Our 2009 Holiday was a cruise of  the Hawaiian Islands aboard The Golden Princess, it was a great success

CRUISE           ITINERARY Los Angeles.  California Cruising the Pacific Ocean Hilo, Hawaii Honolulu Hawaii Kauai, Hawaii Maui,  Hawaii Cruising the Pacific Ocean Ensenada, Mexico Los Angeles

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The cruise ship was extremely comfortable and offered all the facilities that we now expect from the Princess Cruise line. The ship boasts elegant dinning with six dinning rooms, two theaters, each providing 2 shows every night, these dazzling music productions was high quality and not to be missed. The cruise ship boasts casinos, bars, lounges, pools, sports facilities and great shopping, just to mention a few of the on board attractions, the Golden Princess  is top class and does not fail to impress. Cruising is a voyage of discovery, this cruise ship experience and the exotic places visited, made for a unique holiday, there is nothing else like it in the world.















The above photographs show: (Top) Ursula waiting for the lift prior to dinner. (Left) our good friend Ray with Ursula at dinner. (Center) the arrival of Baked Alaska .( far right) myself with Ursula at the Captains Circle "welcome back" cocktail party.



Hilo, Hawaii  this was the first port of call on our cruise. The island is best known as the "Big Island", it has a rich array of attractions, a diverse climate and 2 active volcanoes.
For our day on the island we had booked to visit the Kilauea Volcano which is still active, unfortunately when we arrived at the volcano the weather closed in and we had light rain. The visibility from the volcano lip was poor but we were able to appreciate the volcano effect, we viewed volcano craters, steam vents and  lava flows. What impressed us most of all, hidden away in the rain forest ecological zone was the Thurston lava tube, this was formed by hot flowing lava and you could easily walk its full length.





The above photographs show (left top) Ariving in Hawaii (left bottom) Ursula looking over the volcano, (center) Ursula and Ray at the concealed entrance to the lava tube, (right) Ursula inside the lava tube.

For great pictures and information about the lava tube, please click on:  THURSTON LAVA TUBE.    Please use your Browser back button to return this page.


Honolulu, Oahu was our next port of call, Honolulu is the Hawaiian islands capital city and has something for everyone.The infamous Pearl Harbour, the Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl Crater are haunting reminders of the tragic events of 7th December 1941. The island is home to Waikiki the most famous beach in the world, it boasts of rain forests, extinct volcanoes, crators, legendary sugar cane and pineapple plantations.
For our visit to the island we chose to use the ships excursion to visit the USS Arizona Memorial with a city tour. This turned out to a good choice, we spent a sobering memorable time at Pearl Harbour,  visited the Punchbowl and viewed most of the city attractions whilst taking in the glorious island scenery.





The photographs show:  (left)  the entrance to the USS Arizona Memorial site. (center) the Remembrance Circle. (far right) arriving at the USS Arizona Memorial by navy shuttle boat. (far right top) a scenic view on the island.

For full information regarding the USS Arizona Memorial go to : MEMORIAL


Kauai was our next island visit docking at Nawiliwili,  it is fair to say we had never heard of the island and did not know what to expect. Kauai is known as the Garden Isle and is what you have always envisioned Hawaii to be. The Island offers breathtaking scenery, pristine beaches, peaceful valleys, steep clifts and lush greenery, and you will ask "how can so much beauty be found in one place". It is on record that over 60 movies and tv shows have been made here, including Jurassic Park, Blue Hawaii and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
For our time ashore we decided to try the "Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto" well again we made the right choice, the Fern Grotto is legendary and is one of the most magical spots in the world. The Grotto can only be accessed via the Wailua River and then by following a path flanked by huge colorful vegetation that is best described as jungle..It is a natural amphitheater covered with lush tropical vegetation, it is a stage where we listened to the famed "Hawaiian Wedding  Song"  performed by Hawaiian singers..
Returning on the river boat we was treated to Hawaiian music and dancing, it was a wonderful day.













The photographs show:  (left)  myself and Ursula on a Wailua river boat.  (Center) the footpath to the Grotto. (far right) the Hawaiian singers

For full information on the Wailua River fern Grotto and the island of Kauai go to : ISLAND OF KAUAI


Maui  was the last Hawaiian island we visited, the cruise ship anchored off shore and passenger transfers to Lahaina was made by ships tender. Lahaina is a colorful waterfront town which was once the Whaling capital of the Yankee Pacific fleet.
The island of Maui is formed by 2 massive volcanoes these are joined together by a rich valley which gives Maui its nickname the "valley Isle". The island boasts natural splendor, the worlds largest inactive volcano, magical waterfalls and over 80 beautiful beaches.
For our excursion on the island of Maui we decided to go "Whale Watching", we was picked up direct from the cruise ship by a fully equipped whale watching vessel and taken to the warm shallow waters of the Auau Channel where whales migrate to for breeding and birthing.



The photographs show : (Left) Whale watching.  (Center) shopping  location in Lahaina.  (Far Right) passengers returning to the cruise ship by tender.

For more information on whale watching and the island of Maui go to : ISLAND OF MAUI


After leaving the island of Maui we enjoyed the next 4 days leisurely cruising the Pacific Ocean, when again we took full advantage of the ships facilities and entertainments programe.


Photographs: (Left) The Terrace Pool.  (Center)  The Atrium / Boutiques.  (Right) Hawaiian Group.


Our dinner table was a happy one and it was a real pleasure to sit down with our wonderful  new friends from  all parts of the USA..

Photograph below: Our dinner group.















Photographs: (Left) Emanual with Ray.    (Center)  Ursula with Nancy and Linda.    (Right) LeRoy and Louise.


Ensenada in Mexico best know as "Cinderella of the Pacific" was our last port of call. We did not go ashore, choosing instead to spend our last day soaking up the sun on the sun deck of the Golden Princess. That evening the cruise ship resumed the voyage to Los Angeles where we disembarked for our flight back to the United Kingdom,

We had a fabulous holiday aboard the Magnificent Golden Princess and we were very sorry when the cruise came to an end.