Day one: Flew out of Chicago. 9-½ hrs to Hawaii. When we got there the airport had just opened after being closed for a torrential downpour. By the time we got our baggage and into the limo the skies cleared and stayed that way for every day of our trip. What a relief after all the rain we were seeing on the weather reports. Anyway it did rain at night a couple times on the ship. But it was way late and we were geezed from all day running around and it was kind of relaxing watching the rain fall from our balcony.

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Friday and hung out there till about 2:00 Saturday. What a place! Really nice and they upgraded us to an ocean front room (2605) just for being a Hilton honors member. What a view. Had dinner at the chart house this night. Great mahi and ahi. Try the guy tais.

So to the boat. I can only say this for myself -- but if you can wait till 2 or 3 to get on. We took a cab from HHV to the pier ($18.00) and baggage guys were just standing there waiting around. Make sure you have your baggage tags on your luggage and away they go. Read more