Hawaii Cruise ?s

[karatemom2]

KarateMom2: Since you have already been on this cruise, do you have any tips about excursions you have taken through Princess and/or private companies. Is there plenty of things to do on the ship if you don't go to the pool. We are doing this cruise in April 2012 and like to plan in advance so your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Iris

 

We have done so many wonderful things in each of the ports and I would be happy to share some of our favorites. On the Hawaii cruises we have never booked an excursion through Princess as it is just so easy to rent a car or book an independent tour. Here is a list of some of the highlights for each port from our four cruises:

 

Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, USS Missouri, Punchbowl National Cemetery, Fort Shafter Tropic Lightning Museum, Hike to Top of Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch Tours, North Shore, Leonard's Bakery for the delicious Malasadas, Aloha Stadium Swapmeet, Luau at Royal Hawaiian hotel

 

Maui: Shuttle to Kaanapali Beach for beach day, Snorkeling/Whale Watch to Lanai with Pacific Whale Foundation, Historic walking tour of Lahaina Town, visiting museums and shopping and eating shave ice.

 

Hilo: Volcanoes National Park, Hiking over lava to a spot where we could see lava flowing very distantly into the ocean, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Richardsons Black Sand Beach, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Waipio Valley Lookout, Hawaiian Vanilla Company Lunch and tour, and yummy Malasadas at Tex's Drive-In in Honokaa

 

Kauai: Poipu Beach for snorkeling and beach day, Puka Dogs in Poipu, Drive to north to Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls

 

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back specifically for people doing the round trip cruises from the West Coast to share ideas and information. It sort of took on a life of its own and became huge, but if you take the time to read through it there are lots of great ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=845446

 

My best advice is to consider renting a car for each port. It is so easy to do your own tours in Hawaii. When you have a car you can design your day in port the way you prefer!

[karatemom2]

Oh and in reference to your sea days on the ship, there is so much to do onboard that you can't fit everything in! Even if you never went to the pool you would still have plenty of activities to keep you busy all day everyday. Enjoy!!

[irismike]

Thanks for all the helpful info. Iris

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thanks LisaH: Did you do all Princess tours? Any private tours? Did you find they had a lot of things to do on the ship on sea days? Any tips would be appreciated. Iris

 

Yes, we did all Princess tours and always do. I know they are more expensive but we are just not that adventurous when it comes to running late and having the ship leaving without us. The tours are great.

 

:)

 

So in agreement that there are so many things to do during sea days.

 

As for taking excursions, in most ports on all of our cruises, we don't usually go on an excursion. I'll research the ports and mention places, attractions of my hubby and see if any are of interest to him. In a couple of ports, he took a liking to our taxi driver and negotiated a tour with them. Other times, we'll go to a beach.

 

When we have done excursions, my hubby has preferred booking through the cruiseline, even if you can save some money going independent.

 

On our two Hawaiian cruises, both taken on 12/22 five years apart:

 

We did three excursions booked thru Princess: to Sea Life Park on the eastern end of Oahu (you can take a city bus there too), a snorkeling trip off of Maui, and an all day tour of the northeast side of the Big Island that started in Hilo. That was our first cruise (after two land vacations for us, but was the first time for our daughter).

 

Last December we decided not to book anything. My teen wanted to have some say so she picked some places for us to see (one was closed the day we were there per their website).

 

In Hilo, we went to Big Island Candies (you can watch them make their candies, but we didn't buy anything there), Hilo Hatties, a candy store on the waterfront (we bought many of the different flavored taffys). In Honolulu, we went to the Ala Moana mall (been wanting to go there) which we all loved, especially their enormous food court, Waikiki Beach, Aloha Tower Marketplace (at night we went over to Safeway/Longs to restock on beverages). In Kauai, we went to the beach behind the Marriott as we did in 2005, and then went to an Internet Cafe at the shopping center nearby. In Maui, we took the bus up to the Cannery Mall, walked down to a dojo temple and then back to the mall, which was a nice, quiet, almost empty mall (bought lots of souvenirs there).

 

So we tend to be easy going and avoid the physical type of activities (ziplining, etc.). My hubby wants to relax so we usually don't rent a car unless on a land trip.

[Cruise Junky]

Kauai: Poipu Beach for snorkeling and beach day, Puka Dogs in Poipu, Drive to north to Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls

 

 

If I could just add to this... the Waimea Canyon is spectacular as is the Napili coast if you can swing a helicopter ride.

[irismike]

Thank you for your informative information....I greatly appreciate it. Thanks. Iris

[missyt59]

I am taking the 15 day cruise to Hawaii from San Francisco in April 2012. How much should I budget for this trip? This is my first time on a cruise, so I'm not sure what excursions if any I will be taking. I'm looking for relaxation. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks

[wilfros]

JMHO... We booked our Golden Princess Feb 1st cruise to Hawaii for the same reason we first booked our Caribbean Cruise. All those destinations, which one to choose?

 

When we talk to people about Hawaii some say, you must go the Maui, other Honolulu and still other insist the only good island is the big island of Hawaii. Which to choose? I have no idea. So we know we love cruising and really appreciate the level of service on Princess so lets sail out and see a little of it all. Then should we decide to spend time there, we will know which island is to our liking.

 

I am certain, during our return ( 4 days at sea) we will be wishing we were still at this island or that, but we will still be on a cruise and enjoying all that Princess offers.

 

For this trip, the ship (Golden Princess) is the destination for us, add to this Superbowl Sunday the day before Hilo and Valentine's day in Ensenada. Life doesn't get any better than this(for us).

[morriscats]

For those who have done the 14 day HI cruise, how are the seas? I know it is unpredictable but what have you experienced? I guess I'm hesitant about so many sea days if it is rough...

 

We will be doing our 4th RT Hawaii cruise next month. We always go this time of year. Our first cruise the first two days were a little rough - the first time both of us experience a queesy tummy. The seas settled down and we had smooth sailing the rest of the way. The next 2 were the same - just that first day or 2 but we took Bonine and were fine. This is our favorite itinerary.

[Working 2 Cruise]

I am taking the 15 day cruise to Hawaii from San Francisco in April 2012. How much should I budget for this trip? This is my first time on a cruise, so I'm not sure what excursions if any I will be taking. I'm looking for relaxation. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks

 

I generally budget about $100 per day for my husband and myself, for drinks, specialty dining, souvenirs, etc. This also includes casino spending and a couple of excursions. Don't forget that the tips are now $11.50 per person per night (mini-suites are higher). I don't always spend that much, but it is nice to have. What I do is get onboard credit ahead of time, so when the time comes, I don't have to worry about it.

 

I would strongly suggest Ricky's Tour in Hilo... He will show you a good portion of the island at a very reasonable rate. $60 per person.

 

Also for the shops, don't forget the ABC Stores!

[HKM]

We have done so many wonderful things in each of the ports and I would be happy to share some of our favorites. On the Hawaii cruises we have never booked an excursion through Princess as it is just so easy to rent a car or book an independent tour. Here is a list of some of the highlights for each port from our four cruises:

 

Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, USS Missouri, Punchbowl National Cemetery, Fort Shafter Tropic Lightning Museum, Hike to Top of Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch Tours, North Shore, Leonard's Bakery for the delicious Malasadas, Aloha Stadium Swapmeet, Luau at Royal Hawaiian hotel

 

Maui: Shuttle to Kaanapali Beach for beach day, Snorkeling/Whale Watch to Lanai with Pacific Whale Foundation, Historic walking tour of Lahaina Town, visiting museums and shopping and eating shave ice.

 

Hilo: Volcanoes National Park, Hiking over lava to a spot where we could see lava flowing very distantly into the ocean, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Richardsons Black Sand Beach, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Waipio Valley Lookout, Hawaiian Vanilla Company Lunch and tour, and yummy Malasadas at Tex's Drive-In in Honokaa

 

Kauai: Poipu Beach for snorkeling and beach day, Puka Dogs in Poipu, Drive to north to Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls

 

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back specifically for people doing the round trip cruises from the West Coast to share ideas and information. It sort of took on a life of its own and became huge, but if you take the time to read through it there are lots of great ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=845446

 

My best advice is to consider renting a car for each port. It is so easy to do your own tours in Hawaii. When you have a car you can design your day in port the way you prefer!

 

We've been considering taking one of the Kualoa Ranch Tours. Did you do it on your own? Which tour did you take? Was it worthwhile? We're planning on renting a car. Thanks.

[morriscats]

We have done so many wonderful things in each of the ports and I would be happy to share some of our favorites. On the Hawaii cruises we have never booked an excursion through Princess as it is just so easy to rent a car or book an independent tour. Here is a list of some of the highlights for each port from our four cruises:

 

Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, USS Missouri, Punchbowl National Cemetery, Fort Shafter Tropic Lightning Museum, Hike to Top of Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch Tours, North Shore, Leonard's Bakery for the delicious Malasadas, Aloha Stadium Swapmeet, Luau at Royal Hawaiian hotel

 

Maui: Shuttle to Kaanapali Beach for beach day, Snorkeling/Whale Watch to Lanai with Pacific Whale Foundation, Historic walking tour of Lahaina Town, visiting museums and shopping and eating shave ice.

 

Hilo: Volcanoes National Park, Hiking over lava to a spot where we could see lava flowing very distantly into the ocean, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Richardsons Black Sand Beach, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Waipio Valley Lookout, Hawaiian Vanilla Company Lunch and tour, and yummy Malasadas at Tex's Drive-In in Honokaa

 

Kauai: Poipu Beach for snorkeling and beach day, Puka Dogs in Poipu, Drive to north to Hanalei Bay and Kee Beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls

 

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back specifically for people doing the round trip cruises from the West Coast to share ideas and information. It sort of took on a life of its own and became huge, but if you take the time to read through it there are lots of great ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=845446

 

My best advice is to consider renting a car for each port. It is so easy to do your own tours in Hawaii. When you have a car you can design your day in port the way you prefer!

 

How did you get to Tex's for their Malasadas. We were on a tour on our first Hawaii cruise and the bus stopped there but it was not a scheduled stop. I like their Malasadas better than Leonards and want to go next month.

[irismike]

crusing chick: You mentioned going in Hilo to BiG Island candies and Hatties on the Waterfront....is that walkable from where the ship docks?

Same with Honolulu can you walk from the ship to the Ala Moana Mall and Safe Way/Longs?

In any of the ports, can you just walk off the ship to sights?

Thanks. Iris

[tommui987]

Same with Honolulu can you walk from the ship to the Ala Moana Mall and Safe Way/Longs?

In any of the ports, can you just walk off the ship to sights?

 

Depends on how much you like to walk (Ala Moana/Safeway/Longs)!

 

I would catch the bus or a taxi to Ala Moana which has a Longs. (It's perhaps 1.5 miles away)You could also take a taxi up to Vineyard and Nuuanu where there is a Safeway and a Longs. The nearest shopping complex would be Ward Warehouse/Ward Center which is about .75-1 mile away. If you Google map it, it would be at Ward Avenue/Ala Moana Blvd.

The Ala Moana Shopping Center would be on Ala Moana Blvd and Piikoi. Both would be in the Diamond Head direction (eastward).

 

If you want to see the sights, the dock is fairly close to Iolani Palace/the Capitol, Mission House, Judiciary Bldg.,(the "home of Hawaii 5-0" with the statute of King Kamehameha) and downtown Honolulu and very walkable.

[irismike]

thanks for all the info. Iris