Which Island in Hawaii for Helicopter Tour Shore Excursion?

If you take a cruise to Hawaii, you'll have a long list of options for shore excursions. Each island you visit will have different things for you to see and do, but just about all of them offer a helicopter tour.

This isn't any surprise considering how beautiful the islands are. Each one is forged from volcanoes, each one surrounded by sparkling ocean waters, and each one full of lush scenery and unspoiled lands, some not even accessible by road. On any island, you'll see some impressive vistas if you take a helicopter tour shore excursion.

But you probably don't want to take a helicopter tour on each island. If your ship stops in four different ports, as many of them do, that would be a lot of pricey shore excursions, for one thing. And you'll want to experience some of the land-based sights too.

So, if you're planning to take a helicopter ride, which Hawaiian island should you choose?

While you'll probably enjoy yourself on any island, many people recommend Kauai.

A big part of this is because Kauai has a canyon that almost rivals the grand canyon in scope and beauty. Called Waimea Canyon, it's sure to take your breath away. Also Mount Wai'ale'ale crater is an impressive site where more than 420 inches of rain fall a year.

Also larges parts of Kauai are still wild and undeveloped, meaning no roads to them, so the only way to view them is from the air. You'll see stunning waterfalls and coasts too.

Though all the Hawaiian islands are beautiful (hey, they call it paradise for a reason), you'll really enjoy a helicopter tour on Kauai.

Luxury Cruises vs. Economy or Mid-price Cruises, What's the Difference?

If you book a luxury cruise, what are you really paying for? Are you getting a vastly different experience from someone who books a cruise on an economy or mid-price ship?

Well, let's take a look....

If it's public facilities that matter a lot to you, you can actually find some of the most modern and enhanced pools, gyms, spas, lounges, and showrooms on the big but affordable ships offered by the mid-market cruise lines (such as Carnival and Princess Cruises). You won't necessarily get better public spaces on luxury vessels, and you may even have a few fewer amenities since luxury ships have smaller passenger loads.

Will you get better service on a luxury ship?

Well, maybe. Paying more doesn't necessarily mean you'll get more specialized attention. Usually it depends a lot on the passenger to crew ratio. The lower the ratio, the more personal attention you should get. (Luxury ships have fewer passengers than economy or mid-price mega ships, but it is possible to find mid-price cruise ships out there that only take a couple hundred people at a time: see posts on mid-sized ships and small cruise ships).

What you do tend to see in luxury lines is better suites. Buying a luxury cruise will usually get you a larger cabin and a roomier bathroom with tub and shower.

Dining is almost always superior on luxury cruise ships as well. With fewer mouths to feed, the chefs have more time to offer a larger choice of dishes and make meals to order, restaurant style.

However, some of the mid-market cruise lines are known for good food, too, so you don't necessarily have to pay big bucks for enjoyable meals. Also the megaships today have alternative dining restaurants where you can be treated just as you would at your favorite eatery on the mainland (these dining experiences aren't included in the base cruise price and cost $10-$30 a head).

As you can see, it really depends on your preferences as to whether or not it's worth paying the extra bucks for a luxury cruise line. Some people swear by them, and some people have had perfectly wonderful "luxury" experiences with mainstream cruise lines.

Before you make your decision ask around and visit the various cruise forums and message boards out there (a Google search for "cruise forum" will show you a couple of the most popular) to read reviews of specific lines and ships.

Source: The Unofficial Guide to Cruises

Are Shore Excursions Handicap Accessible?

Cruises can be a great vacation, but are they still enjoyable if you have accessibility issues? And if you do find the perfect cruise for you, will you be able to partake in the shore excursions?

In the past, it was often hard to find a cruise ship that was truly easy to navigate for a person in a wheelchair, but fortunately things have changed in the last few years, thanks evolving disability acts. A travel agent can help you find a ship that's perfect for your needs, but generally you'll find newer ships are much more handicap accessible and you'll have fewer difficulties and restrictions on your on-board roaming.

However, shore excursions are run by third parties, and in foreign countries they may not be worrying about disability acts instated in your country. This means you need to be a little more careful in selecting tours to take when you disembark.

In many cases, cruise lines will have certain shore excursions marked as handicap accessible (often with a wheelchair icon) in their brochures or their online booking system. Also the trips will be rated by difficulty level (1, 2, or 3). These pamphlets with their brief descriptions can only tell you so much however, so if you have doubts or questions about anything, your best recourse is just to ask.

How will transfers be done from ship to shore (if the ship is not docking but tendering people ashore with boats, transfers can be more troublesome) and from shore to tour transport? Will the excursion itself require walking or navigating over uneven terrain? Are vans, buses, etc. equipped with ramps and handicap seating?

You will find that while many shore excursions aren't suitable for people with accessibility issues, there will likely be some interesting tours to take at each port of call.

For more on cruising with accessibility issues, browse this article.

Walkie Talkies Let You Keep Tabs on Family Members on Your Cruise

If you're heading off on a cruise for the whole family (or even just for two), chances are different people are going to want to do different things, at least some of the time. So, how do you keep track of everyone?

You have a couple of options: verbally setting times to meet up (or leaving sticky notes on cabin doors), calling each other on cell phones (most places you cruise to you'll be able to get cell reception), or picking up walkie talkies.

Sticky notes are free but cell phones can get costly, especially when you figure in roaming charges. That's why walkie talkies are popular with some families.

Many of them have ranges large enough that you will be able to talk to family members anywhere on the cruise ship, and there's no roaming charges with these puppies.

If you're worried about walkie talkies taking up too much room in your luggage, you may want to check into extra small ones, such as the wrist watch walkie talkies shown here. You can get a decent set for about $50.

Cruise Cabin Differences

When you book your cruise, one of the first things you'll do is choose which cabin you want to stay in.

There are several types of cabins, all with different price tags. Sizes range from tiny (60 square feet) to huge (5,750 square feet). Of course, there is some variation from line to line, but here are the basics you can expect for each type (price for inside cabins is cheapest and goes up from there):

Inside cabins -- These rooms come without a view. They are on the inside of the ship and have no windows or portholes. They are very dark when the door is closed, so if you are claustrophobic, you may not like an inside cabin. However if, like many people, you tend to enjoy all the ship has to offer and just use your cabin for sleeping, this sort of accommodation may work just fine for you.

Outside cabins -- The next rooms up will have windows or portholes, so you get a little light coming inside and you can get a glimpse of what's going on outside of the ship.

Outside balcony cabins -- In addition to, or instead of, a window/porthole you'll actually get a little private balcony you can step out onto. Private is relative, of course, since you'll usually be able to see your neighbors or even the people below you on their balconies. Beware the term "French balcony" in the room description, because that just means there will be doors you can open for air but you won't actually have room to go outside.

Suites -- These are the largest and most expensive living spaces on a cruise ship. They usually feature a balcony and junior suites that may or may not have balconies of their own.

Are Transatlantic Cruises Boring?

Quick, you've got to get from New York to London. What's the quickest way?

Ok, you're right. Flying. But if you hate to fly or you want to make a vacation of the trip, you might consider a transatlantic cruise.

Several lines offer them, and in a few days you can sail from one side of the ocean to the other. But, you may be asking yourself, is it boring? There are no shore excursions, and there's nothing to look at but water, right?

Whether or not you get restless on the voyage will depend on you, but today's cruise ships are anything but boring. Some of them are like mini Las Vegas towns on the water. You've got casinos, theaters, shows, lots and lots of food choices, fitness centers, classes, and don't forget just lounging by the pool in the sun (if the weather is good).

There is so much to do on board a cruise ship that some people skip the shore excursions when they take a trip anyway.

If you know you're get restless being on a ship for several days with no way off, then a transatlantic cruise might not be for you, but if you want a relaxing way to cross the ocean, then you have no reason to worry about being bored on the ship.

Pros & Cons to Cruising to Private Islands

If you're taking a cruise that visits a new port of call just about every day, you can feel overwhelmed by all the sightseeing opportunities. Sometimes it's nice to have an excuse for a beach day, where fun and relaxation are the only priorities.

That's why the major cruise lines have purchased private islands and placed them on their Caribbean itineraries. With tons of resort-style activities to do, they're a great place for couples, families, and even the solo traveler just looking to relax on the beach.

Which Cruise Lines Operate Which Private Islands?

Here's the list...

• Catalina Island -- Owned by Celebrity Cruises, first used in 1995, located in the Dominican Republic
• Serena Cay -- Owned by Costa Cruises, first used in 1996, located in the Dominican Republic
• Castaway Cay -- Owned by Disney, first used in 1998, located in the Bahamas
• Half Moon Cay -- Owned by Holland America, first used in 1997, located in the Bahamas
• Cayo Levantado -- Owned by MSC Cruises, first used in 2005, located in the Dominican Republic
• Great Stirrup Cay -- Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, first used in 1977, located in the Bahamas
• Princess Bay -- Owned by Princess Cruises, first used in 1986, located in Mayreau, Genadines
• Princess Cays -- Also owned by Princess Cruises, first used in 1992, and located in Eleuthera, Bahamas
• Coco Cay -- Owned by Royal Caribbean International, first used in 1990, located in the Bahamas
• Labadee -- Also owned by RCI, first used in 1986, and located in Haiti
  

If your cruise includes a trip to one of these islands, here's what you can expect:

Benefits/Pros of Private Islands

• No natives, so no crime to speak of
• Crystal clear waters and great beaches
• Plenty of water activities such as snorkeling and scuba
• No one trying to hawk their wares at you
• No reservations to make or worrying about catching taxies
  
• Small boats and floating mattresses to lounge in the water on
• Hammocks and sometimes cottages where massages are available

Downsides/Cons of Private Islands

• As with anywhere else, you'll have to pay for most of the activities (even to rent a hammock)
  
• You'll be sharing your "private island" with everyone else on the ship (up to 3,000 passengers)

There aren't too many downsides to a day on a private island though so if your itinerary stops by one, plan on enjoying yourself.