Hawaiin Cruise info?

[Duckfan]

Has anyone here taken a Hawaiian Cruise on Norwegian? I wondered what kind of excursions you took, how you liked them, what they cost? Also, what activities are available on the ship? Did you go off ship but not on an excursion?

 

[NCRedding]

I did NCL Wind around the islands, with a side trip to Fanning Island that took four at sea days to get back and forth. I loved it.

Our stops were at Hilo, Hawaii, where we rented a car from National and drve to Volcanos National Park, drove around there and saw the sights there. Then we came back and went to Island Candies (I think that was the name). Very easy to do. We easily could have seen more of the island, including the beaches, but it was rainy, so we didn't.

In Maui, we again rented from National, which was not as convenient to get to as on Hilo, but still relatively easy. We drove to the Maui Ocean Center, and then had time to tour the downtown area.

In Kauai. we rented a car and drove to Waimea Canyon (awesome sight); then stopped at some of the beach areas, and towns on our way back. We tried to get on the ship's tour that visited where movies/TV shows had been filmed but that excursion was filled and had a very long waiting list.

In Kona, we just walked around the town (it was our last stop, and I think we were touristed out).

We loved our cruise, and thought it gave us a wonderful overview of Hawaii. We also stayed a few days afterward on Oahu, so we got to see Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center. There were a good number of activities onboard--we liked the daily trivia contests. There were hula lessons, and craft lessons. I don't know what would be offered on the 7 night cruises since they are so port intensive.

You may want to check out cruisecritic.com--lots of people over there have done the Hawaiian trip.

 

[Laz]

First of all, I HIGHLY recommend the movie tour ride. I reserved months in advance. Here is the web site:

http://www.hawaiimovietour.com/

I have never cruised the islands, but for first timers, it would be great. However, you can't really get a feel for the islands and you will want to come back and spend more time. Remember NCL will go to the Fanning Islands and you will need a passport. NCL America is US Flagged so you will stay just around Hawaii. Also remember that NCL America ships have no casinos and are all US crewed. Helicopter rides on any of the islands are fun, but the ones that fly of the volcanoes on the Big Island are the best. First times should go to Pearl Harbor and get on the Arizona Memorial--very historic and moving. Bike rides down the volcano on Maui are great, but the bike ride down Waimea caynon on Kauai is less hair raising. Zip lining on the Princiville ramp is great. For snorkeling, many like the sunken crater off Maui (Molokini), but I prefer the lesser known one off Kauai next to Nihihau. Less crowded and less disturbed by human touch (it kills the coral). If you go in the winter, whale watching is a MUST! For cruise reviews, go to:

www.cruisecritic.com

 

[Duckfan]

These responses really helped but anyone one else have info?

 

[WonderBelle]

We took the same cruise in Aug on the Wind. We liked it. We were stupid and booked to many things through the ship. Never again, they were way to much money. I would say to book your own side trip with coupons that you can get from AAA. You can even get discounts on a Luau. We really loved the Fanning Island and the 4 days at sea were very relaxing. We met with some people who were on the week long trip with NCL on the Pride of America. They hated it. They said the ship was nice but the service was the worst. They said because it's an American ship they hire young americans who don't know how to work hard. We had great service because it's an international ship they have a lot of workers from over seas. The ship is an older one and it shows but the rooms were a good size and we had a great time. Hope this helps.

 

[TxJasmine]

We went on the Pride of America with our kids this past August. A cruise is a great way to see several different Hawaiian islands. We did lots of sightseeing, but we did it on our own - we never book excursions. We rented cars with Thrifty on every island. The shuttles would meet us at the ship and take us to the airport for the cars. Most car companies did this and it was very easy and convenient. However, we chose Thrifty because of their Blue Chip program which allowed us to get a car without having to wait in line (the program is free). This was a real time saver.

By having a car, we were able to see much more than on a tour - and it was cheaper!

In Hilo we went to Volcanoes National Park and Akaka falls near Hilo.

In Kona we saw the City of Refuge and went to a coffee farm.

In Maui we drove the Hana highway all the way, and we went to Haleakala at sunrise (a very cold but beautiful experience!) This cruise overnights in Maui so we had the car for 2 days, but there was free parking right next to the ship. Very convenient.

In Kauai we went to Waimea falls, Fern Grotto, and some of the other waterfalls. Overnight parking here had a small charge, but it was worth it because the parking was right next to the ship.

Good luck with your trip planning!

 

[minniecarousel]

DH & I did the Pride of America last July. I would not book so many day-long ship-sponsored excursions again! Renting a car at each island looked like a much better way to go! And if you're a party of more than 2 - what a savings! We liked the ship - sevice was fine (we're not seasoned cruisers, so wouldn't really know the difference.) We were fine with no casino. Since it was a brand new ship and we were on the first go-round of the islands, there were some problems, but nothing too horrible.

NCL has free-style cruising, where you choose which restaurant you eat in - no assigned seating. We loved that! There are specialty restaurants that have a surcharge and you need reservations at - I highly recommend that you book those on the first day for the week! Although we really liked their two (no fee) main dining rooms.

Def check out cruisecritic.com