Question for those who have cruised Hawaii more than once

[the cruise is on]

I am trying to decide which cruise to take around the Hawaiian islands. We visted Hawaii about 13 year ago, but our son and daughter-in-law have never been. Since this is Hawaii, I hate to spend all those days at sea (I love days at sea otherwise). I want to spend as much time as possible on the various islands. Therefore, my question to those of you who have cruised the islands more than once - which cruise line and ship do you recommend for maximum Hawaii time?

 

Looking forward to your responses.

[tak2]

NCL America is the only line that can maximize your port time as they don't have to travel to a foreign port. Currently only one ship, Pride of Aloha. By June they'll have a second ship, Pride of America, running more or less the same itinerary. Then in 2006 they'll launch Pride of Hawaii, supposedly more hawaiian in the ship's decor, if you can wait that long.

 

I like the itinerary as it gives you more time in port than previous cruises. I was on American Hawaii Cruise in the past, and currently planning a Jan 06 Pride of America cruise.

[orcatek]

NCL - We did the Pride of Aloha for just that reason - max time on shore.

 

My review will show you just how much you can do during that time.

 

We did the Star before, and it was nice, but my biggest problem was the limited shore time. With the POA you could book your own tours without worries as you knew the ship wasn't going to be sailing.

[Ronath]

We always visit Hawaii on a land vacation. Wouldn't want to waste it with sea days either. Maybe will consider NCL in the future.

[kdvolfan]

Why do all the other lines have to go to/from a foreign port while NCL doesn't have to? thanks

[suziehmkr]

This is due to the Jones Act: “no foreign vessel shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, under penalty of $200 for each passenger so transported or landed.”

 

Most cruise ships are of foreign registry. Therefore, they stop and the "special" island, or have a port or ending in Vancouver or Ensenada. NCL has registered the POA, and some future ships in the US to avoid the Jones Act. This can be very difficult for a ship to be registered in the US, because all labor laws & such go into effect.

 

Here is a decent link:

http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/hawaiicruises/a/ncl_hawaii.htm

 

Hope this helps.

Tina

[spleen93]

Actually, it's not the Jones Act which relates to shipping. It's the Passenger Services Act that relates to cruise ships. But the idea is the same ... :)

 

Spleen

[kdvolfan]

very interesting. thanks for the info.

[Retired not Expired]

I loved the POA itinerary. 96 hours in port. And when you factor in meals and not having to pay to fly to the other islands, it was much cheaper than my land based stays in Hawaii. I do recommend a pre or post or both stay with the cruise. Seven days is just too short.

[4crazycruisers]

We sailed on the Wind a couple years ago and enjoyed it so much we decided to try her again for our 25th aniv. cruise. She is an older ship but is much more than adequate with the best itinerary of all the Hawaiian cruises. You can be as active or relaxed as you want to be on this ship and see more of the region especially on the 11 day cruise. Two stops on Maui is awesome. If you can live without a casino than NCL and the Wind have the most to offer.

We also sailed on the old U.S. Lines Patriot a few years back.