Hawaii Vacation Travel Blog

New Podcast

hat1 — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 07:35:00 +0000

Aloha Friends,

We now have a podcast for you to check out and subscribe to:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/HawaiiVacationConnection

June/July Hawaii Vacation Searches Peaking

hat1 — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:53:00 +0000

Many hopefull travelers from all over the country are frantically looking for affordable Hawaii Vacation Packages for June and July. The good news is the airfare is holding pretty good price wise but hotel inventory is getting slim. The Outrigger Beach watch project has removed almost 3,000 hotel rooms frm the market and most of those hotels were the budget ones. This is affecting Waikiki big time. So while we may be able to get you here to paradise, finding a place to say will be the challanging part.

Here are todays top search coming into our network for these tough dates:

AIR/ROOMCAR PACKAGE
Package price: $ 4,074.72 (including all taxes, fees)
Travel Dates: 07/08/06 through 07/14/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: New Orleans MSY to Big Island
Hawaii Accommodations : Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel-Hawaii
Car Type: SPORT UTILITY A/C (WRANGLER)

AIR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Total price: $ 3,850.56 (including all taxes, fees)
This Quote Includes: 2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 06/11/06 through 06/18/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Austin AUS to Oahu island
Oahu Accommodations : Hilton Hawaiian Village-Oahu

AIR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Package price with HAT discount: $ 6,962.88 (including all taxes, fees)
Adults and 2 Children
Travel Dates: 07/24/06 through 07/31/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Sacramento SMF to Oahu island
Oahu Accommodations : Kahala Resort-Oahu

West Coast tops Hawaii Vacation Searches

hat1 — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:26:00 +0000

West coast travelers dominate Hawaii Vacation Searches today with inquiries up 30 percent from that region over last week, especially San Francisco. This echoes the general increase in west coast travelers to Hawaii over the last 2 years.

These are the latest search samples coming into our Network form Hawaii Vacation Package finder users:

AIR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Package price with HAT discount: $ 5,585.28
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 06/17/06 through 07/07/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: San Francisco SFO to Oahu
Oahu Accommodations : Hilton Hawaiian Village-Oahu

AIR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Package price: $ 2,042.88
(including all taxes, fees)
This Quote Includes: 4 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 06/07/06 through 06/11/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Los Angeles LAX to Oahu
Oahu Accommodations : Island Colony (condo hotel)-Oahu

AIR/ROOM/CAR PACKAGE
Package price: $ 2,054.40
(including all taxes, fees)
Travel Dates: 05/25/06 through 06/01/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: San Francisco SFO to Kauai
Kauai Accommodations : Kauai Coconut Beach Resort-Kauai
Property Name: Marriott Coconut Beach Resort-Kauai
Car Type: COMPACT 4/DR WITH A/C

Is a Hawaii Vacation Package cheaper?

hat1 — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 15:49:00 +0000

In most cases booking a package to Hawaii is less expensive then trying to piece all of the elements together. That’s not to say that from time to time booking ala carte can’t save you money too.

The reason booking a “package” usually comes out cheaper (especially for Hawaii) is simply because the airlines and hotels give the wholesalers larger discounts for booking the 2 elements together in volume. In addition, many agencies will give discounts and incentives on top of the lower price coming from these wholesalers. A good agent, who books Hawaii a lot will be able to help you figure out weather booking a package or ala carte is the way to go. One of the drawbacks to booking ala carte (especially online) is that often you end up purchasing published air which carries very stiff penalties and restrictions and you will have to pay for your trip up front in advance.

The bottom line is that there is real value in booking Hawaii vacation packages over ala carte and it’s not just a sales tool to get you to buy more and pay more. As an agent for Hawaii I am a big advocate of packages; it s win win for everyone involved. The consumer wins because the price is right, the Agent wins because the service is great and commissions are good and the suppliers/wholesalers win because they can sell their inventory in advance and see larger earnings in a shorter periods of time.

HAWAII VACATION PACKAGE SEARCHES

Here are the lastest popular Hawaii Vacation Package searches coming into our network from Hawaii Vacaton Package finder users for April 25th, 2006.

AIR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Package price : $ 2,962.08
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 09/25/06 through 09/30/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: Kansas City to Maui
Maui Accommodations : Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa-Maui Property Name: Hyatt

AIR/HOTAL PACKAGE
Package price: $ 3,424.32
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 05/25/06 through 06/01/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: Colorado Springs COS to Maui
Maui Accommodations : Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa-Maui Property Name: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa-Maui Property Classification: Aloha Rate Room Type: Aloha Rate -

AIR/ HOTEL/CAR PACKAGE
Package price: $ 2,416.80
(including all taxes, fees)
This Quote Includes: 2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 08/27/06 through 09/03/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: San Francisco SFO to Kauai
Kauai Accommodations : Makahuena Resort at Poipu (condo)-Kauai Property Name: Makahuena Resort at Poipu (condo)-Kauai Property
Car Type: COMPACT 4/DR WITH A/C

“Big Island” Hawaii Vacation Searchs increase!

hat1 — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 12:24:00 +0000

Yesterday I asked the question “Where is Hawaii ?”, well apparently a lot of people must know because the Big Island topped Hawaii Vacation Package searches today coming into our network. Inquiries were not surprisingly split between the Kona and the Waikaloa areas. If it’s luxury you want than I can think of no finer place then the hotels on the Kohala coast, my personal favorite is The Fairmont Orchid, however you just can’t go wrong with either the Four Seasons or Mauna Lani if you have the bucks. In the Kona area I like the newly renovated Sheraton Keahou and for condos the Kona Coast 1 or 2 Bedrooms are really nice and moderately priced.

These are sample Big Island packages coming from Hawaii Vacation Package finder users for Monday April 24th:

AIR/HTOEL PACKAGE
Package price: $ 5,751.36
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 1 Children
Travel Dates: 07/21/06 through 07/29/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Denver DEN to Big Island
Hawaii Accommodations : Mauna Kea Beach Hotel-Hawaii
Property Name: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel-Hawaii

AIR/CAR/HOTEL PACKAGE
Package price: $ 2,694.72
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 10/16/06 through 10/24/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Los Angeles to Big Island
Hawaii Accommodations : Kona Coast Resort (condo)-Hawaii 1-Bedroom
Car Type: CONVERTIBLE WITH A/C

AIR/CAR HOTEL PACKAGE
Total price: $ 2,761.92
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Travel Dates: 10/17/06 through 10/24/06
Roundtrip Airfare from: Los Angeles LAX to Kona
Accommodations : Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona (condo)-Hawaii: 1-Bedroom Oceanview
Car Type: CONVERTIBLE WITH A/C

Where is Hawaii?

hat1 — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 07:51:00 +0000

Where is Hawaii? Sounds like a dumb question right? Well, sometimes people get confused about it, so here’s the way it goes………..

The island of “Hawaii” is actually one of 6 major islands that make up the state of Hawaii. So in other words, the island of Hawaii has the same name as the state of Hawaii . So when you say, “I want to go to Hawaii” it should not be confused with “I want to go to the Big island”. That’s why most people refer to the Hawaii island as the “The Big Island” Make Sense?

As if that’s not confusing enough, there is also some confusion about Oahu, Honolulu and Waikiki. All three of these are basically one in the same. In other words, if you come to Oahu (some people call it the main island) you will experience Honolulu (which is a county) and Waikiki (a district of Honolulu).

Can someone tell me where the mainland is?

Hawaii Vacation Cruises – Made Easy

hat1 — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 09:24:00 +0000

Here is a quick run down on the Hawaii NCL cruises and the prices we are seeing. There are 4 NCL cruise line ships sailing in Hawaii; The Pride of Aloha, The Pride of America, The Pride of Hawaii and The Norwegian Wind.

The ships debark and embark from Honolulu (The pride of Aloha has Maui embarkations), you must fly to Honolulu to do the cruise. The 3 pride ship a have pretty much the same 7 day itinerary. The prices for the Pride of Aloha, 7 day sail (leaves every Sunday) start at 649.00* per person for a inside cabin and 1199.00* for a ocean view cabin. The Pride/America is pricing a little higher than the Pride/Aloha, the lowest prices I am seeing start at 759.00. Coming in June is the new “Pride of Hawaii”. There have been great upgrade specials all season, but a lot of them are over at this point. I still see great deals staring at 759.00 for the Pride/Hawaii. The 10 and 11 sails on Wind is the least expensive ship starting at 699.00* to 1099.00*. NCL has decided not to offer 3 and 4 day sails for the time being. We offer significant discounts from these already low prices.

Searches for Summer Hawaii vacation packages surge!

hat1 — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:30:00 +0000

Summer is right around the corner and as a result searches for Hawaii vacation packages reached a fevered pitch today with 80% of all search to our network looking for summer Hawaii vacations, especially for July. Unfortunately inventory is getting slim, so if you find a package that works for you then my advise is TAKE IT. Prices will only continue to go UP UP UP.

These are sample searches coming from Hawaii Vacation Package finder users:

Air/Room/Car Package
Package price : $ 2,155.20
(including all taxes, fees)
This Quote Includes: 2 Adults and 0 Children
Quote Details:Travel Dates: 07/07/06 through 07/09/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: Detroit DTW to Honolulu
Oahu Accommodations : Hilton Hawaiian Village-Oahu Property Name: Hilton Hawaiian Village-
Car Type: COMPACT 4/DR WITH A/C

Air/Hotel package
Package price : $ 3,705.60 *
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Quote Details:Travel Dates: 07/18/06 through 07/28/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: Minneapolis/St Paul MSP to Oahu
Oahu Accommodations : Sheraton Waikiki-Oahu

Package price: $ 1,287.36
(including all taxes, fees)
2 Adults and 0 Children
Quote Details:Travel Dates: 05/26/06 through 05/31/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: Seattle SEA to Honolulu – Oahu
Oahu Accommodations : Island Colony (condo hotel)-Oahu Property Name: Island Colony (condo hotel)

Air/room/car package
Package price: $ 2,556.48
(including all taxes, fees)
This Quote Includes: 2 Adults and 0 Children
Quote Details:Travel Dates: 07/13/06 through 07/20/06 Roundtrip Airfare from: San Francisco SFO to Honolulu, Oahu
Oahu Accommodations : Aston Waikiki Sunset (condo)-Oahu Property Name: Aston Waikiki Sunset (condo)-Oahu Property Classification: Aloha Free Deals Room Type: Aloha Free Deals -
Car Type: 7-PASS. MINIVAN WITH A/C

**all prices quoted in my blog include all taxes and fees and if there is a car in the package the price includes all car taxes and fees.

Hawaii Cruise vs. Hawaii Land package – You decide

hat1 — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:40:00 +0000

Is a Hawaii cruise right for you?

Hawaii is no longer a small star on the cruising map, particularly with the arrival of NCL America’s Pride of America in Honolulu on July 23. Families, honeymooners and other island hoppers still flock to the island, but many now wonder if they should opt for a cruise instead. If you’re deciding between a cruise and a land vacation to the Aloha State, here are a few reasons why you might want to choose a cruise.

You want to see all the islands Cruise ships can visit the four main Hawaiian islands — Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii — in one seven- to 10-day trip. Try doing the same itinerary yourself, and you’ll be out hundreds of dollars on interisland flights, plus you’ll be spending your precious vacation days re-packing your bags and waiting at the airport. With a cruise, you’ll spend one or two days on each island, and have time to relax on the beach, explore volcanoes and tropical forests, and experience Hawaii’s nightlife. But you’ll only have to unpack and re-pack once.

You want an all-inclusive vacation

A cruise to any destination is a good value because of the all-inclusive nature of a sailing vacation. For one price, you get accommodations, transportation, meals and entertainment. Plus, your cruise line can arrange airfare, pre- or post-cruise land packages and shore excursions for you at an extra charge. You won’t need to spend extra time searching for hotel deals, choosing restaurants or otherwise planning your vacation.
The all-inclusive nature of cruises is an especially good value in Hawaii. “There are no all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii,” explains Bruce Fisher, owner of HawaiiCruising.net. “Hawaii is an expensive destination, so if people like to get everything for one price, they should choose a cruise over a land vacation.”

You want more bang for your buck

When you add up the cost of airfare, cruise fare, shore excursions and incidental costs (alcohol and soft drinks, spa treatments, etc.), a cruise may end up being more expensive than a land vacation. However, according to Fisher, “You may spend more money but you’ll get more bang for your buck.” That’s because a cruise makes it very easy to do and see many things in such a short time. A land vacation for a comparable price would most likely involve a stay on one, perhaps two islands, in lower-tier hotels. Plus, you’d never be able to accomplish the cruise line’s itinerary on your own without spending many more dollars than your cruise fare is likely to cost.
You’ve got the right travel personality

Probably the most important factor to take into consideration is your travel personality. Cruises are best for families or people looking to fill their days with as many activities as possible. “It’s hard to please everybody on a vacation, but on a cruise there is always something for everyone,” Fisher says. Golfers will especially enjoy Hawaii cruises; the NCL Golf Hawaii program arranges for players to tee off on every island and even rents clubs. And Dawn Gillis, director of merchandising at VacationOutlet.com, also recommends cruises for first-time travelers to Hawaii, who might not know which island would suit them best.

However, if you’re looking for the ultimate in relaxing vacations, Fisher does recommend a land vacation with lots of beach time and no deadlines (such as getting back to your ship before it sails). Also, water sports enthusiasts may prefer to stick to the surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing meccas of Maui and Oahu, rather than visit all of the islands. And if you like to spend your evenings in the onboard casino, you should know that Hawaii does not allow gambling, either on- or offshore.

If you’re convinced that a Hawaii vacation is for you, we have a few more tips for how to get the most out of your island cruise.

• Norwegian/NCL America offers the most Hawaii cruises. Other cruise lines with Hawaii itineraries include Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. With the exception of NCL America sailings, all other cruise lines must call at a non-U.S. port, usually Ensenada, Mexico, or the Fanning Islands, during a Hawaii cruise. Be sure to compare fares and itineraries before you book.

• Some cruise lines offer round-trip Hawaii cruises from the U.S. West Coast. You may save on pricey airfare to Hawaii, but you’ll spend more time on the ship sailing across the Pacific than you will in port in Hawaii. If you want to focus your vacation time on Hawaii, choose a round-trip Honolulu sailing. Plus, Gillis recommends booking your airfare through your cruise line. “Cruise lines offer reduced airfares from their gateway cities, so ask them about deals from your area,” she advises.

• Gillis also predicts that 2006 will be the year that the world wakes up to the possibility of Hawaii cruises. And when sailings become more popular, prices skyrocket. She recommends cruising this year, or purchasing your 2006 cruise in 2005 to take advantage of the lower prices. VacationOutlet.com has sailings on several lines starting from around $100 per day. Gillis says that in general, Norwegian will have the lowest prices since it has the most capacity in Hawaii, and the fall is usually the cheapest time to cruise to the islands.

• Once you book, you will be bombarded with the number of shore excursions available on your Hawaii sailing. Fisher has heard rave reviews from customers about helicopter tours and zip-line adventures. He also recommends renting a car, and seeing the island at your own pace. In major ports, you can pick up the car right where you get off the ship

Getting Discount Hawaii Airfares

hat1 — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 08:46:00 +0000

Getting low air fare to Hawaii can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you haven’t planned far enough in advance. Contrary to popular belief, last minute deals to Hawaii are few and far between so it’s ALWAYS better to book in advance. Planing for Christmas in June is not uncommon.

So when are the cheapest airfares available?

As a rule of thumb always plan your trip so that your departure and return are all during weekdays; Monday thru Thursday. It’s also best to plan your trip avioding any holidays if possible. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the most expensive travel days so they should be avoided. If you are going during peak time and have not had enough time to plan then consider a cruise as a option. A great source for the Hawaii cruises is our own http://www.hawaiicruising.net This site just focusses on the cruise market in Hawaii. All inclusive Hawaii vacation packages are also a option when you don’t have enough time and are a great value during peak XMAS times.