Well the trip started off at 3:30 in the morning waking to an alarm clock, loading the van and my wife Kellie driving to the airport in KC,Mo. After arriving and doing the baggage checks and PAYING for the bags to be checked (What a rip off !!!),(United Airlines), They also threatened to cut the locks off the bags if they were locked!, what good is a lock thats unlocked?, Anyway, we boarded the plane to Denver, the flight was smooth and safe. There we had a 2 1/2 hr. lay over to the connecting flight to Honolulu,Hi., The flight was boarded smoothly, It is a Lo-n-g. Flight to say it mildly. 6 1/2 hrs in a seat, wow!. Finally arrived in Honolulu, were we were met by a guy holding up a sign with "pride of america" on it, we followed him to a van which he took us to the ship !, Boarding the ship was a breeze, Champagne was handed to us as we walked aboard and of course photos were taken by the ships picture gurus. Off to our room we went unloading the baggage we had carried aboard with us , unpacked all our stuff and off to the bar we went. Later that night we dined at the Liberty Restaurant which was fantastic !, the service was prompt and the food was great! The staff as busy as they were talked with us when we asked questions and were very nice and polite. The food and deserts were splendid!!! After dinner we were off to our cabin to sleep off the jet lag from the day on the plane. Next day we didn't know what we were doing that day so we asked my sister who was in the cabin next to us, (OH...did I mention we were traveling with EIGHT people from our family!!!! all on the same floor!!!) we booked most of the same excursions as they did, Lahaina on your own was great and we enjoyed it. We rode on a train and went to eat at Bubba Gumps Restaurant., walked around town and shopped at the local stores. We also visited Wal-Mart when we were in Maui, they have most of the stuff you would find in the gift shops at a much LOWER price! and they give you a FREE ride right from the ship to Wal-Mart and back to the ship!. You had better plan on spending at least a minimum of $1500 on shore excursions and drinks and Tips for the week which the automatically charge to your sail and sign card.

We took a bus tour and did botanical gardens tour, which was beautiful also, except they cut it short and rushed us back to the bus that took us there, I think they cut the excursion times down to save themselves $$$, but still are charging us the same $$$.

The bus driver was polite and very friendly stopping for people who wanted a special photo of the shoreline or statue. she even stopped for a blow hole which you gotta see for your self to believe it, the sound and the site is breathtaking. I have to say it Our room steward Edward was the greatest, he made us animals from towels every night and kept our room spotless. Hats off to you...Edward. They need to commend you on your service to guests. Well I cant remember all the excursions but they were great especially the Luau, which was supposed to be OUTDOORS and was indoors. They didn't bury a hog in the ground like they advertised in the little clips on NCL's website, also, showing the show OUTDOORS !, The food was OK, not good, tasted like it had been out for hours, NOT hot. I disliked the food at this show. The show itself was very nice and the Hawaiian music was cool too. My nephew proposed to his fiance at the show on stage on his knee in front of 1000 or more people ! The whole crowd cheered and clapped! With the fellowship of family the trip was a grand success, thankyou to My Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Frank in Florida for this trip, wish you could have come. I love you more. Hopefully my wife Kellie will take me on another NCL cruise soon. Bye Bye Rick Baker Somewhere near K.C., Missouri