Hotel Sampler - Hawaii - Which 3 properties?

[lll1929]

My mother has always wanted to visit Hawaii. She has though about doing a cruise which visits the various islands. With the change in pts, I am considering the Hawaii Sampler (before it increases in pts). I am not sure which islands she is interested in visiting but I need some advice from my fellow Tuggers.

My father will be traveling with her and he will be in a wheelchair. He can walk with a walker or arm crutches but not for long distances.

Is it possible to do the sampler without flying between the different locations? If they must fly, which locations are wheelchair friendly? My mother loves to sightsee and they aren't much of a beach person. My mother would love to whale watch, take guided tours on bus or boat. She will also snorkel.

I would be traveling with my parents on a seperate sampler package to make things easiers (luggage, pushing the chair, etc).

Which islands require car rental. Is it possible to truly enjoy the islands in 2 day increments. Will Marriott allow me to do 4 days at one island and 3 at another therefore minimizing the amount of packing, etc needed.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[NJMOM2]

It is not a problem to combine the hotel certificates. We used the 4 days on on island and 3 days on another last summer. You can combine them anyway you want or use them all on one island.

 

[aka Julie]

I'm not sure about the Hawaii sampler, but I think your parents would be perfect candidates for a Hawaiian cruise. If your father doesn't want to or can't go on some of the excursions, your mother (and you) could go and be with others from your ship. Your dad could stay on board and enjoy the onboard activities at the time.

It would certainly require less transportation logistics.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[LAX Mom]

Lora,

I would suggest only 1 island for a 7 day trip. Traveling to a different island eats up a whole day. You pack, travel to the airport, check-in & wait for your flight. Then once you arrive at another island you have to get transportation (usually a rental car) and drive to a new location, check-in and unpack.

It's a lot of hassle to switch locations and with parents who need some assistance it wouldn't be worth it.

If your parents want to see several islands, a cruise is the best idea. If they would be happy with just one island, I'd suggest Oahu. I took my parents there last Feb. for a week. They enjoyed Pearl Harbor and some sites they had seen many years before. They also aren't "beach people", but we found plenty to do (and spend a lot of time in the car).

 

[Bill4728]

These are the Marriott hotels in the hawaii sampler

The following hotels accept reward code 5631 (the hawaii sampler) :
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina
Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

So, you could split your time between Waikiki and Ko Olina and stay on the same island.

Marriott allows you to split between 3 hotels (3 days, 2 days & 2 days) or between 2 hotels ( 3 day & 4 days OR 5 days & 2 days)

 

[lll1929]

Thanks everyone for your input. We are also looking at the Noregian Cruise that starts and ends in HI. Glad to hear that as a suggestion for ease of traveling.

Thanks again

 

[m61376]

Thanks everyone for your input. We are also looking at the Noregian Cruise that starts and ends in HI. Glad to hear that as a suggestion for ease of traveling.

Thanks again

While I agree that a cruise is the easiest way to island hop, the NCL America cruises leave a lot to be desired. We went on it during its inaugural season and, as a cruise, it was awful. It was convenient and we had a great trip, DESPITE the cruise. From what I have read, it has not improved that much. I recently read an article about the line, in fact, and whereas 3 years ago they had 3 ships doing the itinerary (I think it was up to 3 at one time, I know it definitely was a t least 2), they are down to one ship due to all the problems.

Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, but an American crew has proved very problematic and the level of service is not what you expect on a cruise. We are very easy to please, but dirty bloody sheets on arrival are beyond acceptable. I could live with the fact that they didn't change out sheets the entire trip, but I want clean sheets to start out with. Waits for a table at dinner were 2 hours, food came out at different times, etc.. As I said, my issues were not minor, and everyone else had the same problem. Before you book make sure to read reviews at cruisecritics, etc.

 

[lll1929]

Oh my, I have been on several cruises (Disney, RCC, Carnival) and have never had issues. Thanks for the heads up. I will certainly have my mom read up on this cruise line. My expectations were set with the RCC cruise so I would have a hard time sailing with a cruise line that has terrible reviews.

It's nice to get feedback from Tuggers.

Thanks again

 

[applegirl]

I would second the opinion that you definitely just go to one island/one resort. To pack and move would be just too much for older travelers, not to mention the loss of one day is a total bummer. A week really gives you a chance to get to know the property and area.

Hope you have a great time whatever you choose!

Janna