CRUZBUDS

Thanks for the info! I think we'll go that route rather than a hotel with parking. At least it looks like the convention center is indoors and relatively secure. We've left our car in terminal lot in San Pedro before, it was filthy after two weeks. We started carrying window cleaner and paper towels to clean the windows before hitting the road home 😉

This thread has useful information for us, we'll be on the Miracle in April for a 14 day Alaska. I have a question that I don't think has been addressed. When you return, does the shuttle back to the convention center take your entire party and luggage? Does the driver take the shuttle and retrieve the car and return the the terminal to pick up his party and baggage? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

This it the beach we've been referring to -- We were there a couple of days ago, we're currently on on the Koningsdam. There are restrooms and showers as well as rentals for umbrellas and chairs. There are restaurants in the hotel as well as in the immediate area. Ullani's Shave Ice has a service window to the beach. They have some of the best shave ice in the islands. The hotel has been renovated and there was a nice art gallery as well as some Hawaiian artifacts. It's worth a walk through. We didn't snorkel this time, but in the past we were surprised to find the snorkeling better than we expected. The conditions depend on the tides and weather. It was a little windy for us this week. Yes, the other side of the tender pier is not very nice for swimming. Aloha!

Thank you!

Does anyone know the brand of the TV's on the Koningsdam? Thanks!

Aloha - not sure on umbrellas, but it is a nice beach. Here is a link for an earlier thread about it https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2905611-kona-beaches/?do=getNewComment We'll be there in a couple of weeks Aloha!

That was our experience. We showered the sand off right there. Ululani‘s Hawaiian Shave Ice is right in the hotel, it is one of the better shave ice chains in the islands. We've never tried that location, but have been several times to the ones in Lahaina and Khei on Maui. It has always been excellent. There are numerous restaurants across the street. Aloha

PS - There is a nice sand beach there also. This is the name - Kamakahonu Beach Aloha!

We've snorkeled at the beach right next to the tender pier in Kona, in front of the King Kamehameha hotel. Considering how incredibly easy it was, the snorkeling was pretty decent. There are plenty of food options with an easy walk. Aloha!

We've also done Hawaii many times from San Diego and a few from LA. The weather has always gotten better as my get closer to Hawaii. We've had pretty rough sea a few times the first day out of S.D. We'll be on the Koningsdam on the 31st - it's one of our favorite cruises. Aloha!