Alternatives

[Hawaiidan]

Despite the possibility of 'nasty waters' (for possibly how much longer?? as they will somewhat converge) and despite the fact that a polar route flight from the UK is much nicer (and shorter), my main consideration as a foreigner is to not return to the same port as embarkation so as to maximize my traveling experiences. We have but once taken a cruise MIA<->MIA for that reason. Whether HAL or X or O or gasp, NCL I would prefer leaving from one city and disembarking in another.

 

Your faced with only a few sailings a year like in October and April from Vancouver ..... and the position of the pacific high will make the passage not pleasant. Boaters have their boats shipped in order to avoid the seas and weather.

Another consideration is the extra airfare needed may be equal to the majority of the cruise.. Don't know if they will allow an "open Jaw from Canada return from Hawaii.

What the rt cruise offers is 4 days of anticipation and enrichment so that as you arrive as a discoverer by sea your are very well equipped to appreciate what you see far better than an airline passenger. Then the return gives you the opportunity to refelect on what you have seen and appreciate it.

Being the most remote place on earth requires time

 

Will you get the flavor of Hawaii in 4 ports 8 hours each... I say yes because each Island is totally different and seeing them in succession gives you the unique ability make comparisons. You would have to stay weeks if not months to start to get into Hawaii....years really.

 

However, the best visit is to fly to Hawaii, take the 7 day NCL cruise,( yes its not fancy but adequate) during which you will see the best bits of each island. Then, considering you tastes likes and wants , spend the next 5 to 7 days at that place that most interested you. Relying on others likes is great If they are "you"

 

People rave about maui but hate Kauai and Big Island. People who love Big island loathe Oahu and Maui.... People who love Oahu and its nightlife and high rise condos/hotels go nuts on Big Island...too rural...... and so on.

 

The 15 day 1/2 cruise and one half land is the best overall in my opinion

 

Oh, the only people who are likely to greet you with "Aloha",,are front desk clerks,timeshare salesmen and Luau entertainers....

[Silver Sweethearts]

Oh, the only people who are likely to greet you with "Aloha",,are front desk clerks,timeshare salesmen and Luau entertainers....

 

It is sad you feel that way. What happened to the Aloha Spirit??

[Travelcat2]

Agree that visiting the islands is the best way to see them..... but cruisers are generally looking for a "taste" of the places they are stopping at. Whether sailing to Beijing, Sydney, Tokyo, or anywhere else the world, how much can you see in one (maybe two) days? Isn't that why some of us cruise? We have a lot of land travel under our belts with multiple visits to the Hawaiian Islands (where we adore both the Big Island and Waikiki but find too much traffic in Maui) but would still enjoy doing a cruise that stops in Hawaii (NOT Norwegian -- have heard horror stories about that ship).

 

The Aloha spirit will always be in Hawaii but you need to separate tourism from real life. I've seen (on television) a political figure being sworn into office wearing an Aloha short and leis. This is very common. However, if you see tourists wearing leis, they have generally paid for them. IMO, Hawaii does "tourism" better than anywhere in the world. Even though you pay for the experiences, it is worth every penny.

 

Note: We did own a home in the Big Island for 10 years (did not live there) so we have a bit more experience than the average tourist;)

[Silver Sweethearts]

We have a lot of land travel under our belts with multiple visits to the Hawaiian Islands (where we adore both the Big Island and Waikiki but find too much traffic in Maui) but would still enjoy doing a cruise that stops in Hawaii (NOT Norwegian -- have heard horror stories about that ship).

 

Interesting. We avoid Oahu as much as possible because of all the traffic there. Maui seems mild to us in comparison.

 

As you probably know, Silversea is doing a one-time repositioning cruise from San Francisco to Papeete in late September with the Silver Shadow, and it will visit Hawaii. We are considering that one.

[Travelcat2]

Interesting. We avoid Oahu as much as possible because of all the traffic there. Maui seems mild to us in comparison.

 

As you probably know, Silversea is doing a one-time repositioning cruise from San Francisco to Papeete in late September with the Silver Shadow, and it will visit Hawaii. We are considering that one.

 

Wow - that sounds fabulous (my favorite Silversea ship). Will look into it for us.

 

In terms of Oahu, we do not drive there -- only take public transportation. In Maui we have a car so it probably seems worse because we're behind the wheel. Traffic can get heavy on the Big Island but nothing compared to driving in Maui (at least that has been our experience).

[Hawaiidan]

It is sad you feel that way. What happened to the Aloha Spirit??

 

The "aloha" sprit is a carefully crafted tourism idea and a fairytale in day to day life of reality. Aloha today is a commercial tool not a way of life.

Sorry, but living here a long time 24/7...365 you see the emperor has no clothing.

 

The run of the mill local Hawaiian is a combo of anger over politics and the general tourism idea in general. They work in the tourist trade, because they get paid and need to make a living.. That's it short and sweet and after the 9-5 want nothing to do with it or you.

 

The vast majority would just prefer you never came. But it is money and they need it to survive. This a compromise they pretty much resent but are forced to accept to survive.

 

People coming to "connect with the culture" is a sad façade... the real culture outside of the hotels, and clubs is an entirely different thing. At times, most times in rural and ethnic areas outsiders and are met with hostility and anger.

 

So, come here to enjoy what you see, not to have some special ethereal experience.... Your a paying customer just like Disneyland... no more no less. It is a great place... but enjoy it on your terms.

 

So, appreciate it for what you can derive from a visit... and don't try to peel back the covers. Hawaii is just like any big city , or tourist destination, there to entertain and please.

 

Here we call Honolulu LA with pineapples and Maui is the Hawaiian word for commercial... Still good but made to order for your likes