Luau's in Hawaii-Between the Old Lahaina and Smith Family Luau

[pookiesue]

I am going on the Pride of America in October and was wanting to go to a Luau. I can't decide between the "Smith Family Luau" in Kauai or the "Old Lahaina Luau" in Lahaina, Maui. I also want to do the "Road to Hana" and not sure if there is enough time to fit the Luau in since it starts at 5:00. We do have another day and wasn't sure if we would be back to port before the ship left if we waited to do the "Road to Hana" on the 2nd day. That is why I had thought of doing the Luau in Kauai to give us more time to do the things in Maui. I have heard that the "Old Lahaina Luau" is the best. Any thoughts. Thank you.

Susan

[luvhanalei]

I'd go to the luau on Maui--have also heard that it's much better. I've been to Smith's and wouldn't recommend it--very long and boring IMO. I'd rather go to the Beach House in Poipu for an excellent sunset dinner.

[sptrout]

We have been to both, and others, and the OLL is the best; much better than Smith's. One thing though, the OLL does NOT have fire dancers and that is a big turn-off for many. Nearly all others that I know of, including Smith's, do have fire dancers.

[GypRasc]

Our plan is to do the OLL on day 1 and RTH on day 2 in late March. This because we do not want to do the full RTH loop. If you wanted to do that you would not have enough time on day 2. Our plan is to start as early as possible, go straight to Hana & then do our stops on the way back. This way we can better judge how much time to spend at each of the stops on our way back.

[IWORK2CRUISE]

We will be on RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas in Sept and will tender in to Lahaina.

Does anyone know if the Old Lahaina Luau is within walking distance of the pier? We don't want to worry about beverages :)

[deemitt]

We loved the Old Lahaina Luau. We did the Lahaina Luau one day and Road to Hana the next, Never know how long it will take on the road since you can make a lot of photo stops.

[sptrout]

Does anyone know if the Old Lahaina Luau is within walking distance of the pier?

 

Very close to one mile.

[sptrout]

Our plan is to do the OLL on day 1 and RTH on day 2 in late March. This because we do not want to do the full RTH loop. If you wanted to do that you would not have enough time on day 2. Our plan is to start as early as possible, go straight to Hana & then do our stops on the way back. This way we can better judge how much time to spend at each of the stops on our way back.

 

I would personally recommend that you do the RTH R/T instead of the u-turn route you are considering. Remember that go will want to drive at least to The Seven Sacred Pools, which is a few miles beyond Hana.

 

The "backside" (for a lack of a better term) of the RTH is very interesting and not a difficult drive at all (much easier than the front side IMO). The first time I made the R/T drive (~25 years ago) the backside of the road was not even on the map and it was not a bad drive at all (we were just concerned that it would end and we would have to drive all the way back through Hana).

 

The backside drive has some unforgettable views, plus it will take you up in to wine country (you may want to stop at the winery and sample some;)). I highly recommend a R/T vs. a u-turn trip.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We are booked with the Smith Family Luau instead of the OLL due to family plans on Day 1 in Maui. I have read many excellent reviews on the Smith Family Luau. I would do the OLL if we have another opportunity to visit in Maui for sure. Also, some of our party do want to see the fire dancers and would be disappointed if they were not included. I will be happy to report back our opinion of the Smith Luau upon our return in May.

[pookiesue]

Thanks. I would apprecitate a reply after you go to the smith Luau in May. Also, any other interesting things or information that I may use to plan my trip.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thanks. I would apprecitate a reply after you go to the smith Luau in May. Also, any other interesting things or information that I may use to plan my trip.

I hope to post a full review once I return and get my pictures in order. Keep your eyes on the boards, LOL!

[GypRasc]

I would personally recommend that you do the RTH R/T instead of the u-turn route you are considering. Remember that go will want to drive at least to The Seven Sacred Pools, which is a few miles beyond Hana.

 

The "backside" (for a lack of a better term) of the RTH is very interesting and not a difficult drive at all (much easier than the front side IMO). The first time I made the R/T drive (~25 years ago) the backside of the road was not even on the map and it was not a bad drive at all (we were just concerned that it would end and we would have to drive all the way back through Hana).

 

The backside drive has some unforgettable views, plus it will take you up in to wine country (you may want to stop at the winery and sample some;)). I highly recommend a R/T vs. a u-turn trip.

 

Thank you for your thoughts. I can assure you I have no desire to do the full loop.:eek: Whether we drive straight to Hana & then do our stops on the way back or just do the stops on the way there and drive straight back, we will only be going as far as Hana. I have read some posts here that have indicated after several hours on the RTH they had enough and were ready to turn back before even reaching Hana. For all I know this might be how we feel and I do not want to spend 9-12 hrs doing a full loop.

[CruisingGoddess]

Similar to GypRasc, we did Old Lahainia Luau on the first day in Maui and RTH the second day with Temptation Tours. We didn't do the full loop but that was fine with us. You can read about both days on my blog:

 

Maui Day 1 w/photos & videos of Old Lahaina Luau

http://moonprincess.com/travel/543/

 

Maui Day 2 of Road to Hana (sorry, no photos yet!)

http://moonprincess.com/travel/549/

[kwbound]

We did the Smith Family Luau because we wanted to do the full RTH loop on our first day in Maui. We were happy with our decision. We loved Smith's. My review of the luau along with photos can be found here, post #150.

[marysb]

We also loved Smith Family Luau. The botanical gardens are beautiful. They had 6 buffet lines so there was very little waiting in line. The entertainment during dinner was very good.

My kids even tried the poi. We thought the food was quite good. The show was OK. The volcano was cool, and the show was typical. The setting was truly fantastic. We had a great family outing- my kids still talk about it.

 

If OLL is better,wow, it's hard to imagine, but if you want to go to Smith's because it works with your schedule -don't be afraid.

Here are my photos:

[hill6]

How far from the ship is the Smith Family Luau? Also how far is OLL?

[marysb]

How far from the ship is the Smith Family Luau? Also how far is OLL?

 

Smith's is about a 15-20 min drive. They will come and pick you up.

[shazz43]

We are planning on doing the Smith Family Luau, with either NCL or Roberts, can anyone let me know which would be better out of the two, due to bus sizes, who has better seating allocations, any other advise or info would be great, I don't think there is much difference in pricing.

Thanks :)

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We are planning on doing the Smith Family Luau, with either NCL or Roberts, can anyone let me know which would be better out of the two, due to bus sizes, who has better seating allocations, any other advise or info would be great, I don't think there is much difference in pricing.

Thanks :)

NCL does not do the Smith Family Luau. They do their own luau. I understand it is a much bigger crowd than Smith's - and more expensive. We are looking forward to Smith's in May!

[shazz43]

Thanks I didn't realise that the one NCL advertises is their own Luau,

looks like we will be going with Roberts to the Smith Family Luau then, in May.

Thank Ginny for the info :)

[hill6]

Smith's is about a 15-20 min drive. They will come and pick you up.

 

Thanks. I like the idea of getting picked up too.

 

 

I looked at the pictures too. I think Smiths is going to get my vote. It is cheaper, they have the fire and they pick you up.

 

I had also wondered what to do at night in Kauai that would solve that.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thanks I didn't realise that the one NCL advertises is their own Luau,

looks like we will be going with Roberts to the Smith Family Luau then, in May.

Thank Ginny for the info :)

When are you cruising in May?

[CruisingGoddess]

Just wanted to say that even though we went to OLL, Smith's sounds like a great luau too. I don't think anyone would go wrong either way. Just please don't go to NCL's luau. We got back to the port at the same time as they did and it was just bus after bus of people. Waaaay too many people. The reviews I've read say it's very big, impersonal, and you feel like you're in a cattle call.

[shazz43]

Thanks again for all the helpful infomation, i need all the help i can get,lol,

Ginny we miss you by one week, we cruise on the 21st May :rolleyes: