Thread: Choosing a Hawaiian Cruise

I've seen this discussed in other threads, but most of them don't really answer my questions, so I thought I'd ask.

I'm looking to do a Hawaiian Cruise in April or May 2008 (I hate that I had to wait this late to start planning!) I've done a land vacation of 2 weeks in Maui six years ago, and it was one of the best vacations of my life. I was contemplating doing another land vacation; 1 week in Maui and 1 week in Kauai. But then I got the idea to take a cruise instead, with a few extra days in Maui or Kauai at one end or the other. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be happy with a cruise that only spends part of one day in each port, and I'm not sure what I'd do with myself with 6 Sea Days. So I seem to be left with the NCL Pride ships. Please let me know if I'm wrong about that!

I've heard there are a lot of complaints about the Pride ships. Does anyone have recent firsthand (or near firsthand) experience? They have one 10-day sailing that spends an extra day in Honolulu, 3 non-consecutive days on Maui, 2 days on Kauai, and only has one Sea Day.

I'm perfectly fine in going into a port without an excursion, and just exploring. Especially on Maui, since I've been there before.

So my questions: Does this NCL cruise sound like a good option? What are people's opinions of NCL, and the Pride of Aloha in particular?

Secondly, I've been on 2 cruises. The first one was a Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean, and there was really NOTHING to do on the ship during Sea Days. The second was Alaska, which didn't have a lot of Sea Days, so it wasn't a big issue. It still seemed the promised activities just didn't materialize... the only thing that wasn't computer classes on things that I already knew, was a pottery class. I loved that, but there wasn't much else besides that. What kinds of activities are there on Sea Days on a Hawaiian cruise where you spend several days in a row at Sea?

Thanks for reading, thanks for any input/advice!

Sayhello

Our Hawaii cruise was in April, 2005 on Celebrity. At the time we chose the cruise it was the only one that cruised only one way. We flew out early to Honolulu for a couple of nights before the cruise. Then we cruised the islands with 2 days and an overnight on board in Maui. The 2 gals Iwent with had been to Hawaii before, I had not. I enjoyed it and am glad I went, but I have no desire to return. I much prefer the Caribbean. Seemed we had drizzle and mist every day, except in Maui.
The 5 day cruise to Ensenada was fine for me as I love being on a ship. It was too cool to lay by the pool which disapointed me but I kept busy with some ship activities, the casino, bingo, coffee and a good book, seeing a movie, and just being on a ship watching the ocean. I think I could do that for hours and hours. My 2 friends thought the 5 days was a bit too long to be at sea but I didn't.
As far as NCL, from what I have heard about it from others, I have no desire to ever try it, whether in Hawaii or anywhere else. JMO

I was planning a 2008 cruise to Hawaii, for the wife and I . This would be for our 30'th wedding Aniv. .My plan was to fly into Honolulu, the day before our cruise. Sail on the Pride Of America for 7 days. And fly back home.
I think the cruise would be cheaper than Island hopping, and doing different motels on the different Islands .
However, the wife does not want to fly. At all. So, I had to scrub that plan. Maybe oneday !

say hello, DavidWest, & All ....

Like some we have only been to Hawaii on LAND trip. My DH wants to go back so I'm very interested in all replies to this thread.

HELP NEEDED from EVERONE who has CRUISED to Hawaii.

We'd like to find one where we fly to someplace on the West Coast and sail to Hawaii and back ....

We are cruising to Hawaii via Celebrity on March 16th on a 12-day trip. We are flying to Honolulu, the ship then stays in Honolulu for 2 days, then sails to Maui for 2 days then 1 day in Hilo and then 2 days in Kona. After which we spend 5 days sailing to Ensenada Mexico.

I love Celebrity and I like the fact that we're not in port just hours. I also like that after all that running around, we then get to spend 5 days relaxing. There is plenty to do on the ship--you need to read you ship paper---they have activities every 1/2 hour or so and something for everyone.

I have heard that NCL is disappointing and one of the reasons we chose what we did. Celebrity is known for their service and I've heard that NCL just doesn;t compare!

We did the round trip LA to Hawaii, basically because I'm not the best of flyers and San Pedro is just an hours drive from our house. We also really like sea days and Princess does have a variety of activities. But I guess it just depends on the personal taste. I'm happy going from trivia contest to trivia contest (as I did during one sea day while hubby jammed with a couple of fellow guitarists) or reading a chick lit book. There's activities that I avoid (pool games, art auction, bingo, the casino) that other people love.

I know someone who went on the Pof Hawaii last summer with her tween girl and little boy. I've tried getting an idea of what she thought of the cruise but she just wants to talk about her daughter getting hurt. If I get some better feedback, I'll certainly report on it. We probably wouldn't do this kind of cruise as it's one port after another without a break. I'm also not sure if I would care for the freestyle concept as it seems too much like just going to any restaurant here; I like the concept of traditional dining and having a waiter get to know my preferences.

Thanks, everybody for your input. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but most of you have mirrored the hesitation I have about this cruise. NCL, and the 'Pride of' ships just don't have the best of reputations (they are rated a 3.5 out of 6 on one website I frequent, which is really pretty low for this site). And I'm not enamored of the "freestyle" format, either. I really adore traditional dining. Plus the pace -- only one sea day the whole trip, and the only rooms left on the cruise that works for me date-wise are either insides or suites. Not sure if I'd care for an inside for that many days... and I certainly can't afford a suite!

But I just don't see me doing a 4 or 5 sea day itinerary. I get seasick pretty easily (although I've not had problems on the 2 cruises I've gone on -- but I might have been lucky; we didn't have any rough seas.) And I'm traveling alone - there's such a thing as too much alone time.

But you've given me some food for thought.

Anybody else care to chime in?

Thanks,
Sayhello

I'm having the same thoughts. I really want to go, but that many sea days doesn't thrill me.
But I have heard great things about NCL as well as not so great things. A real brain teaser.