Celebrity Infinity Cruise to Hawaii

See Our New Website

2006-08-02T21:16:00.000-04:00

We went on a 7 day Western Carribbean cruise in March which we failed to document. To make amends we created a new website to share some of our adventures. We are now planning for a Transatlantic cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium on November 24, 2006. You can read all about our preparations and the cruise as it develops.

Also included will be other cruises, trips, vacations and other bits and pieces from our life that you may find interesting. Please join us at http://larryandjulia.com/

All posts on the Hawaii cruise are still available by clicking the links under "Our Cruise" at the bottom of the page. Thanks for visiting.

Rainbow Falls and Farewell to Hilo

2005-11-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

Our last stop before returning to the pier was a visit to Rainbow Falls in Rainbow Falls State Park. The falls is on the Wailuka River, about 50 feet off of Rainbow Drive in downtown Hilo. It is the most accessible waterfall in Hawaii. A picture on this site shows the falls after a flood.

Picture off our veranda as we were leaving Hilo, on our way back to San Diego.

Picture of our tablemates for the cruise, Kevin and Sheila (left) from the UK, and Jim and Denise (center) from Canada. Julia and I, the "old folks" at the table are seated.

We then went to the broadway show and then went back to our stateroon and retired for the evening. We have 3 remaining days at sea before our return to San Diego, and the flight home to Florida.

Lava Tubes and Recent Lava Flow

2005-11-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

Photographs of the entrance and a walk through an inactive lava tube. It was cool and wet with water filtering through the volcanic ceiling and collecting in puddles on the tube floor. The lighting was not good, and I was only able to get this picture where some light from the entrance helped with the illumination.

Recent lava flow, sorry I forgot the year.

Close up photographs of the lava bed. The pattern almost looks like it was woven with ribbons. It is an amazing pattern. Incidently, since this is a national park, they prohibit the removal of lava. Seems like an odd restriction due to the vast quantities available.

Photograph of a road closing due to lava flow. The government has constructed an access road that is restricted to residents and land owners on the affected stretch of roadway. For us this was the end of the line.

More of Volcano National Park

2005-11-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Additional pictures taken from the rim of the volcano. These picture were just too beautiful not to share. Some of the photos shown are part of a series I took to create a panoramic view. I have not yet done that.

As always, there are people who ignore all warning signs and climb over protective fences and ropes to risk their lives just to experience a moment of excitement. They also provide a photo opportunity for me. I am happy to report that no sightseers were harmed in photographing this scene.

Volcano National Park

2005-11-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

There are two active volcanos on the island. There are vent holes and lava tubes everywhere which serve to relieve pressure of the volcan0 and provide a route for the flow of lava to the ocean. These were naturally formed in the process of volcano formation.

This is one such vent. It is surrounded by this rail to prevent accidental entry. The steam coming from the vent is very hot and some say has a medicinal value.

Julia standing with a background of the lava field. The view is toward the ocean, with steam visible where lava is flowing into the water.

More views from the rim of the crater

Photo of a fault line. About a third of the island is destined to fall off into the ocean. The date of this event is unpredictable, but has been discussed in terms of tens to hundreds of years.
An interesting article "Tsunami Thoughts", discusses this.

A 40 acre section on coast fell into the sea from eruptions of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii on December 02, 2005. This was the largest collapse since lava flow resumed in 1983. We just missed this collapse by two weeks.

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A view showing the extent of the lava fields.

Arrival in Hilo, HI

2005-11-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

Today is our last port where we are able to disembark. We arrived at pier at about 7:00 AM, had breakfast, and left the ship to take a tour of the Island. Hilo is on the eastern coast of the Big Island, nearly opposite Kailua , our stop on the 13th.

Hilo is unique in that there is no waterfront development, the coastline consisting of relative new formations of lava. The lava flow is ongoing, and it will be many thousands of years before it will be developed, if at all.

Hilo is known for the abundance of rainfall, averageing nearly 139 inches per year. Fortunately, we got no rain on the day of our visit. So far, we have had no rain at any of our ports of call.

Our tour began with a visit to an orchid farm, showing many varieties, many not available for sale.

We then boarded the bus and headed for Volcano National Park

Waikiki , Then Back to the Ship

2005-11-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

Upon leaving the Cemetery, the bus took us through the Waikiki Beach area, famous both for the beach and the shopping area with the high class stores which compare with those on Rodeo Drive in California.

The driver told us that the building above was a prison. I have been unable to find it described on the internet. I wanted to provide a link. If any reader has more information, please contact me.

This is a picture taken through the bus window of the famed Waikiki Beach. It is not nearly as spectacular as shown on the official site. Perhaps that is partially due to the obvious crowded condition this particular day.

We are traveling along the shoreline, returning to the pier, ending our day on the Island of Oahu.

View from the veranda as we are leaving port, sailing to Hilo, scheduled to arrive at 7:00 tomorrow morning

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

2005-11-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

The cemetery is located in central Honolulu. Pictures along the route to the cemetery show some of the interesting cityscape.

The Cemetery is located on a 111.5 acre tract of land in central Honolulu, approximately midway between the airport and Waikiki, in an area known as the "Punchbowl", a crater formed 75000 years ago during a period of volcanic activity. The number of internments through 2005 numbered 46,272 according to the official website.

I apologise for the picture quality, but the National Park Service does not allow the tour buses to stop for photographs. (at least our driver said so). All photographs shown were from a moving bus, over or between the heads of other passengers, through glass which at times cause reflections which completely ruined the picture. These are the best of the best. Sorry.

The USS Arizona Memorial

2005-11-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

A must see, when you visit the island of Ohau, is a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial. It is a tribute to the men who perished in the most devastating military attack on American soil

Arizona was moored in Pearl Harbor's "Battleship Row" on the morning of December 07, 1941, when Japanese carrier aircraft attacked. Arizona, along with six other battleships were put out of action in the ensuing bombing. Maryland, Tennessee, and the Pennsylvania were repaired in a matter of weeks. Three others, the Nevada, the California, and the Vestal were in repair for a year or more, while the Oklahoma and Arizona would never return to service.

Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. Approval of the construction of a memorial to be constructed over the mid portion of the Arizona was approved in 1958. Its construction was completed in 1961 and was dedicated in 1962.

Portions of the Arizona remain visible beneath the surface of the water.

The names of the 1177 men who lost their lives are engraved on the marble wall. Many who survived the attack of the Arizona choose to rejoin their crewmates when they die. The number entombed increases each year.

Smaller memorials were constructed at the locations where the other ships were located at the time of the attack. While the memorial itself lists the men killed on the Arizona, the USS Arizona Memorial has come to commemorate all military personnel killed in the Pearl Harbor attack.

As we were leaving for our return to shore, we paused and took a picture "close up" of the memorial.

The tour of the memorial is an unforgetable experience. As I said at the beginning of this post. This is a must see. Not just because we have a duty to remember those who gave their life to serve their country, we should also consider it an honor.

The Visitor Center at the USS Arizona Memorial

2005-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

The visitor center at the USS Arizona Memorial houses exhibits of models of the Arizona and some of the Japanese carriers involved in the attack. Also on exhibit are displays describing the history of the attack. We had tickets to go to the Memorial an hour after arrival, so our time to explore the center was limited.

Our time in the visitor center came to an end. We were ushered into the theatre where we saw a short film made up of Allied and Axis footage of the attack as seen from both sides. After the film, we went to the transport ship and were taken out to the memorial.

Arrival in Honolulu, Oahu

2005-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived in Honolulu at about 7:00 AM, at Pier 2. We took the following pictures from our veranda after we were docked.

Honolulu , the most famous city in Hawaii, is located on the southern coast of Oahu Island. Honolulu is a mixture of old and new cultures, founded in the 2nd century as a Polynesian community. It was discovered in 1794 by the explorer William Brown, a British Captain.

Honolulu is the Capitol of the State of Hawaii, which became a state in 1959, after being annexed as a territory in 1898. Perhaps the most famous attraction in Honolulu is the USS Arizona Memorial, located in Pearl Harbor, about two mikes west of the Honolulu Airport.

A live webcam site at the Memorial has a banner saying that the webcam has been suspended, although it appears to be working.

Leaving Kauai

2005-11-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

We boarded ship after an exciting day, and took the following pictures as we were sailing out of the port of Nawiliwilli, Kauai

The Helicopter Tour of Kauai, Part 3

2005-11-13T15:45:00.000-05:00

We were told the site the Jurassic Park filming is in the area of photo two in this series.

Words cannot describe the beauty of the terrain. We were saddened to know that this tour was fast coming to an end. After flying over some relatively flat countryside, we landed back at the helioport. Julia and I had our picture taken as we exited the helicopter.

We were taken back to the pier, ending perhaps the most beautiful and exciting experience of our lives.

Perhaps these pictures can give you some idea of the beauty and encourage you to also take this tour.

The Helicopter Tour of Kauai, Part 2

2005-11-13T15:30:00.000-05:00

The fact that the rainfall is so high accounts and the effect of time accounts for the spectacular fearures and breathtaking landscape including the sheer valleys, sharp ridges dropping to the ocean, and an amazing variety of waterfalls, not equaled anywhere else on earth.

This area is the site of various movie locations, including Jurassic Park.

We have explored the more rugged parts of the island, and we turn and begin our return to the heliopad. The excitement of seeing the cliffs, seemingly only feet from the rotor tips will be long remembered. When you go to Hawaii, don't miss the chance to see this area. A helicopter is the only way to access some of the more rugged parts of the island and is certainly one of the most scenic.

The Helicopter Tour of Kauai, Part 1

2005-11-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

After our long walk, trying to find the mall, and our return to the pier, we met Jack, a broker representing several companies offering helicopter tours of the island. We talked some and told him we had to be back at the ship by 4:30 to board at the deadline of 4:45.

After making calls to several companies, only to find out that they were fully booked, he found one that needed 2 couples to make a full load. We decided to go, and waited a few minutes and found out the other 2 spaces were sold and the trip was on.

We had a wait of 1.5 hours before we were to be picked up and taken to the heliopad. Upon arrival we donned the belt housing the flotation device, received a safety lecture, then boarded the aircraft.

We were furnished a set of headphones which served two purposes. First, they canceled the noise of the engine, and second, they allowed two way conversation with the pilot and the other passengers. We were to fly from the pad, over Mt. Waialeale and into the Waimea Canyon. With an average of over 472 inches or 39 feet of precipitation each year, Mt. Waialeale is the rainiest and wettest spot on earth.

There was some haze during much of our helicopter tour. Jim, our pilot told us that we were very lucky. In an area of the island where it rains sometime during the day 360 days a year, we had no rain. The sight was truly beautiful. Unfortunately, haze and the curved windows on the helicopter with the resultant distortion and reflections had an adverse effect on picture quality. Hopefully, you will find them enjoyable anyway. The tour continues .....

Kauai Arrival - The Walk to the Mall or Nowhere

2005-11-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived at the pier in Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai's East Shore (Coconut coast) at about 7:00 AM. Since we docked at the pier, and not anchored offshore, I was not able to take pictures from the veranda, at least pictures worthy of publication.

Again, we had not made previous plans, booking no tours through Celebrity Infinity. After breakfast, we went ashore and decided to walk to the mall. We saw others walking, so just assumed that was the proper direction.

Julia posed at a sign denoting distances to various destinations. We walked and walked, taking pictures along the way. Even along the roadway, the views were spectacular.

In the distance we saw a furniture store with the interesting name of "Two Frogs Hugging" . I made a note to check that out when I got back home.

We walked some more, then came upon a 7-11. Thank Heaven a short distance away.....it was hot, we needed a drink. We asked directions to a Walmart we had seen from the ship. We were three blocks away.

So, we headed in the direction of Walmart, stumbled upon another Hilo Hatties, with a shuttle parked in front of the store. Without even entering the store and earning our right to do so, we got on board, and rode back to the ship. No purchases, except a Big Gulp at 7-11.

Kailua-Kona, A Day on the Big Island

2005-11-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived in at 8:00 Am. The first three pictures were taken from our veranda upon our arrival. We didn't have anything planned on the island, so did not get off until late morning.

We looked took a short walk around the pier, then walked to the famous Hilo Hatties and the ever present Walmart. After this walk and carrying our purchases back to the ship, we were too tired to leave. We took naps, and prepared for sail at 5:30

The last picture is the view from the veranda as we were leaving the island

Limo Tour of Lahania, Maui Part 2

2005-11-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

From the tropical garden, we went to 'Ioa State Park Its most distinctive landmark is `Iao Needle, a steep outcropping rising 1,200 feet above the valley floor, shown in the second photograph. Although it resembles a tower, `Iao Needle is actually the knobby front face of a sheer mountain ridge.

Julia and I had our picture taken with Ioa Needle in the background. Sean, our guide and limo owner assumed that we were more important than the Ioa Needle, so no Ioa Needle in this shot. Luckily, I had taken a picture, and you saw it in two pictures back. So join our guide, and just enjoy looking at our picture for a moment. :) OK, enough of that, on with the tour

From there, we went to the site of an old sugar refinery, which is to become a park. The picturesgue rocky beach is one of the attractions..

Then it was back to the pier, with a photo and goodby to Sean. If you visit Maui and need a limo, give him a call. A link is available in the left column. Oh, I almost forgot, Sean has a stocked bar in the limo. Soft drinks, beer and wine are available. I think there was even a bottle of vodka for those so inclined.

Limo Tour of Lahania, Maui Part 1

2005-11-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

After breakfast, we disembarked the ship, and decided to see if we could find a tour on shore, since we had not booked one through Infinity.

We talked with some that were offering taxi tours, and then we met Sean who offered a limousine tour of the island lasting approximately four hours. It was to begin at 10:00, leaving about a half hour to find a rest room and return.

What a beautiful place. The pictures shown were taken at stops at the tropical gardens, with exhibits of the sugar mills and macadamia nut crackers. We were so engrossed with the view, we didn't spend time at the exhibits.

Arrival in Lahania, Maui - The View From the Veranda

2005-11-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived in Maui at 7:00 AM this morning. At Maui, the Infinity must anchor some distance from shore, and transfer passengers by tender to the port. Our view from the veranda was just spectacular. We didn't have a tour on shore, so had to wait for our transfer. After taking these pictures, we went to breakfast.

Embarkation at Last

2005-11-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

At 4:00, Boarding began, and because all passengers were ready to board at the same time, some confusion resulted. We had all been given numbered tickets indicating our relative order in the embarkation process, but some passengers predictably jumped line.

One deceptive woman, went to customer service, and shortly thereafter, a wheelchair was provided for her husband to allow them to board early with group 2, even though they were in group 7. All members of their party also boarded. I should point out that none of the referenced people are visible in the photograph in the terminal. :)

Funny, the extremes some people will go to to get an advantage. Note that the ship left at the same time for everyone.

We embarked, were escorted to our stateroom, and went to the early dinner which was open seating due to the late hour.

After dinner,we went to the rail to await sail. These pictures are of the San Diego cityscape at night (from the veranda)

Waiting to Embark

2005-11-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Checkout at the Hampton was 12:00 noon, so we took the hotel shuttle to the ship's pier. When we arrived, we found that the ship had been delayed because of a medical evacuation from the infinity on the return to port. It would not be ready to embark until 5:00 PM. We checked all of our baggage, including our carry-ons, checked in, and waited the five hours.

Celebrity provided a buffet which made the wait somewhat tolerable, and it also allowed us the opportunity to meet people who we later saw throughout the cruise.

Sightseeing in SanDiego and Coronado

2005-11-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived in San Diego early on Saturday, and our check-in time at the Hampton Inn was 4:00 PM. We checked our bags in their secure storage area and decided to see what San Diego had to offer.

We walked over to the ship pier, and investigated some of the city tours available, some by bus, some by pedicabs, and one by a bus/trolley called the Old Town Trolley. It offered a 2 hour tour of the City, with the ability to get off at scheduled stops, stay for some time, then rejoin the tour by boarding another trolley when it arrived. Trolleys were scheduled at 30 minute intervals, so any wait was minimal.

Warning- Trolleys are crowded near the end of the day, so plan accordingly.

We saw sailboats in the harbor, a submarine that had just been brought in for exhibition, and beautiful cityscapes from the San Diego - Coronado Bridge. We passed a colorful ethnic center, and some of the victorian architecture in Coronado.

First Post - Flying to San Diego

2005-11-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

This blog was created in order to share photos and information of the November 06, 2005 Celebrity Infinity 14 Day Cruise from SanDiego to Hawaii and Return. These photos may encourage you to make this trip.

Since we made our own flight arrangements, we flew to San Diego from Ft. Myers on November 05 allowinng ample time in case we were bumped. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, only 2 blocks from the ship's pier.

While internet service is available on the Infinity, the cost of $0.75 USD per minute, prevented posting on a daily basis. So this series of postings will be made using the dates applicable to the activities described. This first post then will be posted using the date November 05, 2005, the day we flew ftom Ft. Myers to San Diego