Hawaii Luau

[snooterbug]

Going to Hawaii Dec.3 on the Diamond. Has anyone been to a Luau. There is one that is 10 hours long, isn't that a little too much. Does this just consist of eating and watching shows. The description does not tell you very much...Thanks

[California Native]

Aloha!

Are you talking about the Polynesian Cultural Center?

If so, this is much more than a simple luau which lasts about 3 hours.

If it is the Cultural Center I would suggest googling it for a complete description of the experience and

you will be able to see that it can be about

30 minute drive time depending on traffic from where the ship docks.

10 hours would not be considered to long for those wanting the complete cultural experience of this place.

Also, if you are going to visit there, alcohol is not served just in case the matters to you.

The absolute best luau in all of the islands is the Old Lahaina Luau, however I don't think your port times will coincide with it.

A hui hou!

[snooterbug]

Yes it is at the Cultural Center, have you done this..

[California Native]

Aloha!

Yes, I've been to Hawaii over 20 times for business and vacation.

The Hawaiian and South Pacific Cultures are VERY unique, you will learn about many of those at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

To really know if this is for you, I would suggest a little research on your part. Google, local book store, library....etc etc.

Another option, while on Oahu, if you are interested in learning more about the Hawaiian culture -I would suggest a visit to the following

The only Royal Palace on United States soil: The Iolani Palace.

Also, in the Sheration Moana Surfrider on the 2nd floor is an outstanding history room.

I'm sailing on the Pacific for B2B from Honolulu to Tahiti, I used priceline to rent cars on each Hawaiian island, each company priceline represents will do a cruise ship pick up.

My bid for $15.00 was accepted for a economy car on each island.

A hui hou!

[snooterbug]

Thanks for all the info. We are thinking about renting a car on some of the Islands.

[Spikesgirl]

If you haven't already checked it out, go over to the Ports of Call board and pick Hawaii - there is a ton of info regarding luaus and other attractions for the islands.

 

go to your local library and see if they have copies of the "Revealed" series - there's one for each island and they give more in-depth information than I've ever seen in one place. In spite of my husband growing up on Hawai'i and our frequent visits there, there is still things that I have found in the books that I knew nothing about.

 

Charlie

[taxatty]

The Polynesian Cultural Center is definitely worth a full day and evening--we had a wonderful time. If they still have the VIP package--get it, it's worth it to be escorted around and have personal attention.

Les

[FredS]

The issue we had with the Cultural Center is the constant hawkers wanting you to buy something. It was similar to many port stops as the vendors were everywhere.

 

The Cultural Center is owned by the Mormons. They bring students from various islands in the Pacific to attend a university that is associated with the Cultural Center. The students are required to work at the Cultural Center to help defray the cost of their studies.

 

I enjoyed our time there but was put off by all the vending that was going on. We went to their luau but it was a couple hundred people in one big outdoor dining area. I think a smaller more intimate experience would be more interesting and enjoyable.

[Cruisin' Chick]

The PCC is a long drive from Honolulu. If you decide to go there, I would advise taking the ship's excursion just in case you run into any transportion problems.

 

I went there in 1990 as part of a land tour (my friend, on her "I just got divorced" tour, and I were the only ones from the group who went -- everyone else went to a fancy restaurant). There's a luau part (but two different types...one is basically just a dinner, and the other is more of a luau). During the day, there are little "stations" you visit that are meant to be educational (the students from the local BYU campus instruct you in whatever arts and crafts or music is from their native land). At night, there's a show with more students.

[SeaYa52]

We had a great Cruise /critic get together at Germaines prior to our 2006 Hawaii to Tahiti cruise on the Tahitian. (oahu) the transportation is included - they pick you up and bring you back and each bus has a host to entertaine the bus - plus he keeps you laughing (and singing) - We had a great time - I think we had over 40 cc'ers.

:-)

Sandy

[5:00_Somewhere]

We had a great Cruise /critic get together at Germaines prior to our 2006 Hawaii to Tahiti cruise on the Tahitian. (oahu) the transportation is included - they pick you up and bring you back and each bus has a host to entertaine the bus - plus he keeps you laughing (and singing) - We had a great time - I think we had over 40 cc'ers.

:-)

Sandy

 

I truly am not meaning to be argumentative, but felt I needed to offer another opinion. We just attended the Germaine's luau last week and thought the whole experience was really pretty awful, to be honest. The bus ride to and from was the worst part. We found the "escort"/guide's efforts to make it a "party bus" just obnoxious and, at times, insulting.

 

As for the luau, itself, the dancers, themselves, were really pretty wonderful, when we got to see them. But, there seemed to be a lot of "filler" in between "geniune" dance routines. And the food and drink were pretty disappointing to us, as well. I don't know, I guess it was okay once we got there -- but just okay -- and the long bus ride to and from the site -- with the "escort" screaming into the microphone the whole time -- just put us off, I guess.

 

And I was the one who insisted we go to a luau.

 

After having heard other people's reports, I'd probably just go to the "little luau" at the Royal Hawaiian next time. It's not a big grand affair, but from what people said it was nice, convenient (especially if you're staying on or near Waikiki Beach) and gave people a flavor for the event.

 

Just my 2 cents worth.