Has anyone done a Hawaii cruise?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I'm thinking of doing a Hawaii cruise next year.
Just curious if anyone has done one.

Thanks.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

yes

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Well that was a helpful answer.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We were thinking of doing one, too. What did you think of it?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

yes

So since you're the only one who has gone on one, how was it?

Well that was a helpful answer.

Wasn't it?

We were thinking of doing one, too. What did you think of it?

Which one are you considering? I'm thinking of flying to Oahu and doing the NCL one and staying at Alaunai for a few days.
I hate all that interisland flying so am thinking that even though I have TS's up the ying yang a cruise would be logistically better.
So much to see and so little time.

Last time I went to Hawaii, I only saw Maui and Oahu. Would love to see the other islands but doubt that a week on each would keep be entertained enough.

Opinions?

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I am interested in doing one, as well. CruiseCritic.com is a great place to pick up cruise-related info; they are as cruise-crazy as we are ts crazy.

I did some research a couple years back, and Norwegian seems to be the line that does them roundtrip, out of LA, I think. This could have changed by now of course, and I don't look at premium/AI lines as they are above my station, nor any non-Cali roundtrip.

Reviews for the Nor HI sailings were mixed, with a lot of very unhappy people as to the cruise experience in general, and some folks not keen on the surly American staff (this is one of the few American-flagged ships which brings employment law). I would prefer Royal Caribbean or Princess, myself, because they are a better fit for me than Nor, but would try Nor. It seems that there were a lot of issues a few years back, at which time I decided to defer that cruise.

One of the things I've seen repeatedly is "not enuf time on the islands" which is always the case with cruise, but maybe moreso in this case due to having to get back to LA? Check port times carefully, I think that's where it may/may not be worth it. Definitely look at different routes, I had a very narrow air + 2 nt California stay + cruise + get home focus.

I plan to use it to get to my 49th state, Hawaii, to see the various islands, then decide where to go back for a ts stay. Air to HI is as expensive as going to Europe, I need to get it right.

Let's keep this thread alive and compare notes. I have been thinking about getting to Hawaii in the next few years and cruise really is ideal for seeing a lot yet unpacking once. My bf doesn't think he would enjoy a cruise, but I think an Hawaiian adventure would appeal, especially if we could be gone for at least 2 weeks.

hope someone wordy that has gone to Hawaii via cruiseship shows up ...

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Last time I went to Hawaii, I only saw Maui and Oahu. Would love to see the other islands but doubt that a week on each would keep be entertained enough.

You've got to be kidding! I'd love to stay at least a month on each island. I'm not looking to be entertained though.

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

We did one about 7 years ago. I have never been to Hawaii and was about 5 months pregnant. I thought I better do it now before I have a child cuz it may just take 20 years before I get to do it again!.

We enjoyed it. It gave us a chance to see a little bit of a few islands. We chose one with the most ports. At every port we rented a car and then toured the island using the "ship excursions" as a guide to what we wanted to see. I loved that the most. We were on our time - we got to check out 2-3 different places and ate at local restaurants. In the end...we saw more and even with the cost of the rental car, it was cheaper than paying the cruise line for a shore excursion.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

I am interested in doing one, as well. CruiseCritic.com is a great place to pick up cruise-related info; they are as cruise-crazy as we are ts crazy.

I did some research a couple years back, and Norwegian seems to be the line that does them roundtrip, out of LA, I think. This could have changed by now of course, and I don't look at premium/AI lines as they are above my station, nor any non-Cali roundtrip.

Reviews for the Nor HI sailings were mixed, with a lot of very unhappy people as to the cruise experience in general, and some folks not keen on the surly American staff (this is one of the few American-flagged ships which brings employment law). I would prefer Royal Caribbean or Princess, myself, because they are a better fit for me than Nor, but would try Nor. It seems that there were a lot of issues a few years back, at which time I decided to defer that cruise.

One of the things I've seen repeatedly is "not enuf time on the islands" which is always the case with cruise, but maybe moreso in this case due to having to get back to LA? Check port times carefully, I think that's where it may/may not be worth it. Definitely look at different routes, I had a very narrow air + 2 nt California stay + cruise + get home focus.

I plan to use it to get to my 49th state, Hawaii, to see the various islands, then decide where to go back for a ts stay. Air to HI is as expensive as going to Europe, I need to get it right.

Let's keep this thread alive and compare notes. I have been thinking about getting to Hawaii in the next few years and cruise really is ideal for seeing a lot yet unpacking once. My bf doesn't think he would enjoy a cruise, but I think an Hawaiian adventure would appeal, especially if we could be gone for at least 2 weeks.

hope someone wordy that has gone to Hawaii via cruiseship shows up ...

The cruisecritic web site is the place to go to read actual cruise reviews on the 49th state. This website will give the OP all the information on all the cruise lines that visit Hawaii. We sail Celebrity Cruise Line and Disney and they are outstanding cruise lines.

Also, you can post and ask questions on this web site. The information is current and is update daily. Just ask your question and I guarantee you will receive an answer. Enjoy you cruise to Hawaii.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Yes, we did the NCL Pride of America 7 night cruise. We loved it. We stayed in Oahu for a few nights before and then again for a few nights after.

Bill

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

I have thought about it, too. After my alaska cruise, I don't think it is for me. I really don't like being on the ship for too long. Plus, when I am in Hawaii, I keep so busy that I wouldn't want to have a curfew. Maybe in the future, but not for me for a long while.

Another thought about TSing that I have had is that maybe (long shot, I know) I could book the same week as someone else and we could split our weeks. That would only be if I felt like I wanted to see more than one island. I can keep pretty busy on just one island normally.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

I have done the 14 day cruise out of LA at least five or six times over the years. If you do this cruise, you have to be either a joiner or know how to amuse yourself, because it is five sea days each way. There are plenty of things to do, and Princess has many activities, including lei making classes, trivia, enrichment lectures, dance lessons, exercise classes (Zumba included), pools, hot tubs, saunas, shows and dance music every night, a piano bar, and participation games.

You spend a day each in Kauai, Hilo on Big Island, Maui, and Honolulu. You spend 8--10 hours in each port except Honolulu, where you get there early and leave about 11 PM. The best way to see the islands is to rent a car in each port. Make reservations ahead of time or you may lose out on renting a car. The rental van will pick you up at the ship if you make local arrangements.

Read Cruise Critic to see which companies are recommended for car rentals. Don't just read the bulletin boards, read reviews of various cruises, too.

You have more flexibility to spend time after the cruise if you go on the 7-day cruise with NCL, but you do have to lower your expectations. There have been some terrible reviews over the years.

Another idea is to plan a cruise for late September and go from Vancouver to Honolulu, including around the islands. This route is made by several ships which are on their trip from Alaska to Asia.

Fern

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Yes, we did the NCL Pride of America 7 night cruise. We loved it. We stayed in Oahu for a few nights before and then again for a few nights after.

Bill

This is exactly what I am thinking about doing.
I want to do 3 nights at Alaunai then cruise the islands and end in HGVC in downtown Waikiki so I can go shopping and not schlep all my goodies to all the islands.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

This is exactly what I am thinking about doing.
I want to do 3 nights at Alaunai then cruise the islands and end in HGVC in downtown Waikiki so I can go shopping and not schlep all my goodies to all the islands.

The ship spends the night in Maui and Kauai. We were out late both nights. The other days can be spent however you want. We rented a car in every port so right off the get go we were traveling. The ship entertainment is very good. One evening a guy from Seattle and a guy from Europe were dancing with their ladies when all of a sudden they all started a dance off. It was funny at first then kind of like WOW as these people had some moves. Other fun facts is the top sun deck is a clothing optional type of area. We never made it up there until night time and we kept or cloths on. The other cruisers were easy to get along with, especially at the many bars. The kareoke bar was a hoot. Our favorite bar was the upstair lounge with the guitar guy.

The teppanyaki grill was very good. You can get kobi beef here. The regular buffet type meals were very good and the freestyle meals is the only way to go, imo.

Bill

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

The ship spends the night in Maui and Kauai. We were out late both nights. The other days can be spent however you want. We rented a car in every port so right off the get go we were traveling. The ship entertainment is very good. One evening a guy from Seattle and a guy from Europe were dancing with their ladies when all of a sudden they all started a dance off. It was funny at first then kind of like WOW as these people had some moves. Other fun facts is the top sun deck is a clothing optional type of area. We never made it up there until night time and we kept or cloths on. The other cruisers were easy to get along with, especially at the many bars. The kareoke bar was a hoot. Our favorite bar was the upstair lounge with the guitar guy.

The teppanyaki grill was very good. You can get kobi beef here. The regular buffet type meals were very good and the freestyle meals is the only way to go, imo.

Bill

If the ship stops for 2 whole nights it might be a good time to use my Wyndham points and just stay those nights on the islands to keep from getting cabin fever and maybe use the washer and dryer.
I'm liking this idea more and more. Thanks.