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

[vacruizer]

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.

 

LOL - they didn't do this at Old Lahaina. They asked at one point if any newlyweds, honeymooners, or anniversary couples would come up and dance together but that was about as far as the audience participation went. Old Lahaina also does strictly Hawaiian culture as opposed to Polynesian or South Pacific culture so they don't do any fire dancing like some luaus do.

 

I think with the port times and distance Old Lahaina won't be possible on this cruise, though. It's a good 45 minute drive from Kahului to Lahaina so you'd be cutting it REALLY close getting back to the ship in time for an 11pm sailing. The other issue is that sometimes the road between Lahaina and Kahului is closed for many hours at a time if there is an accident. It's a beautiful drive, though, right along the coast. Not sure if there will still be any humpback whales around in late April, but they were spectacular in Feb. You have to watch for drivers ahead of you slamming on their breaks when they see a whale offshore. :p

[hmstins]

You are not a bother at all, danysmom. That's what the boards are for -- helpful advice and new friends!

 

The value of using a website that compares insurance policies available publicly is that you can see what they all offer. Some offer cancellation with certain limitations, while others cover any reason whatsoever up to the day your board the ship. It just depends on your personal situation and where you live as to which fits you the best. Insuremytrip dot com allows you to see the costs and what is covered, which is very helpful for some.

 

Good luck, and never hesitate to ask questions here. Someone reading here will probably know the answer, or be able to point you in the right direction!

[Luckysll]

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?

 

I kind of knew what poi was going to be like (I've read Mitchener's Hawaii several times and he describes it very well :D), but I had no idea about what kava was, only that we were going to take part in a kava ceremony. I remember that they made a big point that part of the ceremony was to drink it and not say anything or react. Don't know if that was true or not, but I guess they knew the people at the end of the ceremony would never have gone through with it if they knew exactly what they would be drinking. :D

 

If I'm not sure what something is, I'll ask and then decide if I want to try it, but I can usually spot someone saying "oh, it's delicious" when it's not. :D

[danysmom]

You are not a bother at all, danysmom. That's what the boards are for -- helpful advice and new friends!

 

The value of using a website that compares insurance policies available publicly is that you can see what they all offer. Some offer cancellation with certain limitations, while others cover any reason whatsoever up to the day your board the ship. It just depends on your personal situation and where you live as to which fits you the best. Insuremytrip dot com allows you to see the costs and what is covered, which is very helpful for some.

 

Good luck, and never hesitate to ask questions here. Someone reading here will probably know the answer, or be able to point you in the right direction!

 

Thank you for the the advice. :)

 

[Luckysll]

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.

 

I probably shouldn't admit this, but, no, I don't get cancellation insurance. :o

[danysmom]

I probably shouldn't admit this, but, no, I don't get cancellation insurance. :o

 

Thanks anyways Sandy.:)

[LEtue]

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?

 

Neither sounds like anything I would want to experience :eek:

 

Of course I never tried haggis while I was in Scotland either!

[hmstins]

Sandy, I only get cancellation insurance when traveling with my mother, who is 91 YO. You never know what will happen, especially when booking months in advance.

[I Luv Crusin]

Were official how exciting!!

My vote is for our name is:

Spirited Malihinis and Moana Malihinis:).

 

I vote for these names too! I'm hoping I can convince DH to do this but we were thinking of doing Northern Europe in 2012. This would be for our 30th anniversary, too! I just booked the Pride for Bermuda for Oct. 2011!

[LEtue]

I vote for these names too! I'm hoping I can convince DH to do this but we were thinking of doing Northern Europe in 2012. This would be for our 30th anniversary, too! I just booked the Pride for Bermuda for Oct. 2011!

 

Hope you decide to join us! It's going to be a great cruise :)

[LornaT]

Been to Paradise Cove Luau in Ohao twice now and enjoyed it. Shell or flower lei greeting (depending on Package bought) and either Mai Tai's or punch. You can wander the grounds and they have some exhibits and games, the "Shower of Flowers" procession, you can perform the Hookelau (not spelt right) which is the pulling in of the nets and watch the pig being removed form the imu. The show is good, includes dances for different islands in the polynesion realm, they do invite guests to come up on stage and be taught to hula and then the entire group performs (Jess did this both times and was given a Certification of Hula Diploma afterwards ......... this one is about 35 minutes for the Aloha Tower Market place (where we should be docked) and actually ends at 9 so since we sail at 11, this mght be do-able. Here is their website: http://www.paradisecovehawaii.com

 

When we were last there a tour company called Roberts Hawaii was the big tour company in all the islands ........ for anyone investigating some group tours.

[LEtue]

Lorna, thanks for the helpful information. Based on logistics I don't think I want to do a luau.

 

There are so many things to do in the ports that the days will be full anyway :D

[Luckysll]

Good morning, everyone.

 

Since there haven't been any more votes, I'm officially calling us the "MOANA MALIHINIS" as that name got the most votes (7).

 

As I'm graphically challenged (among other things :D), if there is someone who can create a banner for our group, that would be wonderful. Please try to include a photo of slippahs in the banner, the date and the ship, and maybe some info on the cruise - "15 day Hawaii" or "round-trip Hawaii", etc.

 

Also, if we want t-shirts, we'll need something for that. As an official CC group, any t-shirt design needs to include CC's logo and website address on the t-shirt. We'll also need to send a copy of the design to CC for review. They are just looking for anything that might reflect negatively on CC (which, of course, ours won't :D), so there shouldn't be a problem with this.

 

If no one can do a banner, I'll see what I can come up with.

[I Luv Crusin]

Well, DH has not said NO!!!, but still needs convincing. Getting the prices will help. Airfare may be the killer.

 

Anyway, what in the world do you do on a ship for 8 days? I love just hanging out and though we are socialable we are not partiers. Are there more activities on a long cruise like this?

 

Also, what do you do in Ensendada for 3 hours, 8-11pm??!!?? or is that a typo?

 

Mr. Pete, I really hope if we do this, you will decided to go! I've been following your posts for years and would love to meet you.

[danysmom]

Mr. Pete, I really hope if we do this, you will decided to go! I've been following your posts for years and would love to meet you.[/quote]

Exactly how I feel.:)

[danysmom]

Love our name.:D

[Luckysll]

Well, DH has not said NO!!!, but still needs convincing. Getting the prices will help. Airfare may be the killer.

 

Anyway, what in the world do you do on a ship for 8 days? I love just hanging out and though we are socialable we are not partiers. Are there more activities on a long cruise like this?

 

Also, what do you do in Ensendada for 3 hours, 8-11pm??!!?? or is that a typo?

 

Mr. Pete, I really hope if we do this, you will decided to go! I've been following your posts for years and would love to meet you.

 

The 3 hours in Ensenada is just to satisfy the Jones Act. The ship has to visit a foreign port and Ensenada is it. It's the same for people doing the Alaska cruises out of Seattle. The Spirit stops here in Victoria, but only from around 8 pm to 11 pm, which isn't a lot of time to see my beautiful city, but meets the rules.

 

We will have group activities planned for the 8 sea days. Things like a poker/cabin crawl, a slot tourney, mini golf, scavenger hunt, etc. While I haven't been on a ship yet with more than a couple of sea days in a row, from what I understand on cruises that do have more sea days, the ship plans all sorts of activities.

 

My biggest problem is that the casino will be open 4 days in a row! I usually tell people if they're looking for me, just find the nearest slot machine. :D Of course, as group leader, I'll be involved with the activities so that should reduce my casino contributions a bit. :D

[MrPete]

The 3 hours in Ensenada is just to satisfy the Jones Act. The ship has to visit a foreign port and Ensenada is it. It's the same for people doing the Alaska cruises out of Seattle. The Spirit stops here in Victoria, but only from around 8 pm to 11 pm, which isn't a lot of time to see my beautiful city, but meets the rules.

 

 

Actually, it's the Passenger Services Act. I'd hate to be considered cargo. :D

[MrPete]

 

Exactly how I feel.:)

 

 

Mr. Pete, I really hope if we do this, you will decided to go! I've been following your posts for years and would love to meet you.

 

Thank you both. :)

[LEtue]

Good morning, everyone.

 

Since there haven't been any more votes, I'm officially calling us the "MOANA MALIHINIS" as that name got the most votes (7).

 

As I'm graphically challenged (among other things :D), if there is someone who can create a banner for our group, that would be wonderful. Please try to include a photo of slippahs in the banner, the date and the ship, and maybe some info on the cruise - "15 day Hawaii" or "round-trip Hawaii", etc.

 

Also, if we want t-shirts, we'll need something for that. As an official CC group, any t-shirt design needs to include CC's logo and website address on the t-shirt. We'll also need to send a copy of the design to CC for review. They are just looking for anything that might reflect negatively on CC (which, of course, ours won't :D), so there shouldn't be a problem with this.

 

If no one can do a banner, I'll see what I can come up with.

 

Sandy, I will play around in photobucket today and see what I can do. Others may have more experience so we can decide which one we like.

[pinkbugs471]

Booking this cruise tomorrow... need to wait for my PVP to be in the office!

[LEtue]

Sandy, look at what I found. How cute would that be for a T-Shirt? And I'm sure we could add to it.....

 

http://store.northshoreshirts.com/gotslt.html

[Luckysll]

Sandy, look at what I found. How cute would that be for a T-Shirt? And I'm sure we could add to it.....

 

http://store.northshoreshirts.com/gotslt.html

 

That is great! Yes, if we can add to it, it would be perfect.

[Luckysll]

Actually, it's the Passenger Services Act. I'd hate to be considered cargo. :D

 

Well, I knew it was one of those two.....:D One of these years, I'll get them straight.

[Pee-ah]

Thank you both. :)

 

And the list keeps climbing for Mr Pete to join!

 

At 3 now :D