Any Disers Ever Been On Hawaii Cruise?

[tezb]

I keep seeing the Norwegian Cruise Line advertising the NEW Hawaii cruise and thought this would be a good board to ask since many of you are cruisers? Anyone ever take this type cruise before? The prices are a little cheaper than DCL and they go to 4 islands. Another thing they advertise is no scheduled meal seatings. You basically can show up anytime for dinner as long as it's by 9:30 pm or so....wonder how well that works?? I've been on 2 DCL cruises and will do a 3rd next summer but do like the idea of Hawaii! Any thoughts, or info?

 

[paulmc80]

Are you talking about the Norwegian Star? I haven't ever been on that ship, but have seen it several times. It docks here at Aloha Tower ever Sunday and it is definitely a very beautiful ship. Someone that works through my office was on the maiden voyage. I'll see if I can find them around in the next few days and ask them about it.

 

[jwolfe]

Hi~~While I've never cruised to Hawaii, we went there on our honeymoon and it was GREAT!!!!!! I highly recommend going to Hawaii to see the different islands, etc.....If you haven't ever been there, it is such an awesome experience that I wouldn't think twice about going again!! Visiting Pear Harbor is a MUST.As a matter of fact, we seriously debated going back to Hawaii this year or taking DCL. Since we have small children we opted for DCL this year, maybe Hawaii next year?????

Juli

 

[markºoº]

Cruising Hawaii is a challenge since all non-american flag ships must stop at a non-US port.

Prior to last year, the American Lines, which is the only US flagged cruise line, was the only Hawaii cruise. My understanding is the American Line's fleet is pretty old. I've seen their Hawaii ship on a Travel Channel show and it looked older and smaller than most newer cruiser ships.

NCL started doing a Hawaii cruise last year with a new ship. The cruise is supposed to be very good and the ship is great. The main drawback is the ship needs to stop at Fanning Island - the nearest non-US port. On a 7 day cruise, it takes 3 days to sail to Fanning Island, spend 6 hours on the island, and then sail back to Hawaii. Fanning Island is very small and I believe the NCL ship is the only one to stop their. NCL developed the dock area specifically to do a Hawaii cruise.

Here is a link to NCL's Hawaii itineraries - http://www.norwegiancruiseline.com/itinerary/it_hi.htm

 

[tezb]

thanks for your comments so far. Yes, we have been to Hawaii several times...Maui, Oahu and Kauai. That is why I'm thinking of trying a cruise at some point...sounds like a nice way to enjoy Hawaii and a cruise at the same time. I have teens now and they seem to like cruising DCL so maybe will try a Hawaii cruise in a few years. The Norwegian Star is the one I keep reading about...brand new ship...looks nice. Prices reasonable. Like DCL, their rooms are good size, separate bathrooms, coffeemaker, tea, etc, in the room too.

 

[4nana]

A cruise to Hawaii sounds wonderful! I agree that part of the world is soooo beautiful! We've visited Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai with Kauai being the favorite.

My Travel Co has a review on 'Norweign Star' w/360* virtual tour that may interest you
http://www.mytravelco.com/cruises/c...hips.asp?Media_Type=5&brand=&SN=801&SC=02&id=

 

[paulmc80]

That is so true about American Cruise Lines having an older cruise ship here. Isn't it sad? Surrounded by all this beautiful water and islands here in Hawaii and we really have no cruise business to speak of in the modern sense. The Federal protectionist laws have been so very restrictive in my opinion. Sad that there is so much to see here on a cruise, but if your foreign flagged (which I believe almost all cruise ships are) you need to sail far away from here.

Everyone I know has loved the cruises around the islands. It is definitely a very worthwhile vacation.