topic Re: First cruise completed! in Among Friends

First cruise completed!

Day1128 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:21:21 GMT

Just got back from my first cruise and my first trip to Hawaii. My husband, sister and I took the Norwegian Cruise around the islands. We flew to Honolulu and the ship stopped at four different islands during the seven day cruise. As a reference, we are all in our 60s.

It was wonderful! I am not a water person and cruising had never appealed to me, but because the ship was docking at land every day, and we had the opportunity to go sightseeing or stay on the ship, this worked for me. I went horseback riding on the beach, went snorkeling, hiking, and sat on the deck drinking a cocktail!

If you are hesitant about cruising, this type of cruise may be a good one. I hope to take another cruise one day.

A web site to find out more about cruising is Cruise Critic. Lots of reviews are posted. But just like with QVC, some reviews are negative and others are glowing. There are lots of resources on the web to find out more about cruising.

Re: First cruise completed!

Happiness Is Inside JOB — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:26:16 GMT

Yeah, I was happy to read your posting. I LOVE Cruising and Hawaii is on my list. I just returned from a two week Panama Canal cruise. Well, I hope you have the cruise "bug", I am also a member of cruise critics and I have learned so much from my fellow cruisers. What is your next planned cruise? You started off with a "GREAT" cruise on a "GREAT" line so the sky is the limit. I was just on BJ's travel last night researching cruises, which I do as a "hobby".

Re: First cruise completed!

fenway — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:48:29 GMT

Cruising Hawaii is the best!! I was a Travel Agent for Many years Now Retired. One of the best cruises was a RCCL out of Mexico across the Pacific and Cruised the Islands. No Packing and Un-packing, flying from Island to Island. The Ship is your Hotel. I think I would do it in reverse (if they even offer that cruise anymore) Fly to Hawaii, cruise the Islands and Relax while Cruising across the Pacific. I Also Love Norwegian Cruise Line, They used to do Bermuda out of NY or Boston!! Since we are in MA, it was so easy to get to the ship.

Re: First cruise completed!

nana59 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:55:19 GMT

@fenway wrote:
Cruising Hawaii is the best!! I was a Travel Agent for Many years Now Retired. One of the best cruises was a RCCL out of Mexico across the Pacific and Cruised the Islands. No Packing and Un-packing, flying from Island to Island. The Ship is your Hotel. I think I would do it in reverse (if they even offer that cruise anymore) Fly to Hawaii, cruise the Islands and Relax while Cruising across the Pacific. I Also Love Norwegian Cruise Line, They used to do Bermuda out of NY or Boston!! Since we are in MA, it was so easy to get to the ship.

Hello fenway from MA! Saying hello from RI.....this summer will be my fourth time at Fenway...not for baseball-but for Billy Joel!!

Re: First cruise completed!

itsmagic — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:59:17 GMT

@Day1128 We took that exact same cruise about 6 years ago. It was our first cruise too and it was great. We did the Road to Hana tour, a whale sightseeing tour, a luau, and much more. I loved cruising by the Napali coast - it was so beautiful!

Re: First cruise completed!

Nancy Drew — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:22:02 GMT

Glad you had fun. My husband and I love cruising. I will never forget snorkeling on the Big Island. Words can not describe what we saw and felt.

Re: First cruise completed!

fenway — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:26:21 GMT

Hello RI, we lived in Newport when my Husband was in the Navy some 39 years ago!!

We named our little Maltese Dog Fenway!! My husband's choice!! I have a picture of our Yorkie named Chauncy In his Red Sox Shirt watching the TV when Big Papi hit a home run when the Red Sox FINALLY won the World Series and ended the Curse! The picture was in our local Reminder. Chauncy left us last year he was 14 years old. Still miiss him. But we have a new little Yorkie, Lilly AKA the Little Holy Terror! LOL

Re: First cruise completed!

Day1128 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:27:29 GMT

@itsmagic wrote:
@Day1128 We took that exact same cruise about 6 years ago. It was our first cruise too and it was great. We did the Road to Hana tour, a whale sightseeing tour, a luau, and much more. I loved cruising by the Napali coast - it was so beautiful!

My sister did the whale watch tour, but we decided not to do road to Hana. We weren't sure how we would do on the winding roads. We did drive (we rented cars on the islands) up to Mt. Haleakala...it was wonderful.

Re: First cruise completed!

fenway — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:31:08 GMT

We also did the Road to Hana. A little scary!! And cruising by the Volcano at night WOW. The Captain slowed the ship so we could go on deck and see the Lava Flow. AMAZING when it hits the cold water and steams up!! But the Smell yikes. I want to go again

Re: First cruise completed!

Kachina624 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:42:26 GMT

@Day1128 @fenway Did you see lots of beautiful flowers? I'd like to see Hawaii just for the flowers.

Re: First cruise completed!

sweetee2 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:23:29 GMT

Sounds like you had a blast. I'm looking into a trip for hubby and I. We love Hawaii so I'm definitely going to look into this one. Thank you.

Re: First cruise completed!

itsmagic — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:31:02 GMT

@fenway wrote:
We also did the Road to Hana. A little scary!! And cruising by the Volcano at night WOW. The Captain slowed the ship so we could go on deck and see the Lava Flow. AMAZING when it hits the cold water and steams up!! But the Smell yikes. I want to go again

@fenway I agree the Road to Hana tour was very scary at times!

We stayed on deck to watch as we cruised by the volcano and as it turned out the lava was not flowing that night which they said was very unusual. So I think we need to go back to see that!

Re: First cruise completed!

Carmie — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:46:45 GMT

My first cruise ever was to the Hawaiian Islands, it was a great way to get a taste of the land.

I loved it so much that I went back six months six later spending a week on Oahu and a week on Maui.

Maui is my favorite Island and a I have been back several times, though I have found that every island has something to offer.

I am glad you had fun, but not surprised. It's a beautiful place.

Re: First cruise completed!

pattypeep — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 02:29:57 GMT

@Day1128 I'm so happy that you enjoyed your cruise. And a beautiful one at that. When my dh and I were married almost 24 years ago, it was my dream to go to Hawaii. We did and we did the cruise just as you had mentioned. It was so romantic. If you want a change of pace, you might consider the Alaska cruise some day. The glaciers are stunning and may not be around that much longer, >:

Re: First cruise completed!

Day1128 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 03:57:44 GMT

@pattypeep wrote:
@Day1128 I'm so happy that you enjoyed your cruise. And a beautiful one at that. When my dh and I were married almost 24 years ago, it was my dream to go to Hawaii. We did and we did the cruise just as you had mentioned. It was so romantic. If you want a change of pace, you might consider the Alaska cruise some day. The glaciers are stunning and may not be around that much longer, >:

I've thought about Alaska, but since I live in Fairbanks, I'll probably choose a warmer location! I've had friends come to visit through the Alaska cruise and they really enjoyed it.

Re: First cruise completed!

KathyPet — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 06:32:34 GMT

I have done cruises on 6 different cruise lines and discovered that each cruise line has its own personality and vibe depending upon the type of passengers they attract. If the line you choose matches your wants, needs and personality you will have a great time. otherwise you may be sorely disappointed in the experience.

Re: First cruise completed!

pattypeep — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:18:31 GMT

@Day1128 LOL. Then you certainly don't need to cruise in your hometown.

Re: First cruise completed!

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:44:21 GMT

I am so glad you loved it! My hubby and I love Hawaii, have been there 3 times, but never on a cruise and all of the descriptions here make me want to try a cruise. I have really wanted to cruise but it sounds wonderful, and you sure get to see an awful lot....Hawaii is my favorite vacation destination!

Re: First cruise completed!

Justice4all — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 14:15:03 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Day1128 @fenway Did you see lots of beautiful flowers? I'd like to see Hawaii just for the flowers.

Absolutely flowers...the air is perfumed with flowers. I've never taken a cruise though.

Re: First cruise completed!

Day1128 — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:05:22 GMT

@Justice4all wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
@Day1128 @fenway Did you see lots of beautiful flowers? I'd like to see Hawaii just for the flowers.
Absolutely flowers...the air is perfumed with flowers. I've never taken a cruise though.

Lots of flowers...near Hilo we went to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. It was beautiful. The trails lead to the ocean....one of the top two things that we did.