We took this tour with our 7 and 9 year boys, and had a great time. It was our first cruise and we were there to see Hawaii, so all the negatives about this cruiseline were not an issue. We were in room 8138 ( balcony) on the Right hand side of the boat. Levels 8 and 9 are good levels. From our room we were facing the mainland for most of the trip and had mobile / cell signal. The rooms are small with limited places to store luggage. I was glad we took a duffel bags which collapsed to store. No water is allowed to be brought back on board. I took a water bottle and filled it with the melted ice cube water every morning, to get us by until we could buy more water.

We received a specialty meals package as an inclusion when we booked (kids get free kids meals at the specialty restaurants). I had to book the 6 pm time slot well in advance -8 weeks before the cruise. Meals at the specialty restaurants (and skyline) take over 1 1/2 hours to be served your 4 courses. The kids only took 15 minutes to eat their 2 courses then were bored. Eating here also means you cannot get to the 7pm show. With children the buffet is the best option. Yes the food and service is inconsistent. Some meals and servers fantastic some meals and servers not great. This also occurred in the specialty restaurants. Shows were a mixture of family friendly/ younger adults ( comedian, magic, Polynesian dancing) to aimed at the over 60s (tribute shows)

We hired a car at Maui and Kauai airports, a shuttle bus for each company does a continuous circuit to the pier and back to the airport. You can park overnight at the airport for $15 and take the shuttle back. In Kauai the ships docks at 10 am so everyone gets off at once and the shuttle bus line is huge. My husband got a taxi with those in line next to us for $12 and to beat the line at the dock and then at the rental place. Money well spent. All the hire car places are in a line on the same street, but you can only use the shuttle for your company. Read more