Live from the Crown Princess–r/t LA-Hawai’i–March 2-17, 2023

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Hilo HIstoric Downtown Walking Tour (Part 1)

 

Thanks to the internet, the lovely people in Hilo & especially Renee @cr8tiv1, I had way more things to do in Hilo than I had time or energy. I decided that the Hilo Historic Downtown Self Walking Tour would take me to many of the places I most wanted to see in an organized manner. So I started out with that. 

 

 

 

 

 

The shuttle dropped us off right by stops 1 & 2 so that was easy. 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to save the Farmer’s Market for the end so I wouldn’t have to carry any produce or other products through town. Next were stop 3 & 4 but stop 5 was closed off behind corrugated metal fencing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next three stops (6, 7, & 😎 were some of the many churches in Hilo. These three, along with the many other active churches I passed while walking around Hilo serve as a reminder of the complex mixture of help & hurt that came with the missionaries & other western influences in the islands. There is obviously ongoing value to some (or many?) of the people of Hawai’i in the Christian faith, but it has also taken a lot of hard work & determination to restore parts of the original Hawai’ian culture that were forbidden & almost lost like the language, Hula & much more. History is always a challenging combination of good intentions with bad results & sometimes bad intentions with good results (ok end of historical pondering rabbit trail & back to the walking tour).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing by the last of the three churches on the list, St Joseph, I was the recipient of one of many acts of not just welcome but making a special effort to be welcoming. There were a large group of students assembled for morning mass & one of the mothers saw me trying to find the right brochure in my stack to look for the opening time of the museum across the street. She came over to see if I needed help & even looked up the information on her phone to confirm what the brochure said. She also introduced me to her son, who was one of the students. It was such a kindness, not just to be willing to answer a question when asked, but to be aware that I might need help & to go out of her way to offer assistance. 

 

I love studying the history & culture of the places we travel & really wanted to tour stop 9 (Lyman Museum & Mission House). I had tried to get tickets before leaving on the cruise, but none were available for the day we were there. One of the ladies working at the Hilo Greetings table who also worked at the museum said that they were open that day so I planned on stopping by to see if I could get in. Sadly, my other plan, to start really early, meant that they would not be open for an hour. I decided that I would continue the walking tour & return later (or better yet, call to see if they had openings before walking back) if I had time (by the time I finished the rest of the tour & some of the other things on my lists, I was too hot & tired to try returning so it will have to wait until my next visit to Hilo).

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

[cr8tiv1]

Thank you for a wonderful tour of Hilo….one that I have not been on formally.  I could spend a week or more in just Hilo.  So happy you took the time to explore every nook and cranny.  

[travelin.sisters]

1 minute ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Thank you for a wonderful tour of Hilo….one that I have not been on formally.  I could spend a week or more in just Hilo.  So happy you took the time to explore every nook and cranny.  

it was lovely & I really appreciated all your advice, I have enough suggestions for at least 2 more visits!

 

[cr8tiv1]

8 minutes ago, travelin.sisters said:

it was lovely & I really appreciated all your advice, I have enough suggestions for at least 2 more visits!

Have you already reserved your Lyman’s ticket?  You will have to continue cruising over to the islands just to get time in Hilo.  Too bad the Captain didn’t head straight from Lahaina to Hilo and dock overnight. 

[travelin.sisters]

9 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Have you already reserved your Lyman’s ticket?  You will have to continue cruising over to the islands just to get time in Hilo.  Too bad the Captain didn’t head straight from Lahaina to Hilo and dock overnight. 

that would have been wonderful...I actually wondered why they didn't try to dock on the other side of Maui but an extra day in Hilo would have been nice too

 

our cruise next year goes to Kona rather than Hilo so hopefully we will go again the next year (unless Princess starts doing r/t LA--Panama Canal cruises again)

[cr8tiv1]

34 minutes ago, travelin.sisters said:

that would have been wonderful...I actually wondered why they didn't try to dock on the other side of Maui but an extra day in Hilo would have been nice too

 

our cruise next year goes to Kona rather than Hilo so hopefully we will go again the next year (unless Princess starts doing r/t LA--Panama Canal cruises again)

 

 

I would love to join you on the LA - Panama cruise, but not in the Island.  Will email you Kona stuff. 

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Hilo Historic Downtown Walking Tour (Part 2)

 

Continuing on the walking tour, I ended up on a street corner trying to figure out from my map if I was supposed to turn up the street away from the ocean or down toward it. Sometimes it was hard to tell where the numbers on the map were exactly & I was stumped. A delightful lady pulled up to the intersection, rolled down her window & asked if she could help…another example of Hilo Aloha in action. Following her directions, I was soon at stop 10. While I was there a school group also stopped by to view the Naha & Piano Stones.

 

 

 

 

 

Next was stop 11…stop 12 Kalakaua Park will have it’s own post after this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stops 13 & 14 were easy, but I had trouble with 15 & 16, however there are so many beautiful historic buildings & such a range of styles all over Hilo that there is something to see everywhere you turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two museums (#s 17 & 19) will each get their own post & I decided not to run across the highway to see stop 18.

 

 

 

 

The walking tour finished with two art-deco buildings at stops 20 & 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

Edited March 19, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[cr8tiv1]

The Palace Theater used to have tours and an organ player.  The tours did not resume post covid.  It was one of my favorite places to visit.  

 

The green belt along the bay (Kamehameha Highway) was created after the 1960 tsunami.  I have memories of this one.  The Breakwater and park were to shelter the rest of the city if there should be another tidal wave.  The last one was when Fukushima had that horrendous earthquake.  You could watch the Hilo Bay camera monitor the very small tidal surge. 

[travelin.sisters]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

The Palace Theater used to have tours and an organ player.  The tours did not resume post covid.  It was one of my favorite places to visit.  

 

The green belt along the bay (Kamehameha Highway) was created after the 1960 tsunami.  I have memories of this one.  The Breakwater and park were to shelter the rest of the city if there should be another tidal wave.  The last one was when Fukushima had that horrendous earthquake.  You could watch the Hilo Bay camera monitor the very small tidal surge. 

Oh I would have loved that, as I was doing the walking tour of Hilo I did wish there were a docent to share more about what I was seeing (I have done really nice docent tours in Monterey & Old Town San Diego here in CA) 

 

I spent so much time in the Tsunami Museum & could have spent even longer, its a small place but jampacked with info & stories (the people stories are my favorite part of history...I love listening to people talk story...

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Kalakaua Park

 

Across from the Federal Building & Post Office, Kalakaua Park (stop 12) is Hilo’s town square. King David Kalakaua was the last king of Hawai’i & a fascinating person. He & his sister, Queen Liliuokalani (the last Hawai’ian monarch...our last cruise we went to the wonderful Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo which are also well worth the visit) did a great deal to restore traditional music, hula & other traditions to Hawai’ian culture & society. He was known as the Merrie Monarch & each year Hilo has a festival in his honor which celebrates these goals & an internationally recognized hula festival. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first approached the park, there was a group of children playing in the park. The park was hosting a display of art by students when I visited.

 

 

 

I didn't find the sundial, but I did find this:

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

 

 

Edited March 20, 2023 by travelin.sisters
photos

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Mokupapapa Discovery Center

 

What a gem! Stop 17 is both an historic building & Mokupapapa Discovery Center. Inside the building is a staircase created by the same builder who made the staircases in the Titanic. The man at the desk joked that they were built better as the Titanic was underwater once & these have been underwater twice from tsunamis. It is a lovely building. 

 

 

 

 

 Even better than the building was the Mokupapapa Discovery Center which is dedicated to teaching about the Northwestern Hawai’ian Islands. I learned so many things! I knew that there were many more than the 8 main Hawai’ian islands, but I did not know that they were all part of the state of Hawai’i & therefore the US. I also had no idea that Midway was part of the Hawai’ian archipelago, I thought it was way closer to Japan, somehow. 

 

 

 

The Discovery Center is set up to teach about Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Papahanaumokuakea encompases over 528 thousand square miles of fully protected ocean, islands & atolls. Within this area are plants & animals endemic to Hawai’i, places of great cultural & spiritual significance to native Hawai’ians, endangered species such as coral, Hawai’ian monk seals & green turtles, archaeological treasures & more. There were displays about the various protected species & a large tank of colorful reef fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were also a number of displays & interactive stations (for kids) about Polynesian voyaging as well as whaling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could have spent way more time here, but there were more places to see.

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

Edited March 20, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[cr8tiv1]

I love seeing you so excited about Hilo.  What an amazing town.  Happy to see so many places open again. 
 

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/25/presidential-proclamation-pacific-remote-islands-marine-national-monumen

Edited March 20, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Pacific Tsunami Museum

 

This was another gem where I could have spent way more time. This small building is full of so much information & history. 

 

 

 

The majority of the museum is dedicated to the 1946 tsunami. On April 1st, 1946 a large earthquake in Alaska caused what was then referred to as a tidal wave to hit the islands only 5 to 6 hours later, basically without warning. 159 people died & the landscape of Hilo was changed forever. There are posters, models & many videos with live footage & survivor stories. My favorite part was listening to the stories of those who survived that day. 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also space dedicated to the 1960 tsunami where even though Tsunami warning systems were in place (created 1948 in response to the 1946 tsunami), 61 people died. Because two earlier tsunamis had caused little damage, the warning was largely ignored. 

 

The museum also is dedicated to tsunami preparedness & has exhibits featuring other tsunamis & memorabilia. As I was leaving I asked the docent volunteer (I believe her name was Diane) about tsunami evacuation routes. The schools do annual tsunami drills & the two that are within the inundation plane actually practice evacuation annually. She offered to tell me her stories even though there wasn’t a group to talk to. She had fascinating stories about those who survived the 1946 stories, many of whom she had known personally. she also told me  about how the museum had provided opportunities for people to reconnect…like a survivor with the sailor who rescued him. 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Around Hilo

 

As I walked around Hilo, there was so much more to see than was on the map. The range of historic buildings, trees, flowers & just the beauty of the town. Here are some more random photos of my time in Hilo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

Edited March 20, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Shopping & Farmer’s Market

 

I finished up my Hilo explorations with a little shopping. I went to the grocery recommended by the shuttle guide. At KTA I found my BIL’s desired wasabi macadamias (this is the third cruise I have looked for them so that was a surprise) & some for the rest of us. I also bought some Hawai’ian grocery products to take home & something cold to drink. Next I stopped into a few local souvenir shops but the only thing I bought were shirts for the little bears. 

 

My final stop was the Hilo Farmers Market where I got apple bananas (if you have never tried them they are worth finding) to take back to the ship. Having missed the chance for real Hawai’ian shave ice in Maui, I was very happy to find get some (pineapple & lilikoi) before catching the Farmers Market van back to the terminal where the Crown was waiting.

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

• Hilo~March 10: around Hilo~post 314

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Patter, Weather, Progress & Photo of the Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

• Hilo~March 10: around Hilo~post 314

• Hilo~March 10: shopping & Farmers Market~post 315

[dpahl23315]

Have been really enjoying your posts. Leave on this cruise on April 14th and this has been really informative.  It’s been a lot of years since I did this itinerary so it’s been very helpful. 

[travelin.sisters]

7 hours ago, dpahl23315 said:

Have been really enjoying your posts. Leave on this cruise on April 14th and this has been really informative.  It’s been a lot of years since I did this itinerary so it’s been very helpful. 

we did this cruise mid-April in 2019, it was a nice cruise...the only thing was that most of the whales had headed back toward Alaska & we only saw a few 'teenage' males. hope you have a wonderful trip!!

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Sail-away

 

Sail away was a little bit late as we waited for a few stragglers to do the 'walk of shame', arriving late back to the ship.

 

 

 

Once all were aboard, we pushed off from the dock, turned & smoothly sailed out of the harbor. The bears enjoyed watching sail-away from the balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

• Hilo~March 10: around Hilo~post 314

• Hilo~March 10: shopping & Farmers Market~post 315

• Hilo~March 10: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 316

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

DaVinci Dinner

 

No problem getting seated at ‘our’ table…there are many fewer people in the MDR as the cruise progresses.

 

 

 

 

starters: seafood trenette (good)

 

 

entrees: Szechuan shrimp, rack of pork with glazed artichokes (both good)

 

 

 

desserts: coconut mousse, roasted pineapple with butter rum sauce (both good), Princess love boat dream (this is the newest version...so much better than the red one, not quite as good as the first one but it is really good)

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

• Hilo~March 10: around Hilo~post 314

• Hilo~March 10: shopping & Farmers Market~post 315

• Hilo~March 10: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 316

• Hilo~March 10: sail-away~post 319

[travelin.sisters]

Hilo~March 10

Wrap Up & Random Thoughts

 

It was a delightful day in Hilo. 

 

As we left there was much more rocking motion from side to side. It was bad enough that the swinging of the bathroom door kept turning on the motion activated night light so we had to be sure that we kept the door shut so that the light wouldn’t keep waking us all night long.

 

Now for the lovely sea days heading home...

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7: exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7: wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: DaVinci dinner & a show~post 273

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: wrap up & random thoughts~post 267

• …& Not Maui~March 9: early morning sail in & whales~post 280

• …& Not Maui~March 9: patters, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 281

• …& Not Maui~March 9: unexpected day at sea~post 285

• …& Not Maui~March 9: DaVinci dinner~post 286

• …& Not Maui~March 9: wrap up & random thoughts~post 291

• Hilo~March 10: early morning, internet info, disembarkation in Hilo~post 296

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 1)~post 301

• Hilo~March 10: Hilo historic downtown walking tour (part 2)~post 307

• Hilo~March 10: Kalakaua Park~post 310

• Hilo~March 10: Mokupapapa Discovery Center~post 311

• Hilo~March 10: Pacific Tsunami Museum~post 313

• Hilo~March 10: around Hilo~post 314

• Hilo~March 10: shopping & Farmers Market~post 315

• Hilo~March 10: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 316

• Hilo~March 10: sail-away~post 319

• Hilo~March 10: DaVinci dinner~post 320

[tawlaw1526]

I am currently on Crown and loving your thread.  Excellent job!   So appreciate this!    We have so much planned for this trip and we were just going to get off in Hilo and shop at the port.  Based on your pictures showing the building with all the benches, does that mean there is nothing to do right there at port?

[travelin.sisters]

10 minutes ago, tawlaw1526 said:

I am currently on Crown and loving your thread.  Excellent job!   So appreciate this!    We have so much planned for this trip and we were just going to get off in Hilo and shop at the port.  Based on your pictures showing the building with all the benches, does that mean there is nothing to do right there at port?

There is nothing right at the port, but there are free shuttles into downtown & I am pretty sure to Walmart. If you get off in the morning (say by 10 or 11, maybe even noon) there is a greeting table where they will tell you what to see & do in town...I took the free shuttle in & the farmers market van back & there was shopping right there by the stops....hope you have a wonderful trip...we were sad to miss out on Samoa, Tahiti etc in 2020.

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[OccasionalSanta]

On 3/18/2023 at 7:26 PM, dave_k58 said:

I also love opera - what was the enrichment thing like?

I'd give the speaker a B minus as he knew the topic and was obviously a big fan himself, but, for the most part, just read the talk from a script. (Side note: We had dinner with him the night before and he was much more lively in person.)

 

As to the content, I am not an avid opera fan. I just had the time available and thought I'd check it out. I did enjoy hearing the music bits and, as I mentioned above, he did seem to know the topic well based on the times when it was obvious that he was speaking off the cuff rather than reading his script.

[OccasionalSanta]

On 3/21/2023 at 1:02 AM, tawlaw1526 said:

I am currently on Crown and loving your thread.  Excellent job!   So appreciate this!    We have so much planned for this trip and we were just going to get off in Hilo and shop at the port.  Based on your pictures showing the building with all the benches, does that mean there is nothing to do right there at port?

 

We had no plans in Hilo, so Mrs. OS and I walked to Keaukana Beach Park (perhaps a mile) and enjoyed the view with the sound of the waves crashing over the rocks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we were never really far from the ship