We are mid-50s, experienced cruisers, twice on Carnival and three times on Celebrity.  Both were better cruise lines than NCL, but it was a convenient economical way to see Hawaii.  It is way too expensive to fly to different islands, not to mention time lost in airports waiting for planes.  Hawaii is drop-dead gorgeous, beautiful water and flowers and unusual trees and friendly people everywhere.  It's darn near impossible not to have a good time.

SHIP:

We sailed on Pride of America May 2-8.  We flew into Honolulu a day early, rented a car and drove around the island.  We stayed in the Hotel Renew, No. 1 rated hotel on TripAdvisor, it was great.  Ate dinner at the Hau Tree, excellent and very lovely atmosphere.  We loved the North Shore, saw a huge sea turtle sunning himself on the sand, visited with a friendly young lifeguard who would make teen girls swoon.  Honolulu is a beautiful city, full of shops, parks, flowers, and smiling surfers and tourists. Read more