I know this is the Dis, But Has anyone cruised Hawaii?

[thumpery]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises and have been very spoiled, but this coming year we want to go to Hawaii. We're thinking of a 7 days cruise aboard the Norwegain Pride of Hawaii or Aloha and then a week on Maui. (Pride of Hawaii is debuting this summer.) This will enable us to see all the islands and not have take interisland flights, checkout and check in to hotels, etc. However, my travel agent said that Norwegian has had some problems and that some of here clients came back complaining. I checked cruisecritic and it seems that NCL has addressed these issues and it's better. I confused! I just want some more opinions. Thanks in advance!

 

[TnRobin]

I have not cruise Hawaii (yet). I too am concerned with the inconsistencies on NCL. That is one reason I have put it off. BUT......with the new ships sailing and DCL's ever increasing prices, it makes it so difficult to not say yes. If you go, please report back. We have had a few questions about this in the past and I am sure the info would be welcome.

 

[Rence]

Just got back from a Hawaiian Cruise. We did Celebrity - 14 days LA to LA.

This is a cruise for folks who love sea days. 4 days out, 5 ports of call, 4 days back. You do get an appreciation of how far away Hawaii is (it is the remotest inhabited land mass on Earth)

It was a great cruise, one of my best vacations ever. Celebrity is a great cruise line. Did excursions at most ports, had my list of "must do" sites and was able to fit them all in.

 

[DisneyDavid]

We went on a NCL Pride of America 7 day Hawaii cruise last summer. I would highly recommend taking this cruise, but do not expect a Disney cruise!

Disney has better cabins, better shows, better food, and better service. So why take the cruise? For the itinerary. This is absolutely the best way to see multiple islands on a Hawaii trip. We rented cars at every port and you have 2 days at each island to sightsee. We had to regularly ask the cabin steward to do his job. The restaurant service was so slow, we only went to the buffet which had the exact same food, but better service since you served yourself. Every morning, we ate breakfast, left the ship and did not return until dinnertime. I very much liked the freestyle cruising, dine anywhere, anytime and no dressing up! The ship itself was new and very nice, but they had some engine problems that caused some shortening of part of the itinerary. In spite of the problems, we would gladly go again, because we loved Hawaii so much and would love to spend more time.

If you are going for the cruise and compare it to Disney, you will come back complaining. If you are going so you can see Hawaii, you will come back very happy that you took the cruise!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Some things that you should know. First of all, I am a fan of NCL. I have cruised DCL as well and for the money, VERY comparable. NCL has freestyle dining, which means no specific dining times or restaurants. They have from 6-10 restaurants onboard (depending on the ship) and you can eat at any of them that you choose at any time (some have small covercharges). So you will have a whole new dining experience. Some cruisers love it, some don't. Anyway, another point is that I would suggest sailing on one of the newer ships. The Pride of Aloha is showing her age. Pride of America seems to have a few problems, so I would say try and go on the brand new gleaming Pride of Hawaii! (Don't even know if she's there yet, but was supposed to be soon). I have seen some photos of the public rooms and it looks wonderful.

All that being said, I used to work on a ship in Hawaii and it is a fabulous way to see most of the islands! I believe there are overnights in Maui and in Kauai on most itineraries which is kind of cool. You can get a taste of the nightlife (go to a Luau!!! Fantastic one in Maui) or one of the many restaurants on shore. It's a beautiful place.....but very expensive (off the ship!). I am looking forward to taking one in the near future myself! I cannot wait.

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[msklcassidy]

...This summer in August. My husband and I are taking our 8 year old and my mom and dad with us for 2 weeks in Hawaii. We're spending 1 week on the cruise and then 1 week on Oahu's North Shore. I've been wondering the same thing (we're booked on the Pride of America). PM me if you find out anything and I'll do the same. I've been looking at cruisecritic.com and started a roll call as "newcruzr"

Karen

 

[SallyB]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises and have been very spoiled, but this coming year we want to go to Hawaii. We're thinking of a 7 days cruise aboard the Norwegain Pride of Hawaii or Aloha and then a week on Maui. (Pride of Hawaii is debuting this summer.) This will enable us to see all the islands and not have take interisland flights, checkout and check in to hotels, etc. However, my travel agent said that Norwegian has had some problems and that some of here clients came back complaining. I checked cruisecritic and it seems that NCL has addressed these issues and it's better. I confused! I just want some more opinions. Thanks in advance!

Thump.. I have been researching this for a year now... I ust went on a Disney cruise in Feb. and got VERY spoiled!! I've talked to EVERYONE and their brother aboutthe cruises and finally decided to do a 2 week cruise with either the Island Princess or Radiance of the seas from RCCL. If Disney went to Hawaii I'd be on it in a heartbeat! But alas, they don't. I even asked and it doens't look like it's in the near future. We had wanted to stay on land too and take a flight either to or from Hawaii to do so, incorporating the cruise... but Norwegian ships are way below par. The service and food I've been told is horrible, and the beds are hard as rock, not comfortable at all. I was also told it's this way because it's mostly an American crew, and AMericans never treat people like royalty. PLus they dont need the money as much as those coming from other countries do. They work hard and send the money home to family in their country. NOrwegian is trying to get more international crew. But the food and comfort level on the ship is still an issue.

I love the look of the ship, but after having heard the reports from several people, several boards and several Travel Agents... I decided to forgo the land time and do a 2 week comfort cruise. Most likely with Princess. It goes from CA to CA. The airfare to Hawaii one way and back from CA one way was astronomical! It was an extra $3000!!! If you're loaded.. go for it. But we're not and have to save till '08 to do the cruise we are going to be doing. But I must say... for a 15 day cruise, it's not costing any more than any other cruise line for 2 one week cruises to the Caribbean. Can't complain about that.

DisneyDavid is right though from all my extensive research... most have said the same thing. If you are looking for a great cruise.. dont do NCL in Hawaii. If you are looking to see Hawaii in all it's Glory and just use the ship for your hotel, it will work for you. If you want BOTH, but wont mind not having as much time in the islands... do Princess, RCCL, Celebrity, Holland America, etc.

Here is the itinerary for Princess....
YOu get 4 days at sea both ways and 5 days in Hawaii..

1 Los Angeles, California 4:00 PM
2 At Sea
3 At Sea
4 At Sea
5 At Sea
6 Honolulu, Hawaii 8:00 AM 11:00 PM
7 Kauai (Nawiliiwili), Hawaii 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
8 Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
9 Kona, Hawaii 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
10 Hilo, Hawaii 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
11 At Sea
12 At Sea
13 At Sea
14 At Sea
15 Ensenada, Mexico 4:00 PM 8:00 PM
16 Los Angeles, California 7:00 AM

I guess you have to decide exactly what is most important to you on your trip. Good luck!!!
Sally

 

[tmt martins]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises and have been very spoiled, but this coming year we want to go to Hawaii. We're thinking of a 7 days cruise aboard the Norwegain Pride of Hawaii or Aloha and then a week on Maui. (Pride of Hawaii is debuting this summer.)

I think this is the ship that is in our Port right now doing walk throughs .I did not go to it but it looked very nice from the news and the outside as we were at the Harbor all day Sat for the PotC volvo ocean race boat.

DM stated this is what she would like to do as she did the island hopping by plane and wants to try this.

 

[thumpery]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You guys have been a wealth of information. I have requested quotes from a few travel agents for the Pride of Hawaii. Pride of America is not sailing when I want to leave, and I think I've deleted the Pride of Aloha out.

I think you are right about going on the cruise, but not expecting "DISNEY MAGIC". I love the itinerary! We want to see all the islands. We know we'll stay on the North Shore in Oahu a few nights before we cruise. My one son wants to see the active volcanoes on the main island and my other son wants to see where Lilo and Stitch live. Both my husband and I want to relax in Maui. The cruise (and the few nights on Oahu and a week in Manui) seems to fit everyone's wants. I guess it depends on how much it's going to cost too. Thanks again!

 

[NCRedding]

We did NCL cruise on the Wind July of 2005. The Wind goes to Fanning Island, which is half-way between Australia and Hawaii (if the shirts are to be believed), so we had four at sea days (two down and two back). We did a total of 10 nights onboard. I went into it with lower expectations, since the ship is older. I throughly enjoyed my trip--the staff was very good. it wasn't DCL, but we had two connecting oceanview cabins for 10 nights for less that if we had stayed in one inside room for 7 night west coast trip, and still cheaper than any other DCL cruise I've priced lately.

we got to see volcanoes at Hilo, and Kona on the Big Island. We stopped at Maui and Kauai. It was perfect for us because we got to see everything we intended too, plus had a relaxing trip.

 

[BigRed1]

We did Hawaii on the Norwegian Star, with the trip to Fanning Island. It does seem like it's about half way to Australia. I'm all for learning about other countries and cultures, but the trip to Fanning Island was 5 days that would be much better spent cruising around Hawaii. We were on Princess and NCL before DCL. DCL wins hands down on everything. That doesn't mean NCL or Princess were bad, just not as good as DCL. We would go with NCL again to cruise Hawaii and catch the islands we missed.....Unless DCL did a round tripper from LA to Hawaii. Then, it's DCL!

 

[thumpery]

Just checking back in to see if there were any updates. I did get a quote from one travel agent today. $4997.00 for 2 adults & 2 children for a catagory similar to a catagory 5 on DCL - 7 night. We're looking at April, 2007. Was really hoping it would be cheaper. Guess we're going to ask for a different catagory. I'm going to a different travel agency's cruise night reception tonight to get another quote. Maybe they will give incentives/upgrades/discounts.

DisneyDavid - I was wondering if you remember how far in advance you booked? With Disney usually you get the best rate the farther out you book, but is NCL the same way? I'm just wondering if I should wait.

Again, any info. is appreciated!

 

[SallyB]

Just checking back in to see if there were any updates. I did get a quote from one travel agent today. $4997.00 for 2 adults & 2 children for a catagory similar to a catagory 5 on DCL - 7 night. We're looking at April, 2007. Was really hoping it would be cheaper. Guess we're going to ask for a different catagory. I'm going to a different travel agency's cruise night reception tonight to get another quote. Maybe they will give incentives/upgrades/discounts.

DisneyDavid - I was wondering if you remember how far in advance you booked? With Disney usually you get the best rate the farther out you book, but is NCL the same way? I'm just wondering if I should wait.

Again, any info. is appreciated!

I've talked to a few different TA's and they all say the same thing now.. you wont find a different price on the cruises, except very minimally. They are not allowed to drop rates for cruises.. everyone has to have the same rates or they are in jeopardy of losing their TA license. It's a new thing I guess. The TA gives you the service you need if you get the right one. There is a husband and wife here online that specifically do cruises and they work hard keeping track of everything for you.. if the price drops and they jump on them to make sure you get them after you have paid a higher price. Every little thing they can do for you, they will. Their info. is:
Pete & Nancy Peterson, Cruise Specialists
CRUISE PLANNERS, Inc.
Personal Service Unsurpassed!
Open 9:00am to 10:00pm EST 7-days a week!!
Phone: 703-858-9898 Fax: 703-858-9047
Toll Free: 866-storybook (866-786-7926)
Website: www.storybookcruises.com
Email: dreams@storybookcruises.com

They won an award recently for their customer service!! THey have helped me so much and answer my emails constantly and I'm not even going to Hawaii till 08!! They are a wealth of information Tell them Sally says hi!

PS.. Pete is the one who told me about the different NCL ships and what his customers have relayed back to him about them.

 

[SallyB]

Oh almost forgot... check out www.cruisefools.org the people there have cruised all over the world and are so friendly. I've gotten alot of my Hawaii questions answered just from reading the posts there. It's awesome! They can tell you anything about any cruiseline they've been on and in great detail I might add. lol My name over there is Cruisin Angel if you need any help when you get there.

 

[thumpery]

Thanks, SallyB. I will check out that other site. I'm finding that the rates are very close. I did end up putting a hold on a cabin last night at that travel agency's cruise reception. Someone from NCL was there and spoke quite frankly about the problems they have had. However, it seems they are really working on them. Anyways, their rate was a slightly cheaper 9very comparable to all the other quotes) and they offered an onboard credit if you booked that night. So, we did. BUT we have the option of cancelling and getting our refund back. So, I will keep looking and researching.