Once upon a time – that is, in the ‘90s – Hawaii was a fairy-tale trip for Debra and me. We talked and dreamed about going, but we were a young(er) couple with two children and couldn’t figure out the “when and how” of a trip to the Islands. Then, in 1998, we hit on a plausible “when” for this trip – our 25th wedding anniversary, which we would celebrate the next year. And the “how?” There was only one option that would allow us to see the Islands, rather than just one island – a cruise!
After a bit of research, we found an affordable seven-day cruise on the USS Independence, a smaller ship (designed to carry 1,000 passengers) operated by American Hawaii Cruises. There were five port stops on four islands – Honolulu (Oahu), Hilo and Kona (The Big Island), Nawiliwili (Kauai), and Lahaina (Maui). We added a few days in Waikiki ahead of the cruise, and included our children, David and Jill.
It was a great trip for many reasons, not the least of which was that Debra and I renewed our wedding vows on board the Independence, with our children as “witnesses.”
That was the first of many trips to Hawaii for Debra and me. In fact, we've visited Hawaii more than any other place we traveled to – five times through 2016, all cruises. A trip to the Islands never gets old!
Last November, I received a spam email advertising a cruise. Generally, I delete junk email as fast as I can read the subject, but this one caught my attention because…well, It Must Be Wanderlust! You see, I tend to look at all emails, junk or not, that has something to do with travel. After all, I never know where the inspiration for my next trip might come from.
My curiosity piqued, I opened the email. It promoted a 15-night cruise to Hawaii. “Gee, we’ve been there five times,” I thought. My index finger hovered over the delete key, and I was about to press it when I spotted “the hook” – the thing about this promotion that made me read on: the cost was less than $1,200 per person for an oceanview cabin. I did the quick math -- $80 a day for room, board, and entertainment. This was a real deal! I asked Debra if she would like to take another cruise to Hawaii. In truth, it was a rhetorical question, because I already knew her answer. “YES!” she said in a heartbeat. And with that, I booked passage on the Star Princess for January 2020.
After a bit of research, we found an affordable seven-day cruise on the USS Independence, a smaller ship (designed to carry 1,000 passengers) operated by American Hawaii Cruises. There were five port stops on four islands – Honolulu (Oahu), Hilo and Kona (The Big Island), Nawiliwili (Kauai), and Lahaina (Maui). We added a few days in Waikiki ahead of the cruise, and included our children, David and Jill.
It was a great trip for many reasons, not the least of which was that Debra and I renewed our wedding vows on board the Independence, with our children as “witnesses.”
That was the first of many trips to Hawaii for Debra and me. In fact, we've visited Hawaii more than any other place we traveled to – five times through 2016, all cruises. A trip to the Islands never gets old!
Last November, I received a spam email advertising a cruise. Generally, I delete junk email as fast as I can read the subject, but this one caught my attention because…well, It Must Be Wanderlust! You see, I tend to look at all emails, junk or not, that has something to do with travel. After all, I never know where the inspiration for my next trip might come from.
My curiosity piqued, I opened the email. It promoted a 15-night cruise to Hawaii. “Gee, we’ve been there five times,” I thought. My index finger hovered over the delete key, and I was about to press it when I spotted “the hook” – the thing about this promotion that made me read on: the cost was less than $1,200 per person for an oceanview cabin. I did the quick math -- $80 a day for room, board, and entertainment. This was a real deal! I asked Debra if she would like to take another cruise to Hawaii. In truth, it was a rhetorical question, because I already knew her answer. “YES!” she said in a heartbeat. And with that, I booked passage on the Star Princess for January 2020.
The Star wasn’t the largest ship in the Princess fleet (just 2,600 guests), nor was it the newest ship (launched in 2001; refurbished in 2017), but it was a grand ship. In fact, it was a part of the Grand class of ships that Princess began to operate in 1998. Debra and I have sailed on many of the Princess ships in this class, including the Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, and Grand Princess. Oh! We also sailed on the Star Princess. Not once but twice, and to Hawaii both times, in 2013 and 2016. We love the Grand-class ships – just the right size with well-designed public spaces. On board the Star, we learned that it will be transferred to P&O Australia (another brand of Carnival Corporation) at the end of 2021 – so this cruise was likely the last time we would sail on this ship.
The itinerary was round trip from San Pedro, the cruise port just south of Los Angeles. There were four sea days from LA to Hilo, the first port of call. On successive days we docked in Honolulu, Nawiliwili, and Lahaina. We then sailed from Maui to Ensenada (Mexico) – five more sea days and a day in port. The cruise ended with an overnight sailing to San Pedro.
We explored the four Hawaiian Islands – The Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. New sights and new experiences even though we had been to the islands many times. And we enjoyed our sea days - we ate, attended enrichment programs, watched a variety of entertainers, played games, and talked.
Back home from the cruise, Debra told me that she was glad I had paused, with my finger hovering over the delete key, when I received that spam email. You see, we had a wonderful time on this cruise! I look forward to sharing our experiences and memories with you.
My Stories, One Port at a Time
I will post stories from each port of call, with a new story every month or so.
I will post stories from each port of call, with a new story every month or so.
The Orchid Isle
Halona Blowhole
Waimea Canyon
An Afternoon in Ensenada
The Valley Isle
A Tale as Old as Time
