Cruising Around the Hawaiian Islands

[BazCranleigh]

As a group of 4 or 5 Seniors we are planning to visit Hawaii in the winter of 2011 - special birthdays etc. We would prefer to fly to Honolulu and to cruise from there, so that we can get a real feel for the Islands and fit in a lazy cruise as well.

Does anyone please know of any such local cruise possibilities around the Hawaiian Islands?

[boulders]

The only possibility is NCLA's Pride of America.

[paul929207]

NCL's Pride of America is the only ship doing Hawaiian Island cruises that start and end there. None of the other lines (Carnival, RCI, Princess, HAL, etc) can offer cruises like that because of the restrictions in the Passenger Vessel Service Act

[phoenix1181]

Cruising really isn't the best way to see Hawaii. Have you considered a land tour? My first trip was a 14 day, 3 islands, tour that was great. Plenty of time to enjoy the islands and see what they had to offer without going at breakneck speed trying to cram it all in a day.

[BazCranleigh]

Thanks for your comments. I completely agree, but my sisters are dead set on a cruise and I wanted to avoid the outwards and return sectors! I have toured the Islands by fly/drive before and that is far the best way.

[DAGVBSB]

The Pride of America is the only large American flagged cruise ship currently sailing. Being American flagged it must have an American crew and pay American wages and meet American overtime laws. (hence a slightly higher cruise cost.). But being American flagged means that the ship does not have to stop at a foreign port. She is the only ship that can do this and hence the only ship that can do Hawaii only cruises. All other cruise lines must sail from the west coast to Hawaii with a stop in Mexico and therefore longer cruises.

 

Because the POA is American flagged, she can also overnight in American ports (something the other ships cannot do.) As a result the POA spends nearly two days in both Maui and Kauai, along with stops in Hilo and Kona.

 

Having done a similar cruise on the Pride of Aloha in 2004, I can say that it is a great way to have a quick tour of Hawaii. This year, my brother in law pushed for a Hawaii trip and I wanted a land tour as described above but the rest of the family was set on a cruise... so that is what we are doing.

 

If you do the POA cruise, then make sure to schedule either a 2 or 3 day extension in Honolulu. (either before or after your cruise) Otherwise you will not have any time to see that island.

 

You also need to inform your friends that a Pride of America cruise is not like any other cruise that they have taken. There are no sea days. The cruise is very port intensive. The ship is basically your transportation between islands, your hotel, your dining area and your evening entertainment. There is no bingo or a casino on board the Pride of America since Hawaiian law forbids gambling.

 

NCL is also freestyle cruising, so you have no set dining time and serveral different restaurants (7) to choose from. You don't have to rush back to the ship or arrange your daily schedule to make it back for a set dining time. There is also no mandatory formal night on NCL so no need to lug fancy clothes along unless you want to!

 

I enjoy NCL cruises (and much prefer them to RCCL and my parents rate NCL above RCCL, HAL and Carnival as well) and am looking forward to our cruise this summer in Hawaii.

 

If you have any other questions, please ask.

[BazCranleigh]

Hello,

Many thanks for taking the time to respond to my query. From the advice received from all the responses we now have a much better ideas of the pros and cons of planning for the trip. I would rather spend time on the Islands than getting there on the ship, and so will probably suggest a couple of weeks on the Islands in addition to the cruise. However, I may be outvoted too!

[kadeycat]

We sailed in October 2006 for our 25th anniversary on the Pride of Hawaii. Unfortunately, NCL is down to only one ship now. Having an american crew was a bit different but we regarded the cruise as transport between islands without having to sit at the airport for hours. The overnights on Kauai and Maui were great. We even had a rental car that we parked close to the ship. We got up early the next morning and drove off- pretty cool! We also wanted to really explore one of the islands so we stayed on the windward side of Oahu for an additional week in a condo which was half the cost of hotel in Waikiki. There were wonderful beaches, activities and plenty to do within 30 min drive. We stayed in Punaluu but if I went again I think I would stay a bit further south nearer to Kailua. Snorkeling at Honauma bay was a highlight. Just driving home from places was always beautiful and relaxing.

Have fun planning!!

[love2relax]

I have been to Hawaii several times on my own and once on a cruise (on the Pride of America. I enjoyed the cruise in Hawaii. I really liked the night time lava flow sail around the back of Hawaii. As others have mentioned, it was really nice to have a floating hotel and not have to worry about all of the inter-island flights.

Since we were so familiar with the islands,we used rental cars almost everywhere. The only ship excursion I did was one morning on Maui to take a whack at wind-surfing. If that's your thing, give it a try. I had a blast! I would also vote for a couple of days stay pre or post cruise so that you can go to the Arizona Memorial, the Bowfin Museum, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Ala Moana...or anywhere else that might interest you on Oahu.

[cruiselover57]

As a group of 4 or 5 Seniors we are planning to visit Hawaii in the winter of 2011 - special birthdays etc. We would prefer to fly to Honolulu and to cruise from there, so that we can get a real feel for the Islands and fit in a lazy cruise as well.

Does anyone please know of any such local cruise possibilities around the Hawaiian Islands?

 

Why not consider a 14-day cruise? This year, we will be going on the Golden Princess from LA departing 12/22/10 for both holidays. The only thing is that you have 4 days at sea up and back but it's very relaxing. The ship will more than likely be doing the same itinerary for next year because they've done this route now for the past few years. If you could go this year, there are some pretty good deals out right now for booking early!

[Tucker in Texas]

Cruising really isn't the best way to see Hawaii. Have you considered a land tour? My first trip was a 14 day, 3 islands, tour that was great. Plenty of time to enjoy the islands and see what they had to offer without going at breakneck speed trying to cram it all in a day.

 

I've done Hawaii three times on land tours. Fifteen days, four islands. Four on the big island, four on Maui, three on Kauai, three on Oahu and a day coming and going. The biggest drawback is going from one island to another. Every "moving" day is a lost day between the flights and car rental. Add to that packing and unpacking. That gets old pretty quick, too. With a cruise, you don't have that hassle.

 

Unfortunately, NCL is the only game in town--not one of my favorite lines. You read reviews and people either love it or hate the ship part (more love than hate) but love the islands even more. Putting the pencil to the paper, you will find that if you look at NCL as a roof over your head and transportation from island to island, you will be spending less than if you tried to do it as a land tour. It is definitely the most economical and efficient way to get a taste of Hawaii.

 

Tucker in Texas

[toberman]

Hello,

I would rather spend time on the Islands than getting there on the ship, and so will probably suggest a couple of weeks on the Islands in addition to the cruise. However, I may be outvoted too!

 

Try very, very hard not to get outvoted. The 8 days at sea to get there and back from LA would be much better spent on the Islands. Been there 5 times (land tours) and find even 2 weeks is not enough !! Plus, if you cruise from the US you'll only get 4 very rushed days to see some of what you know is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Good Luck.

[yogi2929]

Another possibility is the Carnival Spirit. She does 12 day cruises that begin or end in Hawaii. These cruises start/end in Vancouver and San Diego. They are in April/May and September.

[DAGVBSB]

The 12, 14 cruises from the west coast all require at least 4 days of sea crossing. It sounds as if the OP's time is limited and the group wants to see as much of Hawaii as possible. If you want to see as much of Hawaii as possible and still take a cruise... NCL's "Pride of America" is the only real choice.

[BazCranleigh]

I am amazed by the helpful responses - thanks a lot. I'm pretty sure that we'll do the POA cruise AND a land tour. Nothing beats a good compromise.