Hawaii

[jsarno]

My wife and I are planning a trip (a cruise) of Hawaii in January.
Has anyone does this yet? Even if it's not to cruise it, just visited...what suggestions do you have, and what can't miss things should we do?

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by jsarno

My wife and I are planning a trip (a cruise) of Hawaii in January.
Has anyone does this yet? Even if it's not to cruise it, just visited...what suggestions do you have, and what can't miss things should we do?

Been twice. Neither a cruise though. Oahu is a big city on an island for the most part. Ther are more tropical parts of it but in Waikiki and the area around it it is like any other big city in the US. Except in the middle of paradise.

Maui was hot when I was there so it probably biased my view that is was sort of dry and not as lush. The terrain is cool and has a different feel than the others. Kauai was my favorite but there is far less to do there than nay other island. It is your prototypical tropical island. With lots of lushness and mountains. We did a helicopter tour on Kauai. If you do one that is the island to do it on.

All in all every island is different and offers different things. If you only do one thing I think you HAVE to go to the Arizona memorial on Oahu. As an American it is like your duty and if you only go to Hawaii once then this is your only shot. It is really "cool" honestly in a weird morbid way. It took us a while to get in since they can only take a certain amount out at once. Allow for several hours to do that.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Been twice. Neither a cruise though. Oahu is a big city on an island for the most part. Ther are more tropical parts of it but in Waikiki and the area around it it is like any other big city in the US. Except in the middle of paradise.

Maui was hot when I was there so it probably biased my view that is was sort of dry and not as lush. The terrain is cool and has a different feel than the others. Kauai was my favorite but there is far less to do there than nay other island. It is your prototypical tropical island. With lots of lushness and mountains. We did a helicopter tour on Kauai. If you do one that is the island to do it on.

All in all every island is different and offers different things. If you only do one thing I think you HAVE to go to the Arizona memorial on Oahu. As an American it is like your duty and if you only go to Hawaii once then this is your only shot. It is really "cool" honestly in a weird morbid way. It took us a while to get in since they can only take a certain amount out at once. Allow for several hours to do that.

You stated tha "Oahu is a big city on an island for the most part" what other part are we missing. LOL

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by firstdown

You stated tha "Oahu is a big city on an island for the most part" what other part are we missing. LOL

I didn't travel a lot of the north part so I cant speak to it. But on the south part where Waikiki is it felt like a regular old big city. Just on the other side of the 50 story hotels there are palm trees and waves. I'd still move to Oahu if I could and it was no where near as nice as Maui and Kauai.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Been twice. Neither a cruise though. Oahu is a big city on an island for the most part. Ther are more tropical parts of it but in Waikiki and the area around it it is like any other big city in the US. Except in the middle of paradise.

Maui was hot when I was there so it probably biased my view that is was sort of dry and not as lush. The terrain is cool and has a different feel than the others. Kauai was my favorite but there is far less to do there than nay other island. It is your prototypical tropical island. With lots of lushness and mountains. We did a helicopter tour on Kauai. If you do one that is the island to do it on.

All in all every island is different and offers different things. If you only do one thing I think you HAVE to go to the Arizona memorial on Oahu. As an American it is like your duty and if you only go to Hawaii once then this is your only shot. It is really "cool" honestly in a weird morbid way. It took us a while to get in since they can only take a certain amount out at once. Allow for several hours to do that.

I should have stated that I plan to do two things, 1- go to the memorial, and 2- see actual lava / climb a volcano.
I have always wanted to go to pearl harbor, and we are flying in 2 days early just to make sure we can go see the USS Arizona.

The Helicopter tour on Kauai is a great idea.

[CooleyAsCanBe]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I should have stated that I plan to do two things, 1- go to the memorial, and 2- see actual lava / climb a volcano.
I have always wanted to go to pearl harbor, and we are flying in 2 days early just to make sure we can go see the USS Arizona.

The Helicopter tour on Kauai is a great idea.

I've been to Oahu and Big Island (Hawaii). When I was on Big Island he volcano had recently erupted and the lava was flowing into the ocean. We even got to kick it. Pretty sweet. I'd assume Big Island is your best bet if you want to see an active Volcano, and there are some beautiful black sand beaches and other nature-related attractions. Oahu is pretty touristy, but still fun. The North Shore is beautiful.

[KLHJ2]

Never been further west than California, or further East than Persian Gulf. I sold the trips I had to Hawaii about 2 years ago because I couldn't make it. Let me know how it is Jsarno.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by angryssg

Never been further west than California, or further East than Persian Gulf. I sold the trips I had to Hawaii about 2 years ago because I couldn't make it. Let me know how it is Jsarno.

No problem...I'm sure it will be great.

BTW- my last vacation was on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas in February. It was amazing. Grand Cayman island is unbelievable...i'd move there if I could. Jamaica...wow, that place sucked, I don't want to go back. That ship was outstanding, and if you are into cruising at all, you NEED to see this ship.
This Hawaiian cruise will be our 5th cruise...they are addictive.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by jsarno

No problem...I'm sure it will be great.

BTW- my last vacation was on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas in February. It was amazing. Grand Cayman island is unbelievable...i'd move there if I could. Jamaica...wow, that place sucked, I don't want to go back. That ship was outstanding, and if you are into cruising at all, you NEED to see this ship.
This Hawaiian cruise will be our 5th cruise...they are addictive.

I do alot of boating. I have always wanted to go on a cruise, time just hasn't permitted until recently. My next trip is going to be to Italy though. I have already promised the wife.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by angryssg

I do alot of boating. I have always wanted to go on a cruise, time just hasn't permitted until recently. My next trip is going to be to Italy though. I have already promised the wife.

My wife has been begging me to take her to Italy and England. I have balked for the simple fact that I am italian and don't know the language. My grandparents are from Naples.
Are you taking a cruise of Italy, or actually visiting, Rome, Florence etc?

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by jsarno

My wife has been begging me to take her to Italy and England. I have balked for the simple fact that I am italian and don't know the language. My grandparents are from Naples.
Are you taking a cruise of Italy, or actually visiting, Rome, Florence etc?

No we are flying. We are both half Italian, well, I'm more like a quarter. We are going to see as much as a week will let us. We both still have International drivers license's.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by angryssg

No we are flying. We are both half Italian, well, I'm more like a quarter. We are going to see as much as a week will let us. We both still have International drivers license's.

Technically, I'm 75% italian, and 12.5% irish, and 12.5% lithuanian. But it's easier to say italian, and my last name is quite italian.
When I've been out of the country, I've been on a cruise ship (minus canada), you have to get an international drivers license to drive over there??

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Technically, I'm 75% italian, and 12.5% irish, and 12.5% lithuanian. But it's easier to say italian, and my last name is quite italian.
When I've been out of the country, I've been on a cruise ship (minus canada), you have to get an international drivers license to drive over there??

Yes, but the beauty is that all you gotta do is go to AAA and pay for one that is good for 6 months. I have one that was actually issued there and is good for another year. My last name should be Italian, but my father was adopted by his stepfather.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by angryssg

Yes, but the beauty is that all you gotta do is go to AAA and pay for one that is good for 6 months. I have one that was actually issued there and is good for another year. My last name should be Italian, but my father was adopted by his stepfather.

I had no idea you needed a special license. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Let me know how it is, I'd love to hear the good points since I am sure I will be visiting there some day.

So if you're 25% italian...what's the other 75%?

[KLHJ2]

25% Irish, 25% English, 25% Native American. And that is only the beginning of the melting pot which is my family.