This was our 5th cruise, second with Norwegian. We used Roberts of Hawaii for shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. We stayed pre cruise at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Honolulu. This met our needs perfectly as we spent 5 days touring Oahu before the cruise. It was close to the beach and away from the hustle and bustle of the Waikiki strip. Enjoyed our one dinner and one breakfast in the hotel. The room was clean, bed comfortable and staff friendly. We walked down the strip and dined at various restaura for our other meals.

We did not pre-book our shore excursions for Oahu and ended up booking them with the consultant in the lobby. This was a big mistake. She told us tours were almost sold out and sold us the most expensive options. Our first tour bus was almost empty. We really enjoyed the North Shore tour however, but could have done without the bland buffet provided. The second tour, the Polynesian cultural center was ok, however, the tour guides used the same jokes, same information that the guide the day before used. The acts at the Center also used the same jokes and provided the same information as the 2 tour guides on the buses. The Big Kahuna luau was just ok. The setting was at a previously private estate on Tantalis . The food was so so and similar to the buffet lunch from the first tour we took. The jokes and information at the luau were the same as the previous two days. We were getting so we could have performed for them. Then, when we got on the ship the first Hula act in the theatre was the exact same group that performed at the Big Kahuna luau. Same jokes , same information....oh my!

Embarkation was good. Took a taxis to the port from the hotel for $27. We went right at 1230 , so the line up was long. Read more