Our Hawaiian cruise holiday began with a two day
stay at the Miramar hotel in Waikiki.Buffet breakfast included as well as a Hawaiian Luau at
Paradise Cove,a guided bus tour of Honolulu and
Waikiki and of course a tour of Pearl Harbor.We
still had plenty of time on our own to do the beach
scene at Waikiki and do some shopping and haggling
at the International Market Place.Two full days well enjoyed.
Boarding the ALOHA was a fifteen minute breeze and
within twenty five minutes we were settling in our
inside stateroom minus our luggage which was delivered in about an hour.
By 2:30pm we were
having a buffet lunch on deck 11.Ample choices and
very satisfying.After exploring the ship and checking the shore excursions we had dinner at 6pm
at the Palace restaurant.Both food and service
exceded our expectations.Although the main menu did
not change for the next 7 days,they did have the
Chef's special every day.We decided to dine at the Palace restaurant every day and requested the services of the same attendants each day at the
same time and table.Our menu choices each day
were quite tasteful and well presented.The dishes
were served hot and in a quick timely manner.
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We had all our breakfasts and lunches at the buffet on deck 11 and there was no shortage of
anything.Watered down orange and cranberry juice
were the order of the day and the problem could not
be fixed at all.
The Island of Kauai was beautiful,the weather great and our tour of the island fantastic.
Next,the Big Island.We did a tour in Hilo and in
Kona, also sailed by the active volcano at 10pm
and were awed by the fires and lava flows.Here also
the weather was perfect.
Next to Maui for 2 days.The morning started out with light rain,but by the time we boarded our tour
bus it had cleared up and the remainder of our stay
on Maui was sunny an hot.We did the" Best of Maui"
tour one day and a local shopping tour on our own.
Be aware Maui is a very windy place.
Back on Oahu the next day.The disembarkation was
swift and only then it struck us how quickly 7 days
aboard the ALOHA had gone by....Jan.9 to 16
I was not specific about our tours and visits
because everybody has their own preferences and
being a bit elderly we prefered easy and casual
rather than sports etc.I must say we were blessed
with great weather,calm seas,fine food and exceptional service by the staff of ALOHA
After reading all the reports on the ALOHA problems
I hope all those who cruise after us, experience a
great time like we had.
This was our 4th cruise..... the others being to the Caribbean and Alaska with Princess,Celebrity,
and Carnival.
