Thread: We're Going to Hawaii!! - Pride of America 6/25/11

Nancy and I were offered a great opportunity to sail on the Pride of America to Hawaii on June 25, 2011. This will be our 41st cruise and we're very excited to finally get to try this ship and its unique itinerary.

Right now, we're planning to fly over on June 20th and spend 5 nights in Honolulu at the Hilton before the cruise so we can get acclamated to the time change (6 hours difference for us), do some sightseeing, and spend time enjoying the beach. Being ex-Navy and having a daughter currently serving in the Navy, it's always been a desire of mine to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, so that will be one of our first stops around the island. And having been a surfer in my younger years, I really want to see some of the famous surfing sites - albeit that at my age (61) I'll just watch and dream about what I could have done in my younger years.

After reading alot of information provided by my clients and other passengers, we've decided to rent a car in each of the ports and do our own thing instead of purchasing organized shore excursions. Of course, there are some obligatory things we have to do like one of the famous lauas in Lahaina and perhaps a helicopter tour in Kauai.

After the cruise, we're still debating where we want to go and what we want to do for a few days. Discussion right now is leaning towards going to Lanai, Kauai, or perhaps another island for 4 days before flying home.

Based on all we've learned about this particular ship, we're not expecting the usual cruise experience, so we'll see how it goes. Obviously, since we sell alot of these and we have so much personal experience with cruising and the cruise lines, our review should be very interesting and helpful to those considering this cruise. I'll be posting it as soon as it's completed after our return and I'm sure it'll be good for others to hear how we compare this against other cruises so they can understand the differences.

But Hawaii has been on our bucket list for quite some time and we're very excited about finally being able to see this tropical paradise.

Pete

Okay, here's the latest;

We've got reservations at the Hilton Waiki for 5 nights before the cruise. We also had 4 nights reserved at the JW Marriott and while this is a much nicer place and we would love to stay there, it's not close to other things like restaurants, shopping, etc. The Hilton Waikiki offered us a very good travel agent rate for an oceanview room that we couldn't pass up. We would have preferred the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but unfortunately they didn't have any travel agent rates available.

I have already contacted a company to provide a beautiful Hawaiian lei for my wife when we arrive - something that is a surprise to her and I know she will absolutely love!

We plan to rent a car for one day while on Oahu so we can travel around the island and do some sightseeing. Having been a surfer in my teens, I've always wanted to visit the surfing mecca on the North Shore. And while the surf during the Summer is basically non-existent (the big waves come in during the Winter), at least I'll get to visit someplace I've always dreamed about. At 61 I know I won't be able to surf, but I can still dream about what might have been. And who knows, I may just have to give it a try just to see what happens!

We have a nice balcony cabin on the NCL Pride of America and we're really looking forward to the itinerary. We've got a rental car reserved in each port, so we'll be doing our own thing, visiting the places we want to see, and be on our own timetable.

After the cruise, we had originally decided on spending 4 nights at the Westin Resort & Spa Ka'anapali on the island of Maui. But upon further searching, we actually found a week rental available at the Westin Ka'anapali Resort Villas North. This is just up the beach about 3/4 of a mile from the resort hotel and is actually a time share rental. But we got a studio villa for $499 for the week!! Unbelievable! This price is what it would have cost us for 4 nights at the hotel - and that's for the travel agent rate. The regular rate would have not have allowed 2 nights for that price. It has a full kitchen, plus there are outdoor grills available, so we'll be able to fix our own breakfasts and lunch, and we can cook a couple of steak & lobster dinners, which will save us a great deal over having to eat every meal at the hotel restaurants. The great thing is they have a free shuttle that leaves every 20 minutes and will take us to shopping, restaurants, and grocery stores in Lahaina. So while we may rent a car for a day or two, we really don't need one. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy what has been said as one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii for a week and we get to do it at a wonderfully affordable cost.

We've made reservations at The Feast at LeLe on July 4th for a fantastic luau, which should be a perfect way to celebrate America's birthday. They say this is one of the two best luaus in all of Hawaii, so this is something we're really looking forward to.

We bought a Frommer's guide book, plus picked up some maps and guide books at AAA, so we're studying everything to do and see. We figured since this may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, we want to do as much as possible during our 3 week trip.

Pete

Pete,
Congratulations. It all sounds wonderful We did the drive thing to the North Shore. Fabulous. You will love it. Lots of places to stop along the drive, so make sure you do. You can even stop at the Polynesian place and just look around.

Thanks!


We want to leave out early and spend a whole day driving around. Also want to check out a few other places to stay in case clients are interested in them.


We did purchase the book Grand Circle Island Tour of Oahu Hawaii on eBay for $.67. Very interesting reading.


It's described as;

This book was written by someone who has actually lived and worked as a tour/travel consultant in Hawaii for several years. This is a drivers guide with maps, driving instructions, and descriptions of 107 points of interest that you can visit at your leisure. The book starts in Waikiki and takes you on a tour circling the island of O'ahu. It guides you with pictures, maps, and narrations to all of the places you've heard about and perhaps seen on TV or in movies.


Pete

Pete,
One of our members "quiltsalad" lived there and she gave me many pointers.
Invaluable.

Originally Posted by hanna

Pete,
One of our members "quiltsalad" lived there and she gave me many pointers.
Invaluable.

Thanks!! I'll send a PM to see if I can talk to them about it.

I appreciate the information!!

Pete

Pete,

Sally (quiltsalad) and I sailed together last year so I trust her. I can lead her here if you wish. ?

That would be great! Thanks, Hanna!!

Pete, here is a copy of some of the info she posted for me. I also asked her to chime in here when she comes on.'


If you have a whole day (say 9 to 5 or 6) I would rent a car and drive around the island. The scenery is wonderful and it can be easily done in a day. I would start by heading toward Pearl Harbor and stop by the Arizona Memorial....free and quite impressive.

From their head toward the North Shore across the center of the island and stop at the Dole Pineapple Plantation Homepage good potty stop and also nice place to pick up a plate of fresh pineapple slices.

When you leave the plantation head to Haleiwa on the Northshore, it's a very cute little laid back town that hasn't change much over the years. We like to go to Matumoto's for Shave Ice if it's the right time of the day. Matsumoto Shave Ice even if you don't want a Shave Ice it's a fun stop for T-shirts.

Just keep following the Kamehameha highway around to Waimea Bay. You might notice on your right shortly after you leave Haleiwa a lot of cars pulled off and people on the beach right next to the road.....they are usually big sea turtles swimming there and that's kind of fun. Not far after Kawailoa Ranch which is on the right. Be sure to pull off and take a look at Waimea Bay. The waves can be truly awesome this time of year.

When you get to the turn off for Pupukea (my BIL lives at the top of the bluff there) you will see a "Foodland" grocery store on your right just past it is Shark's Cove Grill a lunch stand that sits at the edge of the road. They have the most awesome fresh mahi mahi and shrimp skewers plate lunches and sitting at the little tables across from "Table rock" Park is about one of the best views around. If you're not hungry here then hold out for a bit and there's are plenty of good spots.

As you drive along from Pupukea you'll pass on your right the famous surfing spots "Bonzai Pipeline" and the big one Sunset Beach. Sunset Beach is also the home of Ted's Bakery.... Home Page great plate lunches and also the best Macadameia and Coconut Cream pies you'll ever eat. Take a piece and go sit on the beach and watch the surfers and enjoy.

As you drive on around you will see so many gorgeous spots to pull off and take pictures you'll be amazed. Just pull off and enjoy because it doesn't take that long. When you get to Kanohe take the Pali Highway up and over and back to Honolulu. Be sure to pull off and enjoy the Pali Lookout.

If you end up with extra time and it is the right day of the week be sure to drop into the Aloha stadium swap meet is one of the largest Swap meets in Hawaii. Experience the great shopping at Aloha Hawaii swap meet and Flea Market at Honalulu region You can do all your shopping for the entire trip and get the best prices and most variety. I usually spend a couple of days here as it's so much fun to pick up any and all things Hawaiian from food, to clothing to what have you. In fact if you don't want to rent a car you could probably take the bus or a taxi out there and have a great day.

The other shorter drive is to go over the Pali Highway to Kailua (be sure and enjoy the Pali lookout) an drive the Koko head tip of the island going by the Blow Hole, Sandy Beach and many other famous scenic spots and be sure to stop and check out Hanauma Bay.....beautiful snorkeling. But often very crowded parking lot also closed certain days. .....oops my candain kids have arrived, don't want to loose this more later.

Pete, you'll love Hawaii. I've been there four times, latest being November, 2005 and stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel in Waikiki. Make sure you visit Pearl Harbor, and City Tour which includes a visit to the Punch Bowl Cemetery and downtown Honolulu. You can purchase a Circle Island Tour which takes you around the island of Oahu to the key places of interest with stops along the way. This is an all day affair and you do stop for lunch. The Polynesian Cultural center is a tour by itself. Kauai is very nice and I recommend it. I agree, rent a car on each island but be careful, the speed limits are strictly enforced there.
Have a great time in Oahu and the cruise.