Kids enjoy action of all kinds -- especially when it takes place outdoors.
For that reason, Hawaii is a great cruise destination for families. While there
are always plenty of Hawaiian beaches to relax on if you have infants, toddlers,
or pre-schoolers, we found Hawaii best suited to grammar school children and teens
who can partake in some of the unique activities ashore.
During our weeklong cruise within the Hawaiian islands aboard Norwegian Cruise
Line's Norwegian Star, we went snorkeling, cavorted in natural thermal springs,
visited an orchid farm, and explored the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific,"
to name just a few of the shore-side activities.
I strongly suggest extending your trip in Honolulu prior to your cruise since
there are many things to do with children in and around this tropical city. Since
we live on the East Coast, our two days in Honolulu gave us more time to adjust
to the six-hour time difference prior to the cruise. Naturally, Waikiki Beach
offers plenty of surf and water sports to keep kids happy. We stayed at the Hilton
Hawaiian Village, a huge, beautifully landscaped resort overlooking the shores
of Waikiki with Diamond Head crater in the distance. If you are there on a Friday
night, you will be treated to a complimentary Hawaiian show poolside topped off
with fireworks.
You will need a rental car to properly explore Honolulu and environs. Our favorite
excursion was to the Polynesian Cultural Center, a 1-1/2 hour drive to the northeastern
side of Oahu. This 42-acre spot features seven different Polynesian island cultures:
Hawaii, Fiji, Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa, Aetearoa (New Zealand), and Tonga. Each
culture has its own simulated village where there are a number of fun activities
going on at any time. For example, in Samoa, my 10-year-old daughter Alexandra
got a kick out of the young man who scampered up a coconut tree and then opened
a coconut using only his hands and a small stone. In the village representing
Aetearoa, two-year-old Ethan loved trying to whirl the poi balls, which are small
balls attached to a braided rope. The highlights, however, include the 2:30 p.m.
"Rainbows of Paradise" canoe pageant that showcases each culture through
costumes and dance, and the "Horizons" night show with more than 100
performers.
En route to the cultural center, stop off at the Dole Pineapple Plantation,
about a 40-minute drive from Waikiki. Besides learning about a working pineapple
plantation, kids can blow off steam in the world's largest maze. Make sure you
hold on tight to little ones' hands in the maze -- one of our nephews recently
got lost when we were exploring a corn maze in the Midwest!
Grade school children can appreciate the importance of the Battleship Arizona
Memorial located in Pearl Harbor. Since this is a world-renowned site, get there
well before it opens in the morning to avoid long lines. You will receive a timed
ticket for viewing the short documentary film, followed by the launch ride to
the poignant Arizona Memorial. Also in Pearl Harbor is the USS Missouri, known
as "Mighty Mo." Youngsters enjoy exploring this massive, seven-deck
naval ship, which was instrumental in many wars and the site of the Japanese surrender
at the end of WWII.
Kauai
I strongly suggest renting a car on this island since there are many attractions
to visit from the port of Nawiliwili. Car rental companies provide shuttles that
took us to the nearby airport to rent a car for the day, which cost only about
$50. If you factor in how much shore excursions cost for a family of four, this
is a real bargain. For those who prefer not to rent a car, Kalapaki Beach is only
a 10-minute walk from the pier. Located by the Marriott hotel, this is a nice
town beach.
Kauai's best beach life, however, centers around Poipu Beach, a 30-minute drive
from the pier. This resort area is full of family-friendly beaches where you can
ride horses, bicycle, or rent snorkel equipment. Make sure you stop at Spouting
Horn geyser, a lava tube located surfside that shoots water as high as 50 feet.
We spent most of our day exploring breathtaking Waimea Canyon. Dubbed the Grand
Canyon of the Pacific, it has many lookout points along the winding roadway. This
is a wonderful spot to take a family photo, with the many-hued peaks and valleys
as a backdrop. On the way back to return the car at the airport, we stopped at
Wailua Falls.
While a number of families on our cruise rented cars for the day, one family
went on a shore excursion called the Hule'ia River Kayak Adventure. This active
journey featured a 45-minute kayak ride to Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge. There,
participants went ashore for a half-mile hike in the rain forest. Numerous films,
including Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark, have been filmed on Kauai.
Thus, the highlight of this excursion for kids is that they can swing from vines
that were featured in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Maui
If your children are into volcanoes, you might want to take an excursion to
Haleakula Crater, the world's largest dormant volcano, offering fabulous views.
You can also opt for the exciting Haleakula Skyline tour, which features high
flying "ziplines" over vegetation and waterfalls. (Note: You must
be at least 12 years old and 80 pounds to participate in the latter.)
An interesting twist on experiencing a volcano is the shore excursion to Molakini
Crater, where you can snorkel right in the crater! Home to myriad fish and coral,
this is a unique spot to witness marine life, and the waters are very gentle for
beginning snorkelers.
The well-known Maui Ocean Center is perfect for families, especially those
with younger children. A free shuttle bus runs between the pier and the center,
which is known as the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
One of the highlights is a lucite tube where large fish swim overhead.
Another option is Iao Valley, known as the Yosemite of the Pacific. This is
a good place to explore by foot since there are many easy hikes there as well
as a family-friendly visitor center. The most photographed spot is Iao Needle,
a 1,200-foot rock formation.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers day-long shuttle service from the port of Kahalui
into atmospheric Lahaina. Tendering into Lahaina is difficult, so instead the
line offers a 45 minute shuttle, which is free for those holding a shore excursion
ticket but costs $20 for those without a ticket. We felt Lahaina was worth the
trip. This port town harks back to its heyday in the 1800s as a vibrant whaling
town. Today it is full of quaint shops and is a great spot for strolling, shopping,
and enjoying some food or drink while overlooking the harbor. The town also features
the Hawaii Experience Domed Theater, where you can see 45-minute films that make
you feel as if you are moving along with the action. Your kids might enjoy exploring
the Carthaginian II Floating Museum, housed in a 19th-century square-rigger of
the same name. This spot traces Hawaii's whaling history.
My daughter and I went to the nighttime luau sold through NCL, but found it
was not worth the money. The excursion is long, although it doesn't take much
time to eat the buffet food and see the short dance show. We thought the Polynesian
dance troupe on the ship gave an even better performance -- and it's free.
Hawaii, "The Big Island"
Since the port of Hilo is on the rainy side of the island, I suggest either
renting a car or taking an excursion that will transport you away from this rather
nondescript town. Alex and I went on a shore excursion called Eco Safari and Snorkel
and we found it varied and active.
First we learned all about orchids at Hawaii Orchids, which cultivates these
delicate plants and ships them worldwide. Then we stopped at Lava Tree State Park,
where lava once flowed over a rain forest, leaving trees that now look like lava
statues. Next stop was Kapoho Coral Gardens, a perfect spot for beginners to learn
how to snorkel, since the water is shallow and protected from waves. Alex and
the other kids on the tour got a kick out of our last stop at Ahalanui Park, home
to a natural geothermal pool.
My husband John and son Ethan went on a short excursion to lush Hawaii Tropical
Botanical Garden. John enjoyed strolling the paths amid tropical foliage while
Ethan got a kick out of the exotic birds.
If you rent a car, you can easily get to the Botanical Garden on your own,
as well as the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Plantation five miles from Hilo. You can
tour the Mauna Loa orchards as well as the nut processing and candy factories.
Youngsters who have ridden a horse before will like an excursion into Waipo
Valley, known as cowboy country. Your family can also opt for the mule drawn wagon
ride through this scenic countryside.
I heard mixed reactions from parents who have taken their children to Volcanoes
National Park. If your child is fascinated by science and nature, you may want
to visit this unique park, full of active and inactive volcanoes. Some children,
however, think all the hardened black lava looks alike after a while. If you do
go, make sure you walk through Thurston Lava Tube for an up-close view of how
lava cuts through the ground and forms a tube along the way.
Future Aloha
Our only regret was that we didn't take any of the helicopter rides over
the waterfalls, canyons and volcanoes of this tropical paradise. (Note that some
age or weight restrictions may apply.) This, however, gives us all the more reason
to return to Hawaii one day. With its varied, exciting natural wonders, it still
offers plenty we have yet to explore together as a family.
