Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort on Oahu

Trip Report Note: Sorry we weren't able to blog live from Hawaii last week. Due to a mishap on Oahu, our laptops and camera gear went missing. We'll have to rely on press photos and a few shots we managed to e-mail home before disaster struck. Neither the Marriott Waikiki or NCL were involved in our luggage mishap.

As I mentioned in my last post, we booked a one-night pre-cruise stay at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Here are just a few reasons why this hotel is the ideal home-away-from-home while you're on Oahu:

Location, Location, Location
Just a 20- to 30-minute car ride from Honolulu Airport, the hotel is also located within walking distance to the International Marketplace (.4 miles), Waikiki Aquarium (.5 mile), Honolulu Zoo (1.5 blocks), Kapiolani Park (2 blocks), and Kuhio Beach. (The resort's website says Diamond Head is within walking distance, but it's a pretty far walk; I suggest taking a cab instead.)

Rejuvenated Beach Front
Kuhio Beach fronts the Marriott and in January the State of Hawaii completed an extensive sand replenishment project there. The Kuhio Beach Restoration Project used 10,000 cubic yards of sand to widen the eroding shoreline, including the stretch in front of the Waikiki Beach Marriott.

Recently Renovated Rooms & Suites
The 33-story Paoakalani Tower and 25-story Kealohilani Tower, both named after Queen Liliuokalani's summer homes which once existed on these grounds, contain 1,310 recently renovated guest rooms and suites, each with a balcony. Views are of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head (or both) and the suites offer one to three bedrooms with a living room, dining area, and multiple balconies. Each room comes standard with high-speed Internet access, a coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, TV with in-room movies, and a refrigerator.

While the hotel itself seems more suited to conventions and events, the rooms are comfortable and have terrific views of either Kuhio Beach or Diamond Head (some corner rooms even have two balconies so you get both views!).

Pools, Whirlpool, and Spa
The Marriott has two fresh-water heated swimming pools and one 10-person whirlpool. It's also home to the Spa Olakino Salon. When we arrived to the hotel around 8:00 p.m., the pool was still hopping and music was being piped in. (We were on a high floor and still heard the music so if you're looking for a quiet room, ask to be placed on the other side of the building and not facing the pool.)

Romance Vacation Package
For those of you planning a romantic vacation to Honolulu, check out the Marriott's Romance Package that includes accommodations in a corner deluxe ocean view room with a lanai where you can view both Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. The package also includes sparkling wine (or cider), a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries, bathrobes and slippers, and breakfast at Kuhio Beach Grill.

Surf Lessons Available
Many visitors wish to learn how to surf while in Hawaii. Former professional surfer Tony Moniz and his Faith Riding Company Surf School can be found at the Marriott's Kuhio Beach. Beginners and those with advanced training glean expert tips from Tony and get hands-on coaching from one of Hawaii’s most experienced surfers. Three lessons are offered daily at 8:30 a.m., noon, and 3:30 p.m. To make reservations at the Faith Riding Company Surf School, call (808) 931-6262.

On-Site Restaurants
The Marriott has several restaurants on-site for your convenience, including:

• Kuhio Beach Grill, buffet breakfast and dinner daily
• Moana Terrace, poolside cocktails and Waikiki Beach sunsets, with local Hawaiian entertainment nightly
• Arancino di Mare, Italian pizzas and pastas, with indoor and outdoor seating
• Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, contemporary Asian-Pacific Rim cuisine
• d.k Steak House, custom-aged steaks, with panoramic views of Waikiki Beach
• Seattle's Best Coffee
• Restaurant RUN, a Japanese noodle shop and sushi bar

We were starving when we got to the Marriott so we headed down to the Kuhio Beach Grill. We were not disappointed. We sat outside on a small patio that's below street level. Tiki torches lit the area and it was very relaxing. The crab legs and prime rib were the best I've had in a long time. This is a fantastic place to enjoy dinner if you've got a big appetite and don't want to stray far from the hotel after a long day of traveling or touring.

The other nice thing about the Marriott is the number of nice shops off the lobby. You'll be able to do a lot of your souvenir hunting right here.

For cruisers heading out on one of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships, the Marriott is the only place to stay since there is an NCL registration desk on site. In the lobby between an ABC Store and a coffee shop, NCL reps are on hand so you can check in, book shore excursions, etc. You can also arrange for a transfer to the ship. NCL retrieves your bags directly from your room and all you need to do is meet the bus in the lobby and you'll be on your way to the pier. You can also opt for a simple luggage transfer. That's what we did so we could get rid of our bags early in the morning and do some sightseeing before joining the Pride of America.

To learn more about the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, visit their website.

Photos courtesy of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort

Winging Our Way to Hawaii

The beach fronting the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Oahu.

In just a few hours we’ll be on our way to Honolulu for a one-night stay at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa before joining Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America on Saturday. It’s a shame we’ll only have one night to enjoy this lovely resort but we’re committed to getting the most out of our stay.

As of now we have dinner reservations at Duke’s at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel but—depending on how tired we are—we may cancel and simply dine at the Marriott’s Kuhio Beach Grill or order from room service.

Since the Waikiki Beach Marriott offers in-room high-speed Internet access, I’ll be able to post our initial impressions of the hotel, along with some pictures, late Friday or Saturday morning after we climb Diamond Head and before we check out. (The photo to the left shows the resort with Diamond Head in the background.)

Photos courtesy of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

NCLA's All-American Crew in Hawaii

Have you ever wondered why Norwegian Cruise Line America is the only line offering inter-island cruises in Hawaii? The answer lies deep in the heart of American politics. In order for any cruise line to offer inter-island itineraries in Hawaii, the line's ship must be flagged in the U.S. and manned by an all-American crew. Not an easy task. In fact, until the inception of NCLA (a subsidiary of NCL), there had been no such ships in nearly 50 years. Therefore, most Hawaiian cruises had to embark in Ensenada or Los Angeles or other port for intra-island passage.

Several years ago, President Bush cleared the way for NCLA's U.S.-flagged ships and 100 percent American crews with his approval of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2003. The Act contained a cruise ship provision, championed by Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, that helped to create thousands of jobs for U.S. and Hawaii residents while providing a significant boost to the Hawaii economy. According to a PriceWaterhouse Coopers report that was issued at the time of the Act's passage, NCLA's inter-island cruises were slated to generate more than $800 million in economic benefits for Hawaii and the U.S., and 20,000 jobs.

NCLA's first U.S.-flagged and U.S.-manned ship was the Pride of Aloha (2004), followed by the Pride of America (2005), and the Pride of Hawaii (2006). (Note that the Pride of Hawaii is being re-flagged, renamed, and sent to the Mediterranean in early 2008).

Ever since NCLA's trio of vessels started sailing the Hawaiian islands, there's been much debate about the pros and cons of an all-American crew. The line admits there were customer service missteps at the beginning that stemmed from a shortage of trained staff. Now, however, NCLA insists those issues have been solved.

If you search the Internet for recent reviews of NCLA's ships, you'll find many positive remarks along with some constructive criticism of the line's all-American crew and "Freestyle" vibe. Part of the issue seems to be expectations. Most cruisers are used to Filipino or European crew. Their American counterparts sometimes bring a more casually friendly or laid-back attitude to a ship.

I look forward to sailing with Pride of America in order to get to know some of her all-American crew and will be paying close attention to just what quantifiable differences there are between PoAm and other foreign-crewed ships.

Logo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line America.