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A mediocre experience

Norwegian Wind Cruise Review to Hawaii

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 11

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Wind

11 Night Hawaiian Islands (Honolulu Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 18, 2006

Ship: Norwegian Wind

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

The ship was fine, a bit old, but nothing particularly wrong with it. I'd recommend this cruise solely for the itinerary, the sea days and Fanning Island are worth the rather poor food. The Staterooms are small compared to other newer ships, and the storage area reflects that. On board entertainment again falls in the highly average category...certainly nothing to write home about. The staff were exceptionally friendly and tried very hard, however it was also about the poorest dinning room service I've had cruising. Perhaps the 'freestyle' dining doesn't work so well when the waiters have many tables all at different stages of their meals.

Ports of call

Nawiliwili, Kauai

3 out of 5
Waimea Canyon, for the lushness and beauty of the colors. The excursion we booked was for the canyon, the river (average) and the Fern Grotto which I had been to previously. We weren't informed until we got our shore excursion tickets that the Fern Grotto (my main reason for taking the excursion) was closed for some bridge/access maintenance...a real disappointment, and the substitute stop of the Paradise Gardens was no real substitute, the gardens just happens to be at the beginning of the Waimea River cruise.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The Fern Grotto would be if it's open

Hilo, Hawaii

3 out of 5
A must see in Hilo is the Volcanoes National Park and the lava tube. The excursion here is quite good though there is too much 'stopping here for shopping, and not enough time at the volcanoes to see all you want to see.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: Volcanoes National Park and the lava tube

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

3 out of 5
The Kona Coast and Parker Ranch excursion was not what I expected it to be...very mush an historical type excursion learning about ranching, the Parker family and looking at the old house. A bit of a yawn.
Thumbs Up

Nawiliwili, Kauai

3 out of 5
Waimea Canyon, for the lushness and beauty of the colors. The excursion we booked was for the canyon, the river (average) and the Fern Grotto which I had been to previously. We weren't informed until we got our shore excursion tickets that the Fern Grotto (my main reason for taking the excursion) was closed for some bridge/access maintenance...a real disappointment, and the substitute stop of the Paradise Gardens was no real substitute, the gardens just happens to be at the beginning of the Waimea River cruise.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The Fern Grotto would be if it's open

Hilo, Hawaii

3 out of 5
A must see in Hilo is the Volcanoes National Park and the lava tube. The excursion here is quite good though there is too much 'stopping here for shopping, and not enough time at the volcanoes to see all you want to see.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: Volcanoes National Park and the lava tube

Fanning Island, Kiribati

5 out of 5
The absolute must see is the NCL primary school. Very primative construction, yet obviously well attended and greatly appreciated by the community. If you bring school supplies, take them to the school yourself, the teachers are so wonderful and so grateful to have the supplies.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The NCL Primary School

Lahaina, Maui

3 out of 5
Don't Miss: Going up to the top of Haleakala..at over 10,000 feet it's just amazing, and on a clear day, you see all the way to Oahu!

Lahaina, Maui

3 out of 5
Don't Miss: Going up to the top of Haleakala..at over 10,000 feet it's just amazing, and on a clear day, you see all the way to Oahu!

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

3 out of 5
The Kona Coast and Parker Ranch excursion was not what I expected it to be...very mush an historical type excursion learning about ranching, the Parker family and looking at the old house. A bit of a yawn.
Thumbs Up

Fanning Island, Kiribati

5 out of 5
The absolute must see is the NCL primary school. Very primative construction, yet obviously well attended and greatly appreciated by the community. If you bring school supplies, take them to the school yourself, the teachers are so wonderful and so grateful to have the supplies.
Thumbs Up
Don't Miss: The NCL Primary School

Pros: The itinerary was fabulous, 4 days at sea plus Fanning Island

Cons: The Freestyle cruising experience with 'restaurant-style' dining, really seemed to lose the 'spirit' of a cruise, was more like a floating hotel, the food was probably only just average, nothing at all special

Recommends Norwegian Wind? Yes!

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