Hawaii sites to visit

[halavah]

Planning on Princess Cruise to Hawaii. Need imput from previous travelers as to what land excursions to do.

[Toto2Kansas]

Hawaii is very easy to book your own private excursions to see more in a shorter amount of time then booking directly through the ship with large groups. The Arizona Memorial is a must see if you haven't been there before. Also, Volcanoes National Park is worth a visit.

[Astro Flyer]

You might want to check the Hawaii Ports of Call site: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=62

 

Also check the roll call for your cruise for others looking for excursions on your cruise.

 

It's easy to rent a car in Hilo, Kauai & Maui but traffic can be chaotic on O'ahu where they have a great bus system (The Bus: $2.50 o/w) which we easily used to get to Pearl Harbor & much cheaper. To go to the free Arizona Memorial & a bus tour of town it's $79/pp on the ship; on The Bus it's $10/pp for bus fare.

[chipmaster]

What do you like? Beaches, snorkeling, history, scenic hikes, etc. etc. Have to do the iconic things or have specific interests?

 

I always start with research on the internet and also reading the ship excursion list to get a list than decide if I DIY, private or thru the line. Usually thru the line is last in my book.

 

 

Planning on Princess Cruise to Hawaii. Need imput from previous travelers as to what land excursions to do.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

The best way to research Hawaii is using the Ports of Call Forum for Hawaii linked for you in the above post. It is how I planned our entire cruise/land vacation combo.:D

[windsor26]

Do go to the Arizona BUT BEWARE due to their strict security you cannot take anything with you No handbag, backpack no bumbag and only the camera not its case Also there is no where to store the things you cannot take with you. So unless you go in a tour do not take much with you We emptied our bumbag and folded into our pocket and also with the camera case and then we were allowed through. We did it by bus and it was great with the above proviso.:eek:

[Astro Flyer]

Do go to the Arizona BUT BEWARE due to their strict security you cannot take anything with you No handbag, backpack no bumbag and only the camera not its case Also there is no where to store the things you cannot take with you. So unless you go in a tour do not take much with you We emptied our bumbag and folded into our pocket and also with the camera case and then we were allowed through. We did it by bus and it was great with the above proviso.:eek:

Apparently you didn't see the storage area to the right of the Arizona Memorial's entrance which we used in November after reading about it on the Memorial's website.

 

Security Measures

Strict security measures prohibit purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage and/or other items that offer concealment. Visitors may bring cameras, cell phones, and wallets, although since no bags are allowed, you are encouraged to pack lightly. A storage facility operated by the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is available in the immediate area of the entrance to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. There is a nominal storage fee of $3 per bag. The storage facility is in operation daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors may use the same bag storage and parking stall for visits to all Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

 

http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm

[GlendaleCruiser]

Apparently you didn't see the storage area to the right of the Arizona Memorial's entrance which we used in November after reading about it on the Memorial's website.

 

Security Measures

Strict security measures prohibit purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage and/or other items that offer concealment. Visitors may bring cameras, cell phones, and wallets, although since no bags are allowed, you are encouraged to pack lightly. A storage facility operated by the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is available in the immediate area of the entrance to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. There is a nominal storage fee of $3 per bag. The storage facility is in operation daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors may use the same bag storage and parking stall for visits to all Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

 

http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm

 

Wowsa. Thank you both for the information. I'll try to pack light enough that I can fit everything in my pockets, but will look for the bag storage place, too.

 

Thanks!:D

[GlendaleCruiser]

The best way to research Hawaii is using the Ports of Call Forum for Hawaii linked for you in the above post. It is how I planned our entire cruise/land vacation combo.:D

 

Thanks. I'm subscribed to that forum, too, so hopefully I will get all the information I need.

[Essiesmom]

Yes, that was sprung on us on the tour bus, 9 years ago. Fortunately, I was wearing a long sleeve shirt over my Tshirt, and it had good pockets. That was before digital, so I had to stuff in an extra lens and lots of film...EM

[beachchick]

There are quite literally hundreds of things to see and do in Hawaii. The best guide books devote an entire book to each primary island. It is impossible to give you really good ideas without knowing more about what you like or dislike, ages/health/activity level, budget (general), and even time of year you're visiting.

 

Your best bet is to start by thrashing around this forum, researching online sites and/or guidebooks, checking your cruise line's excursion offerings, and then narrowing down the kind of things on each island that appeal to you. There is a wealth of help here for you, but it's best to narrow down your questions from "What should we do?" to something more like "Would you suggest A or B?" It would take hours for me to list just the things that we love to do in Hawaii--and that doesn't include things we don't care for that might be just your cup of Kona.

 

Have fun reading and planning and anticipating, and please do keep asking questions. I only request that they be a tad narrower in scope.

 

beachchick

[Cruzinman]

Good Morning all, Has anyone been on a Luau in Maui? We are looking into two of them. One called Drums of the Pacific at thr Hyatt and the other one called Lahaina Luai. Does anyone have a comment about either?

 

Also, Our ship will be there ( April 19th, 2012 ) from 9:00am to 11:00pm. would anybody know if that is pacific time or Hawaii time. I know usually they use ship time which should be pacific time since we are out of San Diego. But not sure here. Both Lusu's are over at 8:30. Ship leaves at 11:00. Plenty of time unless time difference. Help if you can Thanks

[Astro Flyer]

Good Morning all, Has anyone been on a Luau in Maui? We are looking into two of them. One called Drums of the Pacific at thr Hyatt and the other one called Lahaina Luai. Does anyone have a comment about either?

 

Also, Our ship will be there ( April 19th, 2012 ) from 9:00am to 11:00pm. would anybody know if that is pacific time or Hawaii time. I know usually they use ship time which should be pacific time since we are out of San Diego. But not sure here. Both Lusu's are over at 8:30. Ship leaves at 11:00. Plenty of time unless time difference. Help if you can Thanks

That should be the Hawaiian time zone & you must not be on Princess where this thread began...which cruise line? We go to Maui frequently & the top rated luau in all of Hawaii is the Old Lahaina Luau. That's not just my opinion but is that of every luau review I've ever read. You have the choice of sitting at regular or short, sit on a mat tables. The short tables are closest to the stage but not an option for my back. You choose the type of seating when making your reservation & it's assigned so there's no rush to get seats because they escort you to them. Drinks are unlimited with a wide variety (frozen drinks, mixed drinks, beer & wine) as is the food where you're escorted by table & return anytime for seconds...if you have the room. The show is a great authentic Hawaiian performance however that means no fire twirling or other things part of other Polynesian cultures. Hopefully you're ship is in Lahaina & not 45 minutes away in the port of Kahului. But have a great luau & the experts say the OLL is 'no ka oi'...the best...and me too. :D. I'd suggest booking early because most nights it sells out.

[mydreamvacation]

I am trying to decide between doing the luau at the polynesian center when we are in hnl a day early or going to this one in Lahania. We are on the 1/7/12 POA and in Maui we will be in docked in Kahuilui. That 45 mins seems like a lot of time when I have two nights in HNL that I could do the other luau- thoughts?

[Astro Flyer]

I am trying to decide between doing the luau at the polynesian center when we are in hnl a day early or going to this one in Lahania. We are on the 1/7/12 POA and in Maui we will be in docked in Kahuilui. That 45 mins seems like a lot of time when I have two nights in HNL that I could do the other luau- thoughts?

 

Having experienced both, they are very different & don't know which would be best for you. :confused:

 

The Old Lahaina Luau is the top rated 'luau' in all of Hawaii & the 'Polynesian' Cultural Center is much more than a luau. It is more like an amusement park of Polynesian experiences & not implying that's a bad thing, just different than the OLL. I'd suggest going to both websites to decide what is best for you.

 

They're both best at what they provide so you can't loose either way. I think you can enjoy the PCC without the dinner show & could add an OLL to get the best of both experiences. :)

[Cruzinman]

That should be the Hawaiian time zone & you must not be on Princess where this thread began...which cruise line? We go to Maui frequently & the top rated luau in all of Hawaii is the Old Lahaina Luau. That's not just my opinion but is that of every luau review I've ever read. You have the choice of sitting at regular or short, sit on a mat tables. The short tables are closest to the stage but not an option for my back. You choose the type of seating when making your reservation & it's assigned so there's no rush to get seats because they escort you to them. Drinks are unlimited with a wide variety (frozen drinks, mixed drinks, beer & wine) as is the food where you're escorted by table & return anytime for seconds...if you have the room. The show is a great authentic Hawaiian performance however that means no fire twirling or other things part of other Polynesian cultures. Hopefully you're ship is in Lahaina & not 45 minutes away in the port of Kahului. But have a great luau & the experts say the OLL is 'no ka oi'...the best...and me too. :D. I'd suggest booking early because most nights it sells out.

 

 

Thanks Astro Flyer, We are on the Carnival Spirit and it will be 45 min. away.