Beachdude

Suppose you want a cruise PLUS a brief view of several islands. Of course, your cruise would be interrupted by port calls - and you island-visiting would be limited by having to get back on a ship to head to the next port ---- but it does not make sense to rule out a Hawaiian cruise as one way of doing things.

Yes, of course you are right. But I took the OPs post to mean this was their first visit to Hawaii and cruising isn't a good way of experiencing the Hawaiian culture. However, if the cruise is the destination, a Hawaiian cruise is as good as any.

Burt

We've done both and I agree with the poster who says if you want to experience Hawaii, then stay in Hawaii. If you want to experience a cruise, then cruise. But the two don't mix well for Hawaii because to really experience Hawaii is to experience the culture and that can't be done on the marathon pace of a cruise.

We do two vacations a year, one is a rental house near a beach in Hawaii, and the other is a cruise somewhere else in the world.

Burt

Question, and just a question.

 

Isn't expecting one to dress according to others preferences, rather than their own, not disrespectful of the person who's dress is being assessed? Or does the opinion of the person making the assessment override the assessed persons opinion?:confused:

 

I'm just curious as to whose opinion gets to matter more, the person dressed or the person looking at them.

 

As I said earlier, I don't concern myself with others choice of dress for dining nor do I pay attention to such. But that's just me. YMMV

I find it interesting that folks find they have to keep repeating that they don't pay much attention to how someone dresses. You just haven't been presented with your limitation yet. I think the question is more about how you would react when the situation occurs, not what you think of the other victims with different expectations.

There was a thread a few years ago from an angry mother who wanted to go strait from the pool area with her two young wet kids to the main dinning room. She was offended the staff wouldn't let her pass. Is that reasonable? Was she crossing the expectations of the average person in eating in the Main Dinning Room?

To your question, if everyone in the group considers others of the group before themselves, rarely does anybody get offended.

My point is that there are many using the question as an opportunity to be judgmental of those who do have some expectation of décor in the MDR and not enough be judgmental of those who put the group in the situation by making a selfish choice. That you are patient is great, but how will you respond that one day when your table mates chose to be offensive without your consideration. Seems to be a tough question for this crowd.

Burt

Wow...just wow.

 

Considering the definition of rude is "offensively impolite or ill-mannered" I don't see how it applies. Especially since dress has nothing to do with being impolite. Also, the definition of disobedient is "refusing to obey rules or someone in authority". Since everything I have ever seen on the mass market lines like RCI that address dining attire starts off with "We suggest" and not "We require". Add to that the obvious fact that someone on the crew has given, at the very least, tacit approval (and THEY not YOU are the authority)...disobedient is not applicable.

 

I truly hope you don't expect others to live according to your standards in every aspect of your life.

 

As for your last comment...perhaps you should read more carefully. I addressed that in a fairly recent post.

My reference of disobedience was directed at your confusion of who is responsible for the personal actions of others.

If a person acts toward others around them without consideration of the situation and the expectations of the group, then that type of behavior could certainly come under the heading of "offensively impolite or ill-mannered".

As much as many here seem to want to judge the victims of actions, the actors are still just as responsible, if not more so, of their actions in the situation they created.

Even you state limitations of how table mates should present themselves. Not always, but more often than not those actions were conscious choices knowing they were stepping on boundaries of normal expectations. Those are simply selfish choices.

Burt

This is the crux of the matter and a premise with which I completely disagree. I whole heartedly subscribe to the sentiment of Eleanor Roosevelt when she said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." That applies, in my opinion, to all emotions. No person or group of people can make you feel uncomfortable...only you can do that by how you choose to react to a given situation.

 

If someone walks up to the table dressed in a manner that YOU deem inappropriate and you begin to feel uncomfortable that is YOUR fault, not theirs. If that feeling is conveyed to others (either verbally or through body language) then the only question I would have is: Do you get water in your nose when caught in the rain without an umbrella? Because I could not help but think your nose is turned up so much that would be a distinct possibility.

 

For goodness sake...you're on vacation. If your emotions are that fragile you should probably confine yourself to your cabin and enjoy room service.

 

I, for one, could not care less how people dress. If they have good hygiene and are polite we will have a nice evening.

Do you teach your children to be rude and disobedient in public, because this exactly what you are condoning.

You are confusing self-discipline with the expected civil actions of the population.

Your virtue of patience should not have a bearing on the choices others make toward you. Civility requires consideration of those around us as we act because humans generally react back in kind. Civility starts by considering the expectations of others before ourselves.

Even you have standards to your patience; what if your table mates don't have good hygiene? It seems we all have expectations of our fellow man.

Burt

Respect is something you earn.

 

If you take how someone else is dressed as a sign that they disrespect you, that is a you problem...not a me problem.

While the saying goes "Respect has to be earned", human nature generally starts by giving everyone a healthy expectation of respect at the start. So in reality, respect is our to loose.

Our respect by those around us is determined by how we show respect toward their expectations of us. Putting those around us in an uncomfortable situation when we could have chosen otherwise is not being respectful.

Burt

Judgmental is a word that has been beat around so much lately in our culture to justify a personal self-interest that it's lost any meaning. Respect is the appropriate word here because it serves for the interest of the other person, not oneself. A person dressing out of context of expectation is being disrespectful. How we respond to any disrespect is a reference to our character and integrity.

Burt

A few years ago a father distraught over his divorce kidnapped his kids and threatened suicide in his room at Disney resort in Orlando. Our family was swimming in the resort pool when it all started, so we found ourselves stranded because we weren't allowed back to our room, which was near the distraught fathers room. Disney told all visitors staying in that wing to visit their store for anything required to keep them comfortable until the situation was ended. Since nobody could predict how long it would take, our family was fully cloth without question. Without question.

Last year our family was boarding a boat on the Disney Jungle Tour when my oldest son's wife accidently step on his sandal, which fell and disappeared in the water. When we finished the ride, a Disney employee handed my son a coupon that gave him a free pair of footwear from anywhere on Disney property without question.

When that same son was only 6, he broke his plastic pirate sword he just bought at the Pirate of the Caribbean store. A Disney employee told us Disney would replace it without question. And they did, without question.

Is it no wonder we are loyal Disney vacationers. If a ship line lost the luggage of their passengers, there should be no limit to making them as comfortable as the rest of the passengers.

Burt

Just wanted to add, this is our first time to Hawaii as well. The cruise we are taking on Celebrity starts in Vancouver and we will have five relaxing sea days and then 5 days in Hawaii on four different islands. I love the idea of being able to see four different islands in one trip! It will be nice to go to four different islands without having to plan the details of the planes to get there, etc. :) Also, we are going to stay in Hawaii for an extra two days. Based on what I've read this is a great way to see Hawaii! Can't wait!

 

 

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Then let me give a hint for the Maui; the rental car pickup are a few miles down the road and the few buses can make the wait time up to an hour. To save you that hour of your precious touring time, find another couple to share a taxi to the rental pickup. So much to see, that the $10 or so is worth the time savings.

Burt

Best way to do the islands is by flying and making a home base and doing day trips to the others. Island hoppers are very cheap. Pride of American consistently is the lowest rated ship in the entire industry. The all American crew is a major reason behind that

 

I would suggest NOT using O'ahu. The Big Island or Maui instead for your stay.

 

 

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I agree with everything, except the O'ahu exception. All the islands are wonderful. But Honolulu gives Oahu the bad reputation many folks speak about. Honolulu is has the big city feel with intense stop and go driving that discourages more visitors from spending much time on Oahu. I admit we also felt the same about Oahu at first, but we started touring the whole island on our days there and found that it is as much a treasure as the other islands. In fact, Oahu arguably has some of Hawaii's most beautiful sceneries and beaches. And that is saying a lot. Even the beaches along Diamond Head (next to Honolulu) can be breath taking.

We have rented houses on four of the islands and find renting on the Oahu's North Shore as one of our favorites. It's quiet, beautiful, and probably the friendliest of the areas we stay in.

Honestly, each island has their own beauty and personalities, so I can't really suggest one island over another. But we are spending 10 days on the Oahu North Shore next Spring along with a couple days on Molokai. Probably rent motorcycle for a day on Maui again as well.

As spookwife pointed out, picking a home base and enjoying the islands is probably a better way for first timers to enjoy the islands.

Burt

We have cruised Hawaii and spent many vacations there as well. To really experience Hawaii is to slow down to the locals pace and relaxingly enjoy its beauty. Cruises make a relaxing visit challenging because of the limited time at each port. Each island shows off it's best with a drive around the island.

It's not just the natural beauty and wondrous sites that make Hawaii special, but the local lifestyle richens the experience as well. We missed that part of the experience with the cruise.

I'm not knocking cruises, we cruise at least once and usually twice a year. But for the first Hawaiian visit, a land vacation really gives a better brouder experience that might likely change your life.

Burt

I agree and I'm pretty sure the OP was not asking a genuine question. :rolleyes: Topics like this get posted every once and awhile - more for purpose of generating conversation than for seeking information.

Yes, folks are bored with their fingers waiting anxiously on the keyboard reading to talk about anything. Strangely discussions talking bad about other bad people seems to get those fingers going. It's todays culture.

Burt

I'm not sure how long you have, but I would suggest driving as far toward Hana as you have time. And to add even more adventure, rent this car.

http://mauiroadsters.com/our-fleet/cars/

Burt

Perhaps the poster meant "indigenous?"

I did indeed mean indigenous, thank you for the correction. :D

Burt

What makes you think the pre-Columbian natives were indigent?

That is what the tour guides told us.

Burt

History is kind of the same for the Caribbean islands, basically a slave driven agriculture that drove out the indigent Indians. Typically the forts are interesting. Puerto Rico being one of the best tours.

I agree the southern Caribbean is the better cruises, but the Eastern is right behind if you haven't cruised it yet.

Burt

I would LOVE it if he would do all the planning, shopping, closing up of the house, packing, & just let me show up. Just once. :)

Yes, Sally says this all the time. But the reality is that she is who she is. She is a planner. Our vacations are typically booked more than a year ahead because that's what she likes to do. Then she spends the next six months over planning the trip. Then the next six months changing those plans. But through all that grumbling, she enjoys it.

We have two close couples friends that we learned not to travel with because they are planners too. Two planners doesn't work well together. It turns into and ego thing of who will give up first.

I have two other motorcycle buddies who are anal with planning as well. We get along because I let them plan. If I don't like their plan, I don't go.

So, I think you planners need to acceptwho you are and take I as a complement because without planners, we would all be walking in circles.

Hey hey hey folks, don't let personal passions color our vision. Remember what everyone keeps saying; food is subjective and it's your cruise. If I rather fork out my money for a cocktail instead of a burger, it's ok.

Burt

I'm just glad it's not ala carte, like NCL has made Margaritaville. 7.00 for one person is not bad, by any means. It's a drop in the bucket of cruise expenses, so if we want to go, we go. If we don't want to, we don't. I feel like if its as small as I remember, if it was free, would be really hard to get into the venue.

May I use this quote in other posts.

Burt

You are not sinning, just going through puberty. Eventually maturity widens the eyes to the world of adventure. And it taste good.:cool:

Burt

Drivers license. This was before 9/11 and passports, so I needed it just to board the plane and ship. Called a friend to break into the house and bring it to us. Our friend still laughs about it.

Burt

But when I cruise I avoid the same food I can get at home. So you won't find me scarfing down burgers and fries as a general rule

Same here. I get it with kids, but I'll never understand the adults' attraction for burgers and pizza on ships.

Burt

If you get around - a bit of Hamilton, more of St. George, perhaps a dinner at Tom Moore's, try different beaches - you will see that Bermuda blows away every other island. To really appreciate if, learn how to ride a motor scooter - and get a lot of practice before you go, then you can REALLY experience the island, which is unlike any other.

I agree. However, it's not riding a scooter that needs practice, it's riding on the left side of the road.:D

Burt

Done 20 or so cruises the last 18 years.

We are also beach people and love Bermuda when we add a few days in NYC. We cruise the Caribbean once a year because it's cheap and easy. W have done only one Alaska cruise several years ago, but it was by far our best and favorite. Especially with kids.

Burt

Sorry....but I always find it a bit funny that people, who have paid hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for a cruise, get so upset over tipping the last person who will handle your luggage before going on the ship....:confused::confused:

It's not that they don't tip, its that they don't like being told their tip isn't good enough.