Thanksgiving 2020 — Cruise to Hawaii with Princess!

For Thanksgiving last year, I was aboard the beautiful Island Princess on my way to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal.  I had never sailed during Thanksgiving, and didn’t know what to expect.  It turned out to be one of the most memorable Thanksgivings I’ve shared with my parents!  We had a blast.  On Thanksgiving, the Island Princess celebrated with one of their formal nights, so we chose to get all dressed up for dinner.

Of course, there was turkey with all the trimmings available, but there was also a full menu of other selections!  So, if you didn’t want turkey there were plenty of choices for you!  Beef, fish, pasta?

What do you like to have for your Thanksgiving Dinner?  Can’t decide?  Have it ALL. And, amazingly, there was no cooking OR cleaning involved!  I really wish that I had planned to be on a cruise for this year!  I’m going to miss that Champagne Waterfall!

As an added bonus, a few days after we sailed through the Panama Canal, the ship was transformed with an abundance of Christmas decorations.  It was simply beautiful!

Next Thanksgiving, I am planning on a return to cruising for the holidays and being on the beautiful Ruby Princess for Thanksgiving 2020!  And, the destination…we’ll be sailing to Hawaii, roundtrip from San Francisco, so there won’t be any lengthy flight over the Pacific Ocean!  I’m most excited to arrive in Hawaii extremely well-rested!  (that’s never happened to me before!)  You should join us for this exciting cruise!

Here’s our Itinerary beginning November 23, 2020

​Day 1: San Francisco, California (4:00 pm)

Day 2: At Sea

 

Want to know more about this amazing vacation?   Here is a bit of information about Princess Cruises Hawaiian itineraries:

More Hawaiian Islands, More Value!

Why settle for seeing just one island on a Hawaii resort-based vacation when you can cruise in style and explore FOUR island jewels? Sailing with Princess is a far better vacation value, and you’ll visit the top-rated Hawaiian islands — Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii, the Big Island — without all the time-consuming hassle of island hopping by plane.  AND, you’ll only have to unpack once!  From enriching Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions to their immersive “Aloha Spirit” program onboard, you’ll discover each island’s unique charm — and fall in love with Hawaii’s enchanting beauty.

15 Days of Paradise

Princess Cruises’ 15-day Hawaiian cruises offer an intoxicating mix of island adventure and carefree cruising. You’ll venture to four dazzling islands — including a full day and late evening in Honolulu to see the sights and experience its famed nightlife. And there’s so much to do while you’re at sea, like enjoying live entertainment, world-class cuisine, island-inspired activities and endless ocean views — plus it’s all included in your cruise fare! Discover why the Travel Channel named them, “Best Cruises to see Hawaii.”

Aloha Spirit

Step on to a Princess Hawaiian cruise and you’ll be immersed in the color, culture, and flavors of Hawaii through Princess Cruises’ unique “Aloha Spirit” onboard program. Join in on their colorful King Kamehameha Festival, learn to play the ukulele, dance the Hula, weave a flower lei, see folkloric performances, indulge in tantalizing island fare and so much more. We make cruising to Hawaii just as fun as being there!

Hawaii is closer than you think!

With convenient roundtrip cruise departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver, it’s easy to cruise to Hawaii in style and avoid the hassle of a long, boring plane flight to paradise. And if you’re on the West Coast, it’s even easier to sail — local residents can drive in and sail on the same day!

Want to explore the West Coast? You can also take advantage of Princess transportation, hotel, and sightseeing packages to discover these cosmopolitan cities.

The Best Time to Cruise to Hawaii!

No matter the season, the best time to cruise to Hawaii is all year long. Follow pods of humpback whales during their late winter migration or embark on waterfall hikes when the trails dry in the spring. With Princess, get the best of both worlds with relaxation and adventure at your fingertips. Whether your itinerary takes you to the cliffs of Kauai or the beaches of Maui, there’s no bad time of year to sail to Hawaii.

Hawaii in the Winter

While winter means cold weather for much of the United States, the holiday season brings something different to Hawaii. Delightful temperatures, sunny skies and refreshing waters invite guests to visit these tropical islands and trade snowmen for sand castles. But, that’s not all you can expect to see during this season. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales breaking through the water’s surface as they migrate from Alaska. This is the best time of year to cruise Hawaii and see these animals as they travel by the hundreds. In Oahu, winter brings some of the biggest waves and the ideal time to watch top surfers hang ten. Or, swap your fir tree for a palm tree and celebrate the holidays island-style. Depending on your sail date, you might even catch the Honolulu City Lights in December thanks to More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays in select ports. With an evening of opportunity ahead, stay through nightfall and watch as hand-crafted floats adorned in rainbow lights bring the streets to life. Even if you miss the snow during a holiday cruise, you can still enjoy snowflakes on board. With life-like snow in the Atrium and a festively decorated ship, get your holiday fix without the chilly weather.

Hawaii in the Fall & Spring

As the rest of the world transitions to a cooler fall season, Hawaii maintains its summer status. Blue skies and revitalizing sunshine welcome pods of humpback whales on their migration to warmer climates in the fall and spring. Set out on a catamaran tour to get up close to these beloved animals, and admire them in their natural playground. In the fall, grab your surfboard and hit the waves. With smaller tides, both beginner and seasoned surfers can learn new skills in these forgiving waters. During the spring, visit the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo to see over 2,000 tropical plants in full bloom. You can even look for the plumeria making their yearly appearance. Or, enjoy freshly groomed trails as you navigate Waimea Canyon in Kauai, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Between the peaceful landscapes and the quiet beaches, the shoulder season is one of the best times to visit Hawaii if you’re looking for a mid-year vacation.

With bright skies and warm sand all year long, any month can be considered the best month to go to Hawaii. Whether you’re looking for a tropical holiday or a year-round retreat, unpack once and see four of the most popular Hawaiian Islands any time of year with Princess.

Whether you’re exploring the islands or on board a Princess ship, there are countless ways to experience the best of Hawaii and relax and rejuvenate. There are award-winning shore excursions for all ages, enriching “Aloha Spirit” island-inspired activities and entertainment, and there’s all the signature Princess features that you have come to love, like Movies Under the Stars, live music, comedians, casino gaming, world-class cuisine and so much more.

Immerse Yourself in All Things Hawaii

Princess Cruises’ exclusive “Aloha Spirit” program brings the sights and sounds of Hawaii to life on board with a wide variety of island-infused entertainment and enrichment programs, including:

• Hawaiian Ambassadors on board every sailing
• Lei-making workshops
• Ukulele playing, and Hula dance lessons
• Polynesian language classes
• A special Grand Hawaiian Farewell Luau, where guests show off their new Hawaii-inspired talents
• The Halau Hula Olana Folkloric Show — a Princess guest favorite
• Hawaiian musicians, naturalists, and entertainers
• The historic King Kamehameha Festival celebrated on board, as part of our Festivals of the World program

Savor Hawaii

Princess Cruises’ team of talented chefs will take you on a mouthwatering culinary journey with exclusive “Aloha Spirit” menus, featuring freshly prepared and carefully curated Hawaiian dishes. You’ll quickly see why Food & Wine magazine named them the Best Cruise Line for Food Lovers. Delight in slow-roasted Luau pork, delectably marinated Kona shrimp, divine Hawaiian Macadamia-infused desserts and, of course, refreshing Hawaiian-inspired cocktails. Friendly crew members also host open tastings and culinary demonstrations so you can truly immerse yourself in the wonderful flavors Hawaii.

Culture, History & Adventure

Let Princess Cruises take you to the best sights and on thrilling adventures with their award-winning Hawaii shore excursions. Get to know the each of the islands in depth with Discovery and Animal Planet Recommended and Exclusive excursions, offering you immersive adventures or even unique experiences you can only get from Princess. And on itineraries with More Ashore Late Night calls, they stay until at least 9 p.m. in port like Honolulu, so you can also experience some of the fabulous nightlife.

Oahu (Honolulu)

The most populous of the Hawaiian islands, bustling Oahu offers attractions for visitors of all ages. Our sailings feature a special late night departure from Oahu, so you can spend a full day seeing the sights, then revel in Honolulu’s exciting nightlife. From iconic Waikiki Beach to the enormous Ala Moana Shopping Center to the glorious Iolani Palace and poignant Pearl Harbor memorials, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do in “The Big Pineapple” of Hawaii!

Maui

Once the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty, great warrior King Kamehameha chose to make Maui’s Lahaina his capital after uniting the Hawaiian islands. Explore breathtaking Haleakala National Park that boasts diverse volcanic and rainforest landscapes, plus a 10,000 foot tall dormant volcano. Or sail out onto the scenic waters off Maui’s sun-kissed shores and witness in awe as humpback whales frolic about.

Kauai

When it comes toKaui, good things come in small packages. Despite being the smallest of the four main islands, Kauai is home to the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” Waimea Canyon,the lush Fern Grotto framed by Wailua River, and so much more. The stunning Na Pali Coast has served as the backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters, such as Jurassic Park and King Kong. With endless emerald landscapes, Kauai truly lives up to its nickname of “The Garden Island”.

Hawaii — The Big Island

Nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian islands combined, the Big Island is a paradise of black-sand beaches, tropical rainforests, and even snow-capped peaks at the soaring Mauna Kea summit. Feel the spiritual “mana” on a shore excursion in Waipi’o Valley, once the meeting place for Hawaiian kings and fabled to contain an otherworldly gate. At the famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, behold extraordinary lava landscapes and two of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Next Thanksgiving, “Come Back New”!

Would you like to join us for this amazing vacation?  Just give me a shout…Princess Cruises currently has some amazing offers including onboard credit, Specialty Dining, bottles of wine, and more!  (this particular offer expires Dec. 10, 2019).   Also, currently we can confirm your reservation with a $200.00 REFUNDABLE deposit (up until final payment date).   Lock in your cabin & price now while there is still a good selection of staterooms.  Would you like to cruise to Hawaii but can’t make our November 23, 2020 sail date?  Princess has several different sail dates, including different Embarkation ports!

I also have an Event Page on my business Facebook page, that I’ll be updating regularly with exciting information about Hawaii, shore excursions & the Ruby Princess!  Just click “interested” and keep up with all the news!

https://www.facebook.com/events/589501258484294/