Possible cc group cruise - carnival spirit 15 day hawaii - apr 13/12

[LEtue]

Wow, the list is growing!

 

Have a great weekend everyone :D

[lovedogs]

Hey Charleyann,

 

I spent a week in San Diego with my DD and DS at the time ages 14 & 18.

We had a blast! They still talk about Legoland which is in Carlsbad.

 

http://california.legoland.com/

 

We also visit the Museum of Making Music

 

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/

 

and Flowers Fields

 

http://www.theflowerfields.com/

 

All were within a mile of each other and a short (40 minute) easy drive from San Diego. THEY ALL WERE AMAZING! :D

 

You can also take the Amtrak from San Diego and Anaheim for about $40 round trip and not deal with the traffic issues.

It's about a two hour ride.

Check out the info about half way down the page on this link:

 

http://www.mousesavers.com/train.html

 

If you will be spending a few days in San Diego check this out. It pays for itself in no time if you want to do a lot if activities.

We did almost everything the week we were there!

 

I've used these cards in Seattle, San Diego, New York City and Oahu...and love the convenience and value they offer. :D ;)

 

http://www.smartdestinations.com/san-diego-attractions-and-tours/_d_Sdo-p1.html?pass=Sdo_Prod_Go

 

San Diego is amazing. We stayed there 4 days prior to our Hawaiian cruise.In addition to the zoo, the wonderful beach towns and downtown, an absolute must is a tour of the U.S.S. Midway! :)

 

Hopefully, we'll be part of this wonderful CC group in 2012!

 

Lindsay

[MrPete]

This reminds me of 30 years ago, when a friend of mine and I decided we wanted to see the west coast. We booked a flight into LA, and a flight out of San Fran, with a 2 night stay at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

 

After the 2 days, we headed south, really not knowing where we were headed, but somehow we wanted to go to Tiajuana.

 

We stopped at Laguna Beach, checked in, and then quickly checked out. It was not the place for us.

 

Headed south, and ended up in Mission Bay. We decided to stay two days, as it just felt right. We somehow made it to the Zoo, before continuing down to Mexico.

 

Just a blip in time now, but a good enough memory to remember it.

[LEtue]

This reminds me of 30 years ago, when a friend of mine and I decided we wanted to see the west coast. We booked a flight into LA, and a flight out of San Fran, with a 2 night stay at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

 

After the 2 days, we headed south, really not knowing where we were headed, but somehow we wanted to go to Tiajuana.

 

We stopped at Laguna Beach, checked in, and then quickly checked out. It was not the place for us.

 

Headed south, and ended up in Mission Bay. We decided to stay two days, as it just felt right. We somehow made it to the Zoo, before continuing down to Mexico.

 

Just a blip in time now, but a good enough memory to remember it.

 

So, I think you better sail with us and make some more memories in San Diego :D

[MrPete]

If I'm not there in person, I'll DEFINITELY be there in Spirit. Spirit! ;)

[LEtue]

If I'm not there in person, I'll DEFINITELY be there in Spirit. Spirit! ;)

 

Well, I hope you can join us! It's going to be a great cruise and you don't want to miss this opportunity to sail with such a fun group of people :D

[Luckysll]

Good morning everyone.

 

Lorna - just reading back over the posts, and you mentioned about picking up Hawaii brochures at the LA Times Travel Show. Thanks for doing this and I would love some. As I've mentioned, I've only been to Oahu, so I'm looking forward to seeing the other Islands.

 

Oh....and a luau sounds wonderful. That was one of the things we did when I was there for my brother's wedding and, while I don't remember the name of the place that did the luau, I do remember how much fun it was and how good the food was. :D

[LEtue]

Yes to a luau! This is one of the things that I can't wait to do :D

[Luckysll]

Yes to a luau! This is one of the things that I can't wait to do :D

 

And you have to try the poi. Purple library paste comes close to describing it, but it's something you have to try for yourself. :D

[danysmom]

And you have to try the poi. Purple library paste comes close to describing it, but it's something you have to try for yourself. :D

 

 

I had to look it up. Thought I would shared with those who had no idea like me what Poi is. The picture looks like purple goo. How does it taste Sandy?:)

Poi is a Hawaiian word for the primary Polynesian staple food made from the corm of the taro plant (known in Hawaiian as kalo). Poi is produced by mashing the cooked corm (baked or steamed) to a highly viscous fluid. Water is added during mashing and again just before eating, to achieve a desired consistency, which can range from liquid to dough-like (poi can be known as two-finger or three-finger, alluding to how many fingers you would have to use to eat it, depending on its consistency).

Poi made from Taro should not be confused with

• Samoan poi, which is a creamy dessert created by mashing ripe bananas with coconut cream.
  
• Tahitian po'e, which is a sweet, pudding-like dish made with bananas, papaya, or mangoes
  

[hmstins]

It seems that they are always trying to sell Luaus in Hawaii and I need someone to tell me what they are about. I think I have seen four to six-hour luaus advertised, but what do you do that entire time? I don't want to sit and watch someone dance for six hours, and there is a limit to how much and how long we can eat (yes, I know -- but even for me there is a limit!). I don't want it to turn out like the fiestas in Mexico where you are ready to leave after the first hour and it just drags on and on and on....

 

Anyone ever been to one? Can you describe it for us?

[MrPete]

I ws always told they were rip offs, but the one on the Brady Bunch looked so cool!

[LEtue]

Uh oh, maybe a luau isn't one of the best things to do in Hawaii :confused:

 

Worth some research and questions and we have plenty of time to do that :)

[Luckysll]

I had to look it up. Thought I would shared with those who had no idea like me what Poi is. The picture looks like purple goo. How does it taste Sandy?:)

 

 

Actually, runny purple library paste describes the taste. :D Now, I didn't find it that bad, it's really quite bland, but most people don't like it. The great thing about a luau is that you can at least try the poi and say you've tried it.

 

Years ago, when I cruised from Vancouver to Sydney, the ship stopped in Tonga and the excursion I did stopped at a Tongan village and you got to take part in a kava ceremony. Kava is a drink and there's a whole ritural that goes with preparing and drinking it. Trust me....if I can drink what tastes like spicy, muddy water, eating poi is a walk in the park. :D

[vacruizer]

It seems that they are always trying to sell Luaus in Hawaii and I need someone to tell me what they are about. I think I have seen four to six-hour luaus advertised, but what do you do that entire time? I don't want to sit and watch someone dance for six hours, and there is a limit to how much and how long we can eat (yes, I know -- but even for me there is a limit!). I don't want it to turn out like the fiestas in Mexico where you are ready to leave after the first hour and it just drags on and on and on....

 

Anyone ever been to one? Can you describe it for us?

 

I can only speak for the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui. I don't think the port times on this cruise would work for this Luau.:( Old Lahaina is known as the best and most authentic in the islands. Think of it as a cultural exibition followed by a dinner theatre. Our total time was about 3 hours. We arrived, were given lei greetings and mai-tais (cocktails were included all night) then spent about an hour wandering the grounds, taking pictures, and seeing various cultural exhibits and craftsmen demonstrating their art. At sunset, the imu ceremony is held where the kalua pig is unearthed from the underground cooking pit. We were escorted to the buffet by table so no long lines or waiting. After everyone was seated for dinner (we had assigned tables and our own waiter keeping us in drinks, bread, etc.) the show began and was incredible. Really well done and professional. It fascinated me both from the theatrical standpoint as well as a cultural one.

 

The only reason I can think six hours on a commercial luau would be transportation time if you had a long bus ride each way. I'm sure local family luaus last much longer than this.

 

Definitely do some research on luaus if you decide to attend one. Some are VERY cheesy and touristy, others like OLL and Feast at Lele are known to be more authentic and more of a cultural show. The forums over on tripadvisor were a great help when I was researching - quite a few locals post over there and can guide you as to which activity or luau is bad and which is good. They are very honest and helpful with their opinions. I learned a ton this way before our trip and it saved me from a few mistakes. It also helped that I knew some cultural issues and expectations ahead of time as Hawaii is a bit different from the Mainland in some respects.

 

Hope this helps. :)

[Luckysll]

I can only speak for the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui. I don't think the port times on this cruise would work for this Luau.:( Old Lahaina is known as the best and most authentic in the islands. Think of it as a cultural exibition followed by a dinner theatre. Our total time was about 3 hours. We arrived, were given lei greetings and mai-tais (cocktails were included all night) then spent about an hour wandering the grounds, taking pictures, and seeing various cultural exhibits and craftsmen demonstrating their art. At sunset, the imu ceremony is held where the kalua pig is unearthed from the underground cooking pit. We were escorted to the buffet by table so no long lines or waiting. After everyone was seated for dinner (we had assigned tables and our own waiter keeping us in drinks, bread, etc.) the show began and was incredible. Really well done and professional. It fascinated me both from the theatrical standpoint as well as a cultural one.

 

The only reason I can think six hours on a commercial luau would be transportation time if you had a long bus ride each way. I'm sure local family luaus last much longer than this.

 

Definitely do some research on luaus if you decide to attend one. Some are VERY cheesy and touristy, others like OLL and Feast at Lele are known to be more authentic and more of a cultural show. The forums over on tripadvisor were a great help when I was researching - quite a few locals post over there and can guide you as to which activity or luau is bad and which is good. They are very honest and helpful with their opinions. I learned a ton this way before our trip and it saved me from a few mistakes. It also helped that I knew some cultural issues and expectations ahead of time as Hawaii is a bit different from the Mainland in some respects.

 

Hope this helps. :)

 

That's a good description of one. What I remember is the singing and dancing was very entertaining, and the time went by very quickly. Of course, the cheesy part is when they bring guys up on stage and get them to dance with the girls doing the hula, but it's still funny.

[danysmom]

This waiting is killing me. It is probably a good thing that I am going camping tomorrow for a few days.:D When I get back on Friday maybe we will have the pricing etc.

[danysmom]

Sandy,

What do you usually do for travel insurance. I am from BC as well, but not sure what to do about insurance. For my upcoming Valor cruise, I have just gotten it through Carnival, but have read that that may not be the best choice. Any advice?

[LEtue]

I found some these links on the Hawaii Boards. They could be helpful for choices in Maui where we will be until 11pm. On person posted that Old Lanaina Luau is a $75 taxi ride each way from where we will be docking (in KAHULUI) so they rented a car. The price was $25 for the entire day and gave them the option to tour around on their own. That price sounds low but worth considering.

 

• Aston Luau
  
• Old Lahaina Luau
  
• Feast at Lele
  
• Kaanapali Beach
  
• Wailea Luau
  
• Sheraton Luau
  
• Hyatt Luau
  
• Westin Luau
  

[LEtue]

Cheryl, enjoy your camping trip!

 

I have used InsureMyTrip.com in the past but most of the time my TA offers Access America at a discount - and with better coverage. So CruCon may offer something similar......

[Luckysll]

Sandy,

 

What do you usually do for travel insurance. I am from BC as well, but not sure what to do about insurance. For my upcoming Valor cruise, I have just gotten it through Carnival, but have read that that may not be the best choice. Any advice?

 

I usually go through Pacific Blue Cross. If you travel more than a couple of weeks a year outside Canada, they have a yearly rate that allows multiple trips up to one month at a time. Also, from my understanding, most other insurance companies require that you access your Provincial medical insurance before using their additional medical coverage. Pacific Blue Cross uses the additional medical insurance first, then the Provincial medical, so you don't max out your Provincial medical.

[Luckysll]

I found some these links on the Hawaii Boards. They could be helpful for choices in Maui where we will be until 11pm. On person posted that Old Lanaina Luau is a $75 taxi ride each way from where we will be docking (in KAHULUI) so they rented a car. The price was $25 for the entire day and gave them the option to tour around on their own. That price sounds low but worth considering.

 

• Aston Luau
  
• Old Lahaina Luau
  
• Feast at Lele
  
• Kaanapali Beach
  
• Wailea Luau
  
• Sheraton Luau
  
• Hyatt Luau
  
• Westin Luau
  

 

Thanks, Linda. Once we get our Member Cruise forum, I'll copy this into one of the threads I set up.

[danysmom]

Cheryl, enjoy your camping trip!

 

I have used InsureMyTrip.com in the past but most of the time my TA offers Access America at a discount - and with better coverage. So CruCon may offer something similar......

 

Thanx Linda:)

[hmstins]

I realize that a huge part of the value and fun of traveling is seeing and learning about new cultures and new foods. That said, I am a great sport about almost anything but am having a hard time trying to figure out why I would want to taste runny purple library paste OR spicy muddy water? Does that enhance the experience in any way or is just something to laugh about when you return home?

 

I have friends who were encouraged to try vegamite while in Australia and wow -- were they shocked. Something of an acquired taste, I'm sure, as could be runny purple library paste or spicy, muddy water?

[danysmom]

I usually go through Pacific Blue Cross. If you travel more than a couple of weeks a year outside Canada, they have a yearly rate that allows multiple trips up to one month at a time. Also, from my understanding, most other insurance companies require that you access your Provincial medical insurance before using their additional medical coverage. Pacific Blue Cross uses the additional medical insurance first, then the Provincial medical, so you don't max out your Provincial medical.

 

I will call Pacific Blue Cross, and see what I am covered for with them. Do you get any kind of cancellation insurance or anything like that from one of the insurance compainies?

Sorry to be a bother.