Aloha: Cruising Around the Hawaiian Islands

"Aren't you going to be bored?" my brother Mark (yet to take his first ocean cruise) asked me. I had just told him that my husband Carl and I had booked an 18-day round-trip cruise on the Holland America Line Koningsdam from our San Diego hometown to five Hawaiian stops (and one in Ensenada, Mexico): Honolulu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Kahului, Maui; Kona; and Hilo. It would be about six days over, six days in Hawaii and six days back home.

I was looking forward to a relaxing cruise with no airport hassle. We had visited several Hawaiian islands over the years -- but not since 2013 in Maui. This would be our 40th cruise and second around Hawaii.

Not to be bored, there would be plenty of activities for passengers to keep busy on the sea days, including flower-arranging, hula-dancing and ukulele lessons, lectures about Hawaii's history, Victorian afternoon tea, Ask the Captain, Sunrise Hawaiian Blessing, nightly theater entertainment (singers, dancers, comedians, magicians), a casino, library, two swimming pools and hot tubs -- and, of course, spa treatments and onboard shopping. Even pickleball!

With a crew of 956 and 2,559 passengers (from around the world, including 2,164 from the United States, 303 from Canada, 21 from the United Kingdom, 11 from Mexico -- and even one from Ukraine), there was an air of excitement as we lined up at the pier to board the ship.

"Have the most fun in the world!" a port employee smiled and called out to us as we boarded.

The sail-away party on the deck was festive with music, dancing and a gorgeous sunset. Many passengers were older -- some with impaired mobility and walkers. "Travel while you can" has always been my philosophy. I noticed only two children.

Carl surprisingly ran into a longtime friend and retired work colleague, Kathy Rodondi, and her husband, Steve, from Indio, California, who were visiting Hawaii for the first time.

"This was our third cruise, all on Holland America," Kathy told us. "We booked this as a belated 30th-anniversary celebration and loved every minute of it. We chose a cruise over flying because it's just so much more relaxed and, these days, a more civil way to travel than flying has become. The 10 days sailing to Hawaii and back to San Diego became a vacation in itself, with no agenda other than relaxation and enjoyment from morning till night. Heavenly!"

Our first stop was two days in Honolulu, where we toured The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) for the first time. A staff member told us about the history as we strolled around the beautiful grounds containing more than 60,000 graves.

We took a shore excursion from the ship to Pearl Harbor for our third visit. It was a gorgeous, sunny day with many families and children. A 20-minute film about the Dec. 7, 1941, attack was moving -- as were the two museums. We then rode the tour bus around Honolulu past Iolani Palace (well worth visiting) and ended up with the most breathtaking view from Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside.

"We did excursions at each port of call," added Kathy. "I did a lot of homework before we chose each, looking to combine experiences among the islands.

"At Pearl Harbor, where the experience of being in a place that figures so prominently in our nation's history was eclipsed only by the emotional awe of standing on the USS Arizona Memorial, gazing at the ship itself, settled silently in the clear waters just below my feet. Gazing at the wall of names of those who died on the Arizona that day brought me to tears. It was a moving, emotional experience."

Darlene Frederick and her husband, Dean, from Dearborn, Michigan, were celebrating their 40th anniversary on this, their seventh cruise (and fourth on Holland America) -- and first time in Hawaii.

"We liked the cruise as far as the ship, crew and itinerary," Darlene said. "The cruise was a stress-free way to visit multiple islands. It was humbling to visit Pearl Harbor and honor the memory of those who perished with a prayer and respect."

"We really enjoyed the onboard musical entertainment," added Kathy. "The groups performing in the Rolling Stone Lounge and B.B. King's Blues Club were exceptional, performing the music that we grew up with. Seeing other passengers our age and older (read: retired) get up and dance to the songs of our youth just melted my heart."

And Carl and I also loved the performing piano duo.

It was a treat to dine in the specialty restaurants ($55 each). Our favorite was the Morimoto by Sea pop-up, which was created by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. I loved the unique tuna pizza appetizer, and we both loved Rudi's Sel de Mer.

I always like to ask fellow passengers where they are from. Many on this trip hailed from Southern California -- as well as from the Midwest, South and East, happy to get away from the snow and enjoy the sun.

As Darlene summed up: "As our health, finances and time allow, we plan to continue cruising. If you like the water, all that ship life offers and seeing beautiful places, consider a cruise for your next vacation. We have toured several countries and islands we otherwise would not have seen and made many treasured memories."

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WHEN YOU GO

Holland America Line: hollandamerica.com

Hawaii tourism information: gohawaii.com

Pearl Harbor: pearlharbor.org

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl): cem.va.gov, 808-532-3720

Iolani Palace: iolanipalace.org

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Sharon Whitley Larsen is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.