Hawaii Dream Vacations by Abby

Two years ago I posted a page on my blog with the ten best things to do on Maui. Obviously times change, so below is my updated version.

Maui, the “Magic Isle,” has been voted the “Best Pacific Island” by readers of the Conde Nast Traveler magazine for 16 years in a row, and it’s easy to see why.  Maui has something for everyone - whether you’re looking to sip Mai Tais on a beautiful white sand beach, hike into a dormant volcano, snorkel with green sea turtles, or play a round or two on one of the island’s championship golf courses, Maui has it all.

**Go snorkeling with the turtles**
There are several places on the island that you can wade right in off the beach for a great snorkeling experience, however, there are some great snorkeling tours that bring you to the best spots and include a continental breakfast and full lunch. I would recommend Trilogy Catamarans. The Discover Molokini Excursion takes you to the tiny island of Molokini, off the southern coast and only accessible by boat, and home to some of the most unusual and beautiful fish in the Pacific.    The cruise departs daily from Maalaea Harbor at either 6:30 am or 8:00 am. If you’re staying in the Kaanapali Resort area, Trilogy also offers an excellent Discover Kaanapali Snorkel Sail that leaves right from Kaanapali Beach at Whaler’s Village. This tour leaves every morning at 8:00 am. Both tours include continental breakfast with Mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, and The Captain’s Blend coffee, a BBQ lunch, snacks and sodas (BYOB), all snorkel equipment, and two snorkel sights where you’ll spot all sorts of fish and probably plenty of green sea turtles as well. Both tours are $117 for adults, $88 for teens, and $59 for children 3-15.

**Spend a day or evening in Old Lahaina Town**
Maui has a lot of great tropical little towns.  A visit to Old Lahaina Town is a must.  This old whaling town is a great place to spend a couple hours checking out the shops, restaurants, galleries, and there are a lot of places here to book discounted activities as well.  Lahaina is a short 5-minute drive from the Kaanapali Resort Area, and several of the hotels also offer complimentary shuttle service.

While in Lahaina Town, if you really want to spoil yourself, the Feast at Lele is a gourmet feast combined with Polynesian entertainment. Unlike the more traditional luaus, the Feast at Lele includes a sit-down five-course gourmet dinner which the island-inspired menu created by world class chefs and served to you at a private table reserved for your party. For $115/person ($83 for children), you’ll receive a fresh flower lei greeting, open bar throughout the evening, a mouthwatering meal, with each course accompanied by Polynesian entertainment from the islands of Hawai’i, Aotearoa, Tahiti, and Samoa.

**See the sunrise or sunset at Haleakala Crater**
A visit to Maui wouldn’t be complete without visiting Haleakala Crater, the world’s largest resting volcano.  If you can get up early enough, sunrise is absolutely spectacular - you really feel like you’re on the moon!  If not sunrise, sunset is amazing as well and less crowded, which I actually prefer.  To see Haleakala, you can either drive up to the top on your own or go as part of a tour.  Haleakala is cold at the top (after all, the crater rises to over 10,000 ft!), so be sure to bring a sweatshirt of jacket with you, and if you’re driving, plan on spending at least two hours in the Park to drive up to the Summit and back to the entrance, and longer if you plan on hiking or attending any of the natural/cultural history programs.  If you’re interested in hiking or walking throughout the park, there are 27 miles of trails that range from 1/4 mile to over 11 miles.  There is a $10 per vehicle charge to enter the park, which is valid for seven days.  Daily tours also go to Haleakala daily that will pick you up right at your hotel.   If you really want an adventure, you can bike down the western slopes of the crater on the Haleakala Super Sunrise Safari Bike Tour, enjoying stunning view as you passing through eucalpytus forests and the upcountry community of Kula with its beautiful lavender farms and Jacaranda tree lined roadways.  The tour operates daily with a hotel pick-up time of 2-2:30 am, and returns at approximately 11:30 am and includes a coach tour of Haleakala National Park, a tour of the House of the Sun Visitor Center at the crater’s rim and a rest stop at Sunrise Market and Flower Farm.  Prices are $185/person. If waking up in the middle of the night isn’t your style, on Mondays and Thursdays, you can still bike down the crater on the Haleakala Bike and Winery Tour. For $150, this tour includes continental breakfast and a lunch stop (cost not included) at a Winery with free wine tasting.

**Drive the Road to Hana**
The famous Road to Hana is one of the most scenic and breathtaking drives in the world.  However, I wouldn’t recommend taking children on this trip and if you have any chance of getting carsick - it’s not worth it.  The road is probably the curviest road in the world!  If you do the drive to Hana and back, you’ll want to plan a whole day for it because the trip, with all the stops and curves takes about three hours each way, plus the time you actually spend in the small, sleepy town of Hana.  You’ll want to stop in a small town right at the beginning of the Hana Highway on the north shore called Paia.  You can’t miss it.  In Paia, there are several cute little funky places to pick up picnic lunches or stock up at the natural foods store, and they have several brochures available all over the town which will map out the Road to Hana and list various places to stop and sites to see on the way.

**Relax on a sunset dinner or cocktail cruise**
A cruise off the West Coast of Maui is a breathtaking experience - with lush mountains and craters to one side and the islands of Molokai and Lana’i to the other.  During Whale Season from December to April, you’ll also be able to spot plenty of humpback whales playing in the water around you.  The Teralani  offers sunset cocktail and dinner cruises onboard a deluxe catamaran that conveniently departs right from Kaanapali Beach.  The 2.5 hour sunset dinner cruise is $85/person and includes a buffet dinner as well as assorted desserts, soft drinks & tropical juices, champagne, wine, premium beers, and cocktails.

**Educate yourself on Hawaii’s marine life at the Maui Ocean Center**
Open daily from 9 - 5 pm in Maalaea Harbor Village, the Maui Ocean Center is three acres of marine park and the largest tropical reef aquarium in the western hemisphere, dedicated to the understanding, wonder, and preservation of Hawaii’s marine plants and animals.  Here you’ll find exhibits on thousands of fish, sharks, turltes, stingrays, and other marine animals that are only found in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.  There are also presentations by marine naturalists and biologists, as well as two restaurants and a gift shop.  Admission is $26 for adults and $19 for children 3 -12 and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

**See the island by helicopter**
Seeing the island from the air offers a unique perspective on Maui’s diverse and beautiful terrain.  Helicopter tours with Sunshine Helicopters start as low as $165/person and go up to $450/person, depending on the duration of the flight and your seating.  Tours like the “Circle Island Deluxe” (starting at $239/person for a 65-minute flight) allow you to explore all of the Valley Isle, including the West Maui Mountains with Honokohau Falls, Haleakala Crater, Kaupo and Ko’olau Gaps, the taro field of Ke’anae, fabulous coastline waterfalls, the world famous Ho’okipa windsurfing beach, and the Hana Rain Forest (the largest tropical rain forest in the US) which extends for over 180 square miles along Maui’s northern coast. The Paniolo Horseback Combo for $315/person combines a 30-minute flight over the West Maui Mountains with a horseback ride through the mountains to the waterfalls at Waihee Valley, as well as a Hawaiian cowboy-style open pit BBQ lunch.

**Kayak and Hike through the rainforest to a waterfall**
Maui is filled with rainforest and waterfalls, and if you’re an “outdoorsy” person (like myself), you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the contrasting terrain.  Hike Maui offers guided hiking tours for all fitness levels.  I recommend the Combination Kayak, Snorkel & Waterfalls Hike, which has a little bit of it all. For $160/person, you’ll receive roundtrip transportation from your hotel, lunch, and snacks, as you spend 2.5 hours kayaking along the rugged sea cliffs of West Maui, snorkel with fish and turtles, hike for a mile through the rainforest, and swim in two waterfalls and pools.

**Enjoy breathtaking views as you zip through the forest canopy**
Kapalua Adventures offers zipline tours that will take your breath away! Each tour starts with a 20-minute adventure in the bio-fueled 4WD Unimog excursion where you’ll arrive at the Mountain Outpost observation deck, located 1,400 feet above sea level and over pineapple fields, offering sweeping views of Maui. The most popular tour is the Upper Mountain Loop and Swing, for $207/person. In this 5-hour tour, you’ll zip across the valley and then ascend up the mountain via a zipper lifter to the edges of Pu’u Kukui Preserve, where your zipping adventure begins high in the trees. The first two zip lines prepare you for the third, which is the longest line on the course at 2,300 feet in length. You’ll start high in the tree tops, fly over valleys and a secret waterfall, and arrive at a scenic bluff with amazing views of the Kapalua coast line and the island of Molokai. The fourth and final zip, the Giant Swing, is a short walk and will take your breath away. You’ll be pulled up by the group to a maximum height of 40 feet and then self-released down and across the valley to absorb the thrill of free fall while enjoying breathtaking views of West Maui and the island of Lanai. In the middle of the tour, you’ll refuel with a picnic lunch from the Adventure Center Cafe.

**Attend a Hawaiian luau**
In all honesty, a “traditional” luau really doesn’t exist. Luaus now are simply a tourist attraction and don’t reflect modern Hawaiian culture. However, with that said, luaus are fun and a great way to experience traditional Hawaiian foods, music, and hula. Maui offers a wide assortment of luaus, usually starting at about $85/person. You’ll receive an Aloha lei greeting, open bar throughout the evening, arts & crafts demonstrations, Hawaiian music, a traditional Imu presentation with the roasting of the pig, a buffet dinner, and an authentic Hula show.

**Enjoy life at one of Maui’s many beautiful beaches**
Need I say more?  Maui has more miles of gorgeous and swimmable beaches than any other island in Hawaii, and you’ll sure to find several spots where you can relax, play, or just enjoy being alive.


I hope that helps a little!  This list, however, doesn’t even come close to skimming the surface of what’s available on Maui.

If you have any questions about any other activities that you’re interested in, or if you’d like to book anything listed above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I would love to chat with you about this wonderful island!



Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Aloha Travel

1-800-843-8771 ext. 23

abby@hawaii-aloha.com

"Hi Abby,

The cruise was truly wonderful, we especially loved Hilo & Kawaii, all was good, especially the food, great restaurants, the people are friendly and great to meet, the entertainment was also good."

-Beth, Australia; 8/15/09 cruise

"Hi Abby:
 
We absolutely loved our cruise.  Yes, you heard right … we put a deposit on another cruise.
 
We had heard from some friends who took the NCL cruise around the islands that the food was not up to the standards of other cruise lines.  However, we found the food to be excellent.  The cruise staff was very attentive and the ship’s accommodations were very comfortable and relaxing.
 
We loved Kona so much, we are giving a lot of consideration to retiring there.  Each island had it’s own special features but the Big Island was our favorite…We throughly enjoyed ourselves and can’t thank you enough for setting this up for us.  We are telling all of our friends to contact you if they ever need help with travel plans to Hawaii."
 
-Mike, California; 5/16/09 cruise

If you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii and want to see the most of the islands, a cruise is an excellent option, particularly if you’ve never been to Hawaii before.  You’ll get a taste of the four main Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i.

Hawaii doesn’t have any all-inclusive resorts, but cruises include daily meals.  When you think of all that’s included, a cruise is an excellent value.

Your cruise fare includes:

-Your accommodations

-Daily meals

-Onboard entertainment

-Onboard amenities

Expenses that are NOT included:

-Gratuities - a $12 per person per day service fee to cover tips will be charged to your onboard account

-Cover charges for specialty restaurants (between $15 - $30 per person), which are available in addition to the standard dining program

-Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, indoor pool relaxation areas, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, ship-to-shore phone calls, email, Internet, fax

-Shore excursions on the various islands

Although a multi-island vacation package may at first glance appear to be less expensive, you’ll end up having to pay for these additional expenses later.

Plus, on a cruise you won’t have to worry about packing and unpacking or wasting time in airports for inter-island flights.

There are several major cruise lines that sail throughout the Hawaiian Islands.  The Pride of America sails roundtrip from Honolulu for 7 days, departing every Saturday, while the other cruises have longer itineraries and sail from west coast ports.

Call today for a quote!

Abby Lapointe

Personal Travel Consultant

1-800-843-8771

In today’s crazy times, finding the best value and "bang for your buck" is more important than ever.  But so is the need for some much need rest and relaxation!

Although no one can deny that money is tighter these days, a vacation to Paradise doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  The tips below will allow you to stretch your well-earned dollars farther.

• Avoid flying Friday through Sunday.  By scheduling your departure and return flights midweek, you could save hundreds of dollars in airfare alone.

• If possible, take your vacation in the fall or early spring.  In Hawaii, the most expensive time to travel is between December 15th and January 5th.  Airfare prices during this timeframe are usually more than double what they are in the fall and spring months, and hotel rates are significantly more expensive as well.  The summer months, from June through mid-August, although not as overpriced as the winter holidays, are still more expensive than the rest of the year.

• Look for special promotions with added values.  Many hotels will offer a free night if you stay a certain length of time, daily buffet breakfast for two, resort credits, and other complimentary ammenities.  These are always a better value than booking the room only at the standard rate.

• Work personally with a professional travel consultant who will be able to customize a package for you based on your specific travel preferences and budget, and to guarantee that you’re getting the best value out there.  Travel professionals are constantly informed of the latest promotions and most truly want you to have the best vacation for the best price.

• Book your airfare, hotel, and transportation as a package.  Travel wholesalers frequently offer special discounts if you book several components of your vacation together, which usually costs less total than if you were to book each part separately.

• Purchase a vacation package with a flexible payment plan.  Depending on how the various components of the trip are put together, many vacation packages only require a minimum deposit to book, with the final payment due anywhere from 75 to 35 days prior to your departure.  This may allow you to invest in a vacation that you may not have originally thought you were able to afford.

• Rent a car and explore the islands on your own.  Hawaii has very reasonable rental car rates, and for about $30 a day you can go where you want to and spend a day at your leisure and experience the islands like a "local."

• Don’t be afraid to splurge every once in a while!  While the $8 Mai Tais may not necessarily be worth the price tag, a $200 helicopter ride over an active volcano will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.  Some experiences truly are worth saving for.

So what are you waiting for?  That dream vacation really is possible, even today, with a little extra planning and some flexibility.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant
abby@hawaii-aloha.com
808-237-5263
800-843-8771 ext 23

Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line has recently taken on a whole new meaning. 

"Freestyle 2.0" is NCL’s fleetwide initiative to improve their ships and guest satisfaction, and the results have truly changed the cruising experience.

In early 2008, the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of Hawaii were taken out of Hawaii, and the Pride of America is now the only cruise ship that sails solely throughout the Hawaiian Islands roundtrip from Honolulu.  In the past, this ship has received mixed reviews from travelers, particularly those accustomed to a more formal cruise atmosphere.  However, guests will have really been impressed with the "new" ship.  The Pride of America departs Honolulu every Saturday evening at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning at 7:00 am. 

The major enhancements include an upgraded dining experience, upgraded staterooms, upgrades to the pools areas, upgraded to onboard activities and entertainment, and additional recognition, services, and amenities for guests booked in balconies and suites.

Upon boarding, guests are now greeted with complimentary sparkling wine and mimosas.  All staterooms now have the new NCL Bliss Bed, which features Euro-top foam memory toppers on new, thicker mattresses, as well as upgraded linens and bath amenities.  The variety and quality of the food in all restaurants has been improved, and there’s a new focus on lobster being served at least twice a week in the dining rooms and on all specialty restaurant menus.  The Pool Deck experience has been improved, and the kids’ programs have been expanded.

Cruising is definitely an excellent value, and a great way to really experience the four main Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i.  Cruise ships are floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, transporation between the islands, accommodations, and so on.  Your cruise fare includes all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and a wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise.  A few things we really liked:
- not having to "dress up"
- taking the tender to shore
- seeing the red lava flow at night
- the Aloha Cafe - never had to wait in line to get food, could eat outside, had tons of choices including shrimp cocktail, asparagus, vegetarian, you name it.  After one trip to a sit-down restaurant and the Cadillac Diner (way too noisy), we ate in Aloha exclusively and couldn’t have been happier
- making our own flower leis on the ship (free!), and having them last for the entire time we were on board
 
There are probably more things, but it was a great trip.  Lucking out to have a handicapped room thrilled my husband no end.  The ship was clean, the staff friendly, we loved it."

Swimming side by side a green sea turtle, smelling the constant perfume of a plumeria tree, and witnessing fiery red lava as it flows into the sea - a trip to Hawaii is truly a therapy for your body, mind, and soul.  Today, more than ever, it’s important to minimize our ecological footprints as much as possible when we travel to make sure the magical destinations we love today can be preserved and enjoyed in the future as well.

Below are some tips to help travel smarter and lighter on your next Hawaii vacation.

• Fly non-stop whenever possible, or take a flight with the fewest connections.  In addition to saving time, a high percentage of a plane’s carbon emissions come from take-off and landing.  Unless you’re coming by boat, the only other way to get to Hawaii is by plane, but you can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing the most direct flight.
• Respect Hawaii’s natural environment.  Hawaii’s breathtaking landscape, varied ecosystems, and fairly preserved tropical beauty are some of the major reasons people visit.  However, extensive tourism is threatening delicate flora and fauna, such as coral reefs.  Be respectful of the "aina" (land) when hiking, snorkeling, or scuba diving.  Never walk on the reef, and be mindful not to disrupt the plants and animals that call Hawaii their home.
• Choose green hotels, or stay in Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, or on working farms.  Many hotels and resorts in Hawaii are truly committed to conserving our natural resources by implementing various practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of waste produced. Some hotels, such as the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, are taking extra measures by providing towel and sheet changing cards which ask that guests consider using their linens more than once.  Other green hotel chains include the Sheraton, Hilton, and Marriott, just to name a few.
• Experience the island culture and promote our communities by eating locally.  Farmer’s markets are abundant in Hawaii and a great way to taste amazing new foods, and because of the favorable farming climate, many gourmet restaurants use local and organic ingredients in their cuisine as well.
• Bring a piece of Hawaii home with you by shopping for souvenirs in local shops.  Not only will you find unique island treasures that you can’t find anywhere else, but you’ll also be supporting the island’s small businesses.
• Participate in walking tours and hikes.  Many tour operators offer a great selection of activities that allow you to experience the islands to the fullest with minimal impact on the environment.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant & Hawaii Destination Specialist
abby@hawaii-aloha.com
1-800-843-8771 ext 23

United Airlines has slashed prices for airfare from Chicago O’Hare to Maui this fall.

If your travel dates are flexible, these heavily discounted package prices are definitely worth considering a last minute vacation to Paradise!

Castle Kamaole Sands - from $871/person

Kaanapali Beach Hotel - from $971/person

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - from $1,290/person

Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa - from $1,380/person

All packages include:

Valid for certain departure dates Sunday - Thursday in late October and November

These prices won’t last long and seats are already filling up quickly.  Call today for the best price and selection.

Abby Lapointe
Personal Travel Consultant
Hawaii Aloha Travel
1-800-843-8771 ext 23
abby@hawaii-aloha.com

To get the most value out of your Hawaii vacation and to really experience the most of the islands, taking a cruise is one of the best options out there.  Cruises are like floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, inter-island flights, accommodations, and what you’re going to do for meals every night.  Your cruise fare your stateroom accommodations, transportation between the four main islands of Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and the Big Island, all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.

The Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, departs Honolulu every Saturday at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise through out the Hawaiian Islands, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning.

After extensive renovations, and now the only cruise ship that sails exclusively in Hawaii roundtrip from Honolulu, the Pride of America has been receiving rave reviews.

"Words are few to describe the experience we lived in Hawaii… Everything during the cruise was simply PERFECT!  From the check-in until the check-out someone was near us to make our stay as pleasant as possible.  Of course booking a suite is definitely recommended for having a much greater time!  The ports of call, the "free-style" cruising, the shore excursions, the staff (especially our Butler), our great cabin and it’s balcony(!!!!), the restaurants, the events all were so live and exciting that I don’t believe I’m back home!…  After all the activities we ended up at our lovely suite’s balcony and it’s long chairs.  How relaxing that was!!!

    -Kelly, Greece

"We have covered most of the South Pacific and Thailand in the past let me say that our Hawaii holiday was the best holiday we have ever had.  I have not one bad thing to say about the whole time, only the entertainment on the cruise was not really happening. We have been on two other cruises with P&O and they really put on a show. Apart from that we loved the ship and the people on board, the food was fantastic and now I have to work twice as hard at the gym to lose those extra kilos (but that’s what holidays are for)."
    -Rosemarie, Australia

"The ship was lovely, although the cabins are quite small. I had imagined sitting out on the balcony, relaxing with a cocktail on my hand, but actually as we didn’t sail until the evening by which time it was almost dark, and the view from the dock was not the greatest, so we didn’t really use the balcony.  WOW what a great holiday, I LOVE HAWAII. It is all so beautiful, and everyone was so friendly. I wish we could have stayed the whole summer."
    -Wendy & Amy, Australia

We work directly with the cruise lines and offer their lowest authorized fares.

If you’re considering a cruise, there’s an amazing promotion going on right now.  For selected cruises on the Pride of America departing April through November, 2009, if you book by October 12th, you’ll receive special discounted pricing, a FREE upgrade to the highest booked category (inside, oceanview, or balcony), an onboard credit up to $100, as well as a complimentary welcome amenity of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.  

Call today for more information and to book your stateroom.

I highly recommend booking as soon as possible to get the best fare and the best stateroom choice.

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Cruise Specialist

1-800-843-8771 ext 23

abby@hawaii-aloha.com