Our third Princess Cruise to Hawaii. This time on Ruby, one of our favorite ships. This is the first time we have done this itinerary in the Spring. Our two other sailings were in the Fall. A nice, relaxing 15 days sailing round trip from San Pedro.

No Bon Voyage Experience this trip. We used someone that was recommended through the NextDoor app to take us to the port, then back home. We got to the port about 10:30 AM (for a 4:00 PM sailing). Waited maybe 10 minutes until check-in started. We were in boarding group A.

Sailed right through security and after 1/2 hour, we were on the ship. The staterooms weren’t ready until after 1:00, so we just hung out in Horizon Court. When we got to our room, Lido 302, or luggage was already there. By the time Muster Drill started at 3:30, we were all unpacked. Sail away was at 4:15.

For the first 2 1/2 days, we were rockin and rollin. They had the pools closed but still full of water, well what was left.

Days 3 and 4 were calmer and the weather became more tropical.

Since this was the 3rd time to the Islands, we’ve already taken excursions on every island except Maui where we always just taken a walking tour of Lahaina. This time, we decided to rent cars. I did a bit of research and booked through Costco. We booked a car for the Big Island and Kauai. We were going to book Oahu but it was a Sunday and the rates were really expensive. Not only did we book a car, we booked convertibles!

First port. Hilo. Pouring rain. We got off the ship and waited about 20 minutes for the shuttle to take us to the airport to pickup our car, advertised as a “Mustang or similar”. I have owned several Mustangs but never a convertible. Too bad the rain is coming down in buckets.

We get to the airport. I check in and was told they would bring the car in a couple of minutes. Being a bit of a car buff, I heard a really throaty sounding car, more specifically, a Ford V-8. Then I saw it. A Mustang GT Convertible… Could it be? YES!!!!! It made knowing we might never be able to put the top down a little more palatable… A little.

We get in a I fire it up. I only wish it were a stick shift but… next best thing. Paddle shifters. So we headed North on Hwy 19 and looked for any road that said “Scenic”, so we hugged the coast as much as possible. We had done an excursion to the Tropical Botanical Gardens last trip but being on a bus, really didn’t know where it was. We ended up driving right past it.

When we got near the town of Pepeekeo, the rain stopped and the clouds moved away. I pulled the car over and… TOP DOWN! I let the GT’s V-8 have a little fun and wanted to make sure the paddle shifters worked properly. They did.

We drove up to Ninole before turning back. We stopped at a scenic turnout to grab a couple photos. We felt a couple of raindrops, so put the top back up. Good thing because once we started back to Hilo, more torrential rain.

Before dropping the car off, we did what every tourist must do when visiting Hawaii. Go to Wal-Mart! We got 90% of our souvenirs there… Hey, gotta do what ya gotta do.

I really didn’t want to give the car back. I was just hoping that all Mustang Convertibles through Budget on all Islands would be GT’s. Hmmm.

Next port, Honolulu. Pearl Harbor? Check. Drive around Diamond Head? Check. Drive into the crater of Diamond Head? Nope. So we booked the excursion that took us into the Crater, itself, then towards North Shore up to a Sea Life Park for a dish of Ice Cream. Nice sunny day.

Speaking of Diamond Head… When I was growing up, every time I saw an advertisement or a TV show that mentioned Hawaii, it had a photo of Diamond Head. So when we took our first cruise to Hawaii, I couldn’t wait to get a photo of the long extinct volcano. On the two previous cruises, the ship Docked at Pier 11. Great view of downtown, but no view of Diamond Head. Our first cruise excursion went to Pearl Harbor, so went away from said volcano. Cruise number two, we went around Diamond Head but we were on the wrong side of the bus… This time, we were docked at Pier 2 that had a great view. FINALLY!

Next port, Nawiliwili on our favorite island, Kauai. Off to the airport to pick up our car. Beautiful sunny day! The good news? Another Mustang convertible. The bad news, a 6 banger. Oh well. Top went down before we left the parking lot. Set Google Maps to Spouting Horn.

Although we had been to Spouting Horn before, that was on a bus. Being in an open convertible was just incredible.

We got to Spouting Horn and was not disappointed.

We thought we’d have enough time to drive all the way to the Na’Pali Lookout, so we headed that way. As soon as you pass the town of Hanapepe, the lush foliage ends and you are in the dry side. Kinda boring. I renamed the town Hana stopped pepe’ing… No water.

We ended up heading towards Wiamea Canyon. We decided to stop at one of the lookouts before actually getting to the Canyon. It was quite scenic.

We decided to head back to the wet, or dare I say “pepe” side of the island… Along the highway, we saw a turnout for an alternate way back to Lihue, so we went for it. So glad we did. Here is a little snippet of the drive. (Thanks to camera operator Suzi.)

At the end of the route? Our ship! It took us right along the road hugging the harbor.

Before heading back to the airport to drop off the car, we decided to go see Opaekaa Falls.

The last island was Maui. As mentioned, on the two previous trips we just walked around Lahaina. This time, we booked a tour that went to the Valley of the Kings. As soon as we got there. the sky let loose. Our guide said this area got between 200 to 400 inches of rain per year. I think we got 100 inches in about 10 minutes. I tried to walk to the lookout but the further I got, the heavier the rain. Had to turn back to the bus… Excuse to go back.

On the way back we stopped at the Maui Plantation. Glad we did it but not something we’d do again. It’s a small plantation where they grow quite a few different plants and fruits. Sugar cane, pineapples, mangos, papayas, bananas. They take you on a tram through the property. Part way through, the tram drivers stopped and did a coconut husking demonstration. That was fun to watch.

Back to Lahaina and a walk through the waterfront before getting back on the ship. Lahaina is a tender port so the line was incredibly long but kept moving.

As we set sail, it started to rain a bit. I captured a very subtle rainbow from our balcony.

After another 5 wonderful days at sea, we are at the pinnacle of the journey… Yes, the ultimate Jones Act port of Ensenada!!!

I’m sure if you are an avid cruiser, you’ve probably heard of the Jones Act. If not, maybe you’ve always wondered why you have to stop in a foreign country whenever you sail from and to a US Port. It’s the Jones Act. More specifically, it’s the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. In order for a ship that is NOT registered in the US it can’t leave, say Los Angeles, visit US ports, say Hawaii, then return to it’s final US Port, even if it’s a different US port, like Seattle or San Francisco, without stopping in a foreign port. It’s nuts, it’s crazy but it’s the law.

I digress. As we are pulling into Ensenada, I look across the bay and I see… Diamond Head? Did I pay all that money to go to Hawaii when I coulda just gone to Ensenada? Don’t believe me? Hmmmm.

We normally take the shuttle into town. Very touristy with lots of vendors and kids selling trinkets. This time, we decided to take a tour to La Bufadora, or the blowhole, through a local tour company. It was a great tour! Ensenada is huge! Wal-Mart, Costco, it’s all there. This was our first time to see the blowhole. It is worth seeing at least once.

And, we’re home. Counting down to October on the Royal Princess!!!!