COVER STORY
humpback whales to call in after a summer in Alaskan waters, and we were blessed with multiple whale sightings (not to mention some playful Spinner Dolphins) along the Napali coast on our final day. This being the home of Freestyle cruising – Norwegian led the cruise world with their move to this more flexible, casual onboard approach – there are excellent dining options each night, with
much locally-sourced produce to ensure great flavours.
Breakfast can be enjoyed at any of four
restaurants, while lunch adds two on-deck grills and the paid-for option (with a la carte pricing) of the Sushi Bar. In the evening, the full range includes 11 choices, namely the two main dining rooms the Skyline and Liberty, the buffet alternative, the 24-hour Cadillac Diner (with a rotating
menu) and seven paid-for options (ranging from $15 to $25 per person). Take your pick from East Meets West
(excellent Asian cuisine), the Lazy J Steakhouse (a tempting array of steaks and chops), Little Italy (the smooth Italian choice), the Teppanyaki Room (the entertaining Japanese ‘Teppan’-style dining), more Asian at Shabu Shabu, the Sushi bar (a la carte) and the signature French restaurant of Jefferson’s Bistro.
O
f course, you’re not going to sample all 11 in a seven-night voyage, but we especially
enjoyed our evenings in East Meets West (don’t miss the Shredded Sesame Chicken), Jefferson’s (for their divine lamb and bouillabaisse) and the boutique hideaway of Little Italy, where the lasagna was a big hit, along with the pork scaloppini. Was a week long enough to see all of
EXTEND YOUR STAY
It is at least a five-hour flight to Hawaii from the US mainland, and another 12 or so from the UK, so if ever there was the perfect time for a pre or post-cruise stay, this is it.
And, as the cruise visits three of the four main islands for two days each, it makes most sense to enjoy a land-based stay on OAHU, home of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and many other delights. If you’re looking for the upscale beach experience, nightlife and shopping of
Waikiki, try the MODERN HONOLULU HOTEL, where contemporary style, uber-chic décor and all mod cons are the order of the day. Just a stone’s throw from the beaches and a short walk to the amazing Ala Moana shopping centre, this is perfectly positioned for Excitement Central in this modern city. For a deluxe hideaway in the midst of Country Club elegance, pick the
KAHALA RESORT, an indulgent choice at the far end of Waikiki in its own secluded beach location. Here, expansive rooms are accompanied by lush grounds, fabulous
restaurants and a unique dolphin pool where guests can enjoy an up-close- and-personal experience or just watch the daily shows. Oahu’s newest and most eye-catching development, though, can be found on the west coast at DISNEY’S AULANI RESORT (above), an astonishing interpretation of Hawaiian style that is fully imbued with the spirit of Aloha. Sumptuous décor, tropical landscaping, island art and a fabulous array of amenities – including a lazy river feature, water-slides, man-made coral reef, infinity Jacuzzi pools, nightly story-telling and kids’ water-play areas – add up to a dazzling resort experience. Dining at AmaAma is among the best on the island and, while children are captivated by regular Disney character appearances (among other things), the House of Mouse style is more subtle than overt and couples are equally at home here. VIRGIN HOLIDAYS feature all the above and work with Norwegian Cruise Line
in the UK to offer excellent cruise-and-stay possibilities. Look up more at www.
virginholidays.co.uk/hawaii or call 0844 557 4321.
Hawaii’s splendours? Absolutely not – you’d need a month or more to soak up the enormous range of sights, sounds, tastes and experiences packed into the four main islands. But you will certainly come away with a real feel for the Aloha spirit in this true tropical idyll. More importantly, however long you spend here, you will want to come back, and the Hawaiians have the perfect phrase for it – A hui hou, or until we meet again.
PRIDE OF AMERICA FACTFILE
Maiden voyage: 2005 Tonnage: 80,439 Length: 921ft Beam: 105ft Draft: 26ft Speed: 20.5 knots Passengers: 2,138 Crew: 940
Passenger decks: 11 Registry: USA
MORE INFO: In the UK, call 0845 201 8900 or visit
ww.ncl.co.uk; in the US, 1866 234 7350 or
www.ncl.com.
Now see the second part of our big Hawaii feature, about the four main islands, on Page 25.
22 WORLD OF CRUISING I Winter 2012-13
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