Silver Sweethearts

Don't forget to add some time to wait in line for the tender.

This is so true, so be warned. The wind shows no mercy to screwback, slip-on or clip earrings.

Yes. Don't do it. As scottca075 mentioned, she would be past bored. We live Upcountry and know it well. The area just doesn't have much for a six-year-old visitor unless they like art galleries and driving around a lot. The drive up here and beyond is pretty though and, as you may well know, it should take you about an hour from the POA to Triple L.

We have read about the Cat Cafe in Queen Ka'ahumanu Center (not to be confused with the Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina), and it sounds like a great choice for cat lovers! You can check out the stores in the center and then you might consider spending some time in Maui Mall Village (right across the street from the POA pedestrian exit). A casual place, but you'll have the Fun Factory; Baskin Robbins; Tasaka Guri Guri (look that one up, as it is a legend here); Whole Foods; a big Long's Drugs and so on. Not enough for a long visit, but something to hopefully keep both granddaughter and grandpa happily occupied while you are gone.

In this case, both Mendes Ranch and Makani Olu were mentioned because the OP wanted a place close to the POA.

Upcountry is considered the slopes of Mount Haleakala, while Mendes Ranch is part of the West Maui Mountains. Princeton 123211 is correct though in saying the road beyond Mendes Ranch turns treacherous, but you won't be going on that part of it. Have you researched Makani Olu Ranch on Waiko Road in Waikapu? It is fairly close to the ship too. We can't guarantee it, but neither place should have traffic.

While the very best prizes were years ago from the late Sitmar Cruises (glassware, Italian leather goods and scarves, etc.), our best lately have been the handsome logo polo shirts and windbreakers from Regent Cruises.

That's a new one for us too. Could you mean ABC Stores?

Rather than sending fruit, consider sending coffee- such as 100% Kona Coffee. As you probably know, it is some of the finest coffee in the world. It should be easier to send than fruit and should literally warm up your family and friends in New York.

If you haven't done so already, you might read "Silver Cloud Antarctica Live Blog" (hope we got that right) on CC Silversea. Interesting reading, and perhaps it will be of help to you.

According to a Cruise Critic article describing a Zodiac, "Cruise ships use these sturdy inflatable rafts in every part of the world, from the Caribbean where Zodiacs may take you through mangrove isles on a bird-watching tour, to Antarctica, where their easy navigation is key in getting passengers through waterways dotted with chunks of floating ice. Due to their smaller size and lack of cover, Zodiacs are best used by passengers with full mobility who are comfortable boarding and disembarking at sea, when the boat will be rocking due to wave motion and currents. Be prepared for wet landings, where the Zodiac pulls up at a beach and passengers hop out in the water and wade a few feet to shore". As mentioned above, best to talk directly to Silversea.

You have really answered your own question. You don't need any tours. Your tender will drop you off right in the heart of Lahaina at Front Street, the mother of all Maui shopping experiences. You can do as much or as little as you wish. Check it out and see if it appeals to you.

Several media outlets mention that it is the Viking Orion that is having the problem - not the Regent Explorer. Who is correct?

This won't help you one bit in the information you are seeking, but it has brought back fond memories.Yes, we have stayed there. The year was 1967 and we were on our honeymoon. The place has an interesting background. Do check its history for fun if nothing else.

Two notes: You mention Oceanview Balconies. Ocean View cabins do not have balconies. They just have ocean view. Make sure you are getting the type of cabin you want. Just make sure the time zone you are using works with the ship's time so if you go ashore you will all agree when to be back on board.

You aren't exactly staying in Hawaii when the dress code applies. You are on a Silversea ship. When you are on the ship, you play by their rules. When you go ashore you can ditch the coat.

Thank you for the kind words. We agree about "paradise". Great minds think alike. Yes, it would be nice to cross paths when you return here. Your end of the world or ours?

Maui is Disneyland for many people - filled with the sights and activities that attract and excite. We, personally, are not here for the sun, fun, tan your buns idea though. We live here full-time because we prefer a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere than we had on the mainland, and Hawaii is about as close to that as we're ever going to get. That means we stay Upcountry to be away from tourists and tourist places, and shop "local" whenever possible (think Pukalani Superette for produce instead of Safeway). Maui is hardly for everyone. The lifestyle will either work for you or it won't. Some people will go home with memories of a fabulous time while others will only lament how much money they had to spend.

We stopped at our local chain market yesterday to pick up some ice cream for a treat, and it (name brand but not gourmet) was $8.99 plus tax for the regular 48-ounce carton. Iceberg lettuce at our local store was $6.98/pound. Egad!!

A small thing, but perhaps worth mentioning: As a rule, on Maui the Princess ships tender in at Lahaina, while Carnival docks at Kahului. Two totally different locations and situations. Give thought to which will best satisfy your needs.

Just curious what struggles you feel we are having with food choices and quality and how the POA has better and easier food options than most of Hawaii?

Those "4 days full days in Hawaii" translate to 9 hours to visit Maui. Tender travel will probably eat up an hour, and you will only have about 8 hours to see what Maui has to offer. Being honest and not sarcastic, we suggest you figure what you hope to see and do on Maui and see how far those 8 hours will take you.

Here is what we read (chengkp75 is a retired Chief Engineer with NCL). You might want to ask him whatever questions you have: "@chengkp75 can explain in more detail or accuracy, but it's become a company policy to NOT allow them to be opened. I believe it used to be allowed but only a certain number. If you asked after that number was reached and were told 'no', you'd be pretty upset that others got to have theirs open, wouldn't you? The blanket 'no' policy eliminates those confrontations."

We encourage you to check corporate policy on this one, as several places on the internet mention it used to be at the discretion of each individual Captain, but is no longer allowed so that they can have the same rules for all of their ships. The butler may agree to open it for you in hopes of getting a tip, but he/she would be violating rules and could get in trouble.

Whether it is paying in advance through a package or paying as you go, you are not getting the alcohol for free.