – This 28-day itinerary aboard Sapphire Princess and Star Princess offers an unusual roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles, to three island groups in one convenient roundtrip sailing. The ship calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Pago Pago, Apia, Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete (overnight). Two sailings depart on October 20, 2012 and March 26, 2013.

South Pacific & New Zealand Cruises – Sailing between Sydney and Papeete, Ocean Princess offers a 16-day voyage including Tauranga, Auckland, Tonga, Apia, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, and Moorea. The ship departs on December 3, 2012 and March 12, 2013.

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific – Sea Princess sails across the Pacific between San Francisco and Sydney on a 27-day voyage to Honolulu, Kauai, Papeete, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park scenic cruising. The sailing departs on September 20, 2012.

Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles – Golden Princess, Sapphire Princess and Star Princess will sail from Los Angeles on a 14-day roundtrip voyage to the “Land of Aloha” with calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui, plus Ensenada, Mexico. The ships will sail on 24 voyages between September 26, 2012 and April 24, 2013.

Hawaiian Islands from San Francisco – Star Princess and Grand Princess will offer 15-day itinerary round-trip voyages from San Francisco, with calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui, plus Ensenada. The ships will offer seven departures between October 6, 2012 and April 25, 2013.

Aussie Experience Voyages

Sailings aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess head to the islands from Sydney or Brisbane and feature onboard amenities tailored to appeal to Australian tastes.

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific – Sea Princess will sail on a 35-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney, with calls at Nuku’Alofa (Tonga), Apia, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hilo, Kona, Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Suva (Fiji) and Nouméa (New Caledonia). The ship sets sail on April 15, 2013.

Fijian Jewels – Sun Princess sails roundtrip from Brisbane on an 11-day journey to Nouméa and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; two Fiji ports, Suva, and Port Denarau; and Vila (Vanuatu). The ship sails on November 7, 2012 and January 13, February 7, and March 18, 2013.

Fiji & South Pacific – A popular roundtrip sailing from Sydney featuring 14 days with calls at Lifou, Vila, Port Denarau, Suva, Savu Savu, Dravuni Island and Nouméa. Available on Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess, sailings depart August 29, October 10 and December 29, 2012; January 25 and April 12, 2013.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at http://ift.tt/1qeJ45b.

Find us:

Blog: InspiredToCruise.com

Facebook: http://ift.tt/1EqCFKj

Twitter: http://ift.tt/1uTZxSq

YouTube: http://ift.tt/1EqCG0z

Flickr: http://ift.tt/1EqCG0B

Pandora: princess.com/radio

Newsroom: princess.com/news

Google+: http://ift.tt/1uTZxSv

For further information contact:

Karen Candy, kcandy(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1540

Julie Benson, jbenson(at)princesscruises(dot)com, 661-753-1530

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Fort Worth and Hawaii Join the Beach Cities of Southern California and the State of Iowa as Blue Zones Project™ Communities | Business Wire

NASHVILLE, Tenn. & MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fort Worth, Texas, and Hawaii, have each taken significant steps toward

becoming a Blue Zones Community™, an area in which citizens, schools,

employers, restaurants, grocery stores and community leaders have come

together to optimize residents’ longevity and well-being. Healthways,

Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY), and Blue

Zones, LLC, have announced that Texas

Health Resources and the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)

are pursuing Blue Zones Projects in their respective communities. The Blue

Zones Project takes a systems approach to identifying and creating

policies and programs that support community transformation. At the same

time, Healthways and Blue Zones have agreed to a 10-year extension of

their exclusive Blue Zones Project^™ partnership, allowing the

two organizations to continue their work in creating, supporting and

sustaining a national movement to improve community health and

well-being in the United States.

The Fort Worth, Texas and Hawaii collaborations follow the successful

examples set by Blue Zones Project efforts in Iowa, where Healthways and

Blue Zones partnered with Wellmark^® Blue Cross^®

and Blue Shield^®, and in California’s Beach Cities of Hermosa

Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, where Healthways and Blue

Zones partnered with the Beach Cities Health District.

The Blue Zones Project was born out of National Geographic explorer Dan

Buettner’s examination of communities across the globe where people

were happily living the longest. A team of medical researchers,

anthropologists, demographers and epidemiologists uncovered nine

evidence-based common denominators among these “Blue Zones,” such as

moving naturally and having a sense of purpose. Buettner founded the

Blue Zones organization to bring these secrets of longevity to the

United States, partnering with Healthways in 2009 to help communities

accelerate transformation through a comprehensive set of solutions

designed to improve overall well-being. These solutions have measurably

lowered healthcare costs, increased productivity and improved the

quality of life for residents in those communities.

“So many news stories take a cynical approach to the state of health and

well-being in the United States. However, our work on the ground in

these communities has shown us that Americans really embrace the concept

of well-being improvement and get involved in making it happen when they

have the type of resources that allow them to tap into a collective

will,” said Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner. “American communities and

their citizens are passionate about changing things for themselves and

for their children’s future. We’re just lighting the lamps so

individuals, businesses and local governments can see the path to

long-term, meaningful improvement.”

Measuring Impact

The Gallup-Healthways

Well-Being Index^® is the official measurement tool of the

Blue Zones Project. The core questions that make up the WBI survey were

scientifically designed by some of the world’s leading experts in

economics, psychology and health to thoroughly measure how respondents

are faring in all aspects of their lives: physically, emotionally,

socially and professionally, as well as to take a daily pulse of how

respondents rate the overall quality of their current life and outlook

for the future.

Research shows a strong link between well-being, healthcare costs and

engagement in the work environment. Each point in well-being improvement

equates to a statistically significant percent decrease in the

likelihood of hospital admission and emergency room visits and in the

likelihood of incurring healthcare costs¹. For a community,

the achievement of higher well-being for its citizens yields competitive

advantage for economic development and job creation. For employers, it

means greater productivity and better health in the workforce and

dependent families, resulting in better business performance. For

individuals, it simply means living well, longer.

Growing Momentum to Create a “New Normal” of

Well-Being

Through the leadership of Texas Health Resources, Mayor Betsy Price,

Councilman Dennis Shingleton and the Fort Worth Chamber, Fort Worth has

been confirmed as a location for a Blue Zones Project beginning in 2014,

with the right support structure in place to transform well-being in the

community.

“Poor health results in $17 billion in lost productivity in Dallas-Fort

Worth annually. We believe the Blue Zones Project will ensure Fort

Worth’s continued population growth is stimulated by superior well-being

and economic competitiveness. The Blue Zones Project is not only the

right thing to do, it will benefit generations to come and set Fort

Worth apart,” said Barclay Berdan, Texas Health Resources chief

operating officer.

Even regions of historic higher well-being have room for improvement,

and Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is committed to

implementing the Blue Zones Project for the entire state of Hawaii in a

phased approach as an example of just that. The initial collaboration

with HMSA will include large employers and a select community within the

state to lead the way, with the initial project launching in the first

quarter of 2014.

“Although the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index ranks Hawaii as the

state with the highest well-being, we are struggling with many of the

same healthcare cost drivers as the rest of the country, such as smoking

and increasing rates of obesity. We need to address these challenges

locally, and the Blue Zones Project offers a real opportunity to achieve

even greater well-being through a community-wide approach,” said Michael

A. Gold, HMSA president and chief executive officer.

Leading by Example

Since their initial partnership agreement in 2009, Healthways and Blue

Zones have successfully implemented the Blue Zones Project in the Beach

Cities of Southern California and the entire state of Iowa. The outcomes

from the three-year project in the Beach Cities are impressive and have

been well documented, while early progress in Iowa has been both

promising and inspiring.

Blue Zones and Healthways initially partnered with the Beach

Cities Health District in Southern California to apply Blue Zones

principles to Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. The Blue

Zones Project has supported residents in creating a more livable,

walkable, bike-able and socially engaged community, engaging more than

15,000 people and more than 75 businesses and restaurants to adopt

healthier practices.

Since 2010, residents of the Beach Cities have seen their well-being

climb three pointsfor an overall composite score of 76.4 as

measured by the Well-Being Index, a rate that far exceeds what has been

measured nationally and in the state of California during the same time

frame.

Barry Fisher, owner of the GROW

neighborhood market in Manhattan Beach, weighed in on the powerful

impact that Blue Zones has had: “GROW’s experience becoming a Blue Zones

Grocery Store was not only good for our customers but good for our

family, our employees and our business. The process helped us learn more

about the items we offer and give advice to customers to help them make

a healthier choice when shopping. From a business stand point, the cross

marketing of Blue Zone foods has helped our sales, but the Blue Zone

labels in the shop have had the most positive effect for GROW. Combining

the marketing Blue Zones Project has done in the Beach Cities to help

improve the health of our citizens with their logo in our shop reaffirms

to our customers that GROW cares about our community.”

Other Beach Cities outcomes include the following:

• 
  

  Obesity dropped 14% with an estimated 1,645 fewer obese adults. Lost

  
  

  pounds translate to $2.35 million in healthcare-related savings for

  
  

  Beach Cities businesses and residents over two years.

  
  


• 
  

  Smoking rates declined more than 30% or 3,484 fewer smokers. This

  
  

  decrease equates to $6.97 million in healthcare-related savings

  
  

  between 2010 and 2012.

  
  


• 
  

  Exercise rates increased by more than 10% as more people reported

  
  

  exercising at least 30 minutes three times per week.

  
  


• 
  

  Healthy eating habits improved 9%, with more people reporting eating

  
  

  five or more servings of fruits and vegetables four or more days in

  
  

  the past week.

  
  

Central to Governor Terry Branstad’s plan to make Iowa the healthiest

state by 2016, the Blue Zones Project in Iowa represents the largest

community well-being improvement initiative ever launched. Healthways,

Blue Zones and Wellmark^® Blue Cross^® and Blue

Shield^® collaborated in rolling out the program in ten larger

communities, which were selected after an open application process.

Not only did Iowa move up to the top ten of overall Well-Being Index

state rankings in the nation between 2011 and 2012, but its Work

Environment Index ranking drastically improved along with residents’

healthy eating behaviors. A greater number of Iowans also indicated that

their community is “getting better as a place to live.” Blue Zones

Project initiatives are on track to reach nearly 17 percent of Iowans by

2014.

Additional outcomes in Iowa include the following:

• 
  

  150,000+ Iowans have pledged to support the Blue Zones Project.

  
  


• 
  

  860+ worksites, restaurants, groceries and schools in Iowa are working

  
  

  to implement simple changes that improve well-being through the Blue

  
  

  Zones Project.

  
  


• 
  

  144 organizations have achieved designation as a Blue Zones Worksite,

  
  

  Blue Zones Grocery Store™, Blue Zones School™ or Blue Zones Restaurant.

  
  

Sustained Energy Through Renewed Partnership

According to Healthways president and chief executive officer Ben R.

Leedle, Jr., signing a 10-year agreement extension with Blue Zones and

Dan Buettner was an important strategic milestone for the company, which

offers well-being improvement solutions along a broad continuum that

includes purpose, social, financial, community and physical elements.

“If you are serious about population health management and changing the

course of healthcare in this country, you quickly come to this

realization: As powerful as individual well-being improvement programs

can be, the degree of impact they can have is contained to an extent by

environmental factors that are typically outside the control of any one

individual or business. Sustained transformation depends on having a

built environment and social policies that support and reinforce these

programs. We have had the opportunity over the past few years to see

first-hand the impact that the Blue Zones Project can have, and we

wanted to ensure that we had a broad horizon for continuing to do this

important work.

“Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index findings from the Beach Cities of

Southern California and the state of Iowa confirm that we are measurably

improving health and quality of life by taking a holistic approach to

addressing not only physical health but also the social and emotional

factors that are pivotal to overall well-being. The long-term extension

of Healthways’ partnership with Dan Buettner and Blue Zones allows us to

make the most of our collective abilities to engage whole environments

and successfully accelerate transformation, and we look forward to

expanding this work across the country over the next decade.”

About Healthways

Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) is the largest independent global provider of

well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier

world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior

change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our

customers, which include employers, integrated health systems,

hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government

entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each

individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s

health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are

achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of

everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary

technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30

years and now serves approximately 45 million people on four continents.

Learn more at www.healthways.com.

About Blue Zones^®

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer,

better. Its work is rooted in The New York Times best-selling books The

Blue Zones and Thrive, published by National Geographic books. In 2009,

Blue Zones applied the tenets of the books to Albert Lea, Minn., raising

life expectancy and lowering healthcare costs for city workers by 40

percent. Blue Zones takes a systematic, environmental approach to

wellbeing, which focuses on optimizing policy, building design, social

networks, and the built environment. For more information, visit www.bluezones.com.

¹ “Evaluation of the Relationship Between Individual

Well-Being and Future Health Care Utilization and Cost” Population

Health Management, Volume 15, Number 00 2012. Patricia L. Harrison, MPH,

James E. Pope, MD, Carter R. Coberley, PhD, and Elizabeth Y. Rula, PhD.

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King’s Hawaiian and Tailgating Are a Winning Combination This Football Season | Business Wire

TORRANCE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The wait is over! Football season is finally here and a mouth-watering

tailgate menu is as essential as the ‘big game’ itself.

“Tailgating” is one of America’s favorite sports pastimes. Fans love the

football season tradition of getting together to share a great meal,

either in the stadium parking lot or “homegating” while watching their

favorite team on television. KING’S HAWAIIAN provides a variety of

products for America’s tailgaters. Whether it is the new Original

Hawaiian Sweet Hamburger Buns and Hot Dog Buns, fan favorite Original

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, Original Hawaiian Sweet Sandwich Buns or Mini-Sub

Rolls — KING’S HAWAIIAN products will make every tailgater’s slider,

sandwich, grilled sausage, hot dog and hamburger a winner.

“KING’S HAWAIIAN is incredibly excited about all the options we can give

fans this football season, and we are glad that we can add some Aloha

Spirit to a fall tradition—the tailgate party,” said Courtney Taira,

KING’S HAWAIIAN’s official spokesperson and granddaughter of company

founder Robert R. Taira. “Our products are both delicious and versatile.

Tailgaters can use them for everything from hamburgers and hot dogs to

sliders and dips. We even have dessert covered.”

Need some inspiration? Some menu ideas to kickoff tailgating season

include:

• 
  

  KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Hamburger Buns and Hot

  
  

  Dog Buns will raise the roof on the flavor of your favorite

  
  

  tailgating foods. It’s the classic savory and sweet combination that

  
  

  everyone loves.

  
  


• 
  

  The Maui Burger can tackle any appetite at your parties,

  
  

  backyard barbeques, dinners or tailgates. A KING’S HAWAIIAN

  
  

  Original Hawaiian Sweet Hamburger Bun, your signature burger

  
  

  recipe, a sliced Maui onion, pineapple slices and teriyaki sauce will

  
  

  result in 6 points every time.

  
  


• 
  

  Be sure “the-kick-is-up” with your Beef, Chicken, Pork, or even Veggie

  
  

  Sliders using KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.

  
  

  This combination will never miss “wide right.”

  
  


• 
  

  Hand off KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Sandwich Buns

  
  

  and GO-ALL-THE-WAY with your favorite deli meats, condiments, lettuce

  
  

  and tomatoes.

  
  


• 
  

  Sack some great Tuna Salad with a KING’S HAWAIIAN Mini Sub

  
  

  Roll — it’s a quick way to pump up the flavor of any sandwich.

  
  


• 
  

  Go deep with a delicious Spinach Dip recipe in a hollowed-out KING’S

  
  

  HAWAIIAN Round Bread. The hollowed-out bread is excellent for

  
  

  dipping.

  
  


• 
  

  KING’S HAWAIIAN White Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is an

  
  

  incredibly easy dessert you can make ahead of time that’s sure to be a

  
  

  crowd pleaser.

  
  

KING’S HAWAIIAN began baking its Original Hawaiian Sweet Bread in Hilo,

Hawaii. Robert Taira had a passion for baking and opened his bakery in

1950. Working with wholesome, high-quality ingredients, he crafted a

uniquely shaped round bread that was soft, sweet and irresistibly

delicious. Today, three generations of the Taira family continue to

honor Robert’s legacy, staying true to both his original recipe and

devotion to Aloha Spirit.

KING’S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Hot Dog Buns and Hamburger Buns

are the newest products in the KING’S HAWAIIAN line of authentic

Hawaiian recipe breads—here just in time for tailgaters. The Original

Hawaiian Sweet Hot Dog Buns feature a signature “top-cut” design to keep

the flavors of your grilled sausage, hot dog, and favorite toppings

together in every bite. KING’S HAWAIIAN Hamburger Buns are soft, fluffy

with just a touch of sweetness and ideally sized for your juicy backyard

burger with all the toppings. Both Original Hawaiian Sweet Hamburger

Buns and Hot Dog Buns are available in re-closable packages of 6 buns

each.

For a full list of retailers and family favorite recipes, visit the

KING’S HAWAIIAN website at KingsHawaiian.com.

About King’s Hawaiian

Founded more than 60 years ago in Hilo, Hawaii, by Robert R. Taira,

King’s Hawaiian is a family-owned business that for three generations

has been dedicated to making irresistible, original recipe Hawaiian

foods made with Aloha Spirit. King’s Hawaiian makes the #1 branded

dinner roll in the United States, and operates more than 270,000 square

feet of baking facilities in Torrance, California and Oakwood, Georgia.

For more information, visit the company’s website at kingshawaiian.com,

“Like” KING’S HAWAIIAN on Facebook and follow KING’S HAWAIIAN on Twitter.

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What is a Moo Moo Dress?

Comfortable Style for Would-be Moms!

A moo moo dress is an excellent attire for pregnant women. It does not restrict the waist and looks chic too!

A moo moo dress (also called muumuu) is a very colorful and comfy Hawaiian dress. The name basically means “cut-off.” The dress was named so as it lacked a yoke. It is basically a loose dress that hangs from the shoulder. Moo moo was first introduced in the 1800s, when the Christian Missionaries came to Hawaii. They introduced the moo moo, basically to act as a cover for those women who wore only skirts. It has transformed a lot since then to emerge as a fashionable clothing option today. It is available in bright colors as well as subdued hues.

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a cultural festival in Hawaii where moo moo dresses are worn. They are the preferred formal dress for weddings as well. Women in the hotel industry wear them as uniforms. Due to their comfort, moo moo dresses are perfect for older women as well.

Types and Styles

Doesn’t this fitted moo moo look fashionable in every sense?

Here’s a knee-length moo moo for a relaxing vacation! Don’t forget to pack it this time!

Wanna make a style statement? Go for an A-line moo moo!

Bright, colorful, comfortable, and beautiful―what’s not there in a moo moo?

Traditional Styles

Holomu

A well-fitted moo moo that is worn for a formal evening.Holoku

A full-length dress with long sleeves, worn for formal affairs.

Today, it is available in a variety of styles like mid-length, fitted, and ruffled moo moos. Some people believe that this dress is only suitable for obese people, or people who are on the heavier side, as it hides the extra pounds. But anybody can wear it as there are different fits and styles available today.

Modern Styles

A-Line Dress

It flows from the shoulders to the bottom hem in a straight line. It helps hide the extra pounds in the mid area. It looks good on all body types.Fitted Ruffled Dress

It hugs the body slightly, showing off your silhouette. Ruffles add a glamorous twist to the otherwise simple dress.

Holoku’u Dress Style

This is a formal style that is usually worn at weddings. It has a longer hem and a small train at the back.Mid-Lengths

Knee-length or calf-length moo moo dresses can be worn casually.

Ruffled Neckline

Ruffled necklines give a classic and elegant look to the dress instantly. They come in simple V, round, or square neckline.

Accessories

Most fashionistas say no to moo moo dresses, as they look literally like sacks. Without any definition they look very loose and boring. It is believed that they are only for old ladies. This is definitely not true! Yes, you can use it as a house dress or for a short trip to the grocer. But, you can also wear it to a party. Give the traditional dress a glamorous twist and flaunt your unique style! Correct accessorizing can instantly give you a stylish look.

BeltsThe main reason most women don’t like a moo moo dress is that it lacks structure. We mean that it just hangs from your body. Well, we have a solution for it―belts! Using belts will give your dress some definition. Since, most of them are very colorful and have bold prints, opt for a belt in a dark and solid color.

HatsGet the Hawaiian look by wearing huge hats. Avoid wearing very colorful hats, as your dress is already very bright. Go for trendy hats in nude colors or classic black or gray.

Strappy SandalsShoes make or break a dress! Go in for stylish strappy sandals to instantly glam your look.

Why You Should Buy One

• Firstly, they are functional and very comfortable.


• They are not expensive. So, you can experiment with them.


• They are becoming popular again, and are available in a variety of patterns (huge, bright, flowers or smaller intricate patterns, polka dots, abstract colorful designs), colors (bright as well as subdued), and materials (cotton, silk, lace embellishment). You will definitely be spoiled for choice.

So get shopping, and add this dress to your collection today!

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Data Brainiacs Meet Rap Music in Kakaako

Useful Tips And Tricks To Plan The Perfect Wedding

Faith and religion mark one of the most important topics in marriage. Make time to talk to your fiance and their family about their religion.

Tip Are you bringing in food yourself to your reception? Visit a wholesale store to stock up. This will allow you to save loads of money.

In order to have a wedding, there only needs to be a bride and groom, a minister, and a whole lot of love. Everything else is not needed. They are added extras that make the day even more delightful, but they are definitely not necessities. The following article will guide you to planning and preparing a very happy and memorable wedding day.

Do not go on a crash diet to fit in the dress. Like a mixed martial arts fighter preparing for a fight, you will end up dehydrated and light-headed if you try to rush losing weight. You have spent so long planning for your big day, the last thing you want to do is pass out at the altar. You can always choose a dress that utilizes a corset so that you are able to take your dress in for the moment.

Tip Transportation is something you should consider for the wedding. Make taxis and limos available to transport people to their accommodations after the affair is over.

One of the major things that impacts your wedding day and married life will be religion. Discuss all aspects of your religion with who you plan on marrying as well as their family too, just so they are comfortable with your beliefs.

If the thought of a cake that costs thousands of dollars and packs on thousands of calories ruins your appetite, check with local and specialty bakers and inquire about individually sized portions. Many bakeries can provide wedding cupcakes that come in at 100 calories or less per serving. Other healthier options include gluten-free pastries, no-calorie sweeteners, and icing alternatives, such as meringue or fruit spreads.

Wedding Gowns

Don’t postpone the reception while you have photographs taken. Pictures of the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen can be snapped in advance. Pictures of the parents with the bride and groom are also able to be shot beforehand and reduce the wait time for the guests at the reception.

Tip During your wedding planning, arrange for even numbers of guests at each table. Facilitate conversation by making table arrangements according to age groups.

Buying wedding gowns online can save you hundreds of dollars, but be sure to do it very early to allow you time to get your gown altered when you receive it. You can purchase wedding gowns for as low as $100 online, but sometimes the alterations may cost you double that amount. Be sure to work the additional cost for alterations into your overall budget.

Ask to borrow something from a friend to wear on the day you get married. This can give you the look you want to achieve and make the wedding even more special.

Personalize your wedding by including unique touches that express the essence and interests of you and your new spouse. Pick out a theme that reflects your time together.

It is important that every part of your wedding is well planned, from the food that shall be served to the specifics of the reception. You want to make sure that every person who is sharing in your special day has as wonderful a time as you do.

Tip Flowers that are plentiful in your state may be difficult to find at your wedding location. Communicate with florist and wedding professionals where you’re getting married to discover the flowers that will be blooming and available at that time.

You may want to utilize ethnic dishes for a unique reception. Chicken and steak are nice but they are nothing special, so look for foods that are unique and have a special flavor to them. Variety should be incorporated into your wedding dinner to make it a memorable experience.

Ensure your flowers look great. Retro and vintage themes should have a bright and colorful palette with showstopping flowers evoking feelings of wistfulness and nostalgia. That could mean red poppies, daisies, and pink and yellow peonies.

Tip To help add depth to floral arrangements, incorporate flowers of different heights throughout your arrangements. Make use of taller vases for long stem flowers with compact heads.

Again, there aren’t a lot of necessities when it comes to weddings. A lot of the things are just options and upgrades. It is nice to include these extras but it is also stressful and can take away from your special day. That is why the ideas and information in this article are geared towards how to have a happy and memorable wedding day and not one that fits into some textbook standard.

You want the bride to be happiest on her big wedding day, so make sure that you run everything through her first so that no surprises arise. Planning a wedding and dealing with problems will make a bride stressed and anxious. Let the bride have the final say over all aspects of the wedding so that she doesn’t act out anger prior to and during the wedding.

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Luau Party Food

If you are thinking of throwing a theme party and cannot come up with an idea, try opting for a luau theme. Luau means a rich Hawaiian meal which features different types of well cooked meat, beer and Hawaiian music. Organizing a luau themed party gives a fresh appeal to the environment and to the guests as they get a much-needed change from the same old regular type of gatherings. The Hawaiian theme is a much preferred way to relax and enjoy time with your dear ones.

Luau Party Food Ideas

There is no need to fly down to Hawaii to enjoy a luau party experience. With adequate knowledge and food supplies, you can recreate the luau party atmosphere in your own home and have a night of never-ending fun. The beach T-shirts and shorts can be arranged but the party cannot be completed without authentic luau food. Here is the order in which luau food is served.

Appetizers or Snacks

Finger foods are the perfect pick for a luau party. To prevent huge stains and messes in the kitchen and dinning area, serve the guests with some lip-smacking appetizers like mini-kabobs (made from chunks of pineapple, ham and sweet pepper). Fill the tables with different fruit salads which can be consumed with appetizers. To have a distinctive Hawaiian environment, cut a melon of your choice in attractive shapes and decorate it with small fruits such as grapes and strawberries. For kids, keep bananas frozen and dip it in dark chocolate syrup to give the desired amount of sweetness.

Main Course

After some delicious appetizers comes the main course. Make chicken tenders which don’t need to be deep-fried. Use skinless chicken and dip them in egg yolk and in Japanese bread crumbs known as ‘Panko’. Bake them at 350°F until cooked fully. The next dish is to boil shrimp and season them with salt and pepper. You can serve this shrimp with hot cocktail sauce. Poi is served as a dessert, its main ingredient is taro root but it can be made from vanilla pudding and purple food color.

Drinks and Cocktails

Serve your favorite cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages and for those who want to cut down on the calories, nutritional fruit smoothies can also be served. Don’t forget the most popular beverage of Hawaii, coconut water. Just make sure to keep an eye on the cocktails so that the kids don’t try to drink it.

Luau Recipes

We have been talking about luau food and not even mentioned a single recipe! It looks a little unfair, doesn’t it. So here are some famous luau food recipes.

Lomi Lomi Salmon

Ingredients

• Salted salmon, 1 pound


• Diced medium Maui onions, 2


• Peeled and diced fresh tomatoes, 3


• Thinly sliced green onions, 3


• Finely diced small pineapple, 1


• Fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup


• Fresh pepper

Method

Shred salmon fish in small pieces with your hands and place them in a bowl. Add the tomatoes, onions, pineapple and lime juice and mix well. Massage all the ingredients till their flavors gel with each other perfectly. Garnish it with a little dash of pepper. Cover it with an aluminum foil and keep in the fridge for at least an hour. You can have it as a fish salad.

Crisp Nut Chicken with Honey Mustard Dip

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks, 2 pounds


• Crushed herb-seasoned stuffing mix, 1 cup


• Finely chopped macadamia nuts, 1 jar


• Melted butter, 3 tbsp


• Soy sauce, 1 tsp


• Milk, 3 tbsp


• Honey, 2 tbsp


• Egg, 1


• Cooking Spray

Method

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 15 inch pan with a cooking spray. In a separate pan add the nuts, stuffing mix and stir well. In another bowl combine the milk, honey and soy sauce; mix well. Dip the drumsticks in the mixture and then in the stuffing mix. Place it in the pan and pour some melted butter on it. Bake it in the oven for 44 to 50 minutes and don’t turn the chicken while baking.

Hawaiian Coleslaw

Ingredients

• Shredded cabbage, 4 cups


• Drained and crushed pineapple, 1 cup


• Mayonnaise, 1/2 cup


• Drained mandarin oranges, 1 can


• Ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp


• Ground ginger, 1/4 tsp


• White pepper, 1/4 tsp


• Salt, 1/2 tsp

Method

Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl and then add oranges, salt ginger nutmeg and pepper. Mix the oranges and pineapple well and add mayonnaise until they are properly coated. Cool it before serving.

To make it more natural, the host can also play some Hawaiian music or hire Hawaiian dancers if the party is being planned on a large-scale. Best of luck and do revert your experiences to me.

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Follow These Ideas To Make Traveling Stress-Free.

You may think traveling is complicated. However, with the right expertise, your trip can be a great one. If you have no knowledge about travel, you may waste your money or get lost. The following tips can help prevent this.

Tip Make sure you leave extra valuables at home. The more items you have with you, the chance will be higher that you will leave one behind, or an item gets stolen.

It’s important to plan ahead when traveling by air. Just reaching the airport can be difficult to do quickly, especially if you are traveling through a major city during rush hour. Have your luggage packed the night before. Do not procrastinate preparing for your flight. You want to do everything possible to avoid arriving late for your flight.

Tip When traveling to a country that requires certain vaccinations, be sure and carry the paperwork indicating you’ve had them with you. You will need proof if so.

Always write down everything you need to pack in the form of a list. You should make this list around a week to a couple months in advance so that you absolutely know what needs to be packed. This will keep you away from chaos no matter how late you pack.

Tip Make sure you take clothespins with you when travelling. Clothespins are not a typical travel item for many people, but should be reconsidered given their usefulness and versatility.

If you are a visitor to foreign cities, keep your eyes open for thieves that might be dressed as law enforcement or government personnel. Keep your passport on you at all times, and do not hand it over to anyone. If they want to take you in, make sure you walk with them. Don’t enter a vehicle with a local you don’t know.

Tip Remember when traveling by plane, to wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip off. You are required to take them off when going through security checks.

If, to get to your cruise travel port, you need to drive your car into a city, consider arriving the day before and finding a hotel with free parking. Ask the hotel’s staff about any parking deals they may offer.

Tip Get involved with travel websites and forums. Having an online community of travelers with whom to socialize and share experiences is a great way to get prepared for your trip.

If you are traveling to a specific attraction, such as an amusement park, see if you can purchase tickets online, and print them in advance. Sometimes you can get a good deal, or even if you don’t, the small fee you pay is worth it, as you will get to skip the long admission lines. Timed entry is another option that can allow you to bypass long lines to pay for admission.

Tip Never travel overseas without being prepared for anything, including getting your passport lost or stolen. The United States The State Department offers a site that gives instructions on contacting the Consulate or Embassy in countries you may be visiting.

Before boarding your flight, get a quick workout in. This will help you avoid the tediousness of long flights. Remaining in a stationary position can cause stiff muscles and cramps. Working out prior to a long flight can relax your body and reduce uncomfortable feelings in your body due to the flight.

Tip Use environmentally responsible services if you would like to take an eco-friendly trip. For example, choose a hotel which offers energy efficient fixtures and recycling programs.

Keep track of all of your valuables at all time when traveling. Don’t let your purse dangle off your shoulder. Avoid toting bags that have easily-accessible zipper closures, especially if you will be in very crowded areas. Keep these things in mind when you choose a bag for your trip.

Tip If you are going to be renting a car, make sure you review your auto insurance policy prior to leaving home. The rental car company may try and sell you insurance that you don’t need.

Keep a book of matches or the business card of the hotel you are using on your person while out. In the event that you get lost while meandering about, this info will help you find your way when using a taxi or other service. This is especially useful if you don’t speak the language fluently.

Tip To make planning your next vacation a breeze, book your trip online. Travel websites require little effort from your part, when it comes to planning your trip.

You want to check with the companies with whom you have credit card accounts to see what insurance they are already offering you when traveling abroad. An example would be if you had a cancelled flight, how would the charge be reflected on your card. Doing a bit of research before leaving is a good idea.

Tip If you run into issues in your plans, you may get frustrated. You may miss your flight or not get the car you reserved.

This article has proven that traveling is not difficult. You must become educated about it, but you will have a fun trip. With these suggestions in mind, you will travel smarter and enjoy more.

Tip If you are traveling to a foreign country, put food allergies in the language of the country you are visiting. If you have special dietary restrictions, tell your server and ask for recommendations.

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