Miracle to Hawaii 9/18/14 to 10/4/14 with pics

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We drove to Lahaina & went by Old Lahaina Luau & took pics of the luau we 'almost' go to go too! :rolleyes:

 

And the table we 'almost' got to sit at.

 

And the leis we 'almost' got to wear!

 

The grounds at Old Lahaina Luau were beautiful!

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We walked across the street to the mall and look what we saw!

 

 

We went back across the street & had Mai Tais at Aloha Mixed Plate. Aloha is an open-air patio in a relaxed, beachside setting. OLL owns it too.

 

 

The view from Aloha Mixed Plate.

 

We shopped a little more & the guys were sweet & bought Lynn & I leis. Then we headed back to the car rental to catch the shuttle back to the ship.

 

The show that night in the Phantom Theatre was the Aloha Polynesia featuring a troupe Carnival brought on in Maui. They were very good so we did not feel AS bad about missing the luau. If we had gone to the luau we would have missed the Polynesian show because it was at 9PM.

 

After the show we got this yummy Black Forrest Cake from the Fountainhead Cafe & split it. There was not a drop left on the plate!

 

Coming up next Honolulu! And another day of the 'Best-laid Plans of Mice and Men' (the most carefully prepared plans may go wrong)!

Juli

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Honolulu 8AM-11PM...

 

The #1 thing J.R. wanted to do in Honolulu was visit Pearl Harbor & at the time you could order tickets to the USS Arizona six months ahead of time so I was online the second the Parks office opened exactly six months before we got to Honolulu & reserved two tickets for the 11:00AM time slot for a reservation fee of $1.50 each so we were set! :D

 

I booked a rental car for Honolulu through Discount Hawaii Car Rental last January. I originally booked with Thrifty but I contacted DHCR about a different car rental reservation & they noticed that I had booked through the Thrifty at the airport.

 

The lady at DHCR said there had been a change since I booked & the airport locations no longer offered a free shuttle to/from the cruise port so she suggested we change our reservation to a Waikiki car rental location who do offer a free shuttle. Dollar was the least expensive so she reserved our car with the Dollar at Waikiki.

 

We decided that might work out best for us anyway since we planned to end our day at Waikiki & turn in the car there & catch a cab back since the rental places closed earlier than we wanted to return to the ship.

 

We docked in Honolulu & called Dollar from our cabin & they said to call them when we got off the ship so we did. We were told the shuttle would be about 30 minutes. We waited 30 minutes & called again & we were told the shuttle was running behind & it would be another 30 minutes.

 

We had 11AM tickets to the Arizona so we took a $20 cab ride to the Dollar Waikiki location. The cab driver told us we were making a big mistake & that we would have over an hour wait.

 

We got there & there was a craziness long line & we talked to someone in the middle of the line & they said they had already been waiting 45 minutes & did I mention how HOT it was that day?

 

Here is a pic of part of the line at Dollar. Tempers were flaring!

 

Also the shuttle was there, parked, and never moved. The four of us are very adaptable & go with the flow but we were ANGRY! :mad:

 

Arrrggh! We ended up taking a $50 cab to Pearl Harbor from Waikiki & then had no car for the day.

 

I have to say I am super impressed with Discount Hawaii car Rental though. I called them & they wanted to reimburse us for all transportation costs from that day & they forwarded me an email they sent to Dollar letting them know that was not acceptable.

 

Dollar responded that "the managers for Waikiki are looking into these concerns and will be coming up with the best game plan so that we do not disappoint our cruise customers" & they sent me a check for $100 to cover our transportation expenses for that day.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We caught a cab to Pearl Harbor. Luckily we ended up with a great cab driver who gave us a mini tour. The cab ride from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor was $50. The stupid part was we had to backtrack past the ship!

 

We got to Pearl Harbor & rented a locker to store our things. It costs $3 per bag. We had planned to leave everything in the car but since we didn't have a car we rented the locker.

 

We got our tickets (you are supposed to pick them up an hour in advance) & wandered around the grounds. It was HOT!!!

 

Then it was time to watch the film about Pearl Harbor. It includes a brief introduction to set the tone for the visit and a 23-minute documentary film which includes actual footage of the attack.

 

After the film, we took a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. You are allowed about 25 minutes on the Memorial and then you are called to go back, and you must leave on the same launch that brought you. There are no public restroom facilities on the Memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

A strange thing happened at the Memorial. J.R. took a lot of pics on our 'big kid' camera but there are none on there from Pearl Harbor. Luckily I took some with our water camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

 

 

 

 

We took the launch back & visited the museum. J.R. could have stayed in there all day! I was melting though. It was sooo HOT & the museum is not air conditioned.

 

We did not visit the USS Bowfin (submarine) or the USS Missouri or the Pacific Aviation Museum.

 

Visiting Pearl Harbor was a very moving & emotional experience.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We decided to catch the bus back to Waikiki. I believe it was $2.50 per person & took about 45 minutes to an hour. We didn't know what we were doing & we sat in the 'bend' of the bus so we swooped out every time we went around a corner. Kind of fun!

 

 

 

We were starving so we headed to Duke's to eat!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dukeswaikiki.com%2F&ei=bU1MVPrILsOgyASr0oB4&usg=AFQjCNHll9VlH16wF125CpNOEKSlOF7EyQ

 

 

Luckily we got there about 2:30 & their lunch buffet ended at 3PM so we were able to PIG out! It was only $16.95 per person & it was delicious! They had a huge salad bar with lots of different fresh salads, made to order pasta, Paninis, Teriyaki chicken, Kalua pork & cabbage, fresh fruit & lots more.

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Pretty neat place to hold your surf boards.

 

Waikiki

 

We wanted to do an outrigger canoe ride & a sunset catamaran cruise but we could not work out the timing for the outrigger canoe ride but the sunset catamaran cruise was a lot of fun! It was $30 per person for about a 90 minute catamaran cruise & adult beverages were included.

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

When we started out the weather was really iffy & didn't know if we would see the sunset or not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

 

 

 

J.R. decided to try to surf on the nets.

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We went back to Duke's & had Mai Tais & split some nachos & Duke's world famous hula pie.

 

 

We couldn't hardly finish the hula pie!

 

The guys were super sweet & went & bought Lynn & I fresh flower leis.

 

 

We took a cab back to the ship. It was $20.

 

There was no show that night. They had what they called Activity Extravaganza in the Phantom Theatre with trivia, guess that song, a spelling bee & an invisible movie game.

 

Next up... Kona & a day that finally went as planned!

[Captain Carnival]

Great review and pics - we were on Miracle debarking from Alaska just before you embarked for Hawaii. We have visited Hawaii a few times before (land based trips) and stayed at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach of course also been to Dukes as well - Mahalo & Aloha!

[bobthehammer]

we are cruising Dec 6th to Hawaii ... I really want to go to Dukes since we go to Dukes in Malibu ... was it easy to find ... you took the bus ?

 

thanks for all your info.

 

J

[nybumpkin]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is USNS Guadeloupe. She's a fleet replenishment oiler that re-supplies Navy ships while they are deployed; the crew are civilian mariners employed by the Navy. Our oldest son served on her sister ship, USNS John Ericsson, for four months a few years ago. Now that he's in the Navy, son gets to do this from the other side.:)

 

Thanks so much for sharing your photos of the Arizona Memorial. It's truly a sobering experience to visit.

[AzCruiseGurl]

Cool Breeze Cruiser ,

 

Love your review I am reliving our

Hawaii cruise on the Miracle that we took October 2013.

Loved the cruise and cant wait to do it again.

 

I love your dresses. Can I please ask where did you get

the one you worn in Maui and the one you wore in Honolulu ?

They look comfortable, cute and great for cruising.

 

Looking forward to more..

Thanks, Sheri

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Great review and pics - we were on Miracle debarking from Alaska just before you embarked for Hawaii. We have visited Hawaii a few times before (land based trips) and stayed at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach of course also been to Dukes as well - Mahalo & Aloha!

 

Do you miss the grapes on the Miracle too? I REALLY do every time I cook dinner! :p

Dukes was great especially the Hula pie but we were pretty bummed that the car rental did not work out & we did not get to explore Honolulu before we got to Waikiki as we had planned. We still had a great time in Honolulu & if we only had two minor setbacks out of 18 days we are pretty lucky kids! :D

 

we are cruising Dec 6th to Hawaii ... I really want to go to Dukes since we go to Dukes in Malibu ... was it easy to find ... you took the bus ? thanks for all your info. J

 

Lucky you! :)

Dukes was very easy to find. Waikiki is not what I was expecting. I don't know why I was expecting beach bars & restaurants & it is more resorts with beach bars & restaurants in the resorts.

We originally took a cab to Waikiki for $20 from the ship for the four of us when we 'tried' to pick up our rental car at Dollar. Then we took a cab from Pearl Harbor to Waikiki for $2.50pp. It was very easy!

 

This is USNS Guadeloupe. She's a fleet replenishment oiler that re-supplies Navy ships while they are deployed; the crew are civilian mariners employed by the Navy. Our oldest son served on her sister ship, USNS John Ericsson, for four months a few years ago. Now that he's in the Navy, son gets to do this from the other side.:)

Thanks so much for sharing your photos of the Arizona Memorial. It's truly a sobering experience to visit.

 

First of all thank your son for his service!!! I am SURE you are VERY proud!

I hate it that a LOT of our pics from Pearl Harbor 'vanished'. What a strange thing! First time that has ever happened to us & we usually take a ton of pics.

It was very sobering & very emotional to know that we were visiting this incredibly beautiful place where so many of our countrymen lost their life's serving our country.

 

Cool Breeze Cruiser ,

Love your review I am reliving our Hawaii cruise on the Miracle that we took October 2013. Loved the cruise and cant wait to do it again.

I love your dresses. Can I please ask where did you get the one you worn in Maui and the one you wore in Honolulu ? They look comfortable, cute and great for cruising.

Looking forward to more..

Thanks, Sheri

 

Our cruise was amazing made even more so by all the wonderful new friends we made! Love them all!

Ha-ha! Thanks. You picked my two favs that I never cruise without. You can wad them up in a baggie & they always look the same. They came from Ross for Less (as many of my dresses do) & were probably under $15! Love, love, love Ross for Less for cruise dresses!

Juli

Edited October 27, 2014 by Cool Breeze Cruiser

[duchess720]

Your reviews are awesome, not to mention how great your pictures are. Our camera did not do such a great job compared to yours. Is it ok for me to use some of your pictures?

 

 

It started getting a little overcast later in the afternoon so we could still see pretty well but our pics didn't turn out so wonderful.

 

You have to take pics of the bears!

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Your reviews are awesome, not to mention how great your pictures are. Our camera did not do such a great job compared to yours. Is it ok for me to use some of your pictures?

 

Of course Dottie! We had some major camera issues on this trip though. I threw away my favorite point & shoot camera the 2nd sea day because it broke & our cabin steward kept taking it out of the trash & putting it on the table. :eek: Bless his heart he was trying!

We really enjoyed meeting you & Jim & thanks again for the wonderful job you did designing the t-shirts & door signs. I know who to call next time I need custom t-shirts! :D

I have a couple of pics of you from the Cash bar M&G if you would like them.

I am about to go visit my dad but hopefully I will be able to add Kona & Hilo (the days that EVERYTHING went right :)) when I get back. I also have a lot of pics from the last five sea days including Hawaiian Night which was soooo much fun!

Hugs, Juli

[CruiseFanwithaTan]

Thank you for your review.

 

We are leaving on the 18th--- Hawaii RT out of Long Beach.

 

Did the ship have any mechanical problems? Just need to figure out how many flashlights I should bring.;)

 

Nope, no mechanical issues. It was a GREAT cruise !!!

 

Derrick

CruiseFanWithATan

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Kona 8:30AM-6PM…

 

We originally reserved a rental car in Kona but when our cruise itinerary changed the rental car rate went up to over a $100 picking up at the King Kam Hotel! :eek:

 

We had a tour booked with Mary Lou’s Big Island Guided Tours for Hilo & they also offer tours in Kona so we booked with them for Kona too. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made the whole trip! :D

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marylousbigislandguidedtours.com%2F&ei=hqNPVKSFHMe3yASCo4GoAg&usg=AFQjCNGjFvuycUeJHJDSipY8awmqiIqebw

 

These two pics were actually taken in Hilo.

 

Ken, Mary Lou & Kyle

 

I was impressed with their customer service from the very first correspondence we had with them. I called to change our reservations when our itinerary changed & spoke with Ken. He was so friendly & accommodating I knew then that we would feel like we were having close friends show us around the Big Island & my instincts were 100% correct!

Juli

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Kona is a tender port so Platinum guests were asked to meet in the Jeeves Lounge at 8AM to wait for the tender. Carnival took us down almost immediately & we got right on a tender! :)

 

Ken & Mary Lou were easy to find when we got off the tender & they introduced us to Kyle & we took off for an amazing day exploring Kona.

 

 

Pet peeve…if you book a tour PLEASE show up or let your tour guides know you will not be coming. Mary Lou’s Tours does not require payment in advance & trust that people will do what they say. Mary Lou waited an hour on people in her group that never showed up & Ken waited most of the day at the pier for the last group of no-shows & there were so many people that wanted to book with them!

 

Our tour was $60pp & well worth every penny! This is the info Mary Lou emailed me about the tour in Kona.

 

“On the Kona side of the island you will be tendering in on the little life boats to the Kona Pier. Some of the sites on the Kona side are: the Kona coastline, Magic sands beach, Turtle Bay, Kona Joes Coffee Plantation, the Captain Cook's Monument and beautiful bay where he had his last battle and lost...

The National Park - the City of Refuge, The painted church, The Royal Kona Coffee Museum, The Mauka Meadows (time permitting) this is a botanical gardens that overlooks the ocean, the farmers market then back to your ship...or some guests like to shop there way back from the Farmers market at the end of the tour (this is about 10 minute walk back along the coastline to the tenders).”

 

We had arranged a tour with our friends Jacqueline & Barry & Lynn & Mitch & it turned out to be a great group!

 

Our group at one of the scenic overlooks. It was a little hazy that day.

 

Kyle stayed in contact with Ken & Mary Lou throughout the day via cell phone. They let each other know which stops they were at & shared any info about things going on that would help the other tours. I loved that every conversation they had ended in “I love you”. They are a very close family & made us feel like family too!

Juli

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We visited a coffee plantation.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenwellfarms.com%2F&ei=frZPVJCjCseogwTlrYLADA&usg=AFQjCNEndMgCxGKQbW_8IB40owByob4S7w

 

 

Greenwell Farms provided us with a guide to show us the grounds & tell us about all the steps it takes to make coffee. They also offered free samples of their coffee.

 

 

J.R. retired from USDA so I knew he would be very interested in anything to do with farming but I was not so sure I would find it that interesting. I don't even drink coffee but it was really impressive. Dang after seeing how every bean has to be hand picked at the time of ripeness & all the different steps they go through & then how every bean has to be hand sorted according to quality it is no wonder coffee is so expensive!

 

 

The beans are ready to be picked when they turn red.

 

 

The drying process.

 

 

They had some banana plants there too.

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

We stopped by this bay but the dolphins were hiding from us! Kyle even checked again later but the dolphins were still no shows! :(

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

Next we went to Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Park - the City of Refuge.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fpuho%2F&ei=yNZPVLPLHsidNqiphIgM&usg=AFQjCNHYk__hW4n60UdSuD7FmRpebQsdgA

 

 

From the Park's website...

"Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death. Your only chance of survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the Pu'uhonua, a place of refuge. The Pu'uhonua protected the kapu breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the place of refuge."

 

 

 

 

 

[Cool Breeze Cruiser]

 

 

These 'critters' were all over the rocks.