For those who have done the 14 day to Hawaii from CA

Would you do it again? How were the seas coming and going? We are looking at doing this with our two daughters this coming March/April on either Princess or HAL. This will be our 11th cruise and we love them, but I am just wondering what to expect for weather. If the kids can swim and the weather is warm enough to be on deck - it would be great. Sometimes the really port intensive cruises have left us feeling like we need a vacation when we get done with them.

I have looked into the 7 day NCL cruise and I can't find flights cheaper than 972 from Wisconsin and they are all about 14 hours long. When I looked at the $4000 in airfare and spending 2 entire days on a flight, this cruise out of California sounded like it might be a good option. If I can hear from those of you who have "been there and done that" - I would appreciate any advice.

Would you do it again? How were the seas coming and going? We are looking at doing this with our two daughters this coming March/April on either Princess or HAL. This will be our 11th cruise and we love them, but I am just wondering what to expect for weather. If the kids can swim and the weather is warm enough to be on deck - it would be great. Sometimes the really port intensive cruises have left us feeling like we need a vacation when we get done with them.

 

I have looked into the 7 day NCL cruise and I can't find flights cheaper than 972 from Wisconsin and they are all about 14 hours long. When I looked at the $4000 in airfare and spending 2 entire days on a flight, this cruise out of California sounded like it might be a good option. If I can hear from those of you who have "been there and done that" - I would appreciate any advice.

I can tell you, however, that I have booked the Golden Princess to Hawaii during Thanksgiving week. I can't wait... But, you may get more responses if you post in the main Princess and HAL sites

My family did this cruise (on the Island Princess) at the end of Jan/beg of Feb a couple years ago. The seas were high going over but smooth as glass coming home. It was too cold to use the outdoor pool on the way there - or even sit by it or on the balcony - and the indoor pool was closed due to the seas being too rough. On the way back, everything was open and it was very comfortable on deck/balcony.

I personally prefer land vacations to Hawaii. And, while I always have thought that I loved sea days, I found that 4 sea days in a row to be too much. Actually, for us it was 6 on the way there because we missed the first 2 ports because of high seas. I have also decided that I don't want to be that far from land/the ability to get medical help again.

I know there are folks who absolutely love this itinerary and repeat it every year. I'm not one of them. And while I'm not one to regret things, I found myself wishing that I'd just flown over to the islands instead.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have a good time. And, I hope you find you love Hawaii even half as much as I do.

I am sure that you will get lots of positive replies. But, in answer to your direct question, NO, we would not do the cruise again. We were on HAL in November and the seas were very rough both ways. (Others have done it at a similar time and had no problem). Doors were lashed shut so that we couldn't even go on deck because it was so rough! Swimming pool was drained. Once in the islands it was beautiful, and of course we loved it. We have also done the POH on NCLA for the 7 day intra island cruise, starting in Hawaii.

I am another one who loves the land trips, and we will be doing our 11th trip to Hawaii in January!

Yes, Yes, yes, - we did this trip in April 2007 - and we have booked it again in April for 2011. We had great seas going both ways. You do need to love sea days however as there are a lot of them. For us we love the total relaxation before we get there and then the sea days to unwind before we have to come back to work.

My wife and I did this cruise five years ago this past March. The weather was too cold both going to Hawaii and returning to California. Could not take advantage of any outdoor activities due to the cold. As others have said, the cruise involves 4 days at sea in both directions. It was not bad for the two of us as we had time to relax. You will have to consider how your two daughters can keep themselves busy during these two 4 days at sea.

I have done this cruise (on Princess) three years in a row, and I am going again this December, so you could say I like it.

The seas were not too rough, but it wouldn't hurt to bring alone some Bonine just in case. As for the weather, though, I have usually gone in the Autumn, so the weather was quite cool going over and coming back. I think far too cool to be comfortable in the swimming pool. Of course the days in Hawaii were gorgeous and warm.

I know the sea days are a mixed bag. Some people (like me) love them, I find them very relaxing, and I prefer this to the more port intensive cruises. But you have to really REALLY like sea days. I went with my spouse, mother in law and mom. My mom adores sea days, so we are doing this trip again. My mother in law hated all the sea days. So it just depends on the individual.

I do think they have a lot more activities than the average cruise. Especially if you like Hawaiian activities. I actually found between ukulele lessons, hula lessons, lei making and lectures I was usually running around all over the ship from place to place. So there are options if you get bored.

I haven't done the NCL cruise (though I am going to for the first time this upcoming February) so I can't compare the two. But I would say if you really want to see Hawaii, the Princess/HAL is not the way to go. I would recommend you take a land vacation or do the NCL trip. But for a wonderful, long, fairly reasonably priced great cruise, that just happens to spend four days in Hawaii, you can't beat it. But I would say the cruise should be your focus, not Hawaii, as 10 of the 14 days are at sea.

Thanks for the info everyone. We did an 8 night a few months ago out of California and had 4 sea days. It didn't seem that bad, but then again this is double that amount. Last August we went to Alaska and it was too cold out to swim and the indoor pool was limited to 2 two-hour windows a day that families were allowed to use it. When you are limited in what you can do due to weather/high seas that could be a long stretch.

Maybe I am making too much out of the flight. Is it all that bad? Do you need a day or two just to adjust to the time change? I have flown to Australia before (just me no kids) and it really threw me off.

Where are you flying from? We fly annually from Phoenix--6.5 hours going and about 6 hours returning. Time change is not that hard going East to West. It's a bit harder coming back, but not insurmountable. We had always loved sea days until we did that 15 day--5 over, 5 in islands, and then the 5 back!!! When they closed that door in Kona, we knew we were "stuck" for 5 more days!

Even tho we are growing to hate the flight hassles (with TSA, crowded planes, etc.) we are still committed to flying once a year to Hawaii for our annual land trip.

We live just a bit outside of Madison, WI. When I did a kayak web search for plane tickets I was coming up with 15-18 hours with two connections and over $1000 a ticket. Milwaukee was a little better at about 14-11 hours and in the mid $900 range. Our neighbor drives down to Chicago to catch a direct flight, but then it is a 2.5 hour drive just getting there. I would love to go to Hawaii. Going there on an annual basis sounds heavenly! I have a hard time with the cost of airfare though especially with having 4 tickets. Sounds like it would be quite the vacation though.

We live north of Milwaukee and plan a lot of trips flying out of O'Hare, Chicago. We go down the night before the flight and grab a hotel room and park for free. Then in the morning they shuttle us over to the airport. I looked for a flight to Hawaii as well and found a direct flight to Hawaii out of Chicago. The flight duration was 9 hours. Can't remember what the price was.

Our neighbor drives down to Chicago to catch a direct flight, but then it is a 2.5 hour drive just getting there.

 

That's a great option. The connecting flights you were considering likely include at least that in layover time anyway. And if you do the stay, park 'n fly thing you're not looking at a huge additional cost. Plus you'll feel like you're starting your vacation early! A 9 hour flight isn't too bad I promise :)

If the long flight is the main thing making you want to take the 14 day cruise then I wouldn't think it's a good idea... IMO the extra days would be much better spent in Hawaii, if you can swing it.

In the interest of full disclosure...I've never done the 14 day Hawaii cruise, but I HAVE been to Hawaii and I've had lots of sea days on cruises. There is NO comparison. Also, we drive to further airports all the time if it makes more sense for the budget and the time FLIES - especially on the way there!

We live just a bit outside of Madison, WI. When I did a kayak web search for plane tickets I was coming up with 15-18 hours with two connections and over $1000 a ticket. Milwaukee was a little better at about 14-11 hours and in the mid $900 range. Our neighbor drives down to Chicago to catch a direct flight, but then it is a 2.5 hour drive just getting there. I would love to go to Hawaii. Going there on an annual basis sounds heavenly! I have a hard time with the cost of airfare though especially with having 4 tickets. Sounds like it would be quite the vacation though.

While we live in Texas, we are from the Madison area (wife is from Monona). We have been to the Islands three times from down here and while I agree that the air fares are steep, it is worth every penny. Might I suggest trying Jet Blue to Long Beach then LAX to Honolulu (if you are going to Oahu). I grew up in Des Plaines out by O'Hare and so I know well the drive down there to ORD. Trust me, however you do it, go!! Paradise is only 5 hours from LAX.. We just got back from Australia in March and I can tell you the 15 hours from LAX to Sydney is a looooong ride. After that I will never complain abut LAX to HNL again!!

Enjoy!! Aloha

Kenn

We have done the Hawaii trip in March and in October. Other than the first couple of days out being very cool, our weather was great and seas were very calm. Same situation on the return trip, the last two days were cool and most everyone stayed indoors. . Loved the trip and would do it again....But there are no weather guarantees no matter when you go.

We did this cruise 8 times with Princess when it was 15 days. Since they dropped the stop at Kona and changed it to 14 days a year or so ago we haven't been. Many people complained about the number of days at sea so this isn't a trip for people who do not all those days at sea. I liked the sea days. People also complained about the casinos being closed while we were cruising the islands.

The weather is usually chilly and the seas are usually rough the first two days out and the last two days returning - It doesn't matter what time of the year you travel. Of course, sometimes there were storms that were bad enough we weren't allowed out on deck. But that is part of being at sea. We always thought it was funny when so many people complained about the weather being cool. They seemed to think that they should have weather like Hawaii as soon as they got on the ship!

A cruise is a great way to get the flavor of each of the islands if you have never been there and then you can go back for a land vacation to see more of a particular island. It is definitely a completely difference experience than a land vacation. We love Hawaii and go there two or three times a year, but no longer on cruises. We leave from Newark, NJ and take the non-stop direct flight.

So you're thinking of flying out to California to maybe leave for 14 day cruise from California. California and Hawaii only bout 5 hrs flight anyways as you know. I'd reconsider the Wisconsin departure flight and just fly to Hawaii for 7 day cruise on NCL. Spend the extra 2 days precruise or 2 days post, and still get back ahead of potential 14 days Hawaii cruise out of Cali. Have fun regardless! Which cost less? I'm not ready for 8 days of sea..wow

We live just a bit outside of Madison, WI. When I did a kayak web search for plane tickets I was coming up with 15-18 hours with two connections and over $1000 a ticket. Milwaukee was a little better at about 14-11 hours and in the mid $900 range. Our neighbor drives down to Chicago to catch a direct flight, but then it is a 2.5 hour drive just getting there. I would love to go to Hawaii. Going there on an annual basis sounds heavenly! I have a hard time with the cost of airfare though especially with having 4 tickets. Sounds like it would be quite the vacation though.

Maybe I am making too much out of the flight. Is it all that bad? Do you need a day or two just to adjust to the time change? I have flown to Australia before (just me no kids) and it really threw me off.

We live in the Detroit area and at the time we went to Hawaii there were no direct flights available. There were four of us: 67, 63, 61 and 22. We have never flown a lot for vacations and this was the first time ever I took a connecting flight. I was not looking forward to it. However, at our ages it was actually a good thing to be able to get out, stretch, walk around and have a decent meal at the airport before continuing on.

Keep watching the airfare and get on some alerts. Great deals do pop up and if you have some flexibility with arrival and departure dates you may be able to snag a good price. Get on some email alerts for flights.

Although I have no experience with cruises with so many sea days, I do know that I would personally go crazy. I am one of those who likes the port intensive itineraries. I go on vacation to see beautiful scenery and experience new places; I would get pretty darn tired of looking at the ocean for eight days. ;)

As far as adjusting to the time zone, you just need to get to bed as early as possible the day you arrive in Hawaii. Get a good long sleep that first night and you willl probably be in decent shape after that. You will likely want to go to bed early the second night too, but then all should be fine. However, I would not fly in the day of the cruise. Give yourself at least one and preferably a few more. Oahu is great place to spend some time before the NCL cruise. We arrived on Tuesday night before our Saturday cruise. Each day was filled with sightseeing. I actually wished we had flown out a day earlier. I left Oahu without seeing everything I had wanted to.

Even coming back home I didn't have great difficulty adjusting to the time zone. I forced myself, with the help of caffeine, to stay up the day we arrived home. (we arrived at 6:00 a.m.) I went to bed at 7:30 p.m. and slept until 10:00 a.m. the next morning. After that I was fine. My DH did nap the day we arrived home. He was able to sleep in the next morning and was fine after that too.

Good luck with your planning. Keep up with the research and I am sure you will find the trip that works best for you and your family.

The question is, is the cruise worth it to the Family as a Whole? My Wife & I have done the Cruise once & are going to do it again in Feb. of 11, & our Son & DIL did it last year & we all loved it. Yes there are 9 total Sea Days on the Cruise & some may be a little cool & some may be a little Rough. The times you have said you want to go are not our favorite times to Cruise from the West Coast to Hawaii because you can never know about the Seas but then you can never know about them, can you. Yes the Pools were not open every day on our Cruise but then we are not Pool People on a Cruise as much as some. We Cruise for the Sea Days not for the other reasons as much when we go to Hawaii, since we have been to the Islands 24 times over the years & to see the Islands from the Ocean is what the Cruise is all about for us. Then again we live on the West Coast & it is not as much to go to the Islands by Air when we want to for a Land Vacation there. Good Cruising.:D

I agree R&M! We love this itinerary and the Pacific crossing. For us it is as much about the sea days as the time in Hawaii. I think that is they key if you are going to love a cruise like this. My DH and I both have very demanding jobs and the sea days are a great way to destress and spend some nice quality time together as a family. We live in California and we love that we can get to Hawaii without the expense and hassle of flying. We have gone at Christmas/New Years the last three years which gives the added holiday celebration component as well which is great fun. But if Princess would offer it as an option in the summer we would jump at the opportunity. The bottom line for a cruise like this is you have to enjoy cruising and love sea days.