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Island Princess Hawaii Review?

DesrtDrmr

By DesrtDrmr,
in Princess Cruises

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cruisesusie

cruisesusie

Posted
Posted

Hi Everyone,

 

We were on the Island cruise that returned yesterday - yes, I'm very depressed that its over - it was wonderful.

 

Embarkation - it was a little unusual. They had us check in and then wait in the terminal. They then handed out numbers, in no particular order, and told us they would call us by number when the ship was ready. Around 11:15 they announced that Platinum, Elite and Suite passengers can embark. All others were called by number.

 

Food - We ate all our meals in Horizon Court except for 2 dinners - one at Bayou Cafe and the other at Sabatini's, both every good. The food in Horizon Court is very good and varied - something for everyone. For breakfast, they have an omelet station. Maybe someone else can comment on dining room food.

 

Cabin - We had a balcony on Caribe deck with the larger balcony - very nice. Our steward was exceptional - the service in every area was outstanding.

 

Entertainment - We didn't go - maybe someone else can comment.

 

Scholarship at Sea - I took a pottery class - very interesting - they help with the wheel and I actually made something. It was 35.00 to make the pot and another 15.00 to glaze. I also took a digital photo class - I'm just learning and I found it helpful. The 2 cooking demos I attended were fun. That's about all the activities we participated in.

 

Casino - I didn't win, but heard of others who did.

 

Internet Cafe - I used it a lot - since I'm Platinum, there is no charge.

 

Excursions - We did them all on our own. Rented cars in three of the ports. All went smoothly.

 

Gym - Well equipped. Not too crowded.

 

Disembarkation - very quick and organized.

 

If anyone has questions,please ask.

 

Susan

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sunshine95030

sunshine95030

Posted
Posted

First of all, THANKS for the review! We were all anxiously awaiting some news :o) I just have a few questions for you...What rental car company did you use on which islands? Did you do anything fun on your own that you'd recommend at any of the ports? How were the seas?

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dixieva

dixieva

Posted
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Susan, Thanks for posting your review. We are booked on the Island for April 19th to Hawaii so I am also wondering how were the seas going and coming back?

 

Also, we are booked on the Caribe deck in a balcony room. Were you on a bump out and if so, where-front, middle or back of the ship?

 

Thanks for the help!

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CarolChaCha

CarolChaCha

Posted
Posted

Dixieva, I have been considering a balcony cabin on the Caribe Deck, my only concern has been the partially? covered balcony. What do you know about these larger balconies, and why did you pick the Caribe Deck and what location? I'm trying to get a small group together for next year and just trying to get all info. Thanks for your feedback. Carolchacha

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DesrtDrmr

DesrtDrmr

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Thanks, Cruisesusie, for posting!

When you rented cars, did you rent from home? Did you not eat in the dining room because of some particular problem with the service there......or did you just feel like being "cas..."? Did it seem like forever to get to the islands, or was it wonderfullly relaxing? Did you see any whales, dolphins, other ships, etc. on the way? Did you sail by the volcano at night, so you could see it?

We, too, have booked a Caribe Deck balcony, and are glad to hear that the balconies are nice. They are, on the Grand Class, but didn't know about the Island.

Glad you had a great time..........hope to hear more when you have time and inclination! :) Thanks, again...........

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kkorman

kkorman

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I have not been on the Island, but have been on Norwegian to all the Hawaiin islands that the Island goes to...

Getting a rental car is pretty easy in the Hawaain ports. Most have rental car shuttles that pick you up at the pier and take you the the place (usually at the airports). THey will have a sin letting you know availability if you have not booked ahead. I would recommend it as you never know if they will have availability. Sometimes the particular rental shuttles will be on a half or hourly basis. SO, you can always jump on another one and say you do not have a reservation but would like to get a car.

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dixieva

dixieva

Posted
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Carolchacha- We have a cabin in the aft bump out on the Caribe deck#C637.

 

After much research and advice from cruisers here on this board we decided on this location. We normally like to be mid-ship due to the motion factor but we liked the idea of the larger balcony. Mid ship bump out balconies are smaller from what I understand. We were concerned about having a balcony that people could look down on us from their balconies above us and also wanted to be able to look down directly on the ocean and not on someone else's balcony. I hope that we are getting what we want with this location. We don't mind the partially covered balcony.

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cruisesusie

cruisesusie

Posted
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Hi Everyone,

 

I'll try to answer all your questions:

 

Rental Cars - we used Budget in Hilo and Kauai - no problems. The shuttle was waiting for us - it was about a 10 minute ride to the airport. When we dropped the car off, the shuttle was also waiting to take us back to the ship.

 

We used National in Oahu - the price for the time we were going was better with National. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for the shuttle. I called them from the ship as soon as we docked as per their instructions. They told us at the rental office that the shuttle runs until 8 p.m. We dropped the car off at 6 and were told the shuttle stopped running at 5. So we had to take a cab back to the ship. It was a little annoying, but not terrible.

 

I checked prices on the internet and then called each office directly to check on shuttle availability. Its also a good idea to take the local number with you and call the office when the ship docks to remind them to pick you up. I made the reservations using the 800 numbers.

 

 

Weather and Seas - the weather was sunny and warm - mid to upper 80s except for the last day when it was cloudy and in the mid 60s. The seas were very smooth - the first day out there was a very slight rocking, but really nothing.

 

Ports - Hilo - we drove to Volcanoes National Park - very easy - the car rental office will give you a map. It took 30-35 minutes. We were there on a Sunday - I assume there will be more traffic during the week. We hiked down into the crater and across and back up - they have several hikes with all levels of difficulty. We also walked through the Thurson Lava Tube. Since they changed the time you dock in Hilo from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. that was all we had time for. We were planning to visit the waterfalls, but that will have to wait until next time. :)

 

Kona - You tender at Kona. We just walked around and did some shopping -

 

Oahu - You dock here. We went to the Arizona Memorial and the Missouri - don't miss it. Get off the ship as soon as they allow it and get your car and go directly to the memorial. You wait on line for tickets - they give you a time to return. We were there at 9:30 - we waited on line for about 20 minutes and our return time was 12:30. We spent that time visiting the Missouri. We then drove to Diamond Head and climbed to the top. Well worth the effort. The only problem is all the traffic in Honolulu - its like New York City.

 

Kauai - You dock here. We drove to Waimea Canyon - it took around 30-35 minutes. There are beautiful views. On the way back we stopped at a roadside fish and chips stand - it was excellent. We also stopped to see the Spouting Horn - interesting.

 

Maui - You tender here. We just walked around the town and then took a cab to Whaler's Village and Kaanapali Beach. There's a walkway between the hotels and the beach.

 

Kids - I saw about half a dozen kids ranging in age from infant to around 5 or 6. I'm not familiar with the kids program.

 

Cabin - Our cabin, C334, wasn't on the bump out section. We originally booked a BC, but were upgraded to this cabin. I don't think the larger balcony is more expensive than the standard balcony. There is enough coverage in case of rain and plenty of room for lounging.

 

Dining Room - we didn't go to the dining room because we felt like having a totally casual cruise - it worked out well for us.

 

Sea Days - The sea days were very relaxing - not boring at all. There are many activities to keep you busy or you can just sit by the pool (like my husband loves to do) and read all day. We didn't see any ships or fish.

 

Internet - the connection wasn't working about half the time we were at sea.

 

Volcano - We sailed by the volcano on our way to Kona. The captain announced a small lava sighting, but it was late and on the other side of the ship. We were in our cabin already and decided by the time we made our way there, the ship would have passed it.

 

If anyone has any other questions, just ask.

 

Susan :)

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Kittycat

Kittycat

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Susan, glad you had a wonderful time and thanks for all the info. When you had to tender in, at Kona and Maui, did it take long to get ashore? Also, did you have shortened times in any of the ports - our time has been reduced in Hilo and Maui and I'm just a little curious as to how that might affect our shore excursions. We've sailed in Island before, and she really is a beautiful ship, and we experienced gale force storms, and she really withstood it well, so we're pretty clued up on that side of things, but it's lovely to hear about this trip, especially as its the first one!!!

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