"Live" (I hope) from Radiance - Sailing to Hawaii

[PCWalton1]

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Sunny AZ Girl]

This review is excellent, thank you so much for making my mind up to go next year.

Is it possible to cruise to hawaii from the west coast?

We will fly from UK so can get to just about anywhere to embark ship.

As it is a long way we would like to stay in honolulu post cruise but cant get any details from RCL uk website re cruise from west coast.

Any ideas please.

Looking at 2 weeks total in may or august 2013

We will be cruising from HI to Vancouver on the Rhapsody in May 2014 (13 days). They bring the ship from Australia back to Vancouver in April/May via Hawaii to get ready for the Alaska cruising season. As another poster said, Princess may be the best bet for r/t cruises from the West Coast, but I am not sure when they do that.

[PCWalton1]

This is enough to bring a tear to your eye.

 

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Ander026]

Great "Live" review. I am reliving my Hawaii vacation that I took in August. I loved the pic as you are coming into Kauai. I played that golf course that you see coming in. That hole is the 16th drivable par-4 even for amateurs. Below is my pic of the same hole from my Hawaiin cruise on the Pride Of America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great rest of the cruise.

[PCWalton1]

Once off the ship we waited for the Avis shuttle to arrive and take us over to get our rental car. This pier in not the garden spot of the island but we didn’t come here to hang around the ship. There was a scramble for the van when it arrived but we got seats. The check in process was just painfully slow, not sure if it was the people behind the counter, their computers or a combination of both. We were upgraded (I guess) to a Dodge Avenger, nice car but it took me half the day to remember to duck low when getting in (I’m a little slow about things like that).

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Once in the car we headed to our first stop which will be Waimea Canyon. The last time we were on the island we took a helicopter tour and flew over the canyon but we had not driven to it. The road up was long and winding but thankful not fraught with slow moving tourists so the trip was about an hour or so from the airport up to the lookout.

When we arrived at the parking lot it showed how long it took us at the car rental desk to get checked in as the tour buses had already arrived. In fact some were loading up and heading out.

I view was breathtaking and I know my pictures don’t do it justice. It is just amazing to see something like this canyon on such a small island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a stand that was selling both dried and fresh fruit and we purchased some of each. The fresh fruit we bought was mango and Marie was complaining about it once we got to the car, she said it was too ripe. I thought it was fine but she still said it was too ripe. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact she likes mangos hard, green and with salt. To each their own.

 

[PCWalton1]

We headed back down the mountain and since it is Sunday made a quick stop at the local catholic church. It was not open (looks like the only mass on Sunday was 8:30am, go figure) so Marie said a little prayer on the steps. We then continued into the little town of Waimea.

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Our main objective in stopping in Waimea was to have lunch at the Shrimp Station. I had ready many online raves about it so we figured we were in the area so we put it on the schedule. It was well worth it. I ordered for me Cajun shrimp with rice and for Marie coconut shrimp. She saw the rice on my plate and immediately swapped plates. We did share on the shrimp and both were great though we both favored the Cajun.

There was a fruit stand next door and for five bucks you could get a fresh coconut. The guy cut the top open and provided a straw. Nothing better than coconut water out of the original container. After drinking we borrowed a scrapper and got much of the coconut out to eat. I was dipping it in the Cajun sauce and thought it made a great combination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe a little rustic but I didn't come here for the atmosphere.

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving the Baptists equal time.

[PCWalton1]

As we headed back towards Lihue, we made a stop at the Kauai Coffee Company. We had been there in 2003, in fact I was wearing the shirt I bought there. They added to the customer experience with a short self tour walk area. It was fun to walk through the grove (is it a coffee grove?) and ready about the various steps taken to grow, harvest, process coffee beans.

 

 

 

Coffee, just add water and enjoy!

 

The walkway for the self guided tour (I didn't leave those footsteps)

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

Coffee for babies

 

The flowers where with the coffee and Marie made me take this.

 

 

This is where they would pulp the cherries. I don't think they use this small unit anymore.

[PCWalton1]

 

 

These are the drying tables where they would duh, dry the beans after processing.

 

 

After that we continued on to the airport to drop the car off and take the shuttle back to the ship. The rest of the afternoon has been spent packing our suitcases (and trying not to cry).

For those following, we are going to have a change of plans on Oahu. We are staying at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort (got it for $100 on Priceline). We had planned to rent a car for the two days and tour the island including climbing up Diamond Head. Unfortunately my knee is not holding up (I am getting a complete knee replacement of my left knee the week after the cruise) so we are forgoing the car and just staying at the hotel with some walkabout in the Waikiki area. Should still be fun.

The end of an era, our last pre-printed luggage tags heading for the trash can. :(

[Mach1]

I have really enjoyed your review and look forward to more pictures of the Waikiki area.

 

After this cruise - just curious - which would you say would be better cruising to Hawaii or cruising from Hawaii with a few days at sea after visiting the islands?

 

Thanks for taking the time to post all the pictures and reviews! :)

[PCWalton1]

I have really enjoyed your review and look forward to more pictures of the Waikiki area.

 

After this cruise - just curious - which would you say would be better cruising to Hawaii or cruising from Hawaii with a few days at sea after visiting the islands?

 

Thanks for taking the time to post all the pictures and reviews! :)

 

I think I prefer the direction we took of having the at sea days before the ports. It gave me the five days to unwind and disconnect from work/home and still had the anticipation of getting to the islands. I hope that made sense. :)

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[PCWalton1]

Great "Live" review. I am reliving my Hawaii vacation that I took in August. I loved the pic as you are coming into Kauai. I played that golf course that you see coming in. That hole is the 16th drivable par-4 even for amateurs. Below is my pic of the same hole from my Hawaiin cruise on the Pride Of America.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great rest of the cruise.

 

Wow you really want to keep out of the rough on that course. :eek:

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[SkyKingBNA]

Thanks for taking us with you, Bill! I sure wish we were all continuing onto Sydney "together". :D

 

Are you staying in the islands a few extra days? Either way, have a safe trip back home!

 

Tracy

[PCWalton1]

Thanks for taking us with you, Bill! I sure wish we were all continuing onto Sydney "together". :D

 

Are you staying in the islands a few extra days? Either way, have a safe trip back home!

 

Tracy

 

Yes we do not fly out till tomorrow night.

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[PCWalton1]

In Honolulu.

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[deanna41]

is the casino opened at all around the islands or when docked. Thanks

[joand452]

Thank you for taking us on a wonderful cruise, Bill! Thank Marie, too! I love the photo of her in the flowers at the coffee plantation -- she matches perfectly!!

 

When we were in Hawaii (30 years ago!) we were told that the milk right from the coconut is a strong laxative. Is this really true, or were they pulling our legs?

 

Enjoy your time in Waikiki! And best wishes for a speedy recovery on your knee replacement!

[mommabean]

Thank you for taking us on a wonderful cruise, Bill! Thank Marie, too! I love the photo of her in the flowers at the coffee plantation -- she matches perfectly!!

 

When we were in Hawaii (30 years ago!) we were told that the milk right from the coconut is a strong laxative. Is this really true, or were they pulling our legs?

 

Enjoy your time in Waikiki! And best wishes for a speedy recovery on your knee replacement!

 

They were pulling your legs.

 

Gina

[PCWalton1]

is the casino opened at all around the islands or when docked. Thanks

 

Just at sea

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Sydney54]

Sorry for the very short notice but can you please tell me if cosmetics/skin care products are available on the ship at US prices.

 

Thank's for all the info, it has been a big help to us.

[jakesmom04]

Awesome review, beautiful pictures and a big thanks for taking time to do this while on vacation. Have a safe trip home!