Silver Sweethearts

You will be going to a place in the world that is still somewhat peaceful and serene. It isn't the Koningsdam in particular that bothers us but rather what it stands for.... Civilization. Our experience in the South Pacific has been on the Paul Gauguin, and it holds 332 passengers - the right size the islands can accommodate. No, the Koningsdam isn't huge, but why go to the South Pacific if you can't get close to it. It is a place that should be viewed up close, personally and not with 2.650 passengers trying to get ashore and view it too.

Thank you!

We haven't been there in quite some time, but we did hear that the entire property was sold last year after the long-time owner passed away. The new staff has mentioned some changes will be made. We'd be curious to know if they are working with new menus/food offerings already? Any indication of that?

Sounds like almost a full-time job though...

Our personal opinion is that you will have had a pretty full schedule to that point and your bodies might do well to take a nap to get some rest so you will be refreshed. There is really nothing to see in Kahului anyway. At the very least, have a tall cool one by the ship's pool and chill out (snooze) there. Enjoy!

Given your schedule, you will be aboard the Pride of America, which will dock in Kahului. The ship sails at 6 p.m. What sort of options do you have in mind?

We handled our own luggage for decades. Our usual items are two 50-pound suitcases and two carry-ons, as we travel in many places and climates. Now that we are in our mid-70's, moving us and our luggage through airports and hotels in various states and countries became more than just a whim. Expensive, yes, but some things are just worth the money.

Ou question is how do people cope if they end up in isolation on a ship? We fear claustrophobia would do us in.

What would make it "worth it" to you? Not having to worry about strained backs and muscles and then seeing our bags waiting for us at our suite makes it worth it to us.

Just to give a general idea, you will find the busses between the shopping mall itself and a multi-story parking structure at the Macy's end of the property.

Actually, if you can grab a good coach fare from the mainland to Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines has a once-a-week non-stop from Honolulu to Papeete for $980 round trip. Only six hours. We took it to catch the Paul Gauguin and do two weeks around their islands. Makes a nice vacation.

If you can get to Honolulu for a reasonable price, we believe Hawaiian Airlines has a non-stop HNL-PPT every Saturday afternoon. Coach is only $1,000 round-trip, and you are in Papeete in six hours. Expensive when you get there, yes, but beautiful and a bucket list item for many people.

Correct, rcandkc. Regent Penthouse Suites and above have butlers.

Our computer shows you will be on Maui in later June, and sunset should be around 7:09 at that time. You should be fine walking to and from church. Just take Pu'unene from the harbor to the church and back - a straight shot and walkable. If you look up a map it may say the church is on Wakea. It is, but it is on the corner of Wakea and Pu'unene.

It is easy on the budget though, as the one-way fare is only $2.00 - and $1.00 for seniors 55+.

Strictly as a suggestion and not a recommendation (as some people like it and some don't), if all else fails take the Maui Bus from the Ocean Center to Queen Ka'ahumanu Center and walk over to the ship from there.

For those who travel Hana Highway: Due to safety issues in the wake of recent rockfall, the County of Maui will close Hāna Highway from Alelele Bridge to Lelekea Bridge near Kīpahulu in East Maui beginning tonight, May 10. Motorists will not be able to travel between Hāna and Kaupō areas during the closure, which may extend up to a month, according to a County of Maui news release.

A former poster on Cruise Critic used to refer to Hawaii as "California with pineapples". It was meant aa a joke then. Not any more. Look what tourism has made us into...

Right you are. Forgot about that one because it is rather hidden in QKC.

Hmmm. Last we checked, Long's was in Maui Mall, not Queen K Center.

P.S. In checking, Microsoft Edge works for this, but Safari won't for some reason. Hope you can check it out, as this looks very promising.

Try one more thing we thought of and Google "Hale Nanea Clubhouse in the city Kahului - worldorgs.com" The area has changed a bit since those pictures were taken, but seem to be the area you are looking for.

Well, we went and looked - and looked ! We started at where the Matson gate is (and the gate was open today so we drove in). There are good size boulders along the road and to the right when you enter. You can look beyond the boulders and see beach in the distance, but it may be Kanaha Beach Park. Hard to tell. Someone has recently put a tall and new chain link fence in front of the boulders, but we think that is to deter local "fishermen". Then we went on Amala and checked every pathway and road we could find that might lead to the beach before you get to Kanaha Beach Park. Zip results. The whole area looks like a major junkyard, by the way, and made us cringe at the thought of you thinking that is what Maui is like all over. Wish we had something more positive to say, but we guess it is better to explain now rather than have you go and be surprised.

We have been to both. In our opinion, Whole Foods is too expensive for what it is. Unless things have changed, Queen Kaahumanu Center is sadly lacking in shops and customers. They went into foreclosure a while back, but are at least still partially occupied To us, neither one stands out as an attraction worth the effort to visit.

No sour grapes here either, but Kahului on Sunday is rather a ghost town, as it is a commercial/industrial area that is mainly closed on the weekend and not geared for tourists. We say this because you mention you plan on walking around - and there is really nothing to see and do and we don't want you to be disappointed.