This was a 7 day cruise that we boarded in Honolulu. Embarkation was fast and efficient. Staff were friendly and welcoming. We boarded and went to have lunch. It wasn't long until our cabins were ready. The cabins were good, ours had a balcony which really loved and used. The cabin was well equipped. We cruised for 7 days stopping at Maui - 2 days, The Big Island (Hawaii) Hilo (1 day) then Kona (1 day), then Kaua'i - (1 1/2 days). You could get off at each stop, except Kona where you had to be tendered in. The food on board was good and there is plenty of it.
There are 14 dining options. Some restaurants you pay extra to dine in. We tried Jefferson's French Bistro, and Moderno Churrascaria. both were very good. French food at the Bistro - Some of the dishes have another charge on top of the extra you pay to walk though the door! Still worth it though, the food was lovely. Moderno was Brazilian - really great - meat and lots of it! The Teppanyaki looked great but we couldn't get in. Book early for anything you want to go to.
The restaurants you don't have to pay extra for are termed "freestyle dining". The Skyline and Liberty are basically the same food. Good, but not great. Food at the Aloha cafe is surprisingly good. NO atmosphere - it is like a cafeteria, but all meals offered were very good, and it keeps coming - even a late night snack gets put out - pizza etc around 10pm.The Cadillac Diner is a bit of fun, especially for Non-Americans (like us) who are not used to Diners! East meets West was a mix of Asian food - Japanese, Chinese, bits of everything. Pretty good but not fantastic. We were kept waiting over an hour for a table, so they apologised and gave us 9 vouchers for glasses of champagne to be used anywhere on the boat. Nice touch.
Lovely cabin, it was worth getting a balcony. Only complaint - only coffee making facilities, no way to make tea.
Not much to do once off the ship. There is a lovely Marriott resort right there. The shops are pretty good. Nice jewellery store. We got some tourist things that we couldn't find back in Waikiki, so don't hesitate if you see something!
We just enjoyed the beach and the shops