Golden to Hawaii 11/10-11/24

[holidayhelen]

We too have just got back from this cruise - I suffered a bit on the first couple of days and missed the CC meet and greet - but it improved by day 3 (this was not my first cruise - so don't know why it bothered me this time.)

 

About the tours -We did the volcanos national parks in Hilo - but as earlier posters have said it rained all day and made it a bad day. But we more than made up for it on Kuaui - we took the Na Pali cruise and snorkel - I would highly recommend this tour - we were very lucky to have very calm seas and we got to see lots and lots of dolphins - two groups of whales and we snorkelled with turtles. The scenery was out of this world along the Na Pali coast (we sailed along on an NCL ship a few years ago now) .

 

I did the Diamond Head hike in Honolulu - I went with princess as it was not worth a taxi up there on my own - this was good for the views - it is fairly hard work hiking up there but the guide was good and set a good pace - you could go quicker if you wanted - as long as you met us at meeting points to make sure we were all ok. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

Lahina we just had a walk around the harbour and a meal in Bubba Gumps.

 

We booked our trips online and it does say that you save 5% - but you don't - we were charged the same price as the ship - I did ask and they just said the prices on the internet are cheaper!!!!!!

 

We had an inside cabin on deck 5 - next to the art gallery - and I was a little concerned that we would be bothered by the motion (we are usually higher) but it was being on a higher deck that made me feel ill and I was fine in the cabin - no noise - very handy for all the bars etc - we liked to just pick up a sandwich in the international cafe.

 

We were not too impressed with the piano player - usually the piano bar is very busy - but it never seemed to be. We actually preffered the casino bar - Jerome, Neal and Rhea were so much fun.

 

Entertainment team were very good and most of the 'events' around the ship were well attended. Didn't really go to the shows - but did see the comedy singer - Tony Pace -SOOOOO FUNNY and there was a comedian in the Atrium - (can't remember his name now) VERY VERY FUNNY.

 

Bad things were that on a good day there seemed to be a shortage of sunbeds around the pool on both floors - mainly due to the movies under the stars - as people wanted to be where they can see the screen - so the sides of the ship were empty and all the sunbeds were crammed together facing the screen. Saw some good films tho Maybe if they enforced the 30 minute rule in this area it would help.

 

We had anytime dining and we mostly ate in the donnetella resturant - once in the Crown Grill - that was very nice. A few evenings we ate in the buffett and a couple of lunchtimes in the pub lunch.

 

An unfortuate trip for a few people tho - 1 death - 1 stabbing (accidental!!)- a few falls (one causing a broken hip and one a broken ankle) the rest just bruising - and these were on the calm days!!!!!!!!!! One of the falls happened on the table next to my husband while he had a pub lunch - that looked fairly serious.

 

The crew kept telling us it was not safe to get off in Estenada - but a lot of the crew got off!!!!!!!!!!! We did just get the shuttle to town and had a drink in a nice cafe.

 

A lovely trip overall.

[CrusinAgain]

Did not have to wait once for the anytime dining if we were willing to share a table. Only had to show our cruise cards in the Traditional dining the first night. Never had to show them for the anytime.

Good luck and I hope you are seated quickly.;)

 

We are also looking at this trip deciding on month to go on. After the last crowding issue on the Crown at the anytime dining, we were going to choose traditional since we were told traditional can use anytime dining also. Now that I read your review, it appears it is true, the best of both worlds. Thanks for the information.

 

Is Maui (Lahaina) a tender port? Also did you hear any folks talk about seeing the USS Arizona memorial?

[Cruise Junky]

We are also looking at this trip deciding on month to go on. After the last crowding issue on the Crown at the anytime dining, we were going to choose traditional since we were told traditional can use anytime dining also. Now that I read your review, it appears it is true, the best of both worlds. Thanks for the information.

 

Is Maui (Lahaina) a tender port? Also did you hear any folks talk about seeing the USS Arizona memorial?

 

They seem to be cracking down....which is good. Our last two cruises, they've either asked for your cruise card at the beginning or the waiter has colllected our cabin number at the end of service. People who pick traditional need to stick to traditional.

[holidayhelen]

Lahina is a tender - which is not suitable for wheelchairs.

 

We did Pearl Harbour on a previous trip to Hawaii - so didn't look at the ships tours here

[CrusinAgain]

They seem to be cracking down....which is good. Our last two cruises, they've either asked for your cruise card at the beginning or the waiter has colllected our cabin number at the end of service. People who pick traditional need to stick to traditional.

 

It doesn't sound like they are cracking down. Its only been 3 weeks since we cruised and we were told as anytime diners that the traditional diners could eat at anytime dining and the OP just got off his cruise and did just that. They asked for our cabin number during the meal but it wasn't for a crack down as I first thought. According to the server, it was for internal use. The maitre'd told us the traditionals were welcome to eat at anytime but would prefer they stick with their table in traditional but they wouldn't be turned away.

 

I felt the same as you before our last cruise and was shocked to see a thread where traditional diners could eat and take up space in anytime when we couldn't use their seats so after this crowding issue on the Crown 3 weeks ago at anytime, we told ourselves until they get back on track and stop the chaos we weren't going to go thru that again.

[CrusinAgain]

Lahina is a tender - which is not suitable for wheelchairs.

 

We did Pearl Harbour on a previous trip to Hawaii - so didn't look at the ships tours here

 

Thanks for the info. Did you go to Pearl Harbor on your own or a ships excursion and what did you think?

[Woobstr112G]

OP;

 

I just read your review. Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for taking the time to post. We are doing the same cruise February 2nd and I am really looking forward to it. Best part is no flying.....:):):)

 

Bob

[holidayhelen]

Thanks for the info. Did you go to Pearl Harbor on your own or a ships excursion and what did you think?

 

We did it on our own trip - I did not really know much about it before we went - so it was informative for me - glad we been but wouln't go again. First time I have seen the film on the cruise - movies under the stars. Nearly all Hawaiian based films. 50 first dates, Blue Hawaii, pearl harbour etc.

 

We went anytime dining but no one asked to see our cards or asked our room no - and we never ordered drinks so they never saw our cards in there. There was never a problem getting a table - we usually went about 7.30 - 8 - but we never sat in the same area twice and never saw the same waiter twice. Not all the menus were to our liking so we went to the buffet a couple of nights too

[Nancyquilts]

Thanks for the info. Did you go to Pearl Harbor on your own or a ships excursion and what did you think?

Since entry to Pearl Harbor is free, I'd get off as early as you can and take a taxi there to beat the crowds. Tour groups have to stand in line too.

[CrusinAgain]

We did it on our own trip - I did not really know much about it before we went - so it was informative for me - glad we been but wouln't go again. First time I have seen the film on the cruise - movies under the stars. Nearly all Hawaiian based films. 50 first dates, Blue Hawaii, pearl harbour etc.

 

We went anytime dining but no one asked to see our cards or asked our room no - and we never ordered drinks so they never saw our cards in there. There was never a problem getting a table - we usually went about 7.30 - 8 - but we never sat in the same area twice and never saw the same waiter twice. Not all the menus were to our liking so we went to the buffet a couple of nights too

 

Good info to know thanks much. :)

 

Since entry to Pearl Harbor is free, I'd get off as early as you can and take a taxi there to beat the crowds. Tour groups have to stand in line too.

 

Super, sounds like that is the thing to do. Thank you for your post.:)