Grand Princess or Ruby to Hawaii

[Cruiser-66]

We’ve sailed on both these ships. The Grand sails out of LA and the Ruby sails out of SF. The Grand is much older but offers a late night in Honolulu. The Ruby leaves at 7pm. We would like to go to a Luau but maybe just a visit to the PC Center to see the dancers and enjoy a meal would be fine. What do those who have taken this think?  Any preference on the departure ports?

[CruiserBruce]

As to the specifics of the ships, have you asked on the Princess board? Truckloads of expertise there.

 

Sailing under the Golden Gate is always a special treat. Another reason for the Golden. The port in SF is in the downtown, so a better pre-cruise experience. Both ports have drives to the airport, both can be affected by traffic, but SF is a bit easier.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

The ships aren't that different, except that Ruby has a Skywalker's Night Club, which is where they usually hold the Elite reception every night and it is a nice venue.

 

If you fly in the night before usually check airfare and hotel costs for doing that. That may be a factor. A nice hotel in San Pedro is a lot cheaper than SF.

[ShibaInuMom]

The Ruby is in dry dock right now freshing up.  Do you think Hawaii will be open for cruise ships in January?

 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

I would have said yes six months ago, but as "Delta" fades, who is to say that "Epsilon" and"Zeta" strains don't pop up. When they closed Disneyland in March 2020, it was unimaginable that it would be closed more than a couple of weeks, but it was closed for 12 months.

[princeton123211]

2 hours ago, ShibaInuMom said:

Do you think Hawaii will be open for cruise ships in January?

You cant consider Hawaii as one place-- each island operates very independently of each other with their own rules and regulations as it relates to Covid. That's the issue with cruises right now that go to several islands vs a land based vacation. While there are no restrictions right now about inter-island travel by air, any one of the islands may decide they don't want cruise ships there for quite some time. 

[LostFan#1]

I just read this:

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6604/

[Cruizer Bill]

We are booked on the February 2nd Koningsdam cruise to Hawaii.  If anyone hears more about Hawaii opening up or staying closed, please post it here!