K
ky247
Guest
Does anyone have any information or can you point me to I'Net sites with info on excursions in Hawaii. We are booked to see the Arizona, but would like to go on a luau.
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F
Flamomo
Guest
Hi ky247
When are you booked to cruise? I'm sailing on 3/17/08 on the Diamond.
The only "luau" offered as a Princess excursion is on Kauai, and it is a luncheon luau. I emailed the place that does it, and found out that it has a limited menu compared to their evening luau, and it also sounds like their show is lesser than the one in the evening. We opted to skip it because it does not seem to be a good value for what Princess charges for the excursion. This lunch luau is by special arrangement only with Princess.
I also investigated online for luaus in Honolulu, as that is the only evening that is spent in port. You can google Hawaiian luaus and see what's available. One that I would not go to is Germaine's, as I read a LOT of negative reviews on Trip Advisor. For our sailing, that's the only one open on the day we're in Honolulu. There are a number of other ones for Honolulu, but they are only open certain days of the week.
When are you booked to cruise? I'm sailing on 3/17/08 on the Diamond.
The only "luau" offered as a Princess excursion is on Kauai, and it is a luncheon luau. I emailed the place that does it, and found out that it has a limited menu compared to their evening luau, and it also sounds like their show is lesser than the one in the evening. We opted to skip it because it does not seem to be a good value for what Princess charges for the excursion. This lunch luau is by special arrangement only with Princess.
I also investigated online for luaus in Honolulu, as that is the only evening that is spent in port. You can google Hawaiian luaus and see what's available. One that I would not go to is Germaine's, as I read a LOT of negative reviews on Trip Advisor. For our sailing, that's the only one open on the day we're in Honolulu. There are a number of other ones for Honolulu, but they are only open certain days of the week.
B
Beryl
Guest
Lucky you! The Diamond is a fabulous ship.
Here is my take on luaus! Don't, but if you must, the very best luau in Hawaii is "The Old Lahaina Luau" on Maui. It is an evening thing though and would probably not work for your schedule.
The tourist luau generally consists of food and a show. The food is interesting but not particularly wonderful, consisting of kalua pork (pork cooked in a pit), Lomi Lomi Salmon (raw salmon with a marinade of tomato and onion), Huli Huli Chicken or something similar (Chicken with a sweet/sour sauce), and of course Poi to accompany it all (very few people who go to a luau to experience Hawaiian food like poi. A few do and I am one of them)! These staples are often accompanied by fried rice, some kind of fish, and macaroni salad. Dessert is generally a coconut gelatin style pudding called Haupia. It is delicious. Usually a couple of drink coupons are thrown into the mix.
The Old Lahaina Luau's show is strictly Hawaiian chants and dance. You will not see dancing from any other of the Island groups. In other words no Maori dancing, no Fijian dancers, no fire dancer etc.
If you want to see a really good show and enjoy a taste of some of the Luau food I would suggest that you visit the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. As well as the luau and show you will have a chance to visit "villages" from 7 different island groups and learn a little about each of their cultures. Go the whole distance and purchase one of their Ambassador packages that includes a guided tour. The guided tour will get you to each of the "villages" as their show starts and you will get a lot more out of your day. Having done the PCC on my own and on a tour I know that the tour is the only way to go...especially if you are a first time visitor. Since OLL is owned and run by the LDS you will not find any alcoholic beverages on the property...so no free drink coupons, just fruit punch :grin !
Aloha!
Here is my take on luaus! Don't, but if you must, the very best luau in Hawaii is "The Old Lahaina Luau" on Maui. It is an evening thing though and would probably not work for your schedule.
The tourist luau generally consists of food and a show. The food is interesting but not particularly wonderful, consisting of kalua pork (pork cooked in a pit), Lomi Lomi Salmon (raw salmon with a marinade of tomato and onion), Huli Huli Chicken or something similar (Chicken with a sweet/sour sauce), and of course Poi to accompany it all (very few people who go to a luau to experience Hawaiian food like poi. A few do and I am one of them)! These staples are often accompanied by fried rice, some kind of fish, and macaroni salad. Dessert is generally a coconut gelatin style pudding called Haupia. It is delicious. Usually a couple of drink coupons are thrown into the mix.
The Old Lahaina Luau's show is strictly Hawaiian chants and dance. You will not see dancing from any other of the Island groups. In other words no Maori dancing, no Fijian dancers, no fire dancer etc.
If you want to see a really good show and enjoy a taste of some of the Luau food I would suggest that you visit the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. As well as the luau and show you will have a chance to visit "villages" from 7 different island groups and learn a little about each of their cultures. Go the whole distance and purchase one of their Ambassador packages that includes a guided tour. The guided tour will get you to each of the "villages" as their show starts and you will get a lot more out of your day. Having done the PCC on my own and on a tour I know that the tour is the only way to go...especially if you are a first time visitor. Since OLL is owned and run by the LDS you will not find any alcoholic beverages on the property...so no free drink coupons, just fruit punch :grin !
Aloha!
K
ky247
Guest
Thanks to Beryl and Flamomo for the info. I guess we'll pass and look for something else. Appreciate your help.
L
lyndabaker
Guest
I got back from this cruise just before Christmas. I had the absolute time of my life. Best cruise I've ever been on and I have been on 26 Princess cruises. I can't wait to go back. Anyone going just must go to the beautiful Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu. They have a mai tai bar out back directly facing the beach. They have yummy, yummy drinks there. Some of my table mates signed up for the luau that they have there while we were having our mai tais. They made the reservations the same day and said they had a fabulous time. They had been on luaus before and said this one was the best yet.
