Hawaii Port Aventures 2015

[honeybeesmom]

Hello, we just booked the first cruise and are a little overwhelmed with all the options.Is it hard to do Pearl Harbour on your own?Any help is greatly appreciated.Thanks

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I haven't gone there on DCL, but we stayed there and we went by bus and ferry to the ships in the harbor, it was very easy, and rather spooky onboard.

 

[Mrs Green]

I have never cruised to Hawaii but as someone who has travelled to Hawaii a couple of times I would say it is very easy to do things on the islands on your own. I absolutely love Hawaii and hope you do too!

 

[honeybeesmom]

I haven't gone there on DCL, but we stayed there and we went by bus and ferry to the ships in the harbor, it was very easy, and rather spooky onboard.

Hello, we just booked the first cruise and are a little overwhelmed with all the options.Is it hard to do Pearl Harbour on your own?Any help is greatly appreciated.Thanks

Thanks for your quick response.Have you taken any helicopter rides at any of the Islands? Thanks

 

[WishTree]

I agree with the post stating you can probably do things on your own. Especially Pearl Harbour. I highly recommend going it's almost a surreal experience.

 

[Minniemiss]

Hello, we just booked the first cruise and are a little overwhelmed with all the options.Is it hard to do Pearl Harbour on your own?Any help is greatly appreciated.Thanks

try to get your tickets to see the Arizona in advance.
http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/fees.htm

 

[Mrs Green]

When I went with my parents in 1996 we did helicopter, visited volcano national park, catamaran with snorkeling, Pearl Harbor among other things. We were at Oahu, Kauai and the big island. When I went with my husband in 2011 we only visited Kauai and did a sunset boat tour of the napali coast, drove the island Waimea canyon to ke'e beach (personal fav).

The helicopter rides are a wonderful way to see the natural beauty for sure.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Where are you staying beforehand?

Dh is catching a transfer to and from pearl harbour from wakiki beach. 15 dollars return

Pearl harbour allow so many pre booked tickets. I would suggest you do this. They are on sale two months before so yours will be available now

 

[Aviator621]

Thanks for your quick response.Have you taken any helicopter rides at any of the Islands? Thanks

We have done the helicopter tours on three of the islands. All were great for their own reasons, but I would rank them in order:
1. Kauai: Unmatched views of Waimea Canyon and Na Pali coast. Get right up next to incredible waterfalls, including the one from Jurassic Park. (Very weather dependent though, as clouds can greatly obscure view).
2. Big Island: Best and easiest way to see volcanic activity which you don't want to miss.
3. Maui: Nice views into the crater and along the Hana road, but not quite as spectacular as the other two.
However, I would recommend if you only have one or two days at each island, you base your pick what you want to do most on each island, versus which is the best ride. For example, on Kauai you can take a Na Pali coast cruise, which has the bonus of dolphin sightings, which may tip the scales for you. Big picture, I would probably recommend the one on the Big Island, as the alternative day options are not as enticing (IMHO). Plus will give you a perspective on volcanic activity you won't get otherwise. Let me know if you want additional details.

Side recommendation: If you are also considering the Atlantis subs, would go with the one on Oahu.

 

[xlxo]

If you are also considering the Atlantis subs, would go with the one on Oahu.

I went to the one on Oahu and was hoping to see more fish activity.... what makes the Oahu one better?

Love the sub... they take you mid ocean and that's not a whale surfacing.

 

[Aviator621]

I went to the one on Oahu and was hoping to see more fish activity.... what makes the Oahu one better?

We found that (for us at least) the sunken man made 'reefs' for Oahu Atlantis (a plane, sunken ship, etc.) attracted a lot more fish life than the Maui trip that was to the open ocean. We had sharks, turtles, even sightings of barracuda. Although I'm sure a lot also depends on time of day and season.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Thank you all very much for your information.Much appreciated.Has anyone done the Luau in Honolulu at the cultural center?

 

[Aviator621]

Thank you all very much for your information.Much appreciated.Has anyone done the Luau in Honolulu at the cultural center?

It is probably mid pack for luaus, but has the convenience of being at the Polynesian Culture Center, which is a great day, especially for kids. A couple of notes though--it is pretty much on the North Shore so bit of a drive, and the luau is NOT the same as the show HA Breath of Life, which confuses some people. Another option if you want a stand alone luau is Paradise Cove at Ko Olina. Again, pretty basic, but has a beautiful ocean side location on the leeward side.