Day 4,5, 6 of my NCL Cruise

At least I think I'm on 4, 5 & 6...

Easy to forget when you're on vacation. I think I left off with the night we were to eat at Jefferson's Bistro - very, very good with excellent service. Missed sitting with other people however.

Not sure if I mentioned this - on the 2nd night we were invited to a VIP cocktail party hosted by the captain and several staff members. Very nice "do" and we chatted for awhile with both the captain, the hotel director and other ship employees.

The next night we were asked to a private "jewelry" party - champagne & canapes which were ignored by us because we had just left the bistro eatery. They were showcasing some of their jewelry and perfume items. I didn't make a purchase but my friend did. Again, enjoyed visiting with some of the ship's crew.

The following day was our second day on Maui. This time we headed away from Lahaina, checking out other parts of the island. Just not enough time to see it all - our ship embarked waaay to soon.

Enjoyed dinner in the Italian restaurant again, this time being joined by a couple from upstate NY. It was fun chatting with them but haven't seen them since. The other lady & I had the lasagne which was excellent. As were the appetizers and salad. The service was slightly better the first night I thought.

Stopped by the Pink Cadillac Lounge and listened to the ship's pianist who was quite good. Also discovered, an after dinner drink not to be overly pricey - I think $5 or $5.50 for a Galliano, straight up.

Yesterday we were on the Kona side of the big island. Drove out to the Kona Village Resort - not exactly what I expected but really enjoyed the tour that Lahni gave us. Very stark, and, at the same time, lush grounds - start, black lava rock all around, but lush greenery around the hales. Each hale is very private, no phone, radios or tv's. They're covered in thatch and there were actually re-thatching a hale as we drove by (in a golf cart) yesterday. We also saw the lobby/registration area - outside, but covered, the luau site and the site where the weekly steak dinner is held. We also checked out the gym and spa (yes the Dilena's names were on the wall for the many, many times various family members have enjoyed this resort), swimming pool, beach, dining hale and bars. Looks like a very interesting place to stay - unusual, tranquil, relaxing yet very luxurious. The one hale we got to see had a very nice bathroom with tub, two sinks, and a large bed and sofa (perhaps it was a sofa bed I don't recall.) It's a ways out of town, so you'll need a car - also VERY hard to find. They're not allowed to post any signs on the highway so we did a bit of "wandering around."

That's it for now....more tomorrow - our last full day of our cruise - can't believe it's almost over.

Ta Ta....

Day 4...on NCL's Pride of America...

Hi all...

Quick update for last night and today (that network clock is a-tickin').

Day 4 means we're halfway through our cruise already Wow!

Dinner at one of the specialty restaurants was terrific - every bit as good as Le Bistro was on The Wind (to Alaska) back in Aug. '01. On this ship it's called Jefferson's Bistro - beautiful decor with dark woods. Served very elegantly, slow (but not too slow) pace and all very delicious.

Started out (after another very good breakfast in the Liberty Dining Room - dollar pancakes - don't see those very often any more.)

Started out by driving up to the Iao Needle, - no rain, no mist, just a high overcast. Stopped on the way down at a cafe which was still closed but right next door was a beautiful Japanese style building so we went there to explore. Turned out to be several things on the property - the first building was a little park and statuary to the first Japanese immigrants to the area, then we saw the Korean section and another small area for the Portuguese. What looked like a small chapel (perhaps Catholic for their faith) was locked but outside were statues of the Virgin Mary. No charge to get in and there were picnic tables & BBQ pits at each"building" - just a covered area. One family group enjoying a BBQ while we were there.

Next stop was an international market at the botanical gardens - beautiful location with a pond in the back. Many wedding ceremonies are held here. Yes, yes - bearing gifts back home. Fun to look at all the native items - but I put the ones back that said "Made in China."

Then, our daily stop at Starbucks (only once today!) Afterwards, we drove towards Kehei and Wailea and drove past the beach access area and in and out of various hotel properties. Hands down, the Fairmont Kea Lani gets my vote - elegant, beautiful lobby - you drive up and as you leave your car with the valet, you look through the lobby to the ocean beyond. The grounds are lush and very, very attractive. The water had whitecaps today so didn't see all the surfers we saw yesterday. Several golf courses but, like the ones I saw yesterday, the fairways on some seemed pretty dry. Hearing not much rain today.

Tonight we head back to dine at Little Italy and tomorrow we stop at Kona. We're going to visit the Kona Village Resort (will look for my families' pictures in the gym because they stay there so often.) Should be fun.

Aloha!

On NCL's Pride of America, Day 1, 2, 3

OK...


Just set up my pricey (very) internet account so this will be short but sweet.

Aloha from Maui - arrived here today and rented a car and drove from the airport area up to Napili, back toward Ka'anapali...dipped my toes in the Pacific - felt great...enjoyed lunch at Cheeseburger in Heaven. Truth be told - not the exact name, but it was great.

Found Lahaina VERY different - first/last time I was here the only thing there was the banyan tree and the monkey pod shop - if you wanted a soda, you went into the monkey pod shop. As I remember, it wasn't very cold. T'was a loooong time ago!

Day 1...

We arrived for our cruise after a fairly uneventful flight - but it did remind how different flying is post 9/11. I do NOT like taking my shoes off in a public airport. And, when I arrived at the ship, I found I had 3 (three) bottles of "liquid" in my purse that never were discovered???? Also, we heard the Oakland airport was on "high" terror alert - we were told it's always on "high" alert there???

Rented a car - got upgraded from a compact to an SUV and we took off towards the north side of the island - NW kind of area. Saw homes built on stilts, many with aluminum roofs, beautiful greenery - the bougainvillea here grows in many colors - hot pink, white, and orange. Got into a short downpour when we stopped at a shopping center for lunch - yes, Dairy Queen, Blimpie's, and Orange Julius are all alive and well in Hawaii. Also, checked out Walmart and picked up a throw-away camera, sunscreen, etc. Called a friend who used to live in Honolulu-that shopping center was very close to where she lived in.

Eventually, made our way to the ship, and got checked in and onboard fairly quickly. I ended up getting a private tour of all the public rooms (I was the ONLY passenger to show up) and Ricky from the cruise staff did a stellar job - great ship...beautiful main dining room - Liberty Dining Room, several bars, theatre, etc. Our room more than adequate for two and the balcony is terrific. It's not cantilevered like many of today's cruiseships and I liked that fact. Now, for 3 or 4 people in one room, the closet will be pretty small - my friend & I filled it up. (Partly, because we stopped at Ross in Hilo yesterday and we both added to our wardrobe.)

Managed to snag a reservation for the Italian eatery on board the first night - Little Italy. Absolutely superb!!!!! Earlier I had asked my "tour guide" if he thought the chef might make veal saltimbocca for me (wasn't on the menu Sat. night). He did and it was FAB. My father would have enjoyed the dinner very much - a risotto dish was on the menu and they served some with my entree - delish. The caesar salad included anchovies so I was in 7th Heaven! Too full to enjoy dessert so we'll have to find out what the "chocolate salami" is on another evening - we return to Little Italy on Wednesday evening.

A note on freestyle dining on NCL - altho it's proving to be very popular, I still prefer the traditional early or late seating with the same table mates every night. While Little Italy was fun and we had a good time, I would have enjoyed dining with more than one person.

A bit of frustration when we returned to our cabin for the night. We could NOT figure out how to turn out one of the lights - the really, really bright one. Finally about 2 am, my girlfriend DID manage to find that pesky light switch.

Day 2...

Yesterday was Hilo and we arrived about two hours late - Cap't. had announced over the loudspeaker that our "escort" boats hadn't arrived so we couldn't dock. Hmmm, three people onshore said there are no "tugboats" used...rumor abounded about problem with the ship motors????? So, lingered a bit on the ship and enjoyed a great breakfast (Matt was a terrific waiter) before disembarking and getting a rental car.

Drove through town (in another upgraded SUV) and saw a little Catholic church - buili in 1841...still has candles you can light (all the Catholic churches in California now have the little electric/battery lights). Found a great natural foods store where we enjoyed lunch (the Mexican eatery was closed on Sundays). Oh, and just prior to lunch we walked through a Farmers' Market and had the tiny, sweet bananas and I had a terrific tasting tomato - ate it right there in the market.

Stopped at Starbucks (my girlfriend needs at least two of these per day - we had checked out one in downtown Waikiki also on Saturday. Then we hit Ross and I added to my "cruising" wardrobe with some formal dresses. (I'm going to have to start doing the driving so we can avoid the shopping centers.)

Last night we ate at the Teppanyaki section of the Asian restaurant - excellent. Enjoyed the company of a couple living near San Diego, another from Oklahoma, and a younger couple from Boston on their honeymoon. Really enjoyed the interaction with other people while we dined. Their filet wa very, very good.

Wanted to take in the show but we were beat and were in bed quite early - before ten, and ya'll know what a nightowl I am.

Day 3

See above for some of the notes. Enjoyed another nice breakfast (smoked salmon - yummers) before heading off to the car rental place.

It's probably time to go because I've got to log onto my bank account to float a loan so I can buy more internet time.

Looking at dinner in the "something" bistro this evening. But, it will be at a table for two - I do wish we were eating with some of the people we've met. And, I'd like to run into that couple from San Diego - they were going zip-lining today and I want to hear all about it.

Ta Ta....more tomorrow - if I can get that loan.

Aloha.

Computers are - well funny

OK....

"Puters really are a bit strange.

Tried to sign in to post an article and it wouldn't let me sign in.

Tried getting here another way & I'm in.

Go figure.

Off to Hawaii next week - on the Pride of America, one of NCL's ships that sails the islands. Should be fun. Look for a blog or two if I can get some keyboard time.

lois@cruiseexperts.com

Freestyle....Personal Choice....As You Wish Dining

First, it was NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) to present freestyle dining (about '02...I sailed on the Wind in Alaska and I think it was their last season to have the early late seating.

Then, Princess debuted "Personal Choice Dining" - that give you a choice of the traditional early/late seatings or you can opt to dine wherever you like, whenever you like (within the hours the eatery is open) with whomever you like. Pretty popular - in '03, we requested a table for 8-10, only 5 people came.

Now, HAL (Holland America Line) has tried a model very similar to Princess on one ship and will roll it out fleetwide over the next few months.

So, what do YOU think?

How All-Inclusive Resorts Have Changed

Years ago the thought of an all-inclusive vacation brought up scenes of long lines at the buffet three times a day, volleyball, beads being used to pay for extras, and a rowdy atmosphere due to many guests taking advantage of the availability of adult drinks.Fast-forward to today’s all-inclusive vacations and resorts. Now it’s luxury all the way at many of these resorts – full service spas, cigar bars, a private butler, wine tasting and similar upscale amenities. New consumer trends are showing that patrons of the all-inclusive resort are wealthier than ever before. And, the resorts are catering to certain niche markets – honeymooners, couples, families, divers, golfers and so on.

Almost every all inclusive vacation company offers destination weddings. And, it’s not just for the happy couple and a few other family members and friends. These couples bring 50 or 60 (or more!) of their closest family and friends with them to enjoy a long weekend or an entire week participating in many more activities than just the nuptials. With the average US wedding costing from $26,000 to $30,000, it’s frequently less expensive to have a destination wedding. Often, the bride and groom will often remain at the resort for their honeymoon after the guests have gone home.

Remember Club Med of the 70’s? – the swinging singles scene. Now, it has gone after families in a big way. In just a few weeks, and after almost 25 million (USD) in renovations, the new Cancun Club Med will debut. The Club Med family properties are very well known for their excellent children’s programs for those 17 and under. Actually, one program starts with infants as young as four months. And, Beaches has children’s programs including Sesame Street activities for the younger set and XBox Oasis Game Centers for the teenagers. Palace Resorts, AMR and Karisma Resorts are three who are sticking mainly with the “adults only” scheme. The majority of their adult guests are looking for a sophisticated and relaxing vacation. Some staff-to-guest ratios are often as high as 2-to-1 in these resorts. They frequently offer 24-hour room service, expanded concierge service and upscale wines and liquors. And, the food scene is totally different from a decade ago. Today, you’ll find French bistros, sushi bars, Italian trattorias and teppanyaki dining spots along with a la carte dining. Resorts catering to families will still offer popular kid’s cuisine along with the more sophisticated adult fare.

All-inclusive vacations and resorts have never been very popular in the US. However, there is one in Crested Butte, Colorado, run by Club Med. Club Med also has one in Florida, the Sandpiper. Kona Village Resort on the big island in Hawaii can also be considered an all-inclusive resort - my family has vacationed there almost every year for over 25 years. Alaska is home to some all-inclusive resorts and hotels, which include meals, many amenities and tours, but usually charge for liquor and some excursions. Most of the all-inclusive resorts are in Mexico, the Caribbean, Asia and South America. All-inclusive vacations are a great way to keep to a budget, perhaps a very generous one, while on your holiday.

When Should I Book my Vacation

I feel like I'm a one-woman show who wants to advise EVERYONE to book their vacation 8 - 12 months out for the best value. Remember, great value, isn't always the lower price. If you save some money on a cheaper airline ticket but have to use an expensive cab to get you to your cruise ship or hotel, you might end up spending more money.

Today, the cruise ships sail out full, and, as the sailing date gets closer, the prices inch up. At "my" agency, we lower the price of your cruise fare if the price goes down between the time your place a deposit and final payment.

Location! Location! Location! Booking further out also allows you the best choice of your cabin. If it's a land-based vacation, you'll have your choice of, say, an "ocean view" or "lakeside" cabin instead of the less popular (although less expensive) "garden view" room.

Happy travel!

lois@cruiseexperts.com