Hawaii cruise

[angelam]

Have any of you been on a cruise to Hawaii? If so, did you think it was a good way to see the islands? We are contemplating taking one next summer and we are not sure if a cruise is the way to go, or if it would be better to stay in hotels on the island.

-Angie

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I suggested the idea to DH since we love cruising so much. He has no interest though, as he said it'd be too frustrating to not be able to spend more time on the islands. (He's been to Hawaii more than anyone I know, and said one DOES NOT WANT TO MISS all he/she would on just a one-day excursion.) I can see his point, as I don't think a cruiser has enough time on St. Thomas.

 

[sdptalk]

My husband and I had the NCL Pride of Aloha booked last November, but we cancelled it and went with RCCL to the Caribbean. However, I think we are spoiled by Disney

We cancelled because the ship was getting horrible reviews around that time. From what I hear, things have improved -- though still not to the level some are used to. It has been said that if you want a floating hotel between islands that the Pride of Aloha is great. You actually spend a couple of days on each of the 4 main islands.

My husband has been to Oahu and I have been to Maui years ago. I can understand why this is not enough time, but it would cost a fortune to do each island separately and if you only have a week - this cruise sounds like the best way to do it.

Hope this helps

 

[Bobbybear68]

My DW and I cruised on NCL's Pride of Aloha last October. We had a great trip. Since neither of us had ever been to Hawaii before, I thought it was a great way to get a taste of the four main islands. As far as the Pride of Aloha I felt the service and food were very good. I would guess that the service might be considered a little bit more causal then some people like. We are going on our first trip with the Magic in September and we can see for ourselves if it is different.

Bob

 

[angelam]

Bob,
You will definitely love the Magic. We just returned from our second Disney cruise and can't imagine having a better time on another ship! It is the only vacation I have ever been on where I get tears in my eyes when it is time to leave. We have only cruised Disney, so we can't compare it to other lines, so I guess I am a bit worried about having a great experience on another line.

-Angie

 

[jgalecpa]

Bob,
It is the only vacation I have ever been on where I get tears in my eyes when it is time to leave. We have only cruised Disney, so we can't compare it to other lines, so I guess I am a bit worried about having a great experience on another line.

-Angie

We are doing the HI cruise in 2007, and almost certainly will use one of the NCL ships.


NCL did certainly have growing pains, but really seems to have turned things around.

We've never been to HI so a cruise is perfect for a taste of a number of places

If DCL did HI, then I would surely use them.

Be not afraid, there are great times to be had on many other lines.

Disney is great, but they only do limited itineraries.

There is a whole, wide world out there!

Jim

 

[paulmc80]

In addtion to the Pride of Aloha, the Pride of America will be coming on over here and starting is cruises in not too long a time. Definitely a great way to see the islands from a point of view not many do see it from actually.

Just on an interesting note - there is a plan to have an interisland ocean going super ferry in place at the end of 2006, beginning of 2007. Plans call for being able to drive cars and trucks onboard, watch satellite TV during the trip, free non-alcoholic drinks, arcade, lounge, all the good stuff. Well, its gonna take 2 to 4 hours depending what island. They have a website forit ... hawaiisuperferry.com ..... thought some might find that interesting.

 

[Suecot2000]

I have just gotten back from a Hawaiian cruise. I sailed RCCL Seranade of the Seas. It was an eleven night cruise that left out of Ensenada Mexico. This was my first visit to Hawaii. I really enjoyed seeing Hawaii via cruise ship, although it's not DCL...but I won't go into that. The ports of call were Kauai, Ohou, The Big Island (Hilo and Kona) and Maui. I only unpacked once, was able to get the flavor of each island. The ship even stayed overnight in a couple of the ports. I highly recommend seeing the Islands by ship, although I cannot speak for the inter-island cruises that are offered.

Aloha,
Sue

 

[ceejay13]

We did a 12 night cruise from Honolulu to Ensenada on the Norwegian Wind a few years ago, as a repositioning cruise. Loved every minute of it. We flew to Honolulu the day before and did Pearl Harbor. We had 2 days on Maui and day stops to Kona, Hilo, and Kaui. We then had 5 days back to the Mainland. We had been to Hawaii before and actually spend a week on Maui in February this year. They are very different vacations and it really does depend on what you are wanting to see.

 

[NCRedding]

We're going on the NCL Wind in a little more than a month, followed by five days in Honolulu afterward--I'll let you know my opinion when I return.

 

[Buddy Bear]

In addtion to the Pride of Aloha, the Pride of America will be coming on over here and starting is cruises in not too long a time.

I need to elaborate on this comment a little bit. The Pride of America is a brand new ship which will have its first official sailing on June 25, 2005.

The ship is U.S. registered which means you will be able visit the following Hawaiian islands within a 7 day cruise - Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona, Nawiliwili - without any requirements to visit a foreign port.

If you would like to keep the cruise to 7 days I think this is the way to go. If you have longer then you are open to many more options.

Jim: My wife wants to go on a Hawaiian cruise on our 5th Anniversary - 07/01/07 so maybe we will see you on the ship.

 

[paulmc80]

The Pride of America has a very, very interesting history as a matter of fact. Not sure it is good to go into it here, but it is a very unique tale fron inception, to financing, to construction, to completion.

 

[sdptalk]

Wasn't the Pride of America supposed to be the Pride of Aloha until it sank up to Deck 3 while in dry dock? I have heard something like that, but am not sure if it is the same ship.

I have booked the Pride of Aloha for spring break next year in April. When the ship was getting such bad reviews last year, we cancelled and decided to wait until the bugs were worked out then re-book. NCL was great when we cancelled. They gave us 20% off the next booked cruise.

Sandy
Only 17 more days until we leave for the World and then the Wonder

 

[angelam]

Thanks for all of the great info! How do you think the cost compares for cruise vs. hotel for a Hawaii vacation? I know things are more expensive in Hawaii, so considering that the cruise would include your meals, is it a better option in that category?

Thanks again for all of your replies!
Angie

 

[angelam]

Thanks for all of the great info! How do you think the cost compares for cruise vs. hotel for a Hawaii vacation? I know things are more expensive in Hawaii, so considering that the cruise would include your meals, is it a better option in that category?

Thanks again for all of your replies!
Angie

 

[paulmc80]

Yes! The Pride of America was the scheduled to be the first ship put into service under USA flag by NCL until that accident. I tell you though, the Pride of Aloha does look pretty there parked at Aloha Tower. Seems we get lots of cruise ships in there now days compared to just 3 or 4 years ago. This is a good thing!

Hotels here cost at least a $100 a night for much of anything decent in my opinion. Waikiki is about the cheapest, the outer islands are usually slightly higher. I just stayed at the Hawaii Prince hotel and it was $175/night with a $40/day resort credit. But, that was a 15th anniversary special.... very hard to find.

Hotel rates considered, the cruise is probably reasonable. Especially if you get a good deal on the cruise pricing.

 

[ivanova]

Wasn't the Pride of America supposed to be the Pride of Aloha until it sank up to Deck 3 while in dry dock? I have heard something like that, but am not sure if it is the same ship.

Pride of Aloha and Price of America are 2 separate ships.

 

[sdptalk]

I know they are two separate ships. The ship that is now the Pride of America sank (only up to deck 3 I think) while in dry dock getting ready for its Hawaii itinerary. It was to be the original Pride of Aloha. NCL quickly refurbished another ship and named it Pride of Aloha. The damaged ship which has been named the Pride of America is now finished and ready to sail. I remember reading about it when I was researching all of the Hawaii cruise options. Paulmc80, please correct me if any of this is wrong, but I believe that is how it all happened.

Anyway, I think it is a great way to see all of the islands at a much lower cost. Our balcony cabin for 3 people was just a little over $4,000 for the week. If you add together hotels, flights between islands and food, I think a land trip would cost more - although I haven't actually added it up .

Sandy

 

[paulmc80]

Yes! The Pride of Aloha was originally going to be the Pride of America and scheduled to be refurbed later. NCL accelerated the refurb after the unfortunate incident at the German shipyard. That's pretty much why they had such startup problems and tons of complaints early on as they rushed the crew into the new role. Most of the crew was training to work on the ship now coming online as the Pride of America. Or, some try to say its because of the majority of crew being USA citizens is what caused the problem. Lots of opinion on that.

If you do either ship you'll love it. Sure seems like they are booked up full almost all the time. So full they aren't giving out many discounts to residents or the military. Good business for them!

 

[Laura]

That's bascially correct, except the Pride of America and Pride of Aloha ships never switched names, NCL just switched the order the ships were deployed to Hawaii. The ship that sank in Bremerhaven was always to be named the Pride of America. I was to cruise on the Norwegian Sky (now Pride of Aloha) to Alaska in June 2004. But, the refurbishment/reflagging of the Sky was moved up to begin the NCL America cruises after the Pride of America sank in January 2004--days after we booked our cruise. We went to Alaska on the Norwegian Spirit (formerly SuperStar Leo) instead. It was a bit stressful for us scheduled for those Alaska sailings until NCL announced our new ship!
http://www.ncl.com/news/pr/pr051903.htm
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/01/12/daily39.html
http://www.ncl.com/news/pr/pr012104.htm

As for a Hawaii cruise, I personally would really prefer taking a land trip to Hawaii. Cost depends on your accommodations; you can stay more cheaply in a condo or B&B. Also the Hawaiian islands are very large and it can take a while to get to your excursion from the port, depending on where it is. The ports themselves aren't necessarily the destination (especially Kahului and Nawiliwili), unlike some cruises. Food in Hawaiian restaurants is excellent--FAR better than the mass-produced cruise ship food. Staying on land, you won't have to worry about getting to the ship at the end of the day, you can watch the sunset from the beach, you can be more laid-back in general.

I do think if you've never been to Hawaii, it may be a good idea to take a cruise and see which island you'd like to visit for a longer land trip later. It's up to you. Either way, you get to go to the Aloha State. And that's always a GOOD thing!!!