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| Cruising Paradise:
It’s Closer Than You Think |
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 Today,
cruise ships ply the Hawaiian islands en masse. Many begin or end their
sea journeys to Hawaii from Los Angeles and San Diego, popular jumping-off
ports more than 2,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. Others visit the
islands when repositioning between the Caribbean and Alaska. Among the
key players offering 12- to 17-night itineraries featuring Hawaii on repositioning
cruises and from Southern California: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity
Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
NCL America operates inter-island cruises. However, you get there, Hawaii
is an incredible experience, particularly ashore. Here are only a few
of the highlights from a recent cruise:
The Big Island of Hawaii: In Hilo, where among the many
shore excursions offered, we chose a bike ride in Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park. The breezy ride took us from rainforest to desert in a mere eight
miles total. Along the way, we saw hissing steam vents and stopped to
walk the edge of calderas. But the highlight was walking through rainforest
to and through a long lava tube where molten lava once flowed. That experience
was matched by another jaw-dropping one the sail by that night where red-hot
lava collides with the Pacific Ocean for a spectacle like none other.
Kona: The eponymous and popular coffee is harvested
here. We tendered ashore near the spot where King Kamehameha I ruled the
Hawaiian islands from 1795-1819. Of the more than 30 shore excursions
offered, we opted for the Pinzgauer Adventure to Hualalai. The military
vehicle bumped over old lava beds for an exhilarating ride to the top
of the youngest and third-most historically active volcano on the island
of Hawaii.
Maui: We spotted whales on the drive to beautiful Lahaina.
In the old former whaling town, we took in a cultural show and strolled
the touristy, yet charming, oceanfront street. Other passengers raved
about their shore excursions: especially snorkeling Molokini Crater, one
of only three ocean craters in the world, and cycling down Haleakala.
Kauai: Ships dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, within walking
distance of a beach. Because of its abundant unspoiled beauty, Kauai is
a favorite for many visitors. We opted for an excursion to Waimea Canyon,
referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The canyon certainly was
beautiful, but we vowed that next time we would rent a car to get to sites
such as Princeville, the wet caves (Kauai boasts the world’s wettest
point) or to hike the many trails leading to dramatic waterfalls. (Those
who rented cars typically paid less than $50 a day. The Harley-Davidson
ride also looked appealing.) That evening we attended a new luau at Kilohana
Plantation, extremely well done at a historic sugar cane plantation. The
luau featured a train ride through the old plantation as well as horse
and carriage rides in addition to hula during the traditional luau meal
and a show. The next morning, we plopped ourselves on one of Kauai’s
beautiful beaches before setting sail that afternoon. The perfect ending
before returning to Honolulu was a sail by the misty, atmospheric Na Pali
cliffs (undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines)
as whales breached nearby.
-- Ralph Grizzle. |
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| Sample Sailings: |
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* Mouse over Destination if Port is available.
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For reservations or more information,
please call our Cruise Specialists today! |
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| 800-883-0637 |
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