Hawaii Dream Vacations by Abby

"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

Ho’omaika’i Ana (“congratulations”) to Edwin and Skarlett Ibarra from Guatemala, and the new addition to their family, Juan Daniel.

After almost 10 years of marriage and no children, Edwin and Skarlett visited Hawaii last November, 2007.

They enjoyed a 7-day inter-island cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, explored the islands to the fullest, and were truly embraced by Hawaii’s magic and overwhelming spirit of aloha.  The warmth and beauty of the islands truly encourages the celebration of love and romance was in the air.  After returning to Guatemala with wonderful memories, nine months later, Juan Daniel was born!

Best wishes to Edwin, Skarlett, and Juan Daniel.  May the spirit of aloha always be in your hearts!

Abby Lapointe

Hawaii Aloha Travel