The cruise was good.  The weather was stormy, especially the first two or three days out, but we weren't badly affected. The geography creates a problem:  too many sea days together and then too many port days in a row, but we had a good time anyway.

The Hilo shore excursion (Signature's) was very good, though a bit long perhaps.  In Kauai we took an off-road tour through old cane field roads in the Poipu area--a lot of fun; we even saw a monk seal (rather rare) on the beach.  In Kona we went up to the Kahua Ranch in the far northern part of the Big Island; that was our best shore trip.  In Lahaina and Honolulu we just hung out in town.  We found out that the Royal Hawaiian has now reopened and looks good. 

The passenger mix was toward the older end.  My biggest complaint with this kind of group is, as another passenger called it, too many organ recitals. Few kids, of course, probably one or two honeymooners at the most, but a lot of women celebrating girls' 2 weeks away from husbands.  We met a number of nice people, and very few grouches.  If there were any rowdy parties they took place when we had gone to bed. A lot of the passengers were snowbirds and Canadians, as might be expected in February, and a fair number were first time to Hawaii.  Some were even first time cruisers.  There were a few Southern Californians besides us.

The food was OK, and Lynn's needs were well taken care of, although she might have welcomed a bit more variety, especially for desert.  We also ran into several other passengers with the same condition.  (Celiac Disease)

Entertainment was standard.  The best was a Boston Irishman in his late 50's in the piano bar, who worked well with this crowd.  One or two solo performers seem to have been old-timers on their way down.  The regular show was one we've seen before: different performers, sets, choregraphy, and costumes, but many of the same tunes from old shows and not much originality.  I think you may know what I mean.

The cabin was comfortable, although we didn't make much use of the balcony.

The Spirit of Aloha, or whatever NCL's ship is called, was in port in Kauai, but we didn't hear anything about it, either there or elsewhere.  We did meet HAL passengers who had been on it, with varying comments.

Ted K.