Princess Hawaii Itinerary Question

[mlbcruiser]

If a Princess ship that sails from California to HI lists a stop only at Hilo and NOT Kona, does that mean it will not sail by any active lava flows at night? I noticed another line that particularly mentions doing that, but the itineraries we are considering do not. Do all itineraries that visit Kona usually pass the lava flows?

 

If anyone has done a cruise that visited only Hilo and not Kona that DID cruise past the volcanic flows, please comment!

 

Thanks for any info.

[KruzPrincess]

I've done the Hawaii round trip three times and once as a one way. I've never sailed past the lava flow.

 

 

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[CruiserBruce]

First, it depends if the lava is flowing into the ocean.

 

Second, if you are sailing out of Hilo, West to the other islands (or to Kona), you have a chance to see lava, if it is flowing.

 

If you are sailing from one of the other islands east to Hilo, and lava is flowing, you might see it early in the morning, a couple hours before your scheduled morning docking in Hilo.

[cr8tiv1]

Princess' itinerary does not include Kona. The ships do not sail past the Lava Flows (into the ocean). The "other" cruise line will do a sail by the flow (if it is going into the ocean).

 

Princess ships coming out of Hilo, go NorthWest to Honolulu. The lava flow, at this time, is entering the ocean SouthEastern corner of Hawaii Island.

 

The best way to see experience the volcano is to take a helicopter ride/tour.

 

I grew up in the islands. I have sailed to Hawaii numerous times from California. I have sailed on the "other" line....and can not recommend it. Yes, it does sail by the volcano and the Na Pali Coastline. But .... (and I won't go into detail here about my thoughts of the "other" cruise line). It will cost you a whole lot more in total vacation value to do the "other" cruise.

 

Displaced Local Girl

[Kartgv]

First, the lava is still flowing into the ocean -

 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/elevated.html

 

We're about to leave on the Star Princess from Vancouver. The route map for our cruise on the Princess website shows us going from Honolulu to Kauai, then to Maui, then around the southern tip of the Big Island to Hilo. That doesn't seem to make much sense, as it looks more direct to go across the northern side. If the map is correct, however, we should theoretically be able to see the flow. It may happen in the wee hours of the morning, and the ship may be too far from shore to see anything - we'll ask once we're onboard, and report back after our trip.

[cr8tiv1]

First, the lava is still flowing into the ocean -

 

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/elevated.html

 

We're about to leave on the Star Princess from Vancouver. The route map for our cruise on the Princess website shows us going from Honolulu to Kauai, then to Maui, then around the southern tip of the Big Island to Hilo. That doesn't seem to make much sense, as it looks more direct to go across the northern side. If the map is correct, however, we should theoretically be able to see the flow. It may happen in the wee hours of the morning, and the ship may be too far from shore to see anything - we'll ask once we're onboard, and report back after our trip.

 

Very interesting itinerary. I knew that SF / LAX cruises were in reverse. Hopefully you will be able to view the lava flow. When I did it on the "other" cruise line...we were pretty far out. You could see the glow, but not much more unless you had a huge telephoto lense/binoculars. Much will depend on the Captain. If he stays in Hawaiian waters, he will not be able to open the casino. You will pull up tenders early and be on your way by 6 PM. It's less than 90 miles to Kona. At 15 knots...you will be outside of Kona six hours later (midnight). Or he could cut through the Moloka'i Channel and head to Hilo. Or head for open waters so he can open the casino.

 

I'm wondering if Tiki Dave is checking in. He might have some insights.

[Colo Cruiser]

Many years ago Princess did take that night route past the lava flows.

[west coast cruiser]

If a Princess ship that sails from California to HI lists a stop only at Hilo and NOT Kona, does that mean it will not sail by any active lava flows at night? I noticed another line that particularly mentions doing that, but the itineraries we are considering do not. Do all itineraries that visit Kona usually pass the lava flows?

 

If anyone has done a cruise that visited only Hilo and not Kona that DID cruise past the volcanic flows, please comment!

 

Thanks for any info.

 

When I took my first Round trip to Hawaii the ship stopped at Hilo and Kona. The captain slowed the ship down as we passed the lava flow and it was quite a sight Then they stopped going to Kona. I would much rather stop at Kona than Hilo. But, sadly, no more lava flow.

[Woobstr112G]

 

 

 

Helicopter excursions are the best.....:):):)

 

Bob

[skynight]

On a 2005 Princess cruise we sailed around the southern tip of the island of Hawaii and saw the lava flows. On that voyage we had 5 stops including Kona. We have sailed to Hawaii 3 times since then and did not take this route. Since 2005 Princess has changed the itinerary to include only 4 ports. Princess no longer stops at Kona.

[LarryL]

Last February our captain Tuvo was going to attempt to sail around for us to see, at night, but was prevented by weather and wind. It may be discretionary.

[h20skibum]

Our sailing from San Francisco this year did not include a route to sail by the active flow.

 

A helicopter tour would give you a great view.

 

Too bad Princess doesn't go to Kona. I would prefer that to Hilo.

 

 

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[srpilo]

On a 2005 Princess cruise we sailed around the southern tip of the island of Hawaii and saw the lava flows. On that voyage we had 5 stops including Kona. We have sailed to Hawaii 3 times since then and did not take this route. Since 2005 Princess has changed the itinerary to include only 4 ports. Princess no longer stops at Kona.

 

Yes we did the 5 stop including Kona, RT 15 day in 2003 or 2004 (Island or the Coral ??) , and we did indeed sail past the lava flow.. IRC , it was a non-event, as the ship wasn't close enough to see anything more than a faint glow.... But IMO Kona was a much better stop than Hilo

 

Srpilo

[EightFurryPaws]

DH and I are leaving on Oct. 8 for a South

Pacific cruise. Princess has replaced the American Samoa port which is under construction with Kona.

 

Have a port side balcony. Should I try to look for the lava flow?

 

Pam

[tailspintom]

Yes we did the 5 stop including Kona, RT 15 day in 2003 or 2004 (Island or the Coral ??) , and we did indeed sail past the lava flow.. IRC , it was a non-event, as the ship wasn't close enough to see anything more than a faint glow.... But IMO Kona was a much better stop than Hilo

 

Srpilo

We had a similar experience some time back when we took a 5 island NCL cruise (our last cruise on that line). We likewise could not see much more than a glow, even with the help of binoculars.

[skynight]

DH and I are leaving on Oct. 8 for a South

Pacific cruise. Princess has replaced the American Samoa port which is under construction with Kona.

 

Have a port side balcony. Should I try to look for the lava flow?

 

Pam

If it is dark and clear you should be able to see them. If they are visible the Captain will most likely turn off the ship's deck lighting to make the red glows easier to see. They would be on your port side.

Note: Believe you are stopping at American Samoa, It is Samoa that you are skipping.

[mlbcruiser]

This is the info. I had hoped for. Maybe not the answer I was hoping for, but very helpful and the links/pix are interesting as well. Guess it makes sense that

there wouldn't ALWAYS be heavy flows of red hot, molten lava flowing down into the sea, but photos I've seen a few times taken at night during such a flow sure looked phenomenal. Prior to even looking into a HI cruise, I assumed they all generally made an effort to pass by flows. My mistake.

 

W/regard to LarryL's post about the capt. making a special attempt at a "drive by", we were leaving St. Lucia a little before dark once when our capt. announced he was going to make a slight detour past the pitons for the enjoyment of the passengers. Our ship passed while there was just barely some light left that evening and it was really a cool site. (My dh and I had done a few snorkeling/dive trips in that area before so we had seen them already. So late in the evening it was very special as well. I imagine it's somewhat rare for a capt. to divert even a little ever since that Costa "drive by" wreck several years ago. However, maybe sometimes they get permission for certain sights where safety isn't an issue.

[EightFurryPaws]

Thank you for the information.

 

Yes, we are skipping Apia, which is in Western Samoa.

 

Pam