Whenever my only child informs me that she won’t be spending Christmas with us, I immediately look for a trip to Hawaii. This is the first time we cruised there. Cruise ship is one we had been on before, and it was leaving from my home city. We had a lovely time. I was on a mission to see the parts of Kauai that can’t be seen by car. Our Christmas gift to each other was a Sunshine Helicopter excursion, booked personally. We were tendered to port on Maui. Perhaps this would have been easier if we had booked an excursion through Princess, but it was excruciating for those of us who just wanted to go ashore. Captain Lewis made a ship wide apology, which was very nice. I can’t say why it made such a difference, but it did. We are not people who care about on board entertainment, but did go to a Vegas headliner’s “Soul” show. Great band and great singer. Food was good to great in the Botticelli main dining room. Service all over the ship was great. But, I also took special caramel candies In beribboned bags as gifts for crew and I tip people, even if gratuities are added automatically. (We had “pre-paid” gratuities for the cruise.) There is one bar — the Wheelhouse — that has top shelf whiskeys (and whiskys). But we couldn’t get iced tea for my non-alcohol drinking husband in the bars or in the Crown Grill, the steakhouse that one pays $28 per person. But the food is great. Lobster and steaks and sauces and special salts. Celebrations for Christmas and New Years were wonderful. Lots of fun, music, balloons, and great parties! I stayed on the ship at most ports, but my husband found the Farmers’ Market in Hilo. He manages markets in Southern California. Cruising to Hawaii is quite the experience. Not as warm and “pacific” on the open ocean in December! Good thing we don’t get sea-sick! Internet never did work. We need more satellites up there. But TV was fine. Good selection of movies. I love the free room service. Oh, one more thing about alcohol: wines by the glass are different in every venue. Very limited choice in Crown Grill. Okay choices in dining room, but best red wines were only available at Vines where I tried sushi for the first time. It was very fresh and tasty. We always love our balcony room.