rsangiovanni

I agree. We decided to not do the cruise. We will end up doing just two islands (Oahu 7 days and Kauai 10 days). After looking up the things we wanted to do, we realized that we would miss a lot of the things we wanted to do if we took a cruise. I still feel like 7 nights in Oahu are not sufficient. Would have liked to stay 1-2 more nights so we can enjoy more of the north shore and the rest of the island. 

Thank you everyone for all of your input and suggestions. It helped a lot.

18 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

We have been to Hawaii - on a cruise and then 2 nights post cruise in HNL.

 

If we are to go back to Hawaii it'd be a land vacation and we will choose the Big Island.

 

BUT the cruise we went on was a real taster for us as we got to experience each of the islands - Maui, Big Island and Kauai. We hired a car on each of the ports and found driving very easy. Less traffic than Oahu.

 

So …… if you decide to skip the cruise I would suggest more time on the Big Island - equal days in Hilo and in Kona. Just fly to either Hilo (I would think this is better) OR Kona, and hire a 4WD SUV or Jeep for the whole time, and divide your hotel stay in both Hilo and Kona. Not long to drive between Hilo and Kona.

 

We hired a 4WD from Harper Car Rental in Hilo (the other car hires don't have 4WD) and drove up to the top of Mauna Kea. Unfortunately we were on a cruise that stopped during the day, so if we are to return to Big Island we'd go up there again at sunset and view the clear sky show at night. In Kona, whip out your snorkel gear - fantastic snorkeling there!

 

The 2 other islands - Maui and Kauai are also great, but 2-3 days in each will be enough. On Maui we drove up to the top of Haleakala and were able to see across to Mauna Kea (that we drove up the next day!). In Kauai we drove to Waimea Canyon.

 

Oahu - we did drive the circle (coastal) and visited the Dole Plantation - it was good but many many cars and people on this island and traffic got heavy.

 

I just reread your post - difficult decision for you but like Budget Queen, I would suggest you reduce the # days on Oahu. Too populated, commercialized and too many tourists!! And too many cars.

 

One more thing, check out the airlines (AA is one) that do fly directly to Kona/Hilo from mainland USA. Better than the HNL zoo.

 

 

Thanks! That’s helpful. I think I may follow your advise and add more days to Big Island. But I’m gathering that you feel it’s a better option to do the land option instead of the cruise based on your experience, right?

43 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

I would never spend that amount of time on Oahu.  Why not also what I’ve done.  A couple days on Oahu. Cruise.  Then several days elsewhere??       I just spent 3 weeks in Hawaii- with  2 cruises     I’m in Hawaii every year.   

I figured we would spend more days there thinking there is more to do. We are also flying from east Florida and will probably not do much on our first day since we will likely be tired from jet lag when we first arrive in O’ahu. 

We could scale it back to 5 nights and do 5 nights in Big Island. But you definitely think it’s better than doing the cruise?

My wife, 7 year old daughter and I are planning our first trip to Hawaii in 2020 and will be flying from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We’re having a hard time deciding what would be the better option:

1. 7 nights in O’ahu , followed by Pride of America cruise, and one more night in O’ahu. 
2. 6 nights in O’ahu, 4 nights in Big Island (split between Kona/Hilo), and 5 nights in Kauai.
3. 6 nights in O’ahu, 4 nights in Maui, and 5 nights in Kauai.

We got a good deal with POA Cruise ($5400 for a balcony, all free offers, WiFi, and $100 credit per port). If we decide to do the no cruise option, we can use Hilton Honors points for the stay at Big Island and Kauai so the only cost would be our flights, food and car rental when needed; it also helps that we are Hilton Honors Diamond status and that will give us free breakfast, WiFi, no resort fees, and a possible upgrade in those resorts.

While it will probably be more expensive to go with the cruise option, we like having food/drinks included while on the cruise, the ability to see more islands, and not having to waste time boarding airports and checking in... but are a little afraid of it being too rushed since the cruise does not spend too much time on each island. 

We would appreciate any help and insight. Thanks!!