We pulled out of Kauai today, heading back to Honolulu. Tomorrow by this time, I’ll be on a non-stop Delta flight to Atlanta.
Today, as we pulled out of port, I sat next to a plump elderly woman with long gray hair, kind blue eyes, and a bright pink bikini that was — let’s be honest — several sizes too small. As we set sail, she phoned up a friend back in England and, in response to the usual “Having a good time?” question, she replied, “Oh, darling, we’ve spent this entire week living in the very lap of luxury!”
That sweet, sincere comment made me feel a little guilty for my harsh criticism of NCL on this voyage. In many ways, the cruise has put us in the lap of luxury, and I’m genuinely thankful to have spent the week with Clyde and with friends, visiting the various islands.
That said: the shipboard experience has definitely been the source of everything less than stellar on this trip. We loved the islands. We enjoyed seeing the sights. By the end of the week, though, we found ourselves actually dreading coming home to the boat. From the long lines at security to the astounding cluelessness of the crew, the cruise itself has been a real (and expensive!) disappointment.
I’ll continue traveling as often as I can … and I’ll be back in Hawaii as often as possible … but, unless Clyde absolutely pitches a fit to do so, I don’t think I’ll go a-cruising again — certainly not with NCL … and maybe not ever. Next time around, we’ll spend the money on a plush room at the Kauai Marriott Resort, exploring the island on our own during the day and returning home to the lap of luxury at night.
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