NCL’s Hawaii Cruises
by Bobbie Murphy

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The next morning, our Duck Tour (on a big yellow amphibious vehicle that was as SLOW as a duck walking!) started at 8:30 a.m. The Duck Tours take a dip in the ocean after you see the Arizona Memorial (warn clients that they must still pay extra to see the Missouri or do the museum). After the tour, we took a $15 cab from our hotel to the pier!

NCL’s “Pride of America” was purpose-built for Hawaii, so no casino -- kinda weird! The public areas are fairly well laid-out, so the ship is easy to navigate. She has 11 restaurants, nine bars and lounges, and all of the other usual trappings on a ship, with the added bonus of a Bungee trampoline and a Gyroscope.

I was NOT a fan of “Freestyle Dining” on this trip, with nine in my group. They ask you to call at 7 a.m. for slots the day of and the day after if you want reservations. I tried on several occasions to get reservations for our group to dine together, with little success. We were able to get into Teppanyaki (the Asian grill) at a 5 p.m. time on Wednesday. Ugh. We got into Skyline, the main dining room, on Sunday night at 6. Although the service started out great, and everyone was very nice and helpful, I left before my sherbet came after waiting for a full 30 minutes. Think I prefer my dining time and table, to tell you the truth.

You don’t choose this cruise for the ship -- it’s all about the itinerary. This was my family’s first trip to Hawaii, so I scheduled tons of activities, and most of them with a rented car. That all went very smoothly, except that I misjudged the punctuality of the group too often! None of them would ever be able to handle a fam trip as we travel agent veterans do.

Our first day was Hilo. After a mishap with NCL’s excursion department, we arranged a fabulous all-day outing through Hawaiian Edventure (808.974.7555). for just slightly more than a half-day hike with NCL to the volcano, we had a four-wheel-drive van and our own “Geographer” at our disposal to do whatever we wanted to do until the ship departed.

The next day was our first Maui day. We docked in Kahului on the northern shore, quite close to the airport. We paid about $60 per person for a bike ride down Haleakula (www.mauibikeride.com). Unless you are unsteady on a bike, the downhill ride is a piece of cake. That night was the luau (the Drums of the Pacific). Because the ship’s luau was sold out at the time we tried to book it, I booked this luau for us. It was good, but I have nothing to compare it to as a first-time visitor. (Two members of our group were late due to a purse snatching. Remind your clients that, if they rent a convertible, they should always lock everything in the trunk, even if they are only turning their backs for a minute. The thief had dumped the contents of the purse off a bridge, so the police were able to recover her driver’s license, but nothing else.)

We were in Maui for another day, so I took the group up to the Napili Point Resort area to snorkel (and fit in a quick look at their condos, too). Nice if you are a snorkel freak! We found a nice beach around the corner, but tell your clients to wear decent shoes, as you have to climb over lava rocks to get into the water in this area.

The next stop was Kona on the Big Island.

Then, we headed to Nawiliwili, the port in Kauai. No tender here. Our plan this day was for two convertibles and a GOOD hike in Waimea Canyon. Kate and led the kids on a two-hour jaunt. This canyon is profoundly beautiful and is not to be missed. After the hike, I was late to an appointment to see the villas at Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation. Lovely beach and a wonderful property. They offer no air conditioning, but plenty of fans for use. I would say that, as long as you aren’t renting in the heat of the summer, excellent spot. It offers one of the few true swimming beaches on the island.

On the last day, we decided to just explore the Kauai port area. This made for a nice, relaxing day -- our first of the trip! Because 1:30 p.m. was the all-aboard time, we had a quick beach swim plus time for a tour of the nearby Marriott’s lobby and pool area and a drink at Duke’s on the beach.

So, all in all, the NCL experience in Hawaii is about nature, at least for me! The ship is a means to an end -- adequate, but not without some trouble spots. We had a FABULOUS dining experience in the Steakhouse (by far the best restaurant on the “Pride of America”). Tell your clients not to miss it.

I had done my Outrigger Specialist program online, so I qualified for a free two-day stay this year. I was upgraded to a lovely room with a view of the beach and Diamond Head at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach -- the kids were impressed! VERY nice finish on their remodeled rooms. Feel confident to sell this (or buy it!). It’s quieter than the area toward Diamond Head, and right around the corner from the newly renovated Beach Walk. The beach is in trouble here, though. As you get nearer Diamond Head, the beach has eroded to a very narrow strip.

Mahalo!

Bobbie Murphy -- the director of OSSN’s Kentucky Chapter! -- is the owner of Bobbie’s Travel, Ltd., her home-based travel business in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Credits: Bobbie Murphy)