Beautiful Waikiki Beach
Overview:
Downtown Honolulu as
Seen From Aloha Tower
Honolulu is a major city and the cruise terminal is
right in the very center of it. Honolulu is
sophisticated, vibrant and worldly. Known as the
cross-roads of the Pacific, Honolulu exudes the blending
of Asia, the Pacific and the western cultures combined
in a way that is very engaging. You will enjoy your
visit very much and can emerge yourself in as much
diversity, as you would like.
Since
tourism is the number one contributor to Hawaii's
economy, you can count on a never ending opportunity to
see and do numerous activities, sights, shopping, dining
and just about everything else that you can imagine. In
line with the "On-Your-Own" theme of ePortReviews.com,
the port review for Honolulu will focus on the key
things that you might want to do if you only had one-day
in port.
However, realize that you could actually spend a month
in Honolulu and never scratch the surface of the diverse
number of things to see and do on Oahu. Enjoy your
visit!
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
Carnival Spirit Docked
in Honolulu
Ships
dock in the Honolulu Cruise Ship Terminal at Aloha Tower
in downtown Honolulu. As you can see from the picture
above, the cruise terminal is right in the center of
downtown Honolulu.
Docked at Aloha Tower
in Honolulu
Aloha
Tower and Cruise Terminal sit right at the foot of Fort
Street Mall, one of two major streets that make up
Honolulu's downtown area. In fact, all you see from a
ship docked in Honolulu are downtown's high rise
buildings. It is very impressive.
Exploring on Your Own:
Fabulous Waikiki Beach
Ahhhh,
Honolulu and Waikiki Beach were designed to be explored
on your own. It is quite easy to explore the entire area
on foot, which is the way that we do it. The walk from
the cruise terminal to China Town is about 10 minutes,
as it is to the downtown area. It is only 25 minutes, or
so to walk to Ward Center, Ala Moana Shopping Center and
Ala Moana Park. To the northern end of Waikiki Beach, it
is only about 30 minutes.
If you are
staying in Waikiki before or after your cruise and don't
want to walk too much there are several solutions that
make getting around quite easy.
The Waikiki Trolley
The
Waikiki Trolley is probably your best option if you are
staying for any length of time. The run frequently and
offer three separate routes that take in all of Waikiki
and Honolulu's sights. They offer online discounts if
you purchase your ticket before you arrive in Honolulu
and you can visit their site
.
The Aloha Bus
Another
option is to take the Aloha double-decker bus. While
this doesn't come around as frequently as the Trolley,
it does offer an extensive route with narration and hop
on hop off opportunities. The Aloha Bus also offers
discounts for booking online and can be booked
.
The Bus
The
City Bus is also available ond offers island wide
service. If you want to go to the north shore, or
eastern side of the island, The Bus is a good choice.
Note that since the Trollys and Aloha Buses have become
so entrenched that service within Waikiki and Honolulu
is now somewhat limited.
is a link to The Bus home page where you can
access routing and fare information.
Shopping Tips:
Honolulu and Waikiki
Offer Unlimited Shopping Opportunities
Honolulu and Waikiki is a shopping Mecca. In fact, you
can find just about anything you might be looking for
somewhere in the area. Just Google whatever product that
you are looking for along with the words Waikiki
Honolulu and you will find sources for it. Assuming that
you are going to start your shopping experience as soon
as you disembark, here are the major shopping locations
according to their proximity to Aloha Tower.
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Aloha Tower Marketplace: The second you depart the
cruise terminal you are treated to the Aloha Tower
Marketplace. This shopping venue has over 70 shops,
boutiques and some excellent restaurants that locals
love and you will too.
Aloha Tower Shopping
Center
Be sure
to explore the many boutiques in the area that offer
local art, clothing and many wonderful products.
Port
Highlights:
Famed Waikiki Beach
One of
the main reasons to visit Waikiki Beach is the beach
itself. Waikiki is blessed with perfect weather, beaches
and temperatures and people come from all over the world
to enjoy is crystal clear waters and excellent surf.
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions:
Honolulu and Waikiki offer some of the diverse dining
experiences of anywhere in the world. The reason for
this is because of the blending of cultures that come
together in the Hawaiian Islands. Just about every major
restaurant chain in the Unites States has a location in
Waikiki and there are tons oif stand alone specialty
restaurants to boot. For the sake of this review, I am
going to recommend my favorites and I guarantee you that
you will not have a disappointing time if you take my
suggestions. Having worked for Aloha Airlines in Sales
and Marketing for a 12-year stint and also owned a
wholesale tour company specializing in Hawaii, these
suggestions come from a well-qualified perspective. The
only question is, if your tastes and expectations are
similar to mine. If you love Hawaii and everything about
it, then they probably will.
I will
suggest them for the types of dining you may be looking
for.
Superb (fine) Dining:
Michel's at Colony Surf
This is
my favorite restaurant of all time. It is located at the
Colony Surf Hotel, which is on the other side of Queen
Kapiolani Park. It is located right next to the famed
Outrigger Canoe Club and has been established since the
early 1960s.
The Entrance to
Michel's
Michel's offers a comprehensive menu including many
one-of-a-kind sea food dishes along with Hawaiian
(authentic) music in its open window ocean front
environment. If you want to have a special diner, don't
go anywhere else.
Must Do
List:
Waikiki Beach
Yes, if
you either embark or disembark your cruise in Honolulu,
you owe it to yourself to spend time enjoying Honolulu
and Waikiki's fabulous beaches, shopping dining and
activities. You will discover a vacation paradise that
will bing you back again and again.
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