There's nothing more pleasurable after dropping the hook in a remote cove than pulling two special steaks out of the freezer and enjoying a BBQ off the aft deck with a fresh sea food appetizer, a great bottle of wine and a colorful sunset lighting up the sky.

THE COCKTAIL HOUR

But there is one part of the "don't oversupply" axiom that is made to be broken: stock up big on easy-to-prepare hors d'oeuvres. This lifestyle often means a cocktail hour in some vessel's cockpit every evening. Everyone is always famished, so be prepared with a quick offering if invited to join fellow cruisers for drinks.

If I learned anything provisioning for my first cruise to the Inside Passage, it is that the cocktail hour is a shared, sacred event. You don't have to drink alcoholic beverages to enjoy cocktail hour in the cruising world, but you better come up with some worthy hors d'oeuvres. Once safely anchored or tied up, exchanging conversation over a beverage of choice and enjoying munchies with fellow cruisers becomes a ritual.RICK LEBLANC

The cocktail hour items were the first to be depleted from the stash. Emeril-style finesse isn't required, but going beyond the fall-back bowl of munchies will make you a more welcome guest. Smoked oysters, crab meat, tuna, smoked kippers, artichoke hearts, olives, jarred cheese sauce and potted meats all store well. These items also leave room for creativity.

Appetizers need not be fancy, but don't be a culinary copout either. Smoked sausage doesn't take up much room in the fridge and it can also be frozen. Sliced and presented with a creative sauce or mustard dip, it is great. Through out the year I look for "nautical" napkins to take with my offering to liven up the presentation. Keep it simple but make it look and taste like you put some effort into it.

At its most simple, provisioning means providing the items you would normally have on hand with maybe a few extras thrown in, before and during your travels. If you plan ahead and start shopping early you will not be faced with a monumental ordeal. It can even add to the fun. Do it with that in mind, and you'll actually be able to relax during cocktail hour. Bon voyage!