Kaua'i to O'ahu

Deck 11 stern - gathering place

Once the anchor is raised we always meet up with our travel buddies on Deck 11, stern. It's the best place to view the stunning natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. And it's the best place for photos. Here we are on Deck 11, settling in for happy hour.

Knox and Julz

David and Jenny

 A special experience, exclusive to Pride of America passengers, awaits as we leave Nawiliwili, Kaua'i. 

Kaua'i - The Garden Isle - view from Deck 11

We don't immediately head for Honolulu, because first we take a whole-cruise excursion to the stunningly beautiful, stunningly rugged, Na Pali coast.

Na Pali Coast - erosion creates a valley

Na Pali Coast - rugged volcanic landform

Na Pali Coast - narrow sandy beaches

Na Pali Coast - endpoint (headland)

One more sleep and we will wake up to the coast of O'ahu. The timing is no accident.

Diamond Head at sunrise

Early risers will be treated to the iconic, sunlit silhouette of O'ahu's volcanic crater, Diamond Head.

Honolulu, O'ahu

Packed and ready to disembark, there is time to enjoy our last breakfast at the outdoors section of the Aloha Cafe on Deck 11, stern.

Deck 11, stern (American flag)

Catalina Island - Casino Building

The Catalina Casino building is not a casino, it is an entertainment center that dates back to 1929. Through the 1930s and 1940s the Casino Ballroom was a favorite venue for many of the Big Bands.

The Casino Art Gallery, Avalon Theatre, and Catalina Island Museum are also located in the Casino Building.

This glorious Catalina icon is as tall as a 12-story building.

Catalina Island Day Trip - California

The boat ride from Marina Del Rey to Saint Catalina Island takes about 2 hours. Depending on the weather, it can be a rough voyage. But the beauty and majesty of the sea-life you may encounter on the journey is worth taking the chance of motion sickness. On a clear day in early August we saw scores of dolphins and a couple of enormous blue whales.

Once you arrive on the island, you can kick back and relax on the beach, snorkel, scuba dive, rent a boat, rent a golf cart, or take a tour.

When you get hungry there are lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from.

Catalina day-trippers from Marina Del Rey have to be ready to leave the island by 5 pm

Venice, Italy - views from the Grand Canal

Take in the sights on your way to your hotel along the Grand Canal. These are some of the buildings we saw from the vaperatto.

Venice, Italy - San Marco in summertime

Take a vaperatto to San Marco from the Santa Lucia railway station. There are two San Marco stops: Vallaresso and San Zaccaria. Either one will do. Enjoy the wonderful aquatic, urban and cultural scenes as you motor down the Grand Canal.

Venice, Italy - a city of boats

Venice is a city of waterways. The best way to get around is on foot or by boat.

Alicante, Spain - Portside

The beautiful port of Alicante makes the ideal backdrop for that special occasion photo.



The marina rivals the best in the world.



So get on the water for a different view of the city



or sail to Tabarca Island with your friends and family


and jump overboard with a snorkle and mask.



A Sangria is never far away.

A crochet bucket-style hat protects you from the bright glare of sun, sand and sea. I wish my baby grand daughter would wear her hats...she hates the glare but rips off her hat in an instant.