OK, I would be remiss if I did not talk about the one thing that EVERYONE on the ship seemed to do in this first port...GO TO WALMART!! I guess that the advice given on Cruise Critic is really taken seriously by us members as everyone went to Walmart, including my wife and I. In the end, it did offer some real good deals on souvenirs, and we were able to purchase a case of bottled water that also saved us some money on the ship. 
Here, our excursion was the Waterfall, Cave & Lagoon Trekking (ITO 475). The price was well worth what you see and do. We boarded a van for a drive around the entire island of Hilo. The excursion takes you to a black sand beach area, Rainbow Falls, a Lava Cave and then finally to the ocean where you trek through several small lagoons to reach a special spot where you can swim in this very special water. Top few inches of the lagoon is actually fresh water and very cold...the water below that is actually ocean water and much warmer. The combination is exciting and exhilarating! You get about 15 minutes at the black sand area, about 20 minutes at Rainbow Falls, about 30 minutes in and around the lava cave, and about 30 minutes at the lagoons. 
Make sure to wear your swim suit under your walking clothes, and be sure to remove your outer clothing before you embark on the lagoon trek. Bring a hat, cause you will get wet in the cave and it is very hot when you are out in the heat. Oh, and one other tip...make sure you ask for or find a walking stick on the trek, as it really helps you to keep your balance in the water. The excursion provided water shoes if you need them, a small snack (macadamia nuts) and a fruit drink at the cave. The only disappointing part of this excursion is that it started at 1:00 in the afternoon and it did not leave you much time on the island when you got back to the ship. One last thing, this was not as physically demanding as the excursion detail may lead you to believe, except when you get to the lagoons. 


Hilo

Here, our excursion was the Diamond Head Crater Hike (sorry, don't have the exact tour number). This was outstanding! After a short drive through downtown Honolulu, we reached Diamond Head National Park. There, we hiked and climbed up to the top of the crater where we got unbelievable pictures of the entire crater itself, and the lovely villages and shorelines of the island. Here, you basically walk a paved path for about a half of a mile, slowly ascending the crater. Then, you leave the paved path for a continued hike along an unpaved and uneven path that leads you higher up the side of the crater. You then reach a rather steep set of stairs that lead you through a tunnel cut into the side of the crater, then up some more stairs, climb up a spiral staircase into one of the WWII weapons bunkers that was built to protect Pearl Harbor. From there, you climb through a small opening in the bunker, up about two dozen additional stairs, and reach the summit. The view from the top is spectacular! 
Beware, this is a very busy attraction, both for locals and visitors and the only real issue is that the stairways are very narrow, and it can be difficult to maneuver around as you climb or descend them. This is another excursion that although it was the most difficult of all of the tours we took, it probably is not as physically demanding as the excursion guide would indicate. If you are in reasonable shape and decent health, the climb should really not be a big deal for you. The hardest part of the climb is making your way through the opening in the bunker, but I can tell you that I am well over six feet tall, and made it through pretty easily. 
After this it was a walk around downtown Honolulu, and some local shopping. Honolulu is MUCH different than Hilo. Very cosmopolitan, very big city feel, much more expensive to eat and do things there than in Hilo. However, bargains can be found! 


Honolulu

I have to honestly give this a rating right in the middle. We were not able to enter the Kauai port due to weather and sea conditions, so we did not have an opportunity to visit Waimea Canyon as planned. However, the Captain did manage to drive the ship around the entire island, and we did some fantastic views of the remarkable coastline of the island. Mountains, cliffs, canyons, and small towns presented themselves to us as we circled it. This was the second consecutive sailing that could not get into Kauai because of weather. In any event, it was simply gorgeous, from where we were at least. 


Kauai

Here on Maui, we were booked on the Rain Forrest and Waterfall Hiking Adventure Tour (JHM 475). it is about a 1 hour plus ride to the site of the trek. 
Let's start with the excursion. For the price ($179 per person), we thought that we were going to a secluded place where only people on this tour would be able to get to. To our disappointment, as we approached the "private" farm where the tour was to take place, we saw a long line of cars parked on the side of the road near a farm stand. As we trekked through this rain forest, all of the people who just parked on the side of the road had access to the same exact place we had paid over $350 to view. 
The tour itself was good, the rain forest was beautiful and the waterfalls were breathtaking, and half of the fun was trekking around to get to the different falls. However seeing all these other non tour people enjoying the same area as us for a lot less kind of deflated it for us. 
You do get to see some great waterfalls, and yes, you are in a rain forest, where yes, it does rain! So make sure you ask for a poncho from the tour guide, they have them available for you along with water boots (an elongated version of the standard water shoe that covers up to just below your knee)and there is no extra charge for these. You will get wet, if not from the rain forest, then you will from trekking through rivers and other small bodies of water to get to the waterfalls. Don't forget to ask for a walking stick...you will need it! 
The tour provided a box lunch (turkey sandwich), and some fresh fruit (pineapple and tangerine) for you, along with bottled water and a cookie. This was a very adventurous tour, but the price was not worth it. Rent a car, drive the Hana Highway and get a local to tell you how to get to the farm stand...then do it yourself! 
Maui itself was beautiful. Lahaina is a quaint town, reminiscent of a small New England village. Lots of shopping opportunities and the most remarkable tree you will even see! Where roots grow from the tree branches back into the ground. I think it was called a Banyan tree. It is right smack in the middle of the town and you can't not see it when you visit. Lahaina is on the "warm" or "sunny" side of the island. Breath-taking mountains only makes this port more charming and hospitable. The other side of the island is the "rainy" or "wet side". If I remember correctly, the sunny side of the island gets about five inches of water a year, and the wet side gets over 400 inches a year!! Don't forget, the tour takes you to the wet side!! 


Maui

OK, last day of the cruise, a short stay in Mexico, a short way from the states, and you get there at around 1:00pm. So....how much fun could it be? Well it was really great! Here, we got off the ship and took a shuttle to the main downtown shopping area. There was nothing of particular interest in downtown Ensenada, however on the ride over (a short few minutes from the ship and at a cost of $2 per person)the driver told us about a tour that went to a Mexican Flea Open Air Flea Market and to a Blow Hole. It cost $15 per person and the entire trip takes about 3 hours. 
First, you take about a 40 minute ride around the port of Ensenada to reach the area where the flea market and blow hole are located. Along the way, you pass some outstanding scenery and breath-taking views of the port and of your ship way off in the distance. 
This tour takes you to a very unique natural wonder...a blow hole. Carved into the side of a rugged mountain by the ocean, every time the tide enters the cave , the blow hole shoots out the water upwards of 100 feet in the air!! It was really a remarkable sight to behold and we took a lot of pictures there. Then, you exit through the Mexican flea market. And as long as you don't mind being "barked" at by about 200 Mexican citizens all trying to sell you the same thing, it really is fun and a great experience. Not only that, but you can really get some of the best deals on product here. Pushy but friendly, the local people help to add the culture and the fun to the visit. 
So, it's about two hours of time to visit both then it's a 40 minute ride back to the pier to catch the ship. If you decide to get off the ship in Ensenada, take this tour...you will be glad you did! 


Ensenada

Dolphin Deck D415.  Adequate closet space.  Bathroom good size.  Quiet area, mid-ship, great access to all areas.  Balcony not covered but all right. Felt much less movement of the ship being on Deck 9 and mid-ship.

The balcony was uncovered due to the way the balcony rooms on the ship are set up, so it did not offer any real sun or weather protection, but again, this was not an issue and we enjoyed our time out there every day.This dining room is definitely subject to individual tastes, and therefore I don't want to say anything bad about it as it was good, just not our kind of experience...

Golden Princess Review

Flight + Limo + Golden Princess + Hawai = UNBELIEVEABLEII!!!

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