Hawaii cruise, islands, or both?
 

We're planning a 2 week trip to Hawaii in 2013 for our 25th wedding anniversary.

We've never been to Hawaii. We're considering the NCL Pride of America cruise for 1 week and then visiting Kaui and Maui the following week. We're concerned the cruise will not allow us enough time to really experience the islands and that we'll be spending too much time on the ship rather than the islands. But, maybe we're wrong and the cruise is a good way to get a feel of several islands and to see the islands from the water.

Is the cruise a good way to see the islands, is one week enough time to visit two islands, or should we consider visiting only two/three islands for the two weeks?

We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has spent a week on the Pride of America cruise and then another week visiting another island(s) or spending two weeks visiting several islands.

Thank you.

If it was one or the other, I'd say skip the criuse if you want to experience the islands.

But if you can spend another week after the cruise, i'd say go for it! You'll get to see some interesting sights from the water, will learn a bit about the history & geolocy of the islands on the ship, and then you can actually have time to explore after the cruise.

I'd choose one island for the second week myself. If you really want to do two, arrange to fly home direct from the second island instead of wasting your last day transferring back through Oahu.

I have done cruises in the past((Independence1970s) ok not great more of an overview. www.alternative-hawaii.com pick a couple of islands rent a car and explore.I prefer the big island konaweb.com carrentals.com stayhawaii.com explore around.Flights direct to Kona from LAX lots less hassle. Do a cruise stay combo there if you like. I last did a great package with priceline at the Hapuna Prince car air hotel 1 week $1k per person.

Good luck!

Per Lcuy's last point, the second island could BE Oahu - plenty to see and do on Oahu besides Waikiki.

I agree sf, I love Oahu, it definately has a lot to do and see from historic sites like Iolani Palace, the Bishop Museum, Pearl Harbor, interesting shopping like China Town, local farmer's markets, Diamond Head, Boyodo Temple, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I think Oahu has a real Hawaiian feel (so does Kauai) that I don't get on the Big Island or Maui.

Thanks everyone for the information. We appreciate your inputs and feedback.

Does anyone have any information to share good/bad about the Pride of America cruise experience and the ports that are visited (Kakului on Maui, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and Kauai)?

Thank you.

I've spent two weeks visiting more than one island, and been back several times ... there hasn't been enough time to see it all. I can't imagine trying to see Hawaii while getting back on a boat so many times. There is so much to see and so many different islands to experience On our last trip, we were on Poipu Beach in Kauai and were sitting next to a couple from a cruise ship. They put their towels down, went snorkeling, came back out, and started to pack up ... they were heading to the North Shore, hoping for better snorkeling. They seemed like they were in a hurry to see it all. To each his own, but I think they were really missing out on the great laid-back pace of Kauai, which is part of the appeal for me.
I know in Kauai the cruise ships appear to dock near Lihue, which is closer to the south shore but a little far away from the "sights"--though on a small island, it doesn't take long to get around. Definitely need a rental car in Kauai.

You might find more reviews of the Pride of America cruise at Cruise Critic. I got a lot of good information from there when we did our Alaska Cruise

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...hip&ShipID=349

We were also thinking about doing this cruise but I haven't read up on it yet. I thought the price was a little high...and we're spoiled and would want a balcony.

Utahtea

What I like about Hawaii you can't do on a cruise- The smell of flowers in the gardens. Walking along the beach as dawn is breaking. Splashing in the water before breakfast, spending a long lazy afternoon under an umbrella reading a great book and getting up to stretch or go snorkeling. Walking over to a deli for a light snack or going shopping when it gets hot in the afternoon...... Sitting on the beach at sunset with a beverage (politely concealed) to toast the sunset with sand in our suits and waves lapping at our toes....