Day 8: Maui

While the tender port in Lahaina is being expanded over the next year or so, cruise ships visiting Maui are now docking at the freight port near Kahului. The good side is that the ship is at a berth, so no tendering is required, and this location puts guests closer to activities like the Road to Hana and Haleakala; the bad side is that it’s not too close to anything else. Even an Uber or taxi to the beach in Paia is not inexpensive.  Since we’ve visited this island many times and stayed there for extended periods of time, G decided to use today to complete his virtual 2022 Great Aloha Run, an 8.15-mile run that he’s done every time he’s been in Hawaii over Presidents Day weekend (G did military duty in Hawaii). It was conducted virtually last year and this year, and I remember him running in place in the house last year when there was snow on the ground and he didn’t want to go to the gym.  This year, at least, he could run in Hawaii. 

Breakfast with enrichment lecturer David Weimers


The West Maui mountains and Pu’ Kukui watershed

Haleakala volcano (elevation 10,023 ft.)

Right in the freight port at Kahului

This little shopping center is about a 20 minute walk from the ship

Storms started rolling in late in the afternoon.

Showtime was production cast vocalist Rhona May accompanied by the 

Ruby Princess showband

G is loving the live music on board!

Day 8 Princess Patter

Day 7: Kauai

G had no specific plans for the remainder of this cruise. He thought he might pick up a last minute helicopter trip on one of the islands if the weather was good and the opportunity presented itself, but really just wanted to soak up the warm weather. He did walk over to the shops and beach near the the port of Nawiliwili, because, unlike me, he can’t NOT get off a ship in port. 

We also took advantage of his down time and our crystal clear phone connection to firm up our plans for the next month and a half. G had already been counting on repeating this itinerary on this ship again beginning March 27 out of San Francisco, and we were just waiting to see how McGee’s early track season was shaping up before I made a decision about joining him. Well, today I added myself to that cruise too. In addition, G really wanted to just stay on the ship for its next two cruises, through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale and back, so I took care of booking those for him, too. I did look at flying to Fort Lauderdale on March 12 and boarding the Ruby Princess on its turnaround day there, but flights were ridiculously expensive (a weekend during Spring Break) and I really wasn’t that keen on the itinerary since we had just done it on the Emerald Princess in October. Plus it would have meant more missed track meets. By limiting my cruise to 15 days, combined with McGee’s plans to travel to out of state races for two meets (this kid is GOOD!), I would only miss one of his meets in this area. Book it, Danno!

I calculated that, even in this Age of COVID, G will be spending at least 96 days on ships in less than twelve months. He’s definitely in HIS happy place.

Day 6: Honolulu

We were both excited about today, G because they were finally arriving in Hawaii after four days at sea, and me because it was game night. With the evacuation at sea, the arrival of the Ruby Princess in Honolulu had been pushed back to 11am, but G was up early to get photos as the ship approached Oahu. 

G had plans for the day, to climb Diamond Head volcano with Sherita. They Uber’ed over to the state park, and Uber had to drop them off outside the tunnel going into the crater (it wasn’t allowed to enter the park) but there was a safe walkway through the tunnel (car traffic can only one way at a time). 

Traffic lines controlling car flow through the tunnel into the crater

It was a gorgeous day for the climb

The Diamond Head lighthouse

The trail is steep with a tunnel and lots of stairs 

A good view of the crater and the location of the look out at the top. 

At about 2 o’clock in the circle you can see where the tunnel is that they walked through

to enter the crater. 

After the hike, they relaxed on the beach at the Hale Koa.

On board time was not until 10:30pm, allowing them to stay for sunset. 

McGuy’s team easily won tonight, and I was able to get home before the next snow storm started overnight. It had been a good day all around. 

Day 6 Princess Patters

Day 5: At Sea

I knew the big event on G’s calendar for today was the Most Traveled Guest (MTG) luncheon, but I had an appointment in town first thing this morning. Thankfully, Friday night’s snow was just a distant memory and our dear neighbor had cleared our driveway and walks for me. 

Seabass with soba noodles


Bacon wrapped pork loin with Greek salad

Hazelnut praline mousse

With Captain Steven Lewis and his cruise wife 😉

This being Valentine’s Day, G texted me the vow for the group vow renewal ceremony that was held by the Neptune Pool.

He told me he said my part for me. 

That sounds about right. 😆

Day 4: At Sea

G must have been up and at ‘em early this morning; these pics from the World Fresh Marketplace arrived while I was still in jammies. 

Captain’s Circle events this cruise

He claimed his seat for today’s Super Bowl early (this is not his first rodeo😉) and was settled in with a burger and beer before the game began.

With  Sherita and Matt, the Three Musketeers 😆

I was so happy to see G wearing sun protective clothing while he waited for the game to start.

We have gotten fried watching Super Bowls at MUTS over the years. 

And he finished his day with another session of a jazz in the Adagio

Day 4 Princess Patter