Need suggestions for the best Hawaii cruise, please!

[christineann]

My two teenagers and I took our first cruise last year on the Voyager to the Western Caribbean and LOVED it. We are planning another cruise in summer 2006, and I would love to surprise them with a cruise around Hawaii, as it will be probably be the last family vacation we take with one starting college and the other graduating college. We love snorkeling, scuba, kayaking, etc. We are looking for a fun ship with a mix of all ages but not a booze cruise. We found the Voyager to be great for families.

 

Please give me your suggestions as to your experiences with cruises in Hawaii. Thanks!!!!!

[Suebee]

NCL is the only one that does a Honolulu to Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands only cruise. They have 2 itineraries (1/2 week and 7 night) NCL also has 10 and 11 day itineraries and those take a stop to The Kiribati Island of Fanning.

 

NCL had a great mix of ages from our little ones through seniors...fun without the singles atmosphere. Teen Club, Game Room and the standard things as well...no casino.

 

I did NCL Star in January and we had a great time. The new ships are just that, so the reviews arent out just yet.....but for a RT cruise from Honolulu and around the islands, any of the 3 ships would be great!

 

NCL Star 1/04

 

[Guest]

By the time of the cruise being planned for 2006, I think NCL will no longer be required to go to Fanning Island, which will give more stops and time on the Islands themselves. Heard something about that. Too tired right now to remember the details.

 

Sammy

[GottaLuvCruising]

We sailed the Carnival Spirit for 12 days last month, enjoying seven days in Hawaii, then five sailing across the Pacific. Our ship did have some families and some younger people, but mostly middle-aged folks like ourselves. If you are looking for more families, you'll probably want a shorter sailing like NCL offers.

 

Hmmm...what is a "booze cruise"? We are definitely experienced cruisers, but have never been exposed to anything I'd refer to in that manner - and certainly plan to avoid it.

 

Carnival Legend 03/11/05

Carnival Spirit 04/30/04

Carnival Imagination 10/14/02

RCI Voyager of the Seas 09/01/02

Carnival Victory 03/03/02

Disney Wonder 01/24/02

Carnival Paradise 10/22/00

Disney Magic 09/1999

Carnival Fantasy 02/14/99

Carnival Sensation 01/10/98

Carnival Fantasy 02/01/96

Carnival Holiday 06/18/93

Carnival Carnivale 03/21/91

[RvrCrzr]

I'm looking hard at the PRINCESS 15 day roundtrip from LA. Only have to fly into LA, and back upon return.

I really hate the idea of flying that long distance each way, or even one way.(Like NCL,RCI,CEL) RCI does that bus transfer thing, and I'd like to avoid that headache too.

You are pretty much at the mercy of the cruise line for flights with those trips too. Having to fly to/from different ports. I bet they have some pretty high airfare.

With the PRINCESS cruise...I could book my own fare and save.

Not sure yet...but leaning toward PRINCESS.

 

Navigator of the Seas- 12-13-2003 (7 days) Western

Ocean Princess - 02/2002 (10 days)Southern

Enchantment of the Seas - 02/1999 (7 days) Western

[Suebee]

You can book your own airfare if you cruise NCL as well. We did (or rather, didnt buy any air ticket at all). Since it was a RT Honolulu cruise, airfare to/from different ports wasnt necessary.

Many people who come to Hawaii prefer to fly on their own schedule and have a few days before the cruise to settle in and see more of Oahu.

 

If you have 15 days to do Princess, I would love that too. Be aware that being out in the open waters of the pacific is quite a roller coaster ride at times. Many people on the ship were seasick and quite taken back by it.

 

NCL Star 1/04

 

[TWA4Ever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sammy:

By the time of the cruise being planned for 2006, I think NCL will no longer be required to go to Fanning Island, which will give more stops and time on the Islands themselves. Heard something about that. Too tired right now to remember the details.

 

Sammy<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

NCL will always be required to stop at Fanning Island (or some other non-U.S. port) during their Hawai'i cruises. NCL, per se, is a foreign-based corporation with foreign-flagged ships.

 

NCL America, on the other hand, can maintain the Prides (Aloha and America [when she finally sails!]) solely in Hawai'ian waters. NCL America, though a subsidiary of NCL, is a US corporation which will maintain a fleet of US-flagged ships. At the moment, the only ship sailing under the NCL America banner is the Pride of Aloha.

 

The Jones Act prohibits NCL from doing solely Hawai'ian runs (as it prohibits Princess, Carnival, HAL, etc., etc.). NCL America was granted a waiver and allowed to reflag foreign-built ships (along with completing the Pride of America which was begun in Mississippi); they must still comply with all other aspects of US law: minimum 75% American-citizen crew, all safety inspections being conducted under the auspices of the US Coast Guard, the proper salary and insurance benefits, etc.

 

It is doubtful, if not impossible, to see NCL as a corporate entity being allowed to sail a solely Hawai'ian route. Only NCL America.

 

Star Princess (Carribean) - 4/2005

Pride of Aloha (America) (Hawai'i) - 9/2004

Golden Princess (Carribean) - 3/2003

Pacific Princess (Bermuda) - 9/2002

MS Patriot (Hawai'i) - 9/2001

 

 

<IMG SRC=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2002;9;15;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500><img

 

Since the original Love Boat!

 

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=32CD32&cdt=2004;09;05;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500><img

 

Until Pride of Aloha and a US Flag again!

[christineann]

pardon my ignorance, but what is Fanning Island? I really appreciate your responses!

[Suebee]

Fanning is the english name for an island that is part of the Kiribati Islands (Pronounced Key ree-bas). They lie arppoximately 1200 miles due south of Hawaii. The country is the closest foreign nation from Hawaii.

 

There is a law on the books that prohibits a foreign flagged vessel to only visit US ports (i.e. NCL is Bahama flagged so therefore must visit one foreign port on each journey). Because of this law and the expense of the trip to fanning, the company created a subset called NCL America which has 2 US flagged ships now. Those ships alone can hop around the Hawaiian Islands and get around the Jones Act (not visiting Fanning). NCL parent company has another ship doing a Hawaiian Itinerary that is still bahama flagged and therefore does a 10 or 11 day trip with a journey to Fanning.

 

I hope that was clear...my kids are going "mama mama mama mama mama" right now.

 

NCL Star 1/04

 

[TWA4Ever]

Please excuse, Suebee, but the Pride of America is still in Germany being repaired and built. NCL America has only one US-flagged ship now (unless you are referring to the SS United States). After America is completed and flagged, then they will have two.

 

Star Princess (Carribean) - 4/2005

Pride of Aloha (America) (Hawai'i) - 9/2004

Golden Princess (Carribean) - 3/2003

Pacific Princess (Bermuda) - 9/2002

MS Patriot (Hawai'i) - 9/2001

 

 

<IMG SRC=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2002;9;15;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500><img

 

Since the original Love Boat!

 

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=32CD32&cdt=2004;09;05;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500><img

 

Until Pride of Aloha and a US Flag again!

[gardenmama40]

christineann,

Our family just returned from the 11 day Hawaii cruise on NCL Wind may 29-June 9. We chose that ship because it originates and ends in Honolulu which made it possible to book a round trip air ticket. We booked our cruise through our ta and then had our ta price around and booked an air/ hotel package (separate from ncl)so that we could fly into honolulu a couple of days early, adjust to the time change (we're from the east coast) and do a little sightseeing there. We personally didn't want to start off our cruise with 5 sea days and then have non stop port visits. We were ready to see Hawaii when we boarded and enjoyed the sea days later in the cruise when we went down to Fanning Island. Fanning Island is a primitive island aobut 200 miles north of the equator The people still live in open huts and have no electricity except for the few who have small generators. NCL has installed bathrooms for cruisers, and the day on the island is pretty much like visiting any ships private island in the carribean with the exception of the charming people who sing and dance for you all day and the opportunity to wonder on your own or take a free tour (of course we give a tip) guided by one of the locals. We loved Hawaii but the 2 days sea time down to Fanning, the day on Fanning and the 2 days back to Hawaii were a real highlight for us. Those were days of pure relaxation. Hawaii is beautiful beyond imagination and we chose to rent a car in each port and explore on our own.

 

Have fun planning your trip to Hawaii. And whichever ship or itenerary you chose will surely be a dream come true.

 

5/29/04 NCL Wind, HAWAII

[mare1045]

gardenmama40

Have you posted any other reviews about your trip? We are traveling on the July 31st ,2004 Sailing on the Wind. Any input you give would be greatly appreciated.

 

7/31/04 NCL Wind

7/18/05 Inspiration CCL

 

[RvrCrzr]

gardenmama...

How did you like the WIND? How did you find NCL in general? Have you been on any other cruise lines you can compare it too?

 

Navigator of the Seas- 12-13-2003 (7 days) Western

Ocean Princess - 02/2002 (10 days)Southern

Enchantment of the Seas - 02/1999 (7 days) Western

[christineann]

Thank you very much for your responses. I would love to hear about the NCL ships. I went to Maui a few years ago and was blown away by the beauty of the island. I think this would be the ultimate trip for us! Thanks again!

[TexasAlexus]

Gardenmama40,I would love to hear how your cruise went. Did your sailing have any engine problems? We were on the June 9th to 19th sailing on the Wind. We were told that we were sailing with one engine out, so they changed the the order in which we visited the last 3 islands because of our slower speed. I thought they had solved the engine problem/missed port issue but apparently not. It didn't cause any real problems for us and I'm greatful we made it to Fanning Island...it was one of the highlights of our cruise. Our children played soccer with the local children and then left the soccer ball with them as a gift. Hawaii was incredibly beautiful, the people so warm and friendly, and the cruise was wonderful. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer them. I am really confused by the negative reviews I had read about this ship. The ship is in good condition (except for one engine apparently and I did not notice any of the bad odors mentioned in previous reviews. I loved the cabins, they had extra room because of the sitting area and the beds were very comfortable. If anyone is hesitating booking the Wind because of past reviews, don't. This is the 8th ship I have sailed on and there is nothing wrong with this ship (except for the engine of course )

 

 6/9/04 Norwegian Wind to Hawaii

 

[Jules1]

Hi Gardenmama,

 

We are also sailing on the Wind 7/31/04. We were originally bumped off the Pride of America 8/8/04 sailing (the ship was chartered after we booked). With all that has happened in the interim, we're happy to be booked on the Wind!

[Sammy]

I understand the "Jones Act", which is actually a misnomer. It is correctly called the Passenger Services Act. The Jones Act is a similar maritime law of the late 1800's that pertains to MERCHANDISE, not passengers.

 

I wish I could locate the article I was referring to in my first post. It was yet another step from the initial one to flag 2 ships American. It would further enhance Hawaiian cruise options and circumvent the PSA. Maybe it was referring to what Suebee discussed: NCL parent company does have a third ship they hope to have flagged to do Hawaiian cruises.

 

Personally, in answer to the original post, I love the cruises that depart or arrive on the Mainland. Those sea days can't be beat, especially after or to prepare for the exhausting itinerary around the islands.

 

And I believe a passport is required to visit Kiribati, isn't it?

 

Sammy

[Suebee]

Yes, Sammy...if you are travelling on one of the ships that does a 'foreign port' (Kiribati in NCL's case) you will need a passport.

[Mai Tai Dan]

I will be submitting a review of the Norwegian Wind upon our return. We will not be traveling with Children (we are celebrating our anniversary) but we seem to be about your age. This will be our first cruise so we will probably be easy to please, but I will give an objective view none the less.

Look for it here the end of Aug, hope it will help

Dan

[BuggieDriver]

"Hmmm...what is a "booze cruise"? We are definitely experienced cruisers, but have never been exposed to anything I'd refer to in that manner - and certainly plan to avoid it."

 

A booze cruise here in New England is anything that will float a couple hundred yahds out into Boston Hahbah for a couple houahs, preferably with a disco DJ and lots of Sam Adams...... Lobstahs are optional.:D

[Suebee]

A booze cruise here in New England is anything that will float a couple hundred yahds out into Boston Hahbah for a couple houahs, preferably with a disco DJ and lots of Sam Adams...... Lobstahs are optional.:D

 

Yeah, Sam's fuh shah.....a wicked latta bee-ah.....steamahs and bee-ah.

 

I can say that...I lived there 30+ yea's.

[spleen93]

You guys ... I miss the New England accents already! :D

 

Spleen

[Sammy]

I've always thought that the itinerary which included a trip over to Fanning Island sounded great to me. The Wind wouldn't be my favorite ship but it's the only ship going to Fanning Island. THEN, I came across this article about Fanning Island in CRUISE NEWS DAILY: http://www.cruisenewsdaily.com/i-fanning.html

 

I think I'd go there even if it were on a barge! Delightful sounding place. Better than a private island in many respects - more serene and non-commercialized. And wonderful sea days to rest. If I were to go, I would follow the suggestions made in the article to take something for the children there (not-to-take suggestions are in the article).

 

Sammy