Need help picking an Hawaiian Cruise....

[mstea]

25th anniversery, going with couples and need help on when the best time to go is and which cruse line to sail on...

Would maybe like to sail one way and fly back the other.... thanks :)

[Thanksforyourinfo]

I highly recommend the repositioning cruises at the end of Summer or beginning of Summer on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas (and other ships do this). I did one in May 2004, where we fly to the islands first, went around different islands, then crossed to Vancouver. You can also do the cross the ocean part first. Your choices would be starting in Vancouver or Ensenada, Mexico.

As an example, you could go this Sept. 24th from Vancouver on 11 days with 5 sea days at the beginning, then 6 island days. Or start Oct. 5th in Honolulu (flight first) with 6 island days, then 5 sea days, finishing at Ensenada.

 

I think the competition from NCL Hawaiian cruises is getting to them, because I don't see them doing the same cruises in Spring 2007, but there is also the Carnival Spirit which does about the same thing in late Sept. 2006 into Oct. and then again in Spring, mid-April.

I found these by going to *****.com, plugging the months for Hawaii.

[mstea]

:) Thanks,

I will check it out...

[Shami]

We are three couples celebrating our 25th wedding anniversaries in Hawaii. We decided to take a cruise on NCLA's Pride of Aloha in July. We decided to take a cruise so that we do not waste time waiting in airports and checking in and out of hotels between islands. The NCLA cruises start and end in Hawaii and travel between 4 islands, staying overnight in Kauai and Maui, with no sea days. I have read that they are not luxury cruises but our objective is to see Hawaii. Cruises leaving from the mainland, or returning to it have at least 4-5 sea days in my research. Again, our objective is to see Hawaii. The other two couples are returning home after the 7 day cruise. My husband and I are staying on in Honolulu for 5 additional nights.

 

P.S. I chose the Pride of Aloha, the oldest of the NCL America ships, because of the Polynesian theme. The new Pride of Hawaii is Hawaiian themed-but NCLA has had a history of customer service issues with new ships.

[Lemarier]

Hi

 

We are also deciding on a cruise for our 25th anniversary next year. We have FINALLY decided on Carnival's Spirit on 10/1/07. It sails from Honolulu to Ensalada so we plan to fly out a few days earlier and visit honolulu on our own. Then we sail to six islands and have 5 sea days to rest up and return. I like the Royal Caribbean but I don't think we could handle 4 seas out and 4 sea days back - too many. The NCL is only a 7 day cruise and we wanted a longer one than that.

[beachchick]

Lemarier: Sounds like a wonderful cruise. I must quibble just a bit though. What you will be doing is going to four islands with two ports on two of the islands. Oahu (Honolulu); Kauai (Nawiliwili); Maui (Kahului and Lahaina, on opposite sides of the island; Kahului is docked, while Lahaina is tendered); and the Big Island of Hawaii (Kona and Hilo; again on opposite sides of the island and with Hilo docked and Kona tendered). I know it's a bit of a picky thing, but it can be confusing to those who've never been to Hawaii, and I wanted to make sure it was clear.

 

Sounds like you choose exactly the right cruise for your preferences. How can you go wrong? It's Hawaii.

 

beachchick

[Bucky3]

We did this cruise on the Carnival Spirit last fall. It was just wonderful. Be prepared, however, for your debarkation in Ensenada. We have done this twice, and while it is not fun, it is worth the inconvenience to take this great cruise. You will be getting up REALLY early on that morning and perhaps boarding buses by 6AM for the drive to San Diego or Los Angeles, and they aren't the greatest buses! Border crossings can be complicated and time consuming. Just prepare to "go with the flow" and be aware that it all might go smoothly but then again it might not!! Good Luck. It's a wonderful cruise and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! In fact, I'm trying to talk hubby into doing it again this year! Enjoy! Aloha!

[mstea]

:rolleyes: How long is the spirit cruise?? I'm already getting excited and I haven't even booked it yet... Someone told me , that the best time to go is Feb or Mar for the Whales.. is that true.. what do you guys think? I'm open to ideas !! this will be all of our first visit to Hawaii.. thanks!!

[PACURN]

We are doing the Spirit 10-02-06 and can't wait. I'm so glad to be able to have a choice of another cruise line besides POAM cuz I've heard no so nice things about it.

[Thanksforyourinfo]

:rolleyes: How long is the spirit cruise?? I'm already getting excited and I haven't even booked it yet... Someone told me , that the best time to go is Feb or Mar for the Whales.. is that true.. what do you guys think? I'm open to ideas !! this will be all of our first visit to Hawaii.. thanks!!

 

All their choices on Spirit are 12 days, with 5 sea days, and roughly 6 Hawaii days (7, but you count Honolulu twice with one day being embarking or debarking) You must go in spring or fall to do these cruises (not the best time to see whales).

[Lemarier]

Beachchick

 

Is this a good thing or bad thing? I know nothing about Hawaii - really have no clue in picking an itinerary.

 

thanks for any help:o

[EydieG]

I have a question for thoses of you who have done this cruise. Is there anything to do on Sea Days or are you totally bored? We have only been on Carnival once and there was absolutely nothing going on during the Sea Days. Royal Caribbean seems to have more planned. If my husband has to stay in the casino for five days, there won't be any more cruises in our near future. Oh, by the way, we are doing the 25th anniversary thing too and trying to decide the best way to see Hawaii.

Thanks.

[Thanksforyourinfo]

To each his own. If sea days bother you, then take the NCL Pride ships around the islands. I enjoyed crossing the Pacific Ocean. I could get involved in different things going on, I could relax with a book or a dvd, or get into physical activity (working out). The ships have full itineraries, so if you don't like the lectures, games, contests (Carnival should have lots of that) then you probably won't like sea days on any line.

[EydieG]

I didn't really mean I don't like Sea Days. That is why I'm going on Carnival instead of NCL. I just remembered on our other Carnival cruise they didn't have anything planned during the Sea Days. RCCL seems to have a lot going on during the days. I just wondered if this was different since it has been several years since we have been on a Carnival ship.

[Thanksforyourinfo]

I just wondered if this was different since it has been several years since we have been on a Carnival ship.

 

You can investigate which cruise you are thinking of going on (Hawaii would usually be the Carnival Spirit) and check out the review for that ship. Maybe some folks who have done the trip that you are considering will help you out and say how they enjoyed that particular ship/cruise.

[tinsel57]

I didn't really mean I don't like Sea Days. That is why I'm going on Carnival instead of NCL. I just remembered on our other Carnival cruise they didn't have anything planned during the Sea Days. RCCL seems to have a lot going on during the days. I just wondered if this was different since it has been several years since we have been on a Carnival ship.

 

 

I know everyone has a differnt point of view but I am basically a RCI gal and feel there is more than enough to do on sea days. In fact, I actually have to sleep in to have enough strength to get through the days! LOL!

 

No seriously, there's a ton of stuff to do, it's just a matter of what appeals to you. Of course there's the outdoor pool with all the silly games and band playing, there's the quieter indoor pool, the gym, the port lectures, the trivia games, spa seminars, rock climbing, card games, camera classes, the usual trivia contests, bingo, wine tasting, art auction, karaoke, etc... they've got stuffed scheduled round the clock but whether or not it will appeal to you is another matter.

 

We sailed on the QE2 years ago. I found it fascinating, my Dad was bored stiff. Years later, I still can't get him on board a cruise to give it another go. He said he doesn't drink, gamble or dance. All he can see to do is eat all the time! LOL! Yet another point of view or perhaps another topic all together!

 

I guess there is only one way for you to find out...

[Steve H]

We did the RCL Seranade of the Seas last May . The weather was perfect the whole time (we left Vancouver May 19) and had a great time. There were lots of things to do on the sea days so I wasn't bored , I would recomend this trip to anyone.

[beachchick]

Beachchick

 

Is this a good thing or bad thing? I know nothing about Hawaii - really have no clue in picking an itinerary.

 

thanks for any help:o

 

Goodness, I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's just one of those little things that can get confusing. It's like when someone says that they'll be on the island of Kona, when Kona is a city on the Big Island. Don't worry the least little bit about not knowing; you are not alone. I simply feel that it's best to know the difference. I truly was not criticizing you at all.:)

 

As for not knowing anything about Hawaii, no problem. Learning about Hawaii is fun--planning and anticipating is part of the joy.

 

Regarding your itinerary, it sounds very good. (Caveat: We do not want all those sea days for Hawaii. When we go to Hawaii, we want to get there and stay there. Hence, Pride of Hawaii this fall.) Your cruise has a pretty good chunk of time in the islands, which is not true for some of the others. It seems like a good combination of island time and sea days that will fill the bill for you.

 

Have a wonderful time learning, planning, and cruising.

 

beachchick

[Lemarier]

Beachchick

 

Where did you read that I felt embarassed or critized? Not at all - just stating that I am not familiar with the islands and would appreciate any help or ideas.

 

As for Carnival Spirit vs RCL - I am leaning towards Carnival as I think the 5 sea days at the end is enough for us.

 

Now another question - how many days early would be good to arrive in Honolulu? Would need at least one to rest up from the long flights and one to check things out?

[Thanksforyourinfo]

- how many days early would be good to arrive in Honolulu? Would need at least one to rest up from the long flights and one to check things out?

 

That was the downfall to our wonderful cruise on the RCCI Serenade in May 2004. We arrived in Honolulu and went straight to the cruiseline. I never got to see any of Oahu. We have been back for a land vacation in Kona, and still not Oahu. From my research, it depends on your budget and time- you could see quite a bit in 2 days, but not get bored in 5 days. Someone who's done it, answer up.

[lambs2]

That was the downfall to our wonderful cruise on the RCCI Serenade in May 2004. We arrived in Honolulu and went straight to the cruiseline. I never got to see any of Oahu. We have been back for a land vacation in Kona, and still not Oahu. From my research, it depends on your budget and time- you could see quite a bit in 2 days, but not get bored in 5 days. Someone who's done it, answer up.

 

 

We just got back from a TERRIFIC week on the Pride of America, but we had two days pre-cruise in Oahu which we spent: resting, on the beach at Waikiki, touring Pearl Harbor, climbing up Diamond Head, and seeing the free Polynesian Show and fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Friday night. On the day we returned to port our plane did not depart until 10:15 pm, so we rented a car and did our own circle tour of the rest of Oahu. What a fantastic day that was! Great beaches including Hanauma Bay,the Bonzai Pipeline, and Mokule'la Beach Park; swam under a water fall at Waimea Falls; had a GREAT Shaved Ice on the North Shore at Aiko's, and went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We got a whole different sense for Oahu than what we had seen on those first few days in Waikiki!

[G&L in WPG]

Now another question - how many days early would be good to arrive in Honolulu? Would need at least one to rest up from the long flights and one to check things out?

 

I think the obvious answer would be "as many as you can afford".....

 

We are doing the opposite trip, leaving from Vancouver for 5 days at sea, then 7 around the Islands. We are staying for 3 extra days in Honolulu and have had to do battle with the airlines to keep these days. WestJet has changed our itinerary 3 times, finally giving us the option of only coming home 2 hours after the ship docks! We cancelled with them and booked with Air Canada (God help us). We refuse to give up those extra couple of days. I keep telling myself, "Oh well, it could be worse (than Air Canada), we could be flying Sky Service (the sardine can of the skies)".

[Merry_Sea_Witch]

That was the downfall to our wonderful cruise on the RCCI Serenade in May 2004. We arrived in Honolulu and went straight to the cruiseline. I never got to see any of Oahu. We have been back for a land vacation in Kona, and still not Oahu. From my research, it depends on your budget and time- you could see quite a bit in 2 days, but not get bored in 5 days. Someone who's done it, answer up.

 

 

I agree it depends on budget and time. 2 or 3 nights before the cruise you can see alot and go around the entire island to appreciate the variety between big city and countryside. O'ahu has so much to offer like an introductory course. Ancient history and modern history, so you should really try to come a few days early before your cruise and you will not leave the islands feeling like you missed something :)

[beachchick]

Beachchick

 

Where did you read that I felt embarassed or critized? Not at all - just stating that I am not familiar with the islands and would appreciate any help or ideas.

 

As for Carnival Spirit vs RCL - I am leaning towards Carnival as I think the 5 sea days at the end is enough for us.

 

Now another question - how many days early would be good to arrive in Honolulu? Would need at least one to rest up from the long flights and one to check things out?

 

Oops...I interpreted the little blushing smilie as embarrassment. Glad to know I was wrong.

 

I would suggest that if you can afford it time and money wise that you plan 4 to 5 pre-cruise nights on Oahu. As you say, the first one will probably be needed to recover from the long travel day. That would be a perfect day to spend lounging on the beach. Then, you will want 3 or 4 days to explore the island and spend more time relaxing. I will confess that Oahu is not our favorite island, yet we still love visiting. There is so much more to Oahu than just Waikiki. Waikiki is definitely fun for beach activities, people watching, and the whole hopping-jumping city thing.

 

Of course, it is true that "as many as possible" is the best answer to how many days to spend in Hawaii. Realistically, try for 4 to 5 on Oahu before your cruise. You won't regret it.

 

beachchick

[Lemarier]

Thanks again all!!!! One more question (yeah right) - what about a hotel in honolulu???