Thinking About First Hawaii Cruise - General Question

[Birder1]

7 microclimates on the Big Island & the volcanic action near Hilo, sublime. Snorkeling off Capain Ccok's monument (fr Kona) was the best I've done (octopus, moray eels, & plethora of colorful fish...spinner dolphins doing what they do best accompanied us on the trip to/fr snorkeling). Kayaking in Maui w sea turtles & dolphins...and, the nightime cruise to watch the lava...I thoroughly enjoyed the Hawaiian islands & I had to initially be dragged there (thought it too touristy before patronizing). Even saw monk seals while beach horseback riding on Oahu's north shore. Indigenous flora/fauna diversity more unique than the Galapagos...I enjoyed Hawaii much more than Galapagos...

[csunshine860]

Hi, On Monday May 20th the Today show will be from Hawaii. Matt and the others will be giving viewers the in and outs, things to see and do there. Timer is set just in case I sleep in. We will be cruising on the Carnival Miracle Dec 7th for 15 days from Long Beach .:D

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

That is very insightful, thanks very much. Your response is really helping me make up my mind.

 

I would like to offer a slightly different perspective. We cruised Hawaii in a similar fashion to what you are considering.

 

We cruised return from San Diego which meant 5 days at sea to get to Hawaii, 5 days to tour the islands and 5 days at sea to return to San Diego. This was among our top cruises we have ever taken! We are working folks to the 5 sea days before getting to Hawaii allowed us time to relax from the stresses of everyday life and prepare us for the beauty we were to take in on these beautiful islands. The 5 days in Hawaii were busy for sure as we are the types who want to see as much as we can at a pace that isn't breakneck speed but not snail pace either. The islands offered something different in each place but that comes from good planning. Then after touring the islands we had those 5 sea days to return home totally relaxed. To us it was the perfect combination of sea days and touring days.

 

For your information this is what we did in the 5 port days.

 

Oahu - Rented a car and toured the Punchbowl cemetery, drive along Waikiki beach, visited Pearl Harbour in total, the museum the USS Arizona etc, and an evening Luau

 

Kauai - Rented a car and drove to the most fabulous zip line place - highly recommend

 

Maui - Rented a car and went to the Iao Needle and a plantation. Very beautiful

 

Kona & Hilo - Rented cars and toured the lava fields and parks very informative and interesting.

 

There is much to see and do, so our recommendation would be to book that cruise and enjoy yourself!

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

I would like to offer a slightly different perspective. We cruised Hawaii in a similar fashion to what you are considering.

 

We cruised return from San Diego which meant 5 days at sea to get to Hawaii, 5 days to tour the islands and 5 days at sea to return to San Diego. This was among our top cruises we have ever taken! We are working folks to the 5 sea days before getting to Hawaii allowed us time to relax from the stresses of everyday life and prepare us for the beauty we were to take in on these beautiful islands. The 5 days in Hawaii were busy for sure as we are the types who want to see as much as we can at a pace that isn't breakneck speed but not snail pace either. The islands offered something different in each place but that comes from good planning. Then after touring the islands we had those 5 sea days to return home totally relaxed. To us it was the perfect combination of sea days and touring days.

 

For your information this is what we did in the 5 port days.

 

Oahu - Rented a car and toured the Punchbowl cemetery, drive along Waikiki beach, visited Pearl Harbour in total, the museum the USS Arizona etc, and an evening Luau

 

Kauai - Rented a car and drove to the most fabulous zip line place - highly recommend

 

Maui - Rented a car and went to the Iao Needle and a plantation. Very beautiful

 

Kona & Hilo - Rented cars and toured the lava fields and parks very informative and interesting.

 

There is much to see and do, so our recommendation would be to book that cruise and enjoy yourself!

 

Just wanted to add that in Kauai we went on a helicopter tour as well, very wonderful experience, saw the waterfall shown in the TV program Fantasy Island!

[agabbymama]

Haha thanks for the feedback! You are not going to get me to read Michener that easily though! I don't mind the sea days, so the long crossing may actually be fine with me. You make an interesting point, along with others, that for actually experiencing theislands, the cruise may not be the best choice. Thank you.

 

You don't have to read Michener. Rent "Diamond Head" or "The Hawaiians"

 

Both are pretty good movies!!!

[griffy116]

As is commonly discussed on this board, the first couple of days out of the west coast, and the last couple of days going back to the west coast, can be cooler and rougher.

 

The cruise ships (with the exception of Pride) don't go to Hawaii year round. We went in April. Every island is different and unique. We didn't find it to be like the Caribbean at all. Volcanoes on one island, rain forest on another, black sands, white sand beaches, whale watching...LOVED it. We flew to Hawaii where the cruise started and ended up in Ensenada. You can start in Ensenada and end up in Hawaii. The cruise back was COLD...not just chilly. Hooded sweatshirts were selling big time. Seas were rough too. Would I do the cruise again...??? In a heartbeat!

[greatlakesgirl]

You don't have to read Michener. Rent "Diamond Head" or "The Hawaiians"

 

Both are pretty good movies!!!

I read Michener and thought it was more like Historical fiction - fiction with some history thrown in.

 

I thought Gavin Daws Shoal of Time was better. I haven't seen either of those you mentioned. I'll have to check them out. :)

[Cruise Junky]

The cruise ships (with the exception of Pride) don't go to Hawaii year round. We went in April. Every island is different and unique. We didn't find it to be like the Caribbean at all. Volcanoes on one island, rain forest on another, black sands, white sand beaches, whale watching...LOVED it. We flew to Hawaii where the cruise started and ended up in Ensenada. You can start in Ensenada and end up in Hawaii. The cruise back was COLD...not just chilly. Hooded sweatshirts were selling big time. Seas were rough too. Would I do the cruise again...??? In a heartbeat!

 

Thanks, seeing as we're disembarking in Vancouver rather than Ensenada, I'll make sure our hoodies are packed.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I've been to Hawaii five times -- the first time on a guided tour (my college roomie had decided to dump her hubby after they had booked the cruise, so I bought his spot) three islands in nine (including arrival/departure) days. Second time was a honeymoon trip (we just did Kauai then Honolulu -- got a rental car then traveled all over Kauai; stayed at the Hawaiian Hilton in Waikiki and got upgraded because of our newlywed status).

 

The last three times were the Princess RTs out of Los Angeles. I really hate to fly so it's a perfect itinerary for me as we're an hour's drive to the port. And one cruise director (David Cole) developed a Hawaiian cultural experience along with the musical duo Elua (Leialoha teaches the hula classes, Dave the uke classes, they both perform Hawaiian melodies every day and also give talks about the culture; there's also other lecturers on board talking about Hawaii). Because of this program, many passengers have been on several of these cruises on Princess. So sea days are never boring. Hopefully Carnival has developed a similar program.

 

And it does seem that each of the islands have their own personality. That's why they each have a nickname, reflective of this.

 

Before each of our Hawaiian cruises, I've gone on the websites for each island. I think it's GoHawaii that will send you informative brochures for each island that has many recommendations for sights to see and things to do as well as maps. The Auto Club also has a free guide book if you're a member. I also do some additional reading (Fodors, etc.). Then I report to my hubby and daughter about some suggestions. My daughter looked through the brochures I got and marked her suggestions, as well as look at the shore excursions that Princess offers.

 

My hubby's demand is no rental cars -- saying he wants to relax and not do any driving. But many people will rent cars and do sightseeing on their own.

 

Every one will have their musts.

 

Also, we have gone at the same time for our cruises -- the holiday one. But the weather at sea and sea conditions have been different on all three.

 

One thing about the cruise is that it will give you an idea for any land trip back in the islands -- which areas you want to come back and spend more time at.

 

I did once try to read Hawaii (also tried Caribbean by Michener before my first Caribbean cruise), but with all the other reading I do to plan the cruise, I seem to rather watch movies set in the islands.

 

Here's what we did in a nutshell, but I tend not to care for active excursions so these may not work for you (but between hubby and I, we've seen much of the sights, and the girl has her own idea of what she wants to do on vacation):

Hilo: 1) Waterfalls tour (there's some great waterfalls), 2) Big Island Candy Factory, Prince Kuhio mall (including Hilo Hatties), walking up and down the waterfront stores, 3) rainy day trip to Walmart. Probably most people go see the volcanoes. On that third cruise, it seemed the rain made it a bit tough to go to the Volcanoes National Park

 

Honolulu: 1) the Aloha Tower Marketplace (which I understand will be torn down within the next year:mad:), 2) the Ala Moana Mall (I always wanted to go there -- has the biggest food court I've ever been to) and walking to Waikiki beach for a relaxing afternoon, 3) the submarine excursion, lunch at the mall, then Waikiki beach (we had planned the Iolani Palace, but somehow that got changed at last minute). If it's your first time, you may want to go to Pearl Harbor, but that can be a time-consuming activity due to its popularity. You'll get emotional when you read the plaque of names and look down into the water

 

Kauai: 1) and 2) the beach behind the Marriott. We also went into Lihue on one of the free shuttles and did a little shopping. 3) We did the Hollywood and Waterfalls tour -- which the three of us feel is the best excursion we've ever done. You'll see much of Eastern and Northern Kauai, learn about the various movies that were shot on Kauai (we tried to watch as many of these before the cruise. I highly recommend "Blue Hawaii" as you'll see the remains of the classic Coco Palms hotel). Also some beautiful waterfalls and beaches.

 

Maui 1) snorkeling excursion during which we saw some whales putting on a show for us, then a little of Lahaina, 2) went to Cannery Mall, then walked to a jodo with the biggest Buddha/bell east of Japan, 3) since it was Christmas Day, I found a place open -- the Whalers Village, which is an open air shopping center, which we enjoyed; there's also a beach right there too that is considered to be one of the best on Maui

 

We did more, but I wanted to give a summary to show that you can do different things in the different ports, even different things in the same port.

[CleoV]

Just have to disagree that US crew aren't as accommodating as other nationalities. We sailed with POA and had exceptional service, start to finish.

 

If getting a 'feel' for each of the islands is important to you (as it is to us!) Pride of America is certainly the way to go. With 2 days on each island, you do have time to enjoy what's unique about each. For us, that was vital. a few hours on each island honestly is not enough, and it's a long way to go and then not feel you've actually 'been there'.

[cdslmom]

I am doing the Holland America in Nov to Hawaii. I have never done POA but did a HA to Alaska a few years ago and Loved it! They treat you great and the onboard activities were lots of fun as was the entertainment. Can't wait for this cruise!

[DDCruiser1960]

I would like to offer a slightly different perspective. We cruised Hawaii in a similar fashion to what you are considering.

 

We cruised return from San Diego which meant 5 days at sea to get to Hawaii, 5 days to tour the islands and 5 days at sea to return to San Diego. This was among our top cruises we have ever taken! We are working folks to the 5 sea days before getting to Hawaii allowed us time to relax from the stresses of everyday life and prepare us for the beauty we were to take in on these beautiful islands. The 5 days in Hawaii were busy for sure as we are the types who want to see as much as we can at a pace that isn't breakneck speed but not snail pace either. The islands offered something different in each place but that comes from good planning. Then after touring the islands we had those 5 sea days to return home totally relaxed. To us it was the perfect combination of sea days and touring days.

 

For your information this is what we did in the 5 port days.

 

Oahu - Rented a car and toured the Punchbowl cemetery, drive along Waikiki beach, visited Pearl Harbour in total, the museum the USS Arizona etc, and an evening Luau

 

Kauai - Rented a car and drove to the most fabulous zip line place - highly recommend

 

Maui - Rented a car and went to the Iao Needle and a plantation. Very beautiful

 

Kona & Hilo - Rented cars and toured the lava fields and parks very informative and interesting.

 

There is much to see and do, so our recommendation would be to book that cruise and enjoy yourself!

 

Hi there!

 

LOVE IT!!! :D

Hawaii and the area has always been on my "bucket list" and this type of itinerary sound absolutely perfect for me! :)

Thanks so much...I am now eager to begin looking for deals so that I can cross this off my list! :cool:

 

Diane :p

[BLK03GT]

As others have mentioned, the crew on the P of A is fantastic. We cruised her three times - 2009, 2012, and just last week. We found the crew on all three cruises to be very engaging and working hard to ensure we had a great time. Those that disparage the crew likely haven't sailed her in recent years, or simply ran into the wrong people (they are out there on every ship). I would simply surf over to the review section, it speaks for itself in my opinion.

 

Now having said all of that, this isn't a cruise that you might be accustomed too. The crew is aware you aren't there for them, the ship, or the shows.....you are there for the islands. There is no casino and the shows are limited and don't compare to the mega ship shows these days. The cruise has over 100 hours of port time in 7 days. It's a great way to see the islands and do a bit of cruising every few days too.

[kyrisong1]

Hey OP, Join us on our Miracle cruise out of Long Beach, we leave on October 19th so we get Halloween on the ship!!!

I hate long flights and since I live all the way in the middle of the US it's several hours to Cali and then more flight??? Oh nooooooooo, I love my sea days and I am never bored.

Looks like a nice group going and some good activities and shows.

My first to Hawaii, cannot wait. And as someone said it gives you a little taste of several islands so you can decide if you want to come back on a land vacation and where would be the best match for your personality and interests.

Anyway check out roll call and join along if you choose!!!!

Carole