Cruises

Enjoy your Hawaii Honeymoon aboard a fantastic cruise ship.

Hawaii Honeymoon Cruises – with a Theme Option

April 25, 2011 By Lakaeli

Themed cruises have become increasingly popular, and cruise lines offer a number of options. Sailing on a themed cruise is an excellent way to associate with other people with your exact same interest, and you’re guaranteed a great time since you’ll know that the events for each day are exactly what you’re looking for! A few of the themes include music, crafts, TV, culinary, and so much more!

However, the majority of these cruises aren’t Hawaii honeymoon cruises. Instead they tend to prefer itineraries including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. There are only a couple Hawaii cruises that sail to in 2011 and 2012, and perhaps they’ll peak your and your spouses’ interests!

Card Player Cruise

This 14-day cruise for poker aficionados sails for the Hawaiian Islands from San Diego, CA on October 22, 2011. You don’t have to be a poker buff to enjoy this cruise; even novices are welcomed with lessons for beginners. Of course you can also participate in, or view, poker tournaments. All the poker fun takes place aboard one of Holland America’s Vista Class ships, the Oosterdam.

Quilting Cruise for a Cause

The Oosterdam ship from Holland America also hosts a Hawaii cruise in February 2012. While, in this writer’s opinion, this likely isn’t a cruise that honeymooners are likely to choose, it’s truly the only other themed cruise that sails to Hawaii! But hey, maybe there are a few quilting-crazy newlywed couples out there!

Find a theme that works for you. Check out cruisecritic.com and themecruisefinder.com to browse their updated lists of themed cruises. You may miss out on Hawaii, but will be able to enjoy the company of others just like you within your special interest.

Filed Under: Cruises

Carnival Cruises – Clown Around on Your Honeymoon!

April 18, 2011 By Lakaeli

Carnival Splendor - courtesy of Carnival.com

Or, you can just relax! Clowning around – optional. Ah, the beauty of cruises; the freedom to do whatever you like whenever you like. Choose a honeymoon cruise package with a few stops in Hawaii, and you have yourselves the perfect honeymoon.

If you’ve never cruised before, as most honeymooners haven’t, there are sure to be numerous questions that you’ll have regarding what to expect. But choosing a honeymoon cruise package is fun! And Carnival is great for first-time cruisers, as the atmosphere is relaxed (they’re known for FUN!) and considerably more affordable than other cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean, Princess and Norwegian). Possibly the main drawback for honeymooners is that Carnival caters to families and children, making their presence throughout your cruise inevitable. However, there are plenty of places to hide from kids and enjoy the company of other adults or just each other.

Where does the ship leave from?

Your departure point will be either Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Vancouver, BC, Canada; or Honolulu, HI. Flights to these destinations do not usually include in the honeymoon cruise package.

How long is the cruise?

The cruises that depart from Vancouver and Honolulu are 12 days long while the cruises from Los Angeles and San Diego are 15 days.

Which islands/areas in Hawaii will we get to visit?

No matter where you sail from or how long the cruise, if you choose to sail with Carnival you will disembark for one day each at: Kona, Hilo, Kauai, Maui and Honolulu. For the 15-day honeymoon cruise packages, that just means that you’ll be at sea longer (which, if you can afford it, we highly recommend!).

What kind of ship will we be on?

There are currently two ships that sail to Hawaii: the Carnival Spirit and the Carnival Splendor. According to cruisecritic.com, where members review cruises they’ve been on, the Carnival Spirit is slightly better reviewed than the Splendor. The decor of Splendor is a bit extravagant, with cruisers nicknaming it “the pink ship,” but it boasts an amazing spa area and an “indoor” pool with a huge domed skylight, perfect for swimming in any weather. The Spirit’s decor is all over the place, with each area highlighting a different locale around the world, and while this ship may not have as many modern bells and whistles as the Splendor, definitely consider the reviews as we mentioned. Whichever ship you sail with, you will still be treated to a delightful experience you will never forget!

How much will my honeymoon cruise package cost?

Your honeymoon cruise package completely depends upon which cruise you choose and what type of room you book. Interior rooms are the least expensive (starting at $934 pp), but we highly recommend getting a room with a balcony (starting at $1299 pp); you’re honeymooners, and you’ll be spending a lot of time in that room! There’s nothing quite like being able to open the sliding door to get a fresh ocean breeze, or to simply relax or perhaps dine on your private balcony. Or, you can go all out and book a suite! Other budget points to take into account: flights to and from your departure point; alcohol/carbonated beverages (nope, these are not included); souvenirs, dining and excursions (our tip: save money - don’t book excursions with Carnival!) at embarkation points in Hawaii; tipping; and shopping on the ship (yup, there are lots of stores on the ship!).

Can I really eat as much as I like?

Carnival Spirit Casino - Courtesy of Carnival.com

Not only can you eat as much as you like, you can eat whenever you like! Room service is standardly offered 24 hours a day at no extra charge.

What is there to do on a ship for days at a time?

You’ll be surprised how much there is to do, and how it may seem like there isn’t even enough time to do everything! There are scheduled events, shows and activities every day of the cruise. Swimming pools and hot tubs abound. Watch a movie (the Splendor hosts outdoor movies on a huge screen). Visit the fitness center, spa area, or the adults-only serenity pool area. Dine at a fine restaurant. Gamble at the casino. Dance like a crazy fool at the nightclub. Drink your cares away (if you even have any in the middle of the ocean!) at one of many many bars. Or, you can do none of these and just relax with a book by the pool and take a nap every afternoon! The choice is yours!

Hmm…I’m not convinced. What other cruising choices do I have?

Read all about your options in regard to honeymoon cruise packages cruise and honeymoon cruise deals here.

Filed Under: Cruises

4 Essentials for Your Hawaii Honeymoon Cruise

March 27, 2011 By Kalika

This is what you should avoid.

How many times have you returned from a vacation, only to realize you did not need half of what you packed? You are not alone. People go through great lengths to make their luggage travel-friendly. If you’ve chosen to take a Hawaii honeymoon cruise, the last thing you want to think about is extra luggage. So, in the spirit of making your honeymoon cruise adventure less of a hassle… here are four things to double-check before departure.

1. Sportswear & Gear

Hawaii honeymoon cruises are laid-back. Simply put, you are not going to be ‘dolled up’ every day; so make sure you include a swimsuit (yes, this should be obvious), work-out clothes (if you look forward to some light gym time) and casual clothing (for roaming around the deck or when you are in port). Speaking from experience, make sure you include two sets of sun glasses– it’s very easy to lose them if you don’t think before jumping into that crystal clear water. Trust us!

Don’t forget appropriate clothing for any of the side-adventures you plan to have. Most Hawaii honeymoon cruises, like Carnival Cruises, include some kind of shore excursion. This means boots for hiking and snorkeling masks, if you have them (otherwise you can rent). And no matter what you plan, make sure to bring a light rain jacket. It can’t be sunny all the time; Hawaii is a sub-tropical environment and light, scattered showers are completely normal.

2. Personal Stuff

Most of us over-think when we pack, and a Hawaii honeymoon cruise is just the kind of vacation where you may be tempted to overload yourself. Try to anticipate the kinds of personal items you will really need; like less make-up and more deodorant. We kid… but seriously– depending on the type of Hawaii honeymoon cruise activities you’ve booked, you may be a little more ‘rugged’ than normal, and prefer an extra bandana over that stick of lipstick. If you need any kind of prescription medicine, make sure to carry these with you onto the plane—do not leave them in your checked baggage. Lost luggage happens all the time and although your odds are good, you wouldn’t want to leave that to chance.

It’s also a good idea to call the cruise ahead of time, and ask if hair dryers are provided. Most of the new ships come equipped with built-in hair dryers, which will free some space in your bag, but not all.

3. Sun-wear

If you’re coming to Hawaii from the US main-land, chances are, you are going to need sunscreen. Make sure to pack waterproof for the pool and ocean; the light reflecting off the water itself can do some serious damage. If you have naturally darker skin or you prepare for your cruise by tanning booths, you still want to use it. Go for at least SPF of 50 if your complexion is naturally light.

Pack extra sunglasses–and finally, bring a hat. Most of us are not in the habit of rubbing sunscreen on our scalps and it’s especially necessary if your fiancé prefers the shaved-head look.

4. Camera

Wouldn’t it be horrible to finally arrive in Hawaii for your honeymoon cruise, and realize you forgot your camera? Sure, you could purchase a disposal, but it’s probably not going to pack the same punch as your own.

Our advice: Put any electronics you want to bring in your carry-on. What could be worse than forgetting your camera? If your luggage was lost with your camera.

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruising 101, Honeymoon Tips Tagged With: hawaiian cruise, Honeymoon Tips

Hawaiian Honeymoon Cruises: Plan it Right

January 13, 2011 By admin

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Hawaiian honeymoon and are okay with sailing from island to island (thereby not spending day after day on the beach on your island of choice) then a cruise is for you! For honeymooners, there’s nothing like a Hawaiian honeymoon cruise: all you can eat, your own room with a view with 24 hour room service, practically unlimited activity options and, of course, visits to more than just one island. Perfect for those who have never been to Hawaii, cruising is a fantastic way to get a taste of what each island has to offer.

Next step? Finding an all-inclusive Hawaiian honeymoon cruise package that fits your needs! On top of that, where do you fly to? Hawaii? Not necessarily– some Hawaiian honeymoon cruises sail from California to Hawaii and back to California. That option will certainly save airfare cost for westerly dwellers!

**If you’re puzzled by the Ensenada port of call listed under many of these itineraries, you’re not alone! This is due to the Passenger Services Act, dictating that foreign vessels must stop at a foreign port in between transporting passengers from one US port to another US port.

Your Options

Royal Caribbean – These cruises sail for 11 to 13 days and are one way from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii.

Norwegian – Norwegian currently does not offer any cruises sailing from the states to the islands; they only have 7 day cruises with embarkation and disembarkation from Honolulu. Ports of Call: Honolulu, Hilo, Maui (Kahului), Kona, Kauai.

Princess - 14 day cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles, CA. Ports of Call: Hilo, Honolulu, Hilo, Kauai.

Holland America

-14 day cruise. Embark and disembark from San Diego. Ports of Call: Hilo (Big Island of Hawaii); Honolulu (Oahu); Nawiliwili (Kauai); Lahaina (Maui); Ensenada, Mexico.
-30 day cruise. Embark and disembark from San Diego and travel to Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas. Ports of Call: San Diego; Hilo; Lahaina; Honolulu; Nawiliwili; Cross International; Dateline; Fanning Island, Kiribati; Crossing the Equator; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Raiatea, French Polynesia; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Papeete, French Polynesia; Moorea, French Polynesia

Carnival – Many options: 12 day from Ensenada, Mexico; 12 day from Honolulu; 15 day from Los Angeles, CA; 15 day from San Diego, CA.

Celebrity Cruises – Many options ranging between 10 to 15 days. The 15 day cruise sails roundtrip from San Diego while the shorter cruises sail from Honolulu and end in Ensenada, Mexico (or sail from Ensenada and end in Honolulu).

Finding Discounted Hawaiian Honeymoon Cruises:

The best and easiest way to find a great deal on a Hawaiian honeymoon cruise is to sign up for specials with cruise lines that you’re interested in. The farther in advance you sign up, the more deals you’ll receive. Often you’ll see discounts such as a free upgrade to a balcony room and other upgrades.

When using discount websites, make sure that you’re truly getting a good deal by first looking at the cruise line’s website to get their price.

Vacations To Go – This is a great site to check out for last minute (i.e. 90 days or less before the cruise embarks) deals on all kinds of cruises from every cruise line. This may not be ideal for most honeymooners as brides typically want these kinds of plans finalized far in advance, but for the budget-conscious, this is a site you should at least browse!

Other discount cruise sites:

CabinCloseouts.com

CruiseCompete.com

DirectLineCruises.com

CruiseDirect.com

Orbitz Cruises

Cruises.com

LastMinuteCruises.com

CruiseCheap.com

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruising 101, Planning 101

Sailing with Norwegian – A Unique Experience

January 9, 2011 By Lakaeli

While in the midst of planning your honeymoon in Hawaii, you’re likely torn between staying on the islands or cruising around them. If you’re taking two weeks off work for your trip, consider sailing with Norwegian as you may get the best of both worlds! Since Norwegian only offers seven day cruises in Hawaii, beginning and ending in Honolulu, you’ll have flexibility in your plans.

You don't have to sacrifice romance when planning a unique honeymoon.

Two Week Honeymoon Game Plan:

Book a roundtrip flight to Honolulu. (Lots of sites to choose from: SideStep, Travelocity, Hotwire, CheapTickets, Orbitz, Hawaiian Airlines or ask a reputable travel agent).
Book your 7-day Norwegian cruise. Do comparison shopping; don’t necessarily book through Norwegian directly.
Plan to stay for a week in Honolulu after your cruise. You’ll be surprisingly tired after jumping from island to island from your beautiful ship and will need the rest!

Unlike other cruising options, which typically have only four ports of call among the Hawaiian islands, the Norwegian cruise sails to Honolulu, Kona, Hilo, Maui and Kauai. The benefit here is that you have the opportunity to visit both sides of The Big Island (Kona and Hilo), not just one or the other as with other options. Both regions have a very different atmosphere and, even though they’re on the same island, there are very different things to see and do on either side. So if you’re looking to spend a good amount of time in as many areas as you can, the Norwegian cruise makes for a well-rounded trip.

Here’s a tip: sign up for Norwegian’s e-mail list, so that you have the opportunity to score deals such as free upgrade to a room with a balcony or a discounted cruise.

Just remember to enjoy some flexibility to make your honeymoon your own! Follow our advice:

Get the best room, with a balcony, that you can afford on your ship (it will make a difference as even the largest, most expensive staterooms are quite small compared to typical hotel rooms on shore).
Do tons of price shopping for your cruise.
You don’t have to stay in a five star resort in Honolulu to have a fantastic time; price shop and use yelp.com!
Think about renting a car on each island your ship disembarks; by doing this and avoiding the excursions Norwegian plans, you will save hundreds of dollars and have a more unique, romantic experience.
Public transportation is easily accessible in Honolulu, so that you can enjoy Waikiki and downtown Honolulu without having to rent a car.
However, rent a car for at least a day while in Honolulu so that you can explore what Oahu has to offer (which is quite a bit!).

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruises By Style Tagged With: hawaiian cruise, norwegian

Many Choices with Royal Caribbean

January 2, 2011 By Lakaeli

The pools on Rhapsody of the Seas. Image Courtesy of caribbean-cruises-report.info.

Royal Caribbean’s most up to date Hawaii cruises

Royal Caribbean is known among cruise-goers as one of the absolute best cruise lines available. Even when my husband and I sailed on Princess, we heard again and again how much better Royal Caribbean was (especially the food). Don’t get me wrong; sailing with Princess was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I honestly have a hard time imagining how it could have been any better!

Unlike Princess and most of the other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of options for those interested in heading to Hawaii. There are currently two ships sailing to Hawaii: Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. Whichever one you choose, you will be guaranteeing yourselves an experience of a lifetime. But since you do have an option, you may as well compare the two!

Ship Features	Radiance of the Seas	Rhapsody of the Seas
Overall theme	Open/airy/glass windows throughout	Artistic; themed bars and lounges
Sports Bar?	Yes	No
Rock Climbing Wall?	Yes	Yes
Number of Pools	1	2
Maiden Voyage	March 10, 2001	May 19, 1997
Decks	12	11
Crew	859	765
Passengers	2,112	1,998
% of outside cabins w/ balconies	~71%	~40%

The other amenities and features are near identical; both ships feature the same spa service, dining rooms, dining options, exercise room, lounges, cabins, etc. The main difference between the two ships is the “feel.” Radiance is for those who want to experience the beauty of the ocean and their destinations as much as possible. Rhapsody is for those who want to experience as much as they can, possibly doing and seeing different things each day, as Rhapsody features some very unique design and artwork throughout the ship. Not that Radiance doesn’t have amazing aesthetics as well; glass is elegantly used throughout every design on Radiance, purposely crafted to impress every guest.

Now, on to the voyages! None of the cruises that Royal Caribbean offer are round-trip as they either begin or end in Vancouver/Honolulu. Depending upon your ship of choice and your departure point, your trip will last between 11 and 13 days.

For example, if you choose to sail on the Radiance of the Seas, departing from Vancouver, British Columbia and arriving at the end of your trip in Honolulu, you will have sailed for 11 nights. All choices have at least these ports of call: Kona (on The Big Island), Kauai and Maui.

The only cruise that lasts for 13 nights sails on the Rhapsody of the Seas, departing from Honolulu and arriving at Vancouver. Why 13 days? Right before disembarking at Vancouver, you will make a stop in Seattle, Washington. Of course, this cruise is quite a bit more expensive than the other choices.

Helpful links:

Current Hawaii cruises with Royal Caribbean

CruiseCritic.com review of Radiance of the Seas

CruiseCritic.com review of Rhapsody of the Seas

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruises By Style Tagged With: cruise, hawaii cruise, honeymoon cruise, royal caribbean

Top 5 Tips for Cruising with the Princess

November 17, 2010 By Lakaeli

One boat. Endless adventure. This is what I learned from my Hawaii honeymoon experience on Princess Cruises.

1. Rent a car on each island

2. Get a room with a balcony. No absolute need for a suite, though. Just remember that any cabin will be much smaller than most hotel rooms.

3. Relax! Sleep in when you want to. The activities will proceed without you!

4. Pack nice clothing, including formal wear. There will be a few formal nights! (Meaning a tux or nice suit for guys, cocktail dress for ladies.) Or, you could just stay in on those nights…

5. Enjoy each other. This may likely be the best vacation of your lives.

My husband and I were married in October 2009 and knew in advance that we wanted to splurge for our honeymoon. We had no idea when we would have the time or resources to take another vacation like this again. Hours of following links on the internet led us to the same conclusion: Hawaii or bust. But as like most adventures, it’s all about the journey… and neither of us had been on a cruise before.

That led us to Princess Cruises, an obvious choice considering both the options and the budget. Even better, the embarkation and disembarkation were in Los Angeles; perfect for us California residents.

Since this was our one and only honeymoon, we agreed on the no holds barred method of financing… well, as much as we could possibly stand anyway. So that meant a mini-suite with a balcony. As much as I loved our room, the mini-suite (or any suite) option would not be mandatory for our next cruise. It was often nice to have the extra room, but honestly we didn’t use that space too often; even our room service we often enjoyed either in bed on on the balcony. Speaking of the balcony, this is a must! We will never cruise without a room with a balcony…ever. You don’t know what you’d be missing… or maybe you do. It was thrilling to sit outside on our semi-private deck, playing cards, watching the waves and eating our breakfast, lunch, dinner… or one of the myriad of snacks in between.

Speaking of food, Princess has some fantastic dining options. Choose between either buffet or sitting down to a meal with a menu that changes daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also a few restaurants when you feel like indulging in filet mignon, lobster tail… and for only $20 each, we were able to eat whatever we desired. It was definitely worth it!

I have heard horror stories about people who took a cruise and felt obligated to attend each and every activity. But on the Princess, we didn’t feel overwhelmed in the least. Sure, there were activities every hour of the day… but participation wasn’t mandatory and that allowed us to take the time we wanted. Although, the activity that we did partake in almost every night was the aptly named Movies Under the Stars on the top deck, which played on the gigantic screen above the central swimming pool. The stewards even walked around with blankets, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies and milk!

The magic of feeling free from obligations, relaxing on our balcony and falling asleep on a deck chair lasted for 14 days. Of course, four of those days were spent visiting four Hawaiian islands: The Big Island, Kauai, Oahu and Maui (in that order). Princess offers excursions (like guided tours, etc.) that can be purchased ahead of time, even long before you board the ship, but personally I don’t recommend those for honeymooners.

Here’s my recommendation: rent a car and go exploring. Make your own adventure. These islands are small; grab a road map, get some advice from the locals, and start driving. You won’t be disappointed! Of course, just be sure to get back in time so the ship doesn’t leave without you.

Princess is perfect for honeymooners who want to get a taste of Hawaii without having to choose just one island while also enjoying the luxuries that this cruise has to offer. A huge perk is the savings: you won’t have to buy a flight to Hawaii!

Filed Under: Activities, Cruises, Cruising 101, Honeymoon Reviews, Honeymoon Tips, Romantic Attractions

Sail, Cruise and Dine on Your Honolulu Honeymoon

October 13, 2010 By Lakaeli

Leave the Waikiki area to enjoy some scenery off-shore!

For most newlyweds, a honeymoon to Honolulu will likely mean relaxing on Waikiki, taking in the sights, renting a car to explore the island, and of course, shopping. But these are all land activities! You’re on an island, and your trip won’t be complete without venturing off the sandy shores onto a ship or catamaran, even if just for a couple hours. Honolulu has got you covered with a multitude of options for day cruising on a catamaran, sunset booze cruises and romantic dinner cruises.

Each link provided below will lead you to even more options with each company, such as high-speed sailing, watching fireworks from your boat, (Hilton lights up the skies every Friday night) and Dolphin tours. Browse before you book!

Catamaran – Snorkeling

There are quite a few companies that offer sailing for a couple hours, whisking you away from Waikiki and into the ocean, stopping for an hour’s worth of snorkeling, then taking some time to sail around the coastline for some sightseeing and some great photo opportunities. If you’ve never done this type of sail before, you’ll find some of the best catamaran snorkeling adventures in Honolulu.

Outrigger Catamaran has sailing and snorkeling in the morning every day of the week. Reservations are required in advance. The cost isn’t too bad, either: for $47 per person, you’ll get to sail for 2-1/2 hours, with snorkeling in between. The crew of Outrigger make sure that you’ll have a great time with drinks for a few bucks and a visit to a cove filled with sea turtles.

Another fantastic option is the Maita’i Catamaran offering the Underwater Adventure Sail. For just $45, you’ll board with their entertaining crew for two hours, eat an included lunch and snorkel at some of the best spots they can find. This only sails on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so plan in advance.

Catamaran – Booze Cruise – Daytime & Sunset

If you love to drink, meet new people, watch the sunset, drink, dance to some Hawaiian music, and drink some more, then you need to go on a “booze cruise.” If you’ve never heard that term before, well, it’s pretty self-explanatory…cruise while you drink all you can handle! Keep in mind that these types of cruises typically don’t offer food.

The wildly popular, colorful ship Na Hoku II departs five times daily (four daytime, one in the evening) for 1-1/2 hour cruises. For just $25 ($30 for sunset cruise), you’ll get music, entertainment from the lively crew, and all you can drink. This is a serious good deal! The sunset sail is definitely more popular, so you’ll want to book ahead of time.

Outrigger Catamaran offers different packages for different folks, but their sunset cruise is one of the best booze cruises out there. For $39, you’ll get to watch the sunset while sipping unlimited drinks served by Captain Rabbit (yes, Rabbit!). If you want to ride the Outrigger other times of the day, you will have to pay for drinks. For all you can drink, take the sunset cruise and book it well in advance.

Sunset Dinner Cruises

The Star of Honolulu offers a variety of options for every budget. However, if you’re willing to splurge a little (it is your honeymoon, after all), we highly recommend the Five Star Sunset Dining and Jazz. For $172 per person, your three hour cruise includes a welcome reception, a 7-course gourmet French style dinner (menu changes quarterly), three alcoholic beverages and live entertainment (jazz, Hawaiian musicians and hula). For an extra $10 per person, a motorcoach can transport you from Waikiki. For extra luxury, spend an additional $60 per person for a limousine to take you both to the ship. In my opinion, this seems a bit frivolous; you won’t be spending much time in the limo!

For those on a tighter budget, Star of Honolulu offers more casual options, such as the Star Sunset Dinner and Show for $88 per person and the Three Star Sunset Dinner and Show for $128 per person.

An even less expensive option is the Ali’i Kai Sunset Dinner Cruise for $66 per person. This much more casual option offers a buffet dinner (versus a sit-down dinner with Star of Honolulu), Polynesian dancers and live music.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll still experience a Hawaiian sunset from the deck of a cruise ship. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that!

Filed Under: Cruises, Cruises By Style, Oahu, Romantic Attractions, Travel Packages Tagged With: Big Island, honeymoon