Some people love cruising for the relaxing days at sea. Others enjoy visiting different ports and experiencing adventures onshore. Princess offers a 14-day Hawaiian cruise round trip from Los Angeles that should satisfy both types of tourists. Travelers who like the cruising days get a whopping eight days at sea to relax and be pampered. Travelers who are more fond of port days get to explore four Hawaiian Islands as well as Ensenada, Mexico.
At Sea on the Golden Princess and the Sapphire Princess
The two Princess cruise ships that make this trip are the Golden Princess and, more rarely, the Sapphire Princess. The Golden Princess has a capacity of over 3000 passengers. It features a stunning atrium where live music is played most of the day and evening. It also offers passengers the experience of Movies Under the Stars--movies shown outdoors on a huge screen.
Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a spa, shops that sell everything from toiletries to diamond rings, a library and Internet cafe, multiple bars and lounges, three large entertainment venues, and several specialty restaurants.
Passengers can entertain themselves with games such as Bingo and trivia challenges; lessons in making leis, playing ukuleles, using computers, identifying local wildlife, and tasting wine; art auctions; movies'; swimming (there is an adults-only pool); attending live shows; and of course, eating.
Going to sleep at night is like being rocked in a huge cradle. The only thing better than the sea days is the arrival in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Hawaiian Islands
The ship reaches Hawaii on day five of the voyage. By then, most passengers are ready to disembark and explore the "Aloha culture."
Hawai'i. The first stop is the city of Hilo on the island of Hawai'i. Geologically, Hawai'i is still a baby--on 800,000 years old and still being formed and shaped by Kilauea, a volcano that has been in continuous eruption since the 1980s. Kilauea is the big tourist attraction on Hawai'i. There are bus tours for the timid and arduous hiking tours that come close to lava flows for the more adventurous types. Hawai'i is also the home of the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. No tourist should leave without nibbling at least a few of the specialties.
Oahu. The ship's next destination is Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii. It is a bustling metropolis with high-end stores and art galleries to tempt any shopper. Probably the most popular tourist spot on Oahu is the Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the lives lost when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. Security around the memorial is very tight, but the moving display more than makes up for any inconvenience. The ship stays in port until quite late, so some passengers make plans to attend a dinner cruise or a luau in the evenings.
Kaua'i. The third stop is Nawiliwili, Kaua'i. Kaua'i may be the most tropical looking of all the islands with thick green foliage and brightly colored flowers. The island has a thriving population of wild chickens because there are no mongoose--the natural predator of chickens--on Kaua'i. The favorite tourist spot on this stop is Smith's Tropical Paradise which features a cruise along the Wailua River, a 30-acre botanical garden and an afternoon luau. Couples are encouraged to participate in a romantic ceremony.
Maui. The last Hawaiian Island stop of the Golden Princess is Lahaina, Maui. The chief activity here is whale watching, since humpback whales come to Maui to raise and socialize their calves where they have no natural predators. A day of whale watching will usually yield several sightings of mother whales and calves. Lucky tourists may get to see a "male competition pod," a group of male humpbacks that puts on grand displays in an effort to attract the attention of the females. Lahaina has the charm of a 19th century whaling village. People who have not done their shopping yet will find plenty of stores with Hawaiian-themed merchandise.
Ensenada, Mexico
The ship reaches Ensenada (also known as Baja California) on the last day of the cruise. Ensenada is mainly a place to catch up on last minute shopping. Because many medications are less expensive in Mexico than they are in the United States, nor do most of them require a doctor's prescription, many travelers use this stop to engage in a little medical tourism. Most of the shopkeepers are friendly and helpful, but they expect tourists to bargain for their merchandise and often list obscenely high starting prices. A word of warning: Princess urges travelers not to accept any mixed drinks while ashore. There have been instances of tourists being drugged and robbed in local bars.
For tourists who have the time and money for a lengthy cruise vacation, this 14-day excursion to Hawaii offers a perfect blend of relaxation and onshore adventure. It's a great way to see several sides of the exotic, enchanting culture that is Hawaii.
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