Hawaii, Epilogue

Some final thoughts on our big Hawaii cruise-and-stay adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Holidays and Disney's Aulani Resort...

This 12-day trip was an unmitigated success with us, a pure joy to experience and a great advertisement for Hawaii, Norwegian, Virgin Holidays and all the resorts we stayed at (three in four nights).

From arrival at Honolulu to our departure at the same point, everything went off like clockwork and the whole spirit and welcoming vibe of the islands was crystal clear everywhere.

With Norwegian's excellent 7-day itinerary providing 2 days on each of Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, it provided an in-depth view of each destination - and the great diversity of each one. And finishing with 3 nights on Oahu was a great choice to ensure we had a fully rounded experience here, too.

So here are a few final thoughts from the whole journey...

It's stating the obvious but Hawaii is one of THE great cruise destinations, like Alaska.

Norwegian's shore excursion experience here (with Roberts Hawaii) is priceless and well worth taking advantage of.

Some of the great little 'extras' include masses of fresh tropical fruit (notably locally grown pineapple, guava, papaya and passionfruit), fabulous coffee (notably on Kauai as well as the Big Island), superb seafood, with several fish we hadn't sampled before, and the blissful climate, which rarely varies from 80-85F and without the enervating humidity we get in Florida for much of the year (and the Caribbean and Mexico).

The climate alone is enough to make the trip worthwhile, and the scenery is rarely short of spectacular, but it is the people who ultimately make Hawaii come alive as a destination. We had so many wonderful encounters with the locals wherever we went, we were always made to feel like 'ohana, or family, not mere visitors. The sights, sounds, tastes and aromas were all distinctive, and they combine to form one overwhelming, long-lasting impression.

Outrageous sunsets are also part of the deal here and the sheer variety of landscape is also breathtaking. We would rate things like Haleakala Crater (Maui), Volcanoes National Park (the Big Island), Waimea Canyon (Kauai), and Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch and the North Shore (all on Oahu) absolute must-sees.

It is rare that a seven-day cruise can pack in so many essential destination experiences and, with a pre or post-cruise stay on Oahu, this is very nearly the perfect destination (the fact it is such a long haul for most people is something of a drawback, but then it wouldn't be so enticing if it was nearby!).

It is not a cheap place to visit certainly (many prices for things like car fuel, hotels and even meals are above what you'd pay on the mainland or in the Caribbean) but this is definitely unlike anywhere else, hence it is most assuredly worth it.

We have already resolved to return in future, whether by ship or shore, and that, ultimately is the test of any destination, if it leaves you wanting more. 

So, Aloha Hawaii and a hui hou, or, until we meet again...! 

PS: Don't forget to "read all about it" in our full eight-page Hawaii special in the new Winter edition of World of Cruising magazine (left) - out now! See full subscription details on this link.

    

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Hawaii, The Disney Way

Completing our big Hawaii cruise-and-stay adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, we have finally arrived at Disney's Aulani Resort...

Being big Disney buffs (OK, so we live in Orlando and write guidebooks about Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris!), we were keen to see if we could wangle a stay at their new (in 2011) Aulani Resort to finish off our trip and, thanks to their Orlando-based office, we were offered a two-night stay to complete our trip.

And we're so glad we did. While Waikiki may be fun and Honolulu is a happening city, the west coast is far more relaxed and peaceful, and Disney have refined this idea to the nth degree with this latest example of their Vacation Club timeshare resort, which is also open to the general public on a straightforward hotel basis.

We'd heard that the attention to detail was extravagant and that the combination of Disney design style and Hawaiian tradition was a good match, but it was even better than that. This is a dream resort with bags of local colour and style, and with a big-resort expansiveness that is great for families and couples alike.

Checking in on our first evening, we were directed to the 12th floor and a beautiful Oceanview Parlor Suite - a full-size bedroom and bathroom with a separate living area, kitchenette and W/C. It wasn't a hotel room, it was an apartment, with space to spare on the double-width balcony looking down over the resort amenities and out to the private beach bay that the Resort shares with the Marriott next door.

We were amazed. And the quality of the fixtures and fittings was superb, too. Genuine local furniture, all with an overt Hawaiian touch and feel, but surprisingly little obvious Mickey-ness. If this is a Disney resort, then it's a Disney resort for grown-ups, with the facilities to match (marvellous Spa, choice of bars and restaurants, evening story-telling, freeform pool, lazy river feature, tropical snorkelling reef, and more).

Here was true chill-out territory, with the added bonus of all the up-tempo, upscale facilities you could possibly want, with a golf course next door, a beautiful coastal walk and plenty of beach amenities, including paddle-boarding and kayaking.

We were determined to make the most of our time here - hence we didn't go anywhere else until it was time to go back to the airport! We paddled in the pools, lazed in the double, vanishing-point hot-tubs, had lunch at Off The Hook (the open-air poolside bar and lounge), walked the beach, had cocktails in The 'Olelo Room and marvelled at the amount of clever Hawaii story-telling woven into the design and landscaping.

The Lazy River was truly gorgeous by day and, by night, the whole resort took on an extra dimension of South Seas splendour. Two days? We could easily be here for a month!

On our final night we splashed out in style with dinner at the signature 'AMA'AMA restaurant, featuring contemporary island cuisine. With its own range of cocktails and a refined, beach-side ambience, we enjoyed some fabulous appetisers (their version of corn chowder - quite heavenly - and a tasty proscuitto and olive flatbread) and then weighed in to two of the best main courses we have tried in a while - a Thai seafood curry, cooked in its own bag and served tableside, and the Fresh Sustainable Catch of the Day, a Hawaiian snapper, Opakapaka, with asparagus and peppers in a rich tomato broth.

Dinner for two with pre-dinner cocktails and wine was a princely $190 - but worth every cent. We absolutely adored the friendly-but-upscale feel, a taste of the tropics but without any formality. It seemed to sum up the lavish Aulani style perfectly. Of course, there were still typical Disney character meet-and-greets for those who wanted them, and we throughly enjoyed breakfast at The 'Olelo Room on our final morning watching the many kids (and adults!) queuing up to have their photo taken with Mickey or Minnie.

The real genius, we felt, was the clever intermix of modern design and amenity with traditional Hawaiian ethos; a perfect blend of modern sensibilities and Polynesian friendliness.

And as a final taste of the islands, it was simply off-the-charts wonderful. There was even a Christmas Hula show when we got back to the airport for our flight home (via Los Angeles), as if to remind us of what we'd be missing on departure.

But, if there is one thing that Hawaii does do, in spades, it is get under your skin and demand a repeat visit at some stage. We WILL be back...and hopefully you will, too. If nothing else, this blog series should have shown just how much you can do with this fabulous cruise-and-stay option - and just how much there is to enjoy!

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The Aloha Cruise - On Dry Land

Continuing our grand Hawaii cruise adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays. The 7-day cruise is over, but there's more in store...!

While we had planned for the full seven-day cruise aboard Pride of America, with that much-needed overnight stay at the Modern Honolulu Hotel the day before, we were asked by Virgin Holidays - who had helped with our flights from Florida - if we could stay on for an extra couple of days to see something of their resort choice on Oahu as well.

With their help - and a very generous offer from the Walt Disney company - we were able to extend our stay to three extra nights, starting with a night at the exclusive Kahala Resort on our return to Honolulu. And we were SO glad we had the additional time, both to truly see some of this island and also to relax a little (because, for all the fact it had been a wonderful cruise, we had packed a LOT into the 7 days).

Our first item of business was to pick up a hire car from the Airport (a 15-minute shuttle ride from the port - and just $7 per person with Roberts Hawaii), and then we were finally off under our steam.

With all our luggage in the car, we were advised it was extremely unwise to park in any of the tourist spots on the island as car theft (when obvious items are in view) is somewhat prevalent. Therefore, we headed straight to the Kahala so we could leave our baggage there, even though it meant driving to the far side of Waikiki and then returning to Pearl Harbor, our main target for the day.

We were actually glad we did as the Resort took a bit of finding in daylight, and we were able to navigate back later on with no trouble. It is also quite stunning, with a beautiful entrance reception area that we took to terming New World Chic for its airy, contemporary styling. It was also in the middle of one of its trademark Dolphin Shows at the big seaside lagoon that sits at the back of the resort (a more personal Dolphin Quest adventure is also available but we were happy just to watch the Christmas-themed show).

Once unloaded, we stopped off at the Diamond Head crater, the iconic volcanic outcrop at the end of Waikiki Beach. Here you can drive (or hike) in and then follow the winding path  and 175 steps to the crater summit for a wonderful overview of Waikiki. Due to the fact we didn't have two hours to spare (or any water on a pretty hot day), we opted for a look around inside the crater (including the history of the Crater as a WWII army base) and just a gentle wander along the path to get the general idea. We will be back to tackle the summit another time, though!

Next, we headed for the site of the infamous Japanese attack that brought America into WWII. Pearl Harbor is still a working military base, but there is also the main Visitor Center, with 5 distinct historic sites to peruse and learn about this tragic day for the US Navy, when some 3,500 lost their lives to the sneak attack.

The free-admission USS Arizona Memorial offers a film about the main attack on the island and the ship that took the biggest hits on that fateful day, with a boat ride over to the site of the ship itself, with a hugely poignant display and tribute to the 1,177 men who perished aboard. 

For an additional fee, we went over to the USS Missouri, or the Mighty Mo, one of the WWII battleships that 'bookended' the War by being the place where Japan officially surrendered on September 2, 1945. The Missouri also served in the Korean and Gulf Wars before being retired here in 1999. A full tour of the battleship would take several hours but we managed to do it in about 90 minutes, ending quite in awe of how much of the ship's interior you can actually see.

Other exhibits included the submarine USS Bowfin, which offered more interior touring and the story of the Pacific's under-sea war, and the Museum and Park, with its moving memorial to the 52 US submarines lost in the course of duty. We would have loved to include the Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Oklahoma Memorial (the other big battleship lost during the raid, along with 429 crewmen), but it was already gone 4pm and things were closing, and we also had one other stop we wanted to make on our way back to the Kahala.

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is located in the Punchbowl Crater overlooking Waikiki and is otherwise known as the Arlington of the West. Another volcanic crater - albeit not as big as Diamond Head, the Punchbowl is a dramatic and fitting tribute to the many US servicemen and women who have died in the various Pacific theatres of war. Superbly laid out, with dramatic views from the crater rim, this is a somber but impressive memorial to those who died in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam, as well as being the resting place for servicefolk and their families in between.

 Our day was completed back at the Kahala Resort, luxuriating in a walk along the beach at dusk and then retiring to the Verandah Lounge for drinks and a light meal (in our case, a superb burger and some sushi) while we contemplated the enormity of our Hawaii journey so far. We were still waking up FAR too early in the morning but, all in all, it was worth it, as we were covering a lot of ground...

Next up - Kualoa Ranch and the North Shore 

 

  

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The Aloha Voyage - Kauai

Continuing our journey around Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, we arrive in the Garden Island...

Destination Hawaii - Kauai Pt 1

After the eye-popping spectacle and contrasts of Maui and The Big Island, we weren't sure quite what to expect of the smallest of the main islands, except for its reputation of being exceedingly wet and rainy (at times) and, if anything, even more tropical than its sister islands.

We certainly weren't disappointed, especially given the chance for another overnight stop in the port of Nawiliwili. And, while the port itself was again more functional than pretty, the slow sail into the harbour is impressive with its mountainous interior - and the sights beyond were simply superb.

We also had a slight advantage here as I have another cousin out here on the islands and David and his partner Bill were able to meet us straight off the ship and take us for the grand tour.

First stop was the Kauai Coffee Company plantation, the largest on all the islands (surprisingly, given the Big Island's reputation for Kona coffee) and with a wonderfully smooth array of tastes and blends. By now, we had learnt that Dark Roast was actually the milder and less caffeinated version (as, because it is roasted for longer, it removes more of the caffeine) but the variety again came as a surprise, with their Coconut Caramel Crunch being a real taste sensation and the Peaberry absolutely exquisite.

More coffee was duly purchased and I have a strong feeling we will need to buy an extra bag to get it all home!

The coffee plantation was only the appetiser (ho, ho!), though, to the day's real highlight - the Waimea Canyon.

Formed over some 4 million years by the collapse of the original volcanic crater that formed the island (as big as Maui's Haleakala, but more explosive) and the erosive action of Waimea River, the Canyon is now 14 miles long and 3,600ft deep and rightly earns its reputation as 'The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.'

The long drive up wasn't particularly challenging but offered small glimpses as we went deeper along the southern edge, and then all is revealed in awesome panoramic grandeur as we reached a series of superb lookout points about two-thirds of the way up. 

Like the Grand Canyon itself, words (and photos) do not do it justice as there is simply too much to take in, but suffice it to say the effect is jaw-droppingly stunning, especially as, with the thick tropical foliage, waterfalls and climate, it has a very different feel to the GC and virtually every aspect of it provides an amazingly different perspective.

Dave and Bill took us all the way through the Canyon to the Kalalau Overlook, some 4,000ft up at the end of the trail in Kokee State Park. Here, looking out over the deepest and widest valley of the fabled Na'Pali Coast (the valley and ravine-filled north-west section of the island that falls precipitously and spectacularly into the sea), we had a magnificent view of the Kalalau Valley falling down to the ocean and, just at the limit of our vision (with binoculars) a pod of whales - early arrivals from their Alaskan alternative 'home.' Just amazing

A visit to Kokee Museum provided the necessary cultural and geological overview, and then it was time for lunch at the excellent Wranglers Restaurant back in Waimea, where we were able to try their signature pulled pork and cabbage and some great mahi-mahi. It's advertised mainly as a steakhouse but we were more keen to try these local specialities and we weren't disappointed. A couple of Kona Brewing Co beers went down well, too.

The drive back to Kapaa (where Dave and Bill live) wasn't quite as spectacular as the Canyon views but their house certainly was - set in three acres of truly tropical splendour backing on to the mountains. Once again, our jaws hit the floor and they stayed there pretty much the rest of the day.

Dinner that evening was Japanese style at Kintaro in Kapaa, where the long line out the door showed it was extremely popular with the locals, and the food was just as good. Superb sushi, a seafood bouillabaisse and fabulous scallops were the order of the day for us, and we left with yet another wonderful impression of this fabulous island.

Back at the house, the only sounds to be heard were the trills of the birds, still flitting about at 10pm, while the view of the night sky - with virtually no light pollution to speak of - was another visual sensation. And we wonder why people move to Hawaii..!

Next up - more Kauai, and the Na'Pali Coast 

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Hawaii Cruise Report - Intermission!

Just a very quick note to let everyone know we haven't forgotten our big cruise Blog from Hawaii, with Norwegian Cruise Line, but we are having to put all hands to the pumps this week to ensure we get the new Winter edition finished in time.

We are due to go to print next week, hence our prime focus is on finishing off our News pages, getting the Hawaii feature written up and laid out, and making sure we have everything looking ship-shape for our final issue of the year.

We are roughly half-way through the Hawaii blog, and will resume the full day-by-day account later this week, so stay tuned for all about the fabulous island of Kauai, Waimea Canyon, three days on Oahu and a blissful stay at Disney's Aulani Resort!

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Norwegian's Big 7-Day UK Sale!

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching a seven-day sale today that will run until July 30 and offer a huge range of itineraries, with savings of up to £400 per stateroom on 10 ships with departures up until April 2013.

 

Itineraries in the promotion include: a Western Mediterranean from Barcelona sailing, a Southern Caribbean from New York sailing, a Hawaii Inter-Island from Honolulu, a Baltic Capitals trip from Copenhagen, and a Canary Islands from Barcelona sailing.

 

Other cruises in the sale visit destinations such as the Eastern Med, the Caribbean, East and West Coast USA, Canada and New England, Bermuda and the Panama Canal. Transatlantic crossings are also included in the sale. The offer runs as follows – savings shown are per stateroom: 

 

	Studio	Inside/Oceanview	Balcony/Mini Suite	Suite
Six to nine nights	Save £50	Save £100	Save £200	Save £300
10 nights plus	Save £75	Save £150	Save £300	Save £400

 

Sailings in the seven-day sale include:

• A seven-night Western Mediterranean fly-cruise round-trip from Barcelona on board Norwegian Epic departing various dates between July 29 and October 7, calling at Naples, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Cannes and Marseille. Priced from £719 per person (based on Oct 7 departure).
• A 14-night Southern Caribbean from New York fly-cruise on Norwegian Jewel departing various dates between January 5 and February 2, 2013, and calling at San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Phillipsburg (St Maarten),Castries (St Lucia), Bridgetown (Barbados) and St John’s (Antigua). Priced from £1,658 per person (based on Jan 5 departure).
• A nine-night Hawaii Inter-Island from Honolulu on Norwegian’s Pride of America departing from August 3-24 and calling at Kahului (overnight stay), Hilo, Kona and Nawiliwili. Priced from £2,054 per person (based on Aug 24).
• A nine-night Baltic Capitals from Copenhagen fly-cruise round-trip from Copenhagen on Norwegian Sun departing on various dates from August 2 to September 7 and calling at Warnemunde (for Berlin), Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki and Stockholm. Priced from £816 per person (based on Aug 2 departure).
• A nine-night Canary Islands from Barcelona fly-cruise on Norwegian Spirit departing on various dates between November 6 and March 30 and calling at Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Tenerife), Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Malaga (for Granada). Priced from £684 per person (based on Dec 3 departure).

 

For bookings, see this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's cruise-agent specialists.

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InnerSea's New Hawaiian Voyager

InnerSea Discoveries’ 76-guest expedition vessel Wilderness Explorer begins active adventure cruising among the Hawaiian Islands in autumn 2013. The boat joins the line’s 36-guest upscale yacht Safari Explorer offering island explorations from the sea.

From November 2013 through April 2014, the Explorer will sail seven-night Adventure Bound Hawaii cruises between Oahu and the Big Island and reverse. The itinerary visits Ka’ena Point State Park, Wai’anae Harbor, Maui, Lana’i, Honomalino Bay, Opihihali and Kailua-Kona. Guests will also enjoy scenic cruising and searching for whales and dolphins in the wildlife-rich Humpback National Marine Sanctuary.

Highlights of the new itinerary include snorkeling at Molokini’s undersea volcanic crater, a night snorkel with Giant Pacific Manta Rays, watching whales and dolphins and guided hikes exploring scenic areas on all four islands. Expert naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea.

The Explorer has a swim platform for easy access to water sports equipment and entry into the water. A specially built kayak launch platform comfortably launches four kayaks at once. Guests enjoy included watersports activities such as kayaking, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, skiff explorations and swimming. Guests may also take a spin on the innovative human-powered watercraft powered by two peddlers and up to six paddlers.

On board, innovative meals are served buffet style to accommodate a flexible schedule of adventure activities. A wellness program includes a sauna, fitness equipment, complimentary yoga on deck and massages for a fee. Cabins feature a flatscreen TV/DVD player, iPod dock and eco-friendly bath amenities. In the lounge, guests will find a selection of games and a library of books and DVDs.

Cruise fares on the Explorer start at $2,495 based on double occupancy. 

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists.

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