< Continued from page 2
We hung out there for a few hours and then we headed just down the beach a quarter mile to Royal Lahaina Resort where we would get to enjoy our first Hawaiian Luau. We arrived to a shell lei greeting, and I had paid $15 extra per person to have "Premier seating" which also included free cocktails and seating in the bar from 4-6pm while everyone else waited outside in line. Best money ever spent! We also got to sit at the front tables for the show and eat first at the buffet.
Well worth it if you can get it. I had to call to get the premier seating at 1.800.222.5642 This was very cool and entertaining and a must see on your first trip to Hawaii. The kuhlia pig was excellent, but the entertainment and open bar was what you paid for. We also got to take beautiful sunset photos after dinner - they also offer portraits at sunset available after the show for purchase. They had a few authentic Hawaiian artists there displaying their jewelry, palm hats, woven baskets, carved wood, etc. and they offer a DVD of the Luau. We loved driving back to the boat with the cool breeze under the moonlight. It was exhilarating. It is about a half hour coastline drive from Lahaina to the Boat Pier. We left our "beauty" parked alongside the road near our pier along with about 500 other rental cars. Good luck finding somewhere to park.
MAUI DAY #2 - Thursday, May 31st
Today we decided to do our first "excursion" although we did not use any of the boat's overpriced options. We got up really early and ate breakfast at the buffet again to be at our 8am shove off for Molokini Crater.
We paid about $75 each for the Fair Winds II to take us out to the crater, serve us a bagel/fresh fruit/juice breakfast and a tasty Burger/Chicken BBQ with chips and drinks lunch. The boat was a little crowded with at least 80 people. They set the fishing lines up and showed us photos of a big 40-pound marlin they caught last week - we were not that lucky! The Crater Snorkeling was awesome, and it wasn't scary at all for me (a first timer) because there were at least 500 other snorkelers in the water - why would that shark pick me over all of them? I felt safe being surrounded by people.
The fish were friendly and the boat offered a professional underwater photographer/videographer too. That was really cool! She took photos of everyone underwater and then also made a DVD with the entire trip on it, including the passengers, crew, narrated scenery, and underwater footage of us and the marine life she could capture. The DVD and CD with photos on it were available to purchase for $55 or separately at $32 each. They also rented out wetsuits for $5 (the water was cold for me) and nice digital underwater cameras for $22. Really great crew and hilarious captain Jack. The boat was nice (a little run down) with a glass bottom for the kids and non-snorkelers to see too and outfitted with all kinds of flotation devices to help the amateurs like myself.
On the way home to the docks, we went to "Turtle Town" and saw lots of huge Green sea turtles. Got up close and personal with them and took lots of great photos. Thanks Captain Jack and the Fair Winds II Crew!
After that we took a drive down on the South Side and hit Wailea Beach, and let me tell you, that was the most beautiful beach ever! We parked at the beach access lot right next to the Four Seasons and their hotel grounds are amazing. Everyone chooses their hot spot to come back to and this is mine. I loved this beach and the atmosphere, although I am sure it is spendy. Just checked www.tripadvisor.com and the rooms go for $643 a night and it is rated #1... so that is why I loved it! We always want what we cannot have! My husband snorkeled around the point there and loved it - said it was just like molokini crater without the $75 boat ride, same visibility and fish and even swam with a huge sea turtle. He loved it! We drove around the neighborhoods and can't imagine being lucky enough to have some of these houses and views! WOW! Talk about prime real estate!
We headed back for home and took a new road (Mokulele Hwy) to the airport/rental car return (no GPS folks, remember). We drove past a big sugar plant which was very cool to see. I heard that Costco had the cheapest gas on the islands and right before the airport there it was. Also a Walmart right there. Some soda lovers got sick of paying $2 a pop and bought 12 packs and carried it on the boat - that Walmart could come in handy. We found the ABC stores pretty much everywhere and real close to all the ship piers - decent prices too.
Got back on the ship about 5pm and heard that tonight was prime rib and lobster night at all the restaurants, and that Alizar was completely empty right then - so instead of the buffet we headed there in our flip flops and snorkel hair for a fancy dinner (no dress code) A little embarrassing since as we were eating, more people came and that night was formal night - oh well.
After, we headed up to our massage appointments. The spa was really nice, and the staff was excellent. They messed up our appointment time, but got us in anyways and compensated the entire charge. My hubby got sunburnt, and they used a special cooling lotion on him. They also gave us free spa passes with access to the private Jacuzzi, heated lounge chairs, steam room, and an awesome view at the front of the boat. Just for a few minutes of inconvenience!
Our dinner experience that night was awesome! We went to Teppanyaki and had the most fabulous chef/entertainer possible. Too bad I can't remember his name. You sit at a table with only 8 people and he cooks your meal right in front of you. The knives are chopping, and the rice is flying at this place. We loved it all! All of the couples at our table were celebrating anniversaries, and they gave us a special cake to share (I think they give everyone one if you tell them it is a special occasion). This restaurant has a $20 cover charge but it was worth every penny, plus that night was half-off night at all the specialty restaurants. We loved the shrimp and steak and the ginger sauce. Delicious and very fun! If you go to any of the cover charge places GO THERE!
Page 4 > > More of NCL Pride of Hawaii Cruise Review > >
We hung out there for a few hours and then we headed just down the beach a quarter mile to Royal Lahaina Resort where we would get to enjoy our first Hawaiian Luau. We arrived to a shell lei greeting, and I had paid $15 extra per person to have "Premier seating" which also included free cocktails and seating in the bar from 4-6pm while everyone else waited outside in line. Best money ever spent! We also got to sit at the front tables for the show and eat first at the buffet.
Well worth it if you can get it. I had to call to get the premier seating at 1.800.222.5642 This was very cool and entertaining and a must see on your first trip to Hawaii. The kuhlia pig was excellent, but the entertainment and open bar was what you paid for. We also got to take beautiful sunset photos after dinner - they also offer portraits at sunset available after the show for purchase. They had a few authentic Hawaiian artists there displaying their jewelry, palm hats, woven baskets, carved wood, etc. and they offer a DVD of the Luau. We loved driving back to the boat with the cool breeze under the moonlight. It was exhilarating. It is about a half hour coastline drive from Lahaina to the Boat Pier. We left our "beauty" parked alongside the road near our pier along with about 500 other rental cars. Good luck finding somewhere to park.
MAUI DAY #2 - Thursday, May 31st
Today we decided to do our first "excursion" although we did not use any of the boat's overpriced options. We got up really early and ate breakfast at the buffet again to be at our 8am shove off for Molokini Crater.
We paid about $75 each for the Fair Winds II to take us out to the crater, serve us a bagel/fresh fruit/juice breakfast and a tasty Burger/Chicken BBQ with chips and drinks lunch. The boat was a little crowded with at least 80 people. They set the fishing lines up and showed us photos of a big 40-pound marlin they caught last week - we were not that lucky! The Crater Snorkeling was awesome, and it wasn't scary at all for me (a first timer) because there were at least 500 other snorkelers in the water - why would that shark pick me over all of them? I felt safe being surrounded by people.
The fish were friendly and the boat offered a professional underwater photographer/videographer too. That was really cool! She took photos of everyone underwater and then also made a DVD with the entire trip on it, including the passengers, crew, narrated scenery, and underwater footage of us and the marine life she could capture. The DVD and CD with photos on it were available to purchase for $55 or separately at $32 each. They also rented out wetsuits for $5 (the water was cold for me) and nice digital underwater cameras for $22. Really great crew and hilarious captain Jack. The boat was nice (a little run down) with a glass bottom for the kids and non-snorkelers to see too and outfitted with all kinds of flotation devices to help the amateurs like myself.
On the way home to the docks, we went to "Turtle Town" and saw lots of huge Green sea turtles. Got up close and personal with them and took lots of great photos. Thanks Captain Jack and the Fair Winds II Crew!
After that we took a drive down on the South Side and hit Wailea Beach, and let me tell you, that was the most beautiful beach ever! We parked at the beach access lot right next to the Four Seasons and their hotel grounds are amazing. Everyone chooses their hot spot to come back to and this is mine. I loved this beach and the atmosphere, although I am sure it is spendy. Just checked www.tripadvisor.com and the rooms go for $643 a night and it is rated #1... so that is why I loved it! We always want what we cannot have! My husband snorkeled around the point there and loved it - said it was just like molokini crater without the $75 boat ride, same visibility and fish and even swam with a huge sea turtle. He loved it! We drove around the neighborhoods and can't imagine being lucky enough to have some of these houses and views! WOW! Talk about prime real estate!
We headed back for home and took a new road (Mokulele Hwy) to the airport/rental car return (no GPS folks, remember). We drove past a big sugar plant which was very cool to see. I heard that Costco had the cheapest gas on the islands and right before the airport there it was. Also a Walmart right there. Some soda lovers got sick of paying $2 a pop and bought 12 packs and carried it on the boat - that Walmart could come in handy. We found the ABC stores pretty much everywhere and real close to all the ship piers - decent prices too.
Got back on the ship about 5pm and heard that tonight was prime rib and lobster night at all the restaurants, and that Alizar was completely empty right then - so instead of the buffet we headed there in our flip flops and snorkel hair for a fancy dinner (no dress code) A little embarrassing since as we were eating, more people came and that night was formal night - oh well.
After, we headed up to our massage appointments. The spa was really nice, and the staff was excellent. They messed up our appointment time, but got us in anyways and compensated the entire charge. My hubby got sunburnt, and they used a special cooling lotion on him. They also gave us free spa passes with access to the private Jacuzzi, heated lounge chairs, steam room, and an awesome view at the front of the boat. Just for a few minutes of inconvenience!
Our dinner experience that night was awesome! We went to Teppanyaki and had the most fabulous chef/entertainer possible. Too bad I can't remember his name. You sit at a table with only 8 people and he cooks your meal right in front of you. The knives are chopping, and the rice is flying at this place. We loved it all! All of the couples at our table were celebrating anniversaries, and they gave us a special cake to share (I think they give everyone one if you tell them it is a special occasion). This restaurant has a $20 cover charge but it was worth every penny, plus that night was half-off night at all the specialty restaurants. We loved the shrimp and steak and the ginger sauce. Delicious and very fun! If you go to any of the cover charge places GO THERE!
Page 4 > > More of NCL Pride of Hawaii Cruise Review > >
Source...