References and Photo Gallery 2006-07

Once Upon a Time There Were....

Beautiful SUMMER Weddings

Thomas & Christine Lanzone
Bellerose, New York
June 3, 2006
Married at the Westbury Manor    
(Westbury, New York)

Robert & Carol Cerrochi
Levittown, New York
June 3, 2006
Married at the Chateau La Mer
(Lindenhurst, New York)

Shane & Mary Bunting
Brooklyn, New York
June 4, 2006
Married at the Middle Island County Club    
(Middle Island, New York)

Steven & Bov Hartman
Bayonne, New Jersey
June 8, 2006
Married at the home of Bob & Barbara Walker
College Point, New York

Capt. Arnold,

Steve and I wanted to express our appreciation and heartfelt thanks for making our wedding day such a memorable occasion.  We both felt, and every guest agreed, that your ceremony was truly special.  After 15 years, you made my wedding day more magical than I ever could have imagined.

Thank you!

All Our Best,

Steve & Bovagita Hartman

Thomas & Stephanie McGee
Cape May, New Jersey
June 10, 2006
Married aboard the Cruise Ship "Zenith"
of Celebrity Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NY)

George & Merrill Johnson
Brooklyn, New York
June 10, 2006
Married at the Brooklyn Waterfront Museum
(Brooklyn, New York)

Daniel & Leigh Kaplan
Quincy, Mass
June 11, 2006
Married on the Royal Caribbean
"Explorer of the Seas"
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Alterick & Ramona White
Newark, New Jersey
June 11, 2006
Married on the Royal Caribbean
"Explorer of the Seas"
"Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NY)

David & Dawn Goddard
Derby, Berbyshire, United Kingdom
June 12, 2006
Married aboard the Motor Yacht
"Cloud 9 III"
( East 23rd Street Seaport Marina, NYC)

Joeseph & Melissa Cannavino
Hanford, California
June 14, 2006
Married at the Ladies Pavilion
(Central Park, New York City)

And their kids loved it too.
Here's Joe & Melissa with their two children,
Angelo (age-7) and Angelina (age-11)

John & Miriam Castillo
Staten Island, New York
June 16, 2006
Renewal of Vows, Married 15 years
Performed aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

 John and I want to THANK YOU!!!!!!!, for making our day so special.   Finally, after fifteen years of marriage, we had our wedding day.  You made everything so personal, serious and at the same time fun.  The words you said made us laugh and cry, making it an AWESOME ceremony.

  The candle ceremony was great!  Our wedding day was truly a day never to forget, something we will always look back and have great memories and laughs.    

 Thank you,

John and Miriam

Daniel & Rekha Thomas
Rego Park, New York
June 17, 2006    
Married at the "Ladies Pavilion"    
(Central Park, New York City)

Fred & Harriet Freyre
Copiague Harbor, NY
June 18, 2006
Married at "The Carltun"
(Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY)

Wayne & Nina Elliott
Brunswick, Maine
June 23, 2006
Married at Tudor City Park
(New York City, NY)

Brian & Catherine Quirion with their son Nicholas
San Jose, California
June 23, 2006
Married at the La Grange Inn
(West Islip, New York)

Marcus & Kimberly Shlyk
Flushing, New York
June 24, 2006
Married at the "Sands"
(Lido Beach, New York)

Thomas & Stephanie Heaney JR
Cumberland, Rhode Island
June 25, 2006
Married on the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Bruce & Diane Licht
Princeton, New Jersey
June 25, 2006
Married on the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Enrico & Christine Danesi
Danbury, CT
June 25, 2006
Married at "Le Chateau"
(South Salem, New York)

William & Deborah Kalaka
Oceanport, New Jersey 07757
June 30, 2006
Married at the "Ladies Pavilion"
(Central Park, New York City)

Matthew & Noelle Roper
Baldwin, New York
July 1, 2006
Married on the Celebrity Cruise Lines
"The Zenith"
(Port of Bayonne, Cape Liberty, NJ)

Robert & Betty Tyska
San Diego, CA & Lauredale, PA
July 1, 2006    
Married on the Celebrity Cruise Lines
"The Zenith"
(Port of Bayonne, Cape Liberty, New Jersey)

Jose & Kimberly Flores
Brooklyn, New York
July 1, 2006
Married at Riverside Park by the water
(New York City, New York)

Michael & Beryl Narozny
New York City, NY
July 6, 2006
Married on their Rooftop
(New York City, NY)

Dennis & Rosaria Nagy
with their daughter Rebecca
Middle Village, NY
July 8, 2006
Married on the "Norwegian Dawn"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)

Michael & Ariana D'Amura
Danbury, Connecticut
July 9, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Matthew & Theresa Clother
Washington, New Jersey
July 13, 2006
Married aboard the "Skyline Princess"
Pier One, World's Fair Marina
Flushing Meadow, New York

Christopher & Kelly Antonacci
Nutley, New Jersey
July 14, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Jason & Robin Sheehy
Port Jefferson Station, NY
July 15, 2006
Married aboard the "Nautical Princess"
(Freeport, New York)

Bernabé & Lisa Suarez
Brooklyn, New York
July 16, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Spirit"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)

Dear Captain Arnold,

We just wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 
You certainly did provide a "fairytale wedding" for us. 

All our guests commented on how the ceremony was beautiful - from the way that you helped honor my sister's memory - to the "child ceremony" (which my son, Noah, absolutely loved). 

You not only served as officiant but you went above-and-beyond the call of duty.  You made sure all of our guests were taken care of and socialized with everyone as if you were an old friend.  

Imagine our surprise when we received not only our package from you a week and a half after our wedding, but also our official marriage license from the City of NY! 

You are professional, good-hearted and a true gentleman.

It was a pleasure to be married by you.

Thank you, thank you , thank you!

Best regards,

Lisa & Bernabé Suarez

Ray & Jennifer Rambarran
South Ozone Park, New York
July 16, 2006
Married aboard the "Nautical Empress"
(Freeport, New York)

David & Tammy Najam
Hartford, CT
July 22, 2006
Married aboard the "Crown Princess"
Princess Cruise Lines
(Brooklyn Ship Terminal, Brooklyn, NY)

Michael & Amy-Jo Shaffer
Mechanicsburg, PA
July 22, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Spirit"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)

Jeffrey & Michelle Lockwood
Staten Island, New York
July 23, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Robert & Nicole Chvasta
Elmwood Park, New Jersey
July 23, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Michael & Amber Canaan
Morrisville, North Carolina
July 27, 2006
Married aboard the Motor Yacht "Skyline Princess"
(World's Fair Marina, Flushing, New York)

Hi Captain!
Sorry for taking a month to finally email you; it actually took that long to get settled back in to our new life together!
We appreciate the wonderful ceremony you gave us and for taking care of everything so that we had a peaceful, stress free wedding.
We've received your package and we thank you for that as well; we'd never considered how significant it would be to look at our actual vows in print.

The following is a paragraph Amber wrote that you can feel free to use on your website: I knew the minute we decided to have our wedding onboard the Skyline Princess, that we were in for a memorable wedding.  I had no idea though how wonderful and memorable it would turn out to be!  Mike and I had a lot of roadblocks to get through in our relationship, with our families, and with planning our wedding. There were a lot of times leading up to the wedding when I didn't know how it would all work out.
However, our wedding day was absolutely PERFECT!
It was a thousand times better than anything I had pictured in my mind, and not one thing went wrong!
The ship was magnificent, the crew treated us like royalty, and Captain Arnold, your words were magic!
Although we didn't have any guests with us, we felt at home and among family on the Skyline Princess.  The guests on the ship were so warm and friendly to us that we didn't really even miss the fact that our families weren't there!  I look back at all our pictures with wonderful memories, July 27, 2006 was the best day of my life!
We plan on returning for a dinner cruise on the skyline princess each year to celebrate our anniversary!
Thank you so much for our wonderful ceremony and for making our wedding day absolute perfection!
I was going to add something, but she said it all!
This occasion really meant a lot to us, and we're so glad that we entrusted you with it.
I've enclosed one of the fantastic pics Mimi took. Feel free to throw that up on the website too; it's a great shot!   I'll send more in a few.
Mimi, thanks so much for being a wonderful help to Amber the whole time.. and thank you for these great shots.  We wouldn't have been able show people all of the great moments we enjoyed if you hadn't been there.  I hope we get to see you again when we come up next summer to dine with the Captain!
The both of you will always be in our hearts!!
A million thanks!!
Mike C.

John & Catherine McLaughlin
Pamona, New York
July 28, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

  Troy & Deborah Amaro
New Rochelle, New York
July 29, 2006
Married at Antun's of Westchester
(Elmsford, New York)

Dear Captain Arnold,

Sorry we took so long to write!
Troy and I would like to say thank you for making our day special and memorable.
The words you chose touched our hearts in so many ways.
We received our wedding video last week, and every time we watch it and listen to the ceremony it brings back those same tears I had on July 29th.
You told us to listen to everything you said and we did.

Sincerely,

Deborah & William Amaro

Joe & Peggy Medicke
Neptune City, NJ
July 29, 2006
Married aboard the "Zenith Cruise Ship"
Celebrity Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Scott & Melanie Sheridan
East Northport, New York
July 30, 2006
Married at "Flowerfields"
(St. James, New York)

Joseph & Laura Cosentino
Ridge, New York
July 30, 2006
Married at "East Wind"
(Wading River, New York)

Mario & Jennifer Flores
Astoria, New York
July 31, 2006
Married aboard the World Yacht "Duchess"
(World Yacht Marina, Pier 81, W41st, NYC)

Paul & Alison Donner
Merrick, New York
August 5, 2006
Married at the Open Bay Marina
(Merrick, New York)

Michael & Jennifer Candelaria
North Babylon, New York
August 5, 2006
Married at Sunset Harbour
(East Patchogue, New York)

Michael & Shannon Scalice, Jr.
Islip Terrace, New York
August 6, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Kevin & Elizabeth Bartlett
Albany, New York
August 6, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Edward & Patricia Michaels
Long Beach, New York
August 6, 2006
Re-affirmation of Vows Ceremony
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Performed at the home of their daughter
(Long Beach, New York)

Daniel & Danielle Lee
Waterbury, CT
August 11, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Captain Arnold,

Dan and I wanted to thank you for the absolutely beautiful ceremony that you performed for us. I felt so uneasy about the whole thing until the moment that I spoke to you on the phone.
You immediately put my mind at ease.
All of our guests commented on the beautiful words that you chose for our vows and also the heartfelt words that you said speaking about our love. Every person present felt the words that you described.

When I booked the wedding with Royal Caribbean my biggest fear was that the wedding would be too much like a Las Vegas 2 minute ceremony- and what we got was the exact opposite.

Your words were sincere and Dan and I were completely in the moment.
We are extremely appreciative for conveying the message of our love and for making our wedding day a PERFECT day! We thank you again!

Danielle and Daniel Lee
Married August 11, 2006 Explorer of the Seas

Feike & Melissa Brouwers
Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands
August 11, 2006
Married at the "Ladies Pavilion"
(Central Park, New York City)

Birol & Jillian Argun
New York City, NY
August 12, 2006
Married at the Central Park Boathouse
(Central Park, New York City)

Dear Captain Arnold,

Thank you so much for performing such a truly magnificent wedding ceremony for us on 8.12.06.
Your words, spiced with touches of humor, were inspiring and could not have been more appropriate if I wrote them myself.
Our guests still rave about you and your ceremony!
We could not believe how many people couldn’t wait to speak with you thereafter!

With many warm regards & thanks,

Jillian & Birol Argun

Felix & Carla Morea
Hartsdale, New York
August 13, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Crown"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)

Jack & Amy Glennon
Everett, Maine
August 13, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Spirit"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NY)

with "Michael & Matthew"

Sean & Christine Kumpf
Brooklyn, New York
August 18, 2006
Married at the Chateau La Mer
(Lindenhurst, New York)

John & Carol Stella, Jr.
Saddle Brook, New Jersey
August 19, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Dawn"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NYC)

Dear Captain Arnold,

John and I wish to thank you so much for helping to make our wedding truly a dream come true.

The ceremony was something that we never could have imagined.

All of our guests were so moved and touched by your words.

As we look at the pictures, all our friends and family are beaming with such joy and happiness. Not one person who attended our wedding could say enough as to how special and personal our vows were.

Please accept our sincere thanks to you and your very lovely staff, who treated us as if we were family.

We will never forget this beautiful day of which you played such a major part.

With sincere thanks and affection,
John and Carol Stella

P.S.-We have received the beautiful wedding vows and picture packet.
Once again our thanks!!!!

Victor & Anabelle Varela
Fairlawn, New Jersey
August 19, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Dawn"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NYC)

Troy & Renee Beety
Sanford, ME
August 19, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Dawn"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NYC)

Ellison & Sharon Frank
Brooklyn, New York
August 19, 2006
Married aboard the "Norwegian Dawn"
Norwegian Cruise Lines
(Pier 90, Port of New York, NYC)

Dear Captain Arnold:

It's with great pleasure that we take this moment to thank you for such a wonderful wedding ceremony.

It was the most beautiful and happiest day of our lives, and you made it even better by doing such a wonderful ceremony.

All of our guests still talk about how much they enjoyed the wedding ceremony. So once again we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for playing a very important role on our special day.

Thank you.
Ellison and Sharon.

Evan & Jennifer Obsatz
New York City, NY
August 19, 2006
Married at the West Side Loft
(New York City, New York)

James & Debra Hook
Marietta, OH
August 19, 2006    
Married aboard the Motor Yacht "Jacana"
(Pier 81, West 41st Street, New York City)

Jason & Lindsey Wessels
Poughkeepsie, New York
August 20, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Dear Captain Arnold,

Thank you very much for your package.

We got everything we needed.

Thank you for the picture! It came out really good!

Thank you for a wonderful and memorable ceremony.

You truly made it a special day for Jason and I and our families.
Your words during the ceremony touched us all.
The sand ceremony was a nice and unique idea, thank you for suggesting it. It really added a special touch.

Thank you again for everything!

Lindsey and Jason Wessels 

Jonathan & Mary Thiessen
Elmsford, New York
August 20, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

Hi Capt. Arnold,

I wanted to let you know that Jonathan and I received your package Saturday with a copy of the marriage license, the photo and the vows.

We have to commend you because so many people thought that the ceremony was absolutely beautiful.

Without having a rehearsal dinner, everything we thought went quite well. I especially loved the fact that you sent us the wedding vows...already have it in the wedding album.
I took your advice and really listened to the wedding vows and will take them to heart.

The ceremony was unique and especially private for the both of us, who have gone through a lot together over the years. Your words were so touching and so true to us, that our marriage couldn't have started out in a better way.

Thanks,
Mary and Jonathan Thiessen

Michael & Gillian Dujardin
Tenafly, New Jersey
August 20, 2006
Married aboard the "Explorer of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
(Cape Liberty, Port of Bayonne, NJ)

James & Jennifer Paterno shown with their daughter Alyssa
Belleville, New Jersey
August 25, 2006
Married aboard the "Crown Princess"
Princess Cruise Lines
(Brooklyn Ship Terminal, Bklyn, NY)

William & Traci Fazekas
Willoughby, Ohio
August 26, 2006
Married at the "Ladies Pavilion"
(Central Park, New York City)

With their daughter Jessica

We wanted to send you a quick thank you for the wonderful ceremony you conducted for us in Central Park on August 26, 2006.  You exceeded our expectations! 
We had a chance to review a video of the wedding this past weekend and listened to the words again.
After the ceremony, several guests came up to us to let us know what a great ceremony it was.
The children's ceremony was a special touch. We will always remember our special day in Central Park and you were a very important part of it.
Thank you again!!

Bill & Traci Fazekas

Mark & Lisamarie Larson
New York, NY
August 26, 2006
Married at the "Shakespeare Gardens"
(Central Park, New York City)

Marty & CoCo Jacknis
Long Beach, New York
August 26, 2006
Married aboard the Motor Yacht "Abigail K"
(East 23rd Skyport Marina, New York City)

Hector & Annelise Mercado
Santa Monica, California
August 27, 2006
Married at "Blue Hill at Stone Barns"
(Tarrytown, New York)

The Blessing

Dear Captain Arnold

Jjust a few words to say how steadfast and unerring you were at the helm as we sailed off into the state  of matrimony.
With great wisdom and kindness, you helped us navigate through the ceremony from the processional order to the vows and the wedding blessing.
You allowed us our input and tailored the service so that it was exactly right and exactly how we wanted it.
Your warmth and humour  and humanity  were a pleasure.
We could not have asked for a better ceremony.
Thank you for being part of our wedding!

Sincerely,

Annelise and Hector Mercado

Kevin & Shirley Su
New York, NY
August 27, 2006
Married at "Le Chateau"
(South Salem, New York)

Dear Captain Arnold,

Thanks for administering the wedding ceremony for us, it was truly a beautiful ceremony, as many of our friends told us.
They were deeply touched by your speech, and one of my friends asked if she could get a copy of your speech, she wanted to refer to the speech in her daily life.

Thanks,

Shirley & Kevin