Aside from the medical emergency it was a great honeymoon.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Fast and the agent was happy to put our first time nerves at ease.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The MDR was fantastic menus had highs and lows food wasnt always perfect but its a cruise ship pumping out thousands of meals at a time things are bound to go wrong. Its science.
Buffets - they are hit or miss on things even on land if you want perfection stay home and make your own meals but theres always something for everyone unless you are a gumpy grouch.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
trivia was above my head most times.. Im not very general knowledge worthy. I think my best score was 13 out of 20. avg 9 to 10. but fun.
Hot tubs were cooking at high temps. I am not one for water.
I was just happy being out on deck even when the clouds were out.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The stage shows we very well produced and danced and sung. I enjoyed 1 of the 3 I saw.
Born to dance is an amazing show. the british invasion is a could skip in my opinion.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
They were friendly and helpful.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The Grand is showing her age, which is both a good and bad thing. but the crew were working hard to keep the masses happy.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Its a premium balcony, If you want to be close to elevators with out the noise this cabin is for you. I heard very little noise its mid forward so it rocks and if the wind is starboard youll hear it cabin was whistle-y but the curtains stopped a lot of the noise the bed is fine two twins shoved together, bath room shower needs to be about 6 inches bigger but it is usable.
The renovations to the port have done wonders, its easy to navigate with out much thinking. Embarkation line for us was less then 30 mins from entering the building to Deck 7 to be scanned.
Did the Hilo Town Highlights tour, a great 3.5 to 4.5 hour tour seeing a farmers market the nut factory vistor center (their ice cream is yummy but costly as Hawaii goes) black snad beaches a water fall. giving you plenty of time for a few hours to head back to places with the hoppa on and hoppa off buses. We did the morning one there is an afternoon one (we booked through princess).
morning we walked to chinatown - I love asian cultures and this chinatown a mere 10 to 20 min walk from the pier depending on your speed, we then walked to the King staute then to surprise my wife who is in the law profession the federal court house for pictures, it was sunday when we got there and super bowl sunday so the city was quiet and no traffic. the morning was about 3 hours of walking. we relaxed then did Princesses Luau excursion to Germaines lovely time if you want a fun time go. the buffet is good the show is way better.
We went to Kalapaki Beach but the marriott hotel. then walked around to the shops got a shaved ice the size of my head. the beach is a goods 12 to 25 mins walk based on your speed of walking.
Shopping Shopping Shopping. Remember this will be a tender port. so adjust for that. if the seas chopping exiting and entering the tenders will be an adventure for some but still being in my younger years i could step fine but they will have helpful crew for you and your groups!
I think missing mexico and the rough seas slowing us down is why My view of this sucked. I was just ready to get off the ship which caused bias. But I mean once our group was called it was smooth these piers should teach airlines a thing or two about how to run things.
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