I really liked Princess when I cruised on her. But I haven't cruised on Holland America. So I will base this on intinerary. Based on this I would take the Golden Princess which has less ports with more time in port. However, I would check to see if these ships cruise Mount Kilauea at night. I heard that is amazing.
Golden Princess shows this:Ports of Call
Arrival Departure
1 Los Angeles, California --- 4:00 p.m.
2 At Sea --- ---
3 At Sea --- ---
4 At Sea --- ---
5 At Sea --- ---
6 Hilo, Hawaii 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
7 Honolulu, Oahu 7:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
8 Port Allen (Nawiwili), Kauai 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
9 Lahaina, Maui 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
10 At Sea --- ---
11 At Sea --- ---
12 At Sea --- ---
13 At Sea --- ---
14 Ensenada, Mexico 1:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
15 Los Angeles, California 7:00 a.m. ---
Zaandam shows:Ports of Call
Arrival Departure
1 San Diego, California --- 5:00 p.m.
2 At Sea --- ---
3 At Sea --- ---
4 At Sea --- ---
5 At Sea --- ---
6 Hilo, Hawaii 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
7 Lahaina, Maui 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
8 Port Allen (Nawiwili), Kauai 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
9 Honolulu, Oahu 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
10 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
11 At Sea --- ---
12 At Sea --- ---
13 At Sea --- ---
14 At Sea --- ---
15 Ensenada, Mexico 8:00 p.m. 11:59 p.m.
16 San Diego, California 7:00 a.m. ---
__________________ One part age; three parts liquor!
Freedom of the Seas 2012
Carnival Splendor 2010
Carnival Freedom 2008
Carnival Elation 2007
Celebrity Infinity 2006
Carnival Ecstasy 2005
Carnival Paradise 2004
Star Princess 2003
Viking Serenade 1994
We've done the HAL itinerary and loved it. Days at sea crossing the Pacific were filled with activities, many educational rather than typical cruise ship silliness....not that we did a lot of them. A true sampling of the islands. I loved Kona. Then, more days at sea to rest and recuperate. Best vacation of my life.
Marty
We've done the HAL itinerary and loved it. Days at sea crossing the Pacific were filled with activities, many educational rather than typical cruise ship silliness....not that we did a lot of them. A true sampling of the islands. I loved Kona. Then, more days at sea to rest and recuperate. Best vacation of my life.
Marty
Did you cruise Mount Kilauea at night?
__________________ One part age; three parts liquor!
Freedom of the Seas 2012
Carnival Splendor 2010
Carnival Freedom 2008
Carnival Elation 2007
Celebrity Infinity 2006
Carnival Ecstasy 2005
Carnival Paradise 2004
Star Princess 2003
Viking Serenade 1994
Yes, we did. Amazing to see that bright lava pop up against the dark mountainside. Awesome. I was disappointed that we didn't get closer until I learned that when lava hits saltwater, it creates airborne sulphuric acid. Then, I was totally okay with not being close!
Marty
Both ships sail from Hilo in the evening and anchor at Lahaina the following day so I'm sure you get Kilauea at night.
You really can't go wrong with either. We love both Princess and HAL. HAl is more gracious and more nautical. Princess is more for families with kids. An older crowd on Holland , but on this cruise there will be lots of families too. Holland has better food. You will get far more educational lectures etc on Holland than Princess. both are great. you can't miss
Bon Voyage
__________________
RichStacy
Landlocked in Denver, but cruisin every chance we get.
Polynesia, Carib. '86
Cr. Odyssey, Scandinavia, '91, 30 Day S Pac. 2002
Crystal Harm, Aust., N.Z., '94
Royal Odyssey, AK,'96
Old Cr. Pr. Canal, '97
RCCL, Carib, 1998
Volendam, Car, 2000
Ryndam, 35 day S. Am., Antarctica, '03
Is. Pr., Canal, 2004
Statendam, 34 day China, Japan, AK '06
Cr.Pr., Carib. 08
Eurodam, Atlantic, Med. '10 Golden Princess
Do let us know how you like it! My wife and I were thinking of doing a Hawaiian cruise in the future and would love to hear the reports from those who have taken them!
__________________
Caribbean Princess 07
Carnival Valor Feb. 08
Carnival Holiday Dec 08
Carnival Triumph Feb 09
Island Princess coming in Nov. 2009
For our March Hawaii cruise, we looked at HAL and Princess. However, we ended out booking Celebrity. We were offered a Concierge class cabin and an onboard credit and that sealed the deal for us.
Hawaii Cruise - Holland America or Princess?
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