Cruising Hawaii - Maui

Continuing our grand journey around the Hawaiian isles with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, aboard the Pride of America…

Destination Hawaii – Maui, Pt 1

It’s pretty obvious why you cruise with Norwegian in these parts – it’s the pure, undiluted Hawaiian experience. No-one else can provide the big-ship style around only Hawaii, and the true island effect kicks in straight away.

After leaving Honolulu at 8pm, we are in the port of Kahului, Maui, by 7am the next day. Even better, we have an overnight stop here, so there is plenty of time to soak up the island’s vibe.

Our plan here is twofold – take in a typical local excursion (as provided by the folks of Roberts Hawaii tours) and then hire a car to see as much as possible under our own steam.

Today’s order of business, heading out at 8.30, is the Iao Valley & Plantation Tour, taking us up into the western part of the island and seeing some of the local vegetation and scenery – including the Iao’s Needle outcrop in the steepest part of the valley – before heading further along the flanks of the volcanic outcrops hereabouts for the Maui Tropical Plantation visit, which includes a 40-minute narrated tram tour around the extensive property.

The 4-hour tour was excellently narrated and led by our young driver Mike and we got some wonderful insight into the vegetation and geology of the area.

After a quick lunch in the ship’s Cadillac Diner (an excellent free alternative to the main dining room and the Aloha Café buffet choice), which offers a tasty array of sandwiches, salads, soups and other diner fare, it was time to call up the (highly efficient) Dollar car rental shuttle and collect our pre-booked car at Kahului Airport (booking in advance is essential, as it can be VERY busy for car rentals on the island).

After a quick drive around Kahului (not the most picturesque of spots, it has to be said, as it is more functional town than resort), we headed south to Wailea and the swanky part of Maui, home to the likes of the Four Seasons, Fairmont, Marriott and other high-end hotels.

The beaches here are first class, and the Shops of Wailea make an upscale retail choice. The coastal drive is impressive and, further along, Kihei provides a more touristy (translation: more budget-priced) option for hotels, shopping and dining, with rather more interesting outlets than the big-name brands like Gucci, Prada and Swarovski back in Wailea. The sea-walk here is another pleasant amenity, while the Lava Java coffee shop serves a truly heavenly coffee smoothie!

Our other target for the day was dinner at Mulligan’s on the Blue, a smart Irish-themed restaurant adjacent to the big golf course here.

As well as some excellent food, the big attraction on Sundays is the live music of the Celtic Tigers, led by local singer-songwriter Murray Thorne (who just happens to be a cousin of mine from the Canadian branch of the family!).

Murray is an immensely talented guitarist and singer in his own right (check out his award-winning album, Tin Can Telephone online), but the Tigers are his Irish folk/rock group who have become an institution hereabouts.

Although I’d never seen them play live, it was immediately clear why they are so popular, as their mix of folk and rock comes across as energetic, crafty, melodic and immensely captivating, with the four-piece (guitar, drums, fiddle/mandolin and bass) providing a full evening’s entertainment in best Irish fashion, from traditional ballads to U2.

We stayed late into the evening listening and chatting with Murray and his band, and left only reluctantly, as we hoped to get to both the big Haleakala volcano and the former royal town of Lahaina next day…

Up Next - Close Encounter With A Volcano.

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Clair de Lune Joins European Waterways Fleet

The 6-passenger Clair de Lune joins the European Waterways fleet next year, cruising on six-night voyages from April to November along the Canal du Midi in the South of France, between the charming village of Le Somail and the fortified city of Carcassonne.

A deluxe hotel barge, Clair de Lune is tastefully furnished with cherrywood and African hardwoods, providing a sophisticated, modern interior. She offers superior accommodation for up to 6 guests in three contemporary double or twin en suite staterooms. There is a comfortable, stylish dining area and saloon, with picture windows, and a large sundeck with a spa pool from which to admire the passing countryside, together with bicycles for exploring the famous towpath. She is an ideal vessel for cabin bookings or family/friends charters.

The Canal du Midi is one of the oldest canals in Europe. Linking the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, this remarkable 17th century feat of engineering was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The famous waterway meanders past sleepy canal-side villages, sun-drenched vineyards and offers views of the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Cruise Highlights 

• Tour of the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne. 
• Visit Narbonne, with its 13th century Gothic Cathedral and lively covered market. 
• Private Minervois wine tasting at the Domaine Massamier Mignarde. 
• Tour of medieval Lagrasse and its Benedictine abbey. 
• Private wine tasting at the Château Villemagne. 
• Visit Montolieu, also known as the “Village of Books.”

Prices start from £3,390pp in a twin/double cabin, or from £17,200 for a full six-passenger charter.

The just-published European Waterways’ 2013 Brochure features cruises along the magical canals, rivers and lakes of Europe, aboard a fleet of hotel barges, ranging in size from 6-20 guests. New highlights introduced in the 2013 programme are: 

• Cruises along the picturesque Canal de la Marne au Rhin in Alsace-Lorraine aboard the 12-passenger ‘Panache.’ 
• A new feature on the evocative French region of Champagne, offering cruises aboard three hotel barges at various times of the year.
• Longer Waterway Journeys, or ‘voyages of exploration’ of varying duration through several countries.

Since 1974, European Waterways has been providing high-quality barging cruises on its fully-crewed ‘floating hotels’ to a discerning clientele wishing to enjoy wonderful scenery, stimulating history and local culture and, of course, fine cuisine and wines.

For bookings, be sure to check with The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists, on 0800 008 6677. For more information on European Waterways, visit www.gobarging.com.

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Hawaii - The Start

Destination Hawaii – Waikiki

So here we are in Waikiki Beach, on a glorious December day, ready for our cruise but keen to see something of this famous part of Honolulu before we leave.

So what do you do? Easy – you walk it. All of it. After a soothing night in the Modern Honolulu hotel, we were ready to head out about 8.45 local time (-5 hours, EST). Thanks to two important tips from our friend Stewart Chiron, aka The Cruise Guy, who is also a Hawaii expert, we had a couple of strategies to employ:

1)      Have breakfast at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where the Tropics restaurant is perfectly situated overlooking the beach and offering a range of classic and Hawaiian menu favourites. We especially loved their Hawaiian Bananas Foster French Toast (with macadamia nut ice-cream; yes, for breakfast!) and the Loco Moco – a fried egg on a burger on rice, with thick gravy. Absolutely delicious.  

2)      Take advantage of the ship’s late sailing (7pm) to see as much of Waikiki as possible. Therefore, our transfer from the hotel to the port isn’t until 5pm, giving us most of the day to explore.

And explore we did – along the full length of Waikiki Beach and back again, a gentle stroll along in the 80-degree sunshine, dipping our toes in the sea and enjoying the long stretch of sand. With surfers and paddle-boarders to watch and plenty of fish (and two amazing moray eels) to observe in the water, it was truly a gorgeous walk.

We made it as far as the New Otani Resort (another Cruise Guy recommendation), where we stopped for a drink overlooking their beautiful Hau Tree Lanai, one of the most picturesque restaurants on the island. After a couple of cocktails, we wisely caught a cab back to our hotel and then wandered across (about 10 minutes) to the huge Ala Moana shopping centre, a four-storey mall of immense proportions.

Here, we scoped out some Christmas presents for family (no mention of what, just in case they’re reading!) and enjoyed a Christmas concert from a local cultural centre, whose children were a true delight to watch and hear as they performed a range of festive songs with Hawaiian dances. Just brilliant (and all to raise money for needy families).

A leisurely lunch included a fresh tuna sandwich and a local beer (the Paradise Porter – delicious), and we then began a slow wander back at the hotel, stopping at Crazy Shirts for some more Christmas shopping.

Our faithful town car driver was there on the dot of 5pm to pick us up and, in no time at all, we were  at the port of Honolulu ready to check in with hardly another person in sight (great call, Stewart!).

Finally, we were on Pride of America, and heading to our home for the next 7 days, stateroom 8512, forward on the port side with extra-large balcony. Great way to start the trip – and we’ve fallen in love with Hawaii and its people already.

Next up - Maui, Day 1

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Crystal's Lord of the Rings Adventure

Known for its ingenuity in global adventure, Crystal Cruises is offering an exclusive new dinner experience on the “Hobbiton” set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the new prequel film. 

The unique shore-side opportunity will debut just days after The Hobbit opens worldwide when Crystal Symphony calls in Tauranga during a New Zealand/Australia holiday cruise beginning December 20. The Crystal Adventure will also be offered on a January 29 voyage through the region.

The two local cultures of New Zealand and “Middle Earth” will come alive, starting with a private,  after-hours guided tour of the village movie set. From Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit holes to the Brandywine Bridge, guests will enter buildings and stroll rolling hills, while learning about the massive efforts undertaken to build the site. On the grounds of the hobbit-frequented Green Dragon Inn, with a beautiful sunset view overlooking the lake and Mill, guests will enjoy a bevy of  extraordinary local wine and beers, a traditional Kiwi barbeque and other fresh dishes served by waiting staff in Lord of the Rings garb.

The cost of the Hobbiton dinner and village exploration is $265/person. A second Lord of the Rings-themed Adventure is also offered on both cruises, visiting Edoras’ home, Mt. Potts Station and Lodge, and New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Christchurch.

The December 20 voyage - which also offers gourmet holiday cuisine, festive décor, a Master Photographer capturing memories and a complimentary New Year’s Eve extravaganza in Sydney Harbour - overnights in Auckland before sailing through Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney (double overnight), Melbourne (overnight) and Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 16-night Christmas/New Year’s sailing start from £7,600 per person. 

The January 29 cruise also stops overnight in Auckland then overnights in Tauranga and proceeds through Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin and the Sounds before concluding with an overnight in Sydney. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 13-night sailing start from £4,672 per person, with £1,563 in savings if booked by December 31.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Stargazing On St Helena

In a galaxy far, far away...dark skies enthusiasts should set their sights on a new stargazing tour to the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena to marvel at some of the southern hemisphere's most stunning constellations in the company of astronomer extraordinaire, Steve Owens.

A professional stargazer, dark skies consultant and author of the book "Stargazing for Dummies," Steve set up the first International Dark Sky Park in the UK, in Galloway, Scotland, in 2009. Since then he has helped Sark and Exmoor achieve similar status and is working with a growing number of other places, including St Helena, looking to protect their nightscape.

The new 19-day tour departs from Cape Town onboard the RMS St Helena (above), one of the last working Royal Mail ships in the world, following in the footsteps of Edmond Halley (he of comet fame) who set up an observatory on St Helena to catalogue the southern hemisphere's stars. The island's location just 16 degrees south of the equator ensures virtually every constellation in the sky is visible at one time or another during the year, and this is one of the few places where both The Plough and the Southern Cross can be seen in the sky at the same time. Visitors can also marvel at the the Magellanic Clouds and the galactic centre of the Milky Way.

Time on St Helena will include guided tours of Jamestown's historical sites and buildings, visits to local landmarks such as the Heart Shaped Waterfall and Diana's Peak, coastal sightseeing, including seeking out dolphins, and nocturnal sky watching.

The tour, departing Cape Town on April 29, costs from £2,948 per person, including accommodation in a shared two-berth cabin on A deck with private facilities and full board on the ship; in a twin/double room with shared facilities on St Helena at Wellington House Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis; and all tours on St Helena with lunches and evening meals where mentioned. International flights are extra.

For bookings, be sure to check with the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677, the UK's adventure-cruising specialists.

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Aloha, Hawaii!

Well, we're here in Honolulu, getting ready for our 7-day cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (with help from Virgin Holidays).

We don't board the Pride of America until late this afternoon, so we'll take the opportunity to see something of Waikiki Beach first before we head out to see three of the other islands (Maui, The Big Island and Kauai).

We're staying at the uber-chic Honululu Modern hotel, with a great view of one end of Waikiki Beach, and we've also taken a nice series of photos of sunrise (as we were wide awake at Silly O'Clock with the 5-hour time difference from Florida).

Hope you enjoy the view...!

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Dance With the Stars, Holland America Style

Holland America Line has announced an exciting new “Dancing with the Stars” experience will be featured on board its ships next year. Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep or Paso Doble, or just sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, the new programme offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

Six themed cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events, including dance lessons, a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos, and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show. Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson, and pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer, with more names to be announced soon.*

In addition to the themed cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the HAL fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” programme, including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance centre stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show’s dancers and choreographers.

The themed cruises are: February 16, Eurodam 7-day Eastern Caribbean; June 22, Veendam 7-day Canada & New England; June 30 and July 7, Oosterdam 7-day Alaska; January 5, 2014, Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Eastern Caribbean and January 12, 7-day Western Caribbean.

(*Performers are subject to change)

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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