7 day Hawaiian cruises

[78232]

On the cruises which only cruise to the different island in Hawaii, are the onboard activities, shows, and food reflective of the Hawaiian experience?

Thanks

Marcia

[toomuchluggage]

On the cruises which only cruise to the different island in Hawaii, are the onboard activities, shows, and food reflective of the Hawaiian experience?

Thanks

Marcia

 

We have done this cruise twice and I would say that there is no difference in food choices from this ship to any other NCL ship except for the food seems to be fresher.

As for onboard activities and shows I would say that neither are a priority on this cruise because the cruise itself is so port intensive therefore they become secondary. There is no casino or bingo as there is no gambling allowed in the state of Hawaii.

We are booked again for 2012 and I have to say that you get the biggest bang for your buck and basically look at this cruise as your floating hotel rather than for entertainment and activities.

 

Just a great way to see the islands.

[BEFdoc]

We have done this cruise twice and I would say that there is no difference in food choices from this ship to any other NCL ship except for the food seems to be fresher.

As for onboard activities and shows I would say that neither are a priority on this cruise because the cruise itself is so port intensive therefore they become secondary. There is no casino or bingo as there is no gambling allowed in the state of Hawaii.

We are booked again for 2012 and I have to say that you get the biggest bang for your buck and basically look at this cruise as your floating hotel rather than for entertainment and activities.

 

Just a great way to see the islands.

 

Ditto,

 

recall very little of the ship, mostly the islands. We were too tired by the time we got back on board to do much other than eat and sleep. You will have a great time!

[spacepotatoes]

On the cruises which only cruise to the different island in Hawaii, are the onboard activities, shows, and food reflective of the Hawaiian experience?

Thanks

Marcia

 

 

On NCL, there is only one ship that does an itinerary like this. So if you are referring specifically to the Pride of America, then like the previous posters have said, this itinerary is so port intensive that many people don't get to the activities and shows but they do exist. On my POA cruise in July '09, they offered hula lessons and lei-making classes. They also had a "Hawaiian Ambassador" onboard that gave a talk about each new port on the morning that we arrived in that port, and she also did a really beautiful narration during our volcano sailby. There was a Polynesian themed show in the theatre one night and the ship hosts a luau in Kauai on one of the nights as well (off the ship, it's treated as an excursion).

 

If you're asking in general, I recently read a review of a Holland America cruise to Hawaii and they had some themed activities as well. Can't speak for any of the other lines.

[dramamamaPA]

Will probably be cruising on the Pride of America this spring. I have never cruised before -- so am totally ignorant! Is it possible to have email conversations with someone who has been on this cruise? I've done that before regarding specific resorts, hotels, etc. on trip advisor -- and wonder if I'm missing this option on cruise critic? Any help on that? Thanks! I just have a few questions regarding cruising and the Pride of America in particular. I,too, had wondered about activities/shows, etc. on the Pride of America as mentioned above. Thanks!

[coilover88]

Will probably be cruising on the Pride of America this spring. I have never cruised before -- so am totally ignorant! Is it possible to have email conversations with someone who has been on this cruise? I've done that before regarding specific resorts, hotels, etc. on trip advisor -- and wonder if I'm missing this option on cruise critic? Any help on that? Thanks! I just have a few questions regarding cruising and the Pride of America in particular. I,too, had wondered about activities/shows, etc. on the Pride of America as mentioned above. Thanks!

I will be happy to answer questions for you. My screen name at yahoo.

[Smudgeman]

New Cruiser - I too was a new cruiser and just came back from the POA on January 8th. So any questions, please ask, don't worry about asking questions you may think are duh. I learned to much from these forums, but one major tip that was never captured, the dress is very, very casual, but ladies, especially, dress warm if you are planning on spending time on deck in the evening, or even in the shows as it was air conditioned. Ended up wearing long pants, a long sleeved top and and either a sweater or jacket for sure in the evening. Pleasantly surprised how fast I learned lots about the ship and the comfort level of finding my way around, and the processes of boarding, eating. It is pretty easy to follow. As far as the activities, there are plenty of Hawaiian activities, but as others mentioned, we were off the ship so much in the ports, we really did not have time for other activities, other than seeing the shows at night, then just crashed. An excellent floating hotel and a fabulous way to see the islands.

[commission1]

We have done this cruise twice and I would say that there is no difference in food choices from this ship to any other NCL ship except for the food seems to be fresher.

As for onboard activities and shows I would say that neither are a priority on this cruise because the cruise itself is so port intensive therefore they become secondary. There is no casino or bingo as there is no gambling allowed in the state of Hawaii.

We are booked again for 2012 and I have to say that you get the biggest bang for your buck and basically look at this cruise as your floating hotel rather than for entertainment and activities.

 

Just a great way to see the islands.

 

Ditto, best vacation we ever had, best way to sample the islands, Hawaii one place that lives up to the hype, we rented a car at every port.

[chet the jet]

On the cruises which only cruise to the different island in Hawaii, are the onboard activities, shows, and food reflective of the Hawaiian experience?

Thanks

Marcia

Just got off on December 18, pictures are listed below. Had a great time.

[Deb in Cali]

Ditto, best vacation we ever had, best way to sample the islands, Hawaii one place that lives up to the hype, we rented a car at every port.

 

 

I did Hawaii with my Mom in 06. It was the trip of a lifetime for her. We did the NCL 10 day including Fanning Island. It was the best trip ever. I am sad that the Fanning cruise is no longer available due to the expense of traveling 1000 miles to Fanning. I was hoping to do a repeat with DH.

[Giantfan13]

We sailed the Pride of Hawaii when it sailed the Islands (now the Jade), and as was said, the crusie is completely different from any other crusie. it is really not cruising per se, but a floating 4 star hotel that serves gourmet meals for you everyday, and for the price, it IS the best bargain around. Since this is your first crusie, you won't realize what you are missing from other cruises, but who cares, you get to spend that much more time in hawaii,and what could be wrong with that???:D:D:D:D

[mking8288]

When the POA docked overnight in ports, the evening entertainers arre locals from the island - they came onboard, perform and then leave once they are done - unlike other NCL ships where the entertainers work & live on the ship, and are sometimes seen doing other duties during the day in other areas (as well as eating in the buffet, etc.)

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Be sure to visit the Hawaii Forum in the Ports of Call section of Cruise Critic. Many great reviews and some wonderful blogs available. I have learned so much from the past cruisers there that I have my trip all planned out - and I still have 4 months to go before we leave!