Cruising to Hawaii

[Jeanny]

I posted on the Carnival & Hawaiian board, and thought I'd ask here on the NCL board;

 

My daughter & her boyfriend (both 30) want to do a cruise to Hawaii and asked me if I could ask your opinions. They've been on Carnival twice, but don't have to do Carnival again if say NCL has a good itinerary.

 

When is a good time to cruise (not necessarily the most inexpensive time)...

do you feel the fall or spring is better? They can basically go anytime.

 

7 day or a 12 day?? They'd probably depart from Honolulu which I think is usually 7 day. Would 12 day be "too long"? We're in the prelimenary planning stages right now. He's in San Francisco now, she's still here on the east coast, joining him sometime within the next year. They have no problem flying over to Honolulu.

 

If it was allowed, he'd live in the casino, she's content to sit by the pool and read.

 

I know everyone has a different opinion, that's why I'm asking for your help.

Thanks!!! Jeanny :-)

[Philob]

NCLA's Pride of America cruises "around" only on 7-day intineraries, they'll have to fly to Honolulu. Other cruise lines that depart from the West coast spend 3-4 days at sea.

[ColoRockiesFan]

HAL, Princess & Celebrity leave out of LA or San Diego for 14-15 day RT to Hawaii. There's 4-5 sea days, 4-5 days in Hawaii, then 4-5 sea days back to the West Coast. I did the Diamond Princess 15 day out of LA last Feb. It was fantastic! :)

 

They also might want to consider a repositioning cruise (usually Mexico to Hawaii or Hawaii to Canada).

[cruizinwithkids]

I would do the NCL Hawaii cruise in a heartbeat. If I could go anytime, it would be February. The two reasons are it's whale season and I would want to leave the winter of the northeast. I love sea days on a ship, but for a Hawaiian vacation I think it's a waste of time. My goal for Hawaii was to come back exhausted and I exceeded my goal.:D I would fly to Honolulu, spend a night before the cruise in Waikiki. I would then spend 7 days visiting the different islands on the Pride of America and then spend a couple of extra days after the cruise in Maui.

 

 

Keep in mind that there is no casino and just sitting by a pool when I could be exploring Hawaii wouldn't work for me.

 

Now I just have to figure out how to afford it.

[legalwife]

We are doing 7 day next year on NCL. Agree that I don't want so many days at sea, but different people like different things. We are planning on flying in a couple days ahead and enjoying Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

 

True point about no casino and good to let op know this so she can let them know!

[DAGVBSB]

The differences are quite simple:

 

NCL-America operates the Pride of America. The last American flagged large cruise ship sailing. As a result of being American flagged she can sail itineraries that do not have to stop in a foreign port due to US laws. She also must have primarily an American crew.

 

The Pride of America does 7 day inter-island Hawaii cruises. It is a great way to see Hawaii in a short time. It is also a more port intensive cruise than any other cruise... more time is spent in port than cruising. The ship is basically your hotel, transportation, evening entertainment and food venue. To be fair, there have been some concerns about service onboard the American flagged vessels. (there used to be three... the Pride of America, Pride of Aloha and Pride of Hawaii.)

 

The other cruise lines, since they use foreign flagged vessels must sail to or from Mexico or the U.S. West Coast with a stop in Mexico. (to meet the US laws on foreign flagged vessels). These cruises, by nature are usuall 12-16 days in length since they must include the 4-5 days necessary for the Pacific Crossing. I have done both the interisland cruise and the 12 day cruise and I must say that I can give pluses and minuses to each one. I did really enjoy the sea days.

 

As far as the casino (and gambling in general...bingo, etc.)... Hawaii has very strict laws against gambling. The Pride of America does not have a casino or bingo. All other cruise lines must close their casinos and stop bingo games once they enter Hawaiian waters. So the boyfriend won't be able to gamble on any ship during the time they are in Hawaii.

[Jeanny]

thanks!! this is why I'm asking questions here...you guys are such a great help. I didn't even think about not having a casino, he won't be happy about that... oh well, he'll be on a cruise!