The overview of the 15-day Hawaiian cruise is excellent. We highly recommend to those who aim at a good vacation of relaxation, as there are 9 days at sea. We consider that we have plenty of things to do on the ship. As for the shore excursions, usually we spent half a day to know the islands, though superficially. Yet, there will be always revisits! There are more seniors on the ship, a lot in wheelchairs, walkers and canes, couples helping each other. Once the tour bus driver asked about people who celebrated their anniversaries, and the 45-50 anniversary group is the most. One lady even shouted out 63 ( years)! A very heartwarming experience to share the happiness with fellow teammates! ❤️❤️❤️
Embarkation
5 out of 5
It was a breeze to embark/disembark at San Pedro (LA Port). Well-organized and efficient. It took about 35 minutes to board the ship ( in the Group 12:00-12:30); to disembark only 15 minutes ( the first group at 7:40 AM with our luggage ). We just walked through the Customs and got out.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
We went to the ship’s main dining rooms and buffets only. The menus of the dining rooms are the same. We reserved our private tables at the time of our selection through Medallion in advance. All the dining rooms could accommodate us even when we changed our dining time on some nights. Buffets are always great. Foods have been as excellent as they can be and as before. We don’t drink and can’t rate it.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
There were different activities as usual. The more interesting ones were about arts and crafts related to the Hawaii cultures, such as making flower rings (leis)h with fees). Also, appreciated the lectures on Hawaiian Islands, Pearl Harbor history, and Route 66.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Among the entertainers, some were great musicians, singers and dancers.
Children's Programs
N/A
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Received pampered services. Courteous and helpful.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Have been to Princess ships for three times. The layout is more or less the same. As for Sapphire Princess, the decor is not as outstanding. However, the common areas are clean and well-maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The greatest surprise and satisfaction ever! At the front of the ship, we got a spacious “balcony” in our Premium “Oceanview” Stateroom. The room is bigger than the Balcony room too. Beds were comfortable. It was quiet and no traffic at all. Even though it’s a long walk from the front to the back to go to Horizon Court ( buffet), we need the daily exercises any way. And, we sometimes used the stairs to go down from Deck 14 to Deck 11 ( Deck 13 is skipped).
Went on a ship excursion : Blow Horn and Waimea Canyons. Very fulfilling to enjoy the natural wonders. Driver with good illustrations about the island.
Very grateful to get on an excursion of the Pearl Harbor Memorials, added at the last minute by the ship upon great demands. Went to Battleship Missouri and USS Arizona Memorials from 8:30-3:30. Simply exhausted because of long lines in USS Arizona Memorial. Needs administrative improvement desperately to accommodate the huge numbers of visitors. Even with the tickets with reservation time, the program could not operate smoothly. Only one boat to transport visitors from Center to the Memorial ( a 7- minute ride). We waited for more than one hour after viewing the brief introductory film, while the standby visitors two hours and more, or even fruitless. Not time to visit the Visitor’s Center. All time spent in waiting at the line! Very frustrated.
The Port Authority did not allow us to disembark because they were still short of 5 Security staff to cope with us, until 1 PM , and consequently some excursions were cancelled. Since Kahului is situated in an industrial area, there is nothing to see or walk around at the port. We could do nothing under these circumstances, but stayed on the ship.
Did the ship excursion: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Orchid Garden ( unexpectedly replaced by Macadamia Nuts Farm and Shop). The Hawaiian driver/ guide did not give us enough time in the Park. We hurried through some outlooks but didn’t even have time to go to the Visitor’s Center ( a great regret) as the guide pointed the other direction to the Volcano House Hotel ( with a nice outlook). And we took to the Macadamia nut place, not knowing the process of production or growing processes, but only a stop to buy nuts and chocolates. The shop is also very poorly equipped. Should see the Japanese Orchid Garden as included in the program.
Did not have a chance to walk around the port and shops there, because we joined the afternoon ship excursion ( La Bufardora Blowhole + 8 blocks of shops near the port). Yet, the guide said we should shop at the Blowhole area instead ( they are the same, as she claimed). The blowhole is more spectacular than the one in Kauai, but the trip is a waste of time, with 40- minute one way , and we had only three hours in total. We returned to the ship at 4:15 while the ship left 4:30. We felt very disappointed to visit the local markets, but stuck at a tourist place to shop.
The best experience ever. Only took us 15-20 minutes to walk straight from ship to Customs and outside. We were the first group with our own luggage , leaving at 7:40 AM
I have one of those forward Premium Balcony rooms booked for a 32 day roundtrip out of Long Beach to Hawaii and the South Pacific Islands next year. How was the sea to and from Hawaii? Was it rough in the very front of the ship? Were you able to use the balcony? I have read conflicting accounts on that. Thank you
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