Worth it for just 1 wk from east coast?

[Ken555]

I'm wondering if it would make more sense to fly to the Caribbean ? I live on the west coast, so Hawaii works for me, but the Caribbean takes too many time zones to work out for me.

Huh? Hawaii is either two or three hours behind the west coast (currently three hours). The Caribbean is three hours ahead. That makes it...the same for much of the year, and only one hour different the rent of the time. So one is "too many time zones to work out"?


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[JIMinNC]

Huh? Hawaii is either two or three hours behind the west coast (currently three hours). The Caribbean is three hours ahead. That makes it...the same for much of the year, and only one hour different the rent of the time. So one is "too many time zones to work out"?


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Actually there are four time zones between the west coast and most of the Caribbean. While Jamaica and the Caymans are in the Eastern zone, the rest of the Caribbean is in the Atlantic zone. Depending upon whether Daylight Savings Time is observed, the difference from the west coast to the Caribbean can be either 3 or 4 hours. Hawaii is either two or three.

 

[Ken555]

Actually there are four time zones between the west coast and most of the Caribbean. While Jamaica and the Caymans are in the Eastern zone, the rest of the Caribbean is in the Atlantic zone. Depending upon whether Daylight Savings Time is observed, the difference from the west coast to the Caribbean can be either 3 or 4 hours. Hawaii is either two or three.

Okay... I'm still surprised that you think one or two hours difference is a big deal. I think you would have a better position had you simply said that it takes longer to get to the Caribbean from the west coast than Hawaii, due to nonstop flight options to Hawaii and connections required to the Caribbean. With some flights, it's about the same amount of time to get to Europe than the Caribbean, with stops, etc.


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[JIMinNC]

Okay... I'm still surprised that you think one or two hours difference is a big deal. I think you would have a better position had you simply said that it takes longer to get to the Caribbean from the west coast than Hawaii, due to nonstop flight options to Hawaii and connections required to the Caribbean. With some flights, it's about the same amount of time to get to Europe than the Caribbean, with stops, etc.


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I tend to agree with you that it's not that big of a difference to matter. It was another poster that was saying the Caribbean distance was more daunting. I was just pointing out that the difference was four zones, not three. I agree the time difference doesn't make that much difference either way.

I agree that what the other poster may be reacting to is Hawaii is a nonstop flight from the west coast, but the Caribbean will require a connection at an east coast gateway (Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta, Philly, New York, etc) for most, if not all, Caribbean destinations. So the total travel time from the west coast to the Caribbean is much longer than to Hawaii, despite the relatively small time zone difference.

 

[myoakley]

I say go for it, even for just one week. You never know what the future holds. I wish I had taken advantage of more travel opportunities when I was young and there were no health issues.

 

[SMHarman]

Due to DH's job, taking more than 1 consecutive week off at a time will not be in our plans for a few years. We were considering a trip to Hawaii, our first, and possibly our only for a very long time. With this time constraint, do you think it's worth the airfare and travel hassle to visit Hawaii from the U.S. east coast?

If so, where would you visit? Which island?
We like snorkeling, beach walks, scenic drives, wildlife, sailing, biking, and we'd enjoy visiting Volcano Nat'l Park.

Leaning toward a longer wait to visit. We're in our 50's so, Lord willing, we've got plenty of time to visit later. It's just tempting. Your thoughts?

First, is his job a M-F. If so you can fly F eve and back Sun and then back to work getting 9 nights not 7. Make day 1 a beach day to relax from travel.

NYC has non stop to HI. East Coast is long so not sure if that is an option but should be paid for if you are doing this trip.

Long flights almost feel y he same as short ones to me because of security. Enjoy a book a movie or something.

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[SMHarman]

It's 11 hrs flyng time from the East Coast. I would not do it for 1 week. We went for 2 weeks. I'd rather go to the Caribbean.

It's 11 hours to St John from New York.

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[SMHarman]

It is not the same. We went there last Spring Break. Not impressed. It is a third world country. The climate is humid like Florida. There is a beautiful ocean for diving and fishing there, but that is all Hawaii has in common.

Where all HI US expensive, the Caribbean caters to everyone. The DR, Cuba, parts of Jamaica cater to more budget trips (they also do high end in parts). Aruba, Bahamas etc hits the middle. Then the Martinique, St John, St Barts, Barbados are all high end.

Climate gets humid in the Summer but your statement is so full of generalization it hurts.

Like saying the beaches of Spain are full of 20 something British yobs.

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[jebloomquist]

Aloha,

You have Wyndham points. You can use them on three of the islands, but not in just one week.

My wife and I start from Philly and connect through Phoenix. She won’t do the trip unless we fly 1st class. Fortunately, we have enough frequent flier miles to do it.

I recommend at least 3 days at the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk. It is right in the hustle-bustle of Waikiki, but it is in easy walking distance to the beach all along Waikiki. You can find tours to do just about any water activity. I tend to rent a car for only one day to drive the entire island of O’ahu, but for the first time, a tour would be better.

If you then want the Big Island, I like the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian for a few days. It is not on the ocean, but not far from it. However, most of the beaches in the Big Island are lava rocks, not sand. You can get a helicopter tour to see the island. You can also fly back to the East Coast from the Big Island. You usually don’t have to return to Honolulu from there.

If you fancy Kaua’i for a few days instead of the Big Island, the Wyndham Kaua’i Beach Villas is near the airport and centrally located. It also has a sandy beach. From there you can drive to either Princeville or Waimea Canyon as a day trip. By far, the best brunch I have ever had is at the St Regis in Princeville, but it was $50+ a few years ago.

I would not recommend more than 2 islands, but 3 days in one and 4 in another will give you a better flavor for what Hawai’i is all about, and an opportunity to fall in love with it. If you can do only one island, O’ahu has a little bit of just about everything.

Aloha,
Jim

 

[davidvel]

While I agree that it is better to stay as long as you can, but having said that I
Would still go. Hawaii is often a one time trip and the hardest part is deciding
Which island to go to if you think you will only go once. I'm the same age and
You just don't know what's going to happen a few years in the future. Honestly,
Ever since my father past away, that's when I decided I better start doing some
Things while I still can. Since then we've been going back to Hawaii every year
And enjoying every minute of it.

Just curious, how do you get your computer to capitalize the first word of each line?

 

[slip]

Just curious, how do you get your computer to capitalize the first word of each line?

You're observant.
Mine was set up that way when I got it but if you go under settings, general then
Keyboard it has autocapitalization.

 

[davidvel]

You're observant.
Mine was set up that way when I got it but if you go under settings, general then
Keyboard it has autocapitalization.

Ok, next question: why? I would understand capitalizing the beginning of each sentence, but in the middle of a sentence?

 

[slip]

Ok, next question: why? I would understand capitalizing the beginning of each sentence, but in the middle of a sentence?

Don't ask me, like I said it was set up that way.

 

[NTP66]

Count me firmly into the "worth it" group, even if just for a week. We fly to Maui from Philly every other year, and regardless of how short or long we go, it's always worth it. Leave early, stay up the late the first night, and you're fine. I've been to the Caribbean, as well - it's nowhere near being on the same level as Hawaii in virtually every category.

You people on the west coast are just too used to travel to Hawaii being convenient.

 

[davidvel]

Don't ask me, like I said it was set up that way.

Do you hit ENTER at the end of every line like a typewriter?

 

[slip]

Do you hit ENTER at the end of every line like a typewriter?

Yes I do. Most of my posts are short, like this one.

 

[davidvel]

Yes I do. Most of my posts are short, like this one.

Ahh, that explains it. The auto-capitalize thinks its a new paragraph so it capitalizes the first word. You get a bunch of capital words in the middle of your sentences. Unlike a typewriter the computer auto-line feeds as necessary, so enter is not necessary at the end of your "line." Also, as people read on different sized screens; their "line" size is different from yours. By pressing enter at the end of your "line" the output becomes very choppy with words randomly capitalized in between, looking like this:

While I agree that it is better to stay as long as you can, but
having said that I
Would still go. Hawaii is often a one time trip and the hardest
part is deciding
Which island to go to if you think you will only go once. I'm the same
age and
You just don't know what's going to happen a few years in
the future. Honestly,
Ever since my father past away, that's when I decided I better start doing some
Things while I still can. Since then we've been going back
to Hawaii every year
And enjoying every minute of it.

 

[slip]

Yep, it doesn't look that way on my IPad.

 

[silentg]

Life is short, so go to Hawaii even for a week!

 

[Kauai Kid]

Due to DH's job, taking more than 1 consecutive week off at a time will not be in our plans for a few years. We were considering a trip to Hawaii, our first, and possibly our onl
y for a very long time. With this time constraint, do you think it's worth the airfare and travel hassle to visit Hawaii from the U.S. east coast?

If so, where would you visit? Which island?
We like snorkeling, beach walks, scenic drives, wildlife, sailing, biking, and we'd enjoy visiting Volcano Nat'l Park.

Leaning toward a longer wait to visit. We're in our 50's so, Lord willing, we've got plenty of time to visit later. It's just tempting. Your thoughts?

No--We use to live in Maryland and it takes about a day for the ole bod to adjust its' time clock on time zone. It seems even worse coming back from Hawaii to the Mainland. We just flew to Banff Canada, one time zone away, and it has taken all of Sunday to recover and feel human.

My advice--don't do it.

Sterling

 

[NJDave]

Due to DH's job, taking more than 1 consecutive week off at a time will not be in our plans for a few years. We were considering a trip to Hawaii, our first, and possibly our only for a very long time. With this time constraint, do you think it's worth the airfare and travel hassle to visit Hawaii from the U.S. east coast?

If so, where would you visit? Which island?
We like snorkeling, beach walks, scenic drives, wildlife, sailing, biking, and we'd enjoy visiting Volcano Nat'l Park.

Leaning toward a longer wait to visit. We're in our 50's so, Lord willing, we've got plenty of time to visit later. It's just tempting. Your thoughts?

I would do it.

I was also going to suggest flying to the west coast Friday evening and then getting an early flight out on Saturday morning. If possible, try to get an extra day off by tying it into a holiday or asking for an extra day off. That would make it 10 nights. I think it is common for people to go for 9 - 10 nights from the east coast since it gets too expensive for many to go for 14 days especially if they are paying for hotel rooms.

 

[JIMinNC]

Due to DH's job, taking more than 1 consecutive week off at a time will not be in our plans for a few years. We were considering a trip to Hawaii, our first, and possibly our only for a very long time. With this time constraint, do you think it's worth the airfare and travel hassle to visit Hawaii from the U.S. east coast?

If so, where would you visit? Which island?
We like snorkeling, beach walks, scenic drives, wildlife, sailing, biking, and we'd enjoy visiting Volcano Nat'l Park.

Leaning toward a longer wait to visit. We're in our 50's so, Lord willing, we've got plenty of time to visit later. It's just tempting. Your thoughts?

I've thought a little bit more about the OP while reading these replies and would like to amend the thoughts I offered in post #17.

While, as I said earlier, we would not consider going for less than 10 days or so, the fact is, we have been many times and go fairly regularly (although we haven't been since 2011). The OP, however, is not in the same situation as we are.

Here's what I say - if you think you may only visit Hawaii once, and if by waiting a couple/few years, the job situation might change and allow you to make a longer trip, I would say wait. A longer trip would offer so many more options to truly enjoy the islands. Each island has it's own vibe and character that needs to be seen to be appreciated.

But if, on the other hand, you think it will be many years before you will have more time flexibility (like not before retirement), then I would say go for it now - even if you can only do a week. Same answer if you think this may be a one time opportunity that may not present itself again in the future. While a week or so trip to Hawaii would not be ideal, it's better to go for a short time than miss out entirely. You could get a taste of it, and then maybe, in retirement, go back for a longer trip. Others have offered some good advice on ways to stretch that week off work into a few more days.

 

[lizap]

I also strongly agree with those who say its doable for a week. Due to our work schedule, we've always gone a week. While our flight is about an hour less than yours, it's still takes a long time to get there and involves a connection. Try to get an early flight, and go to bed early the first night, if possible. The next day you'll be fine. The return flight will mostly likely be an overnight flight. I would choose one island, probably Maui ( since you've never been) or Kauai.

 

[Lisa P]

Thank you so, so much, for everyone's thoughts, opinions, and advice!!! It's been very helpful to get feedback from so many experienced travelers. You've given us plenty to think about as we consider our options. I value each of your posts.
THANK YOU!

 

[Bwolf]

Even though you've already thanked posters, I'd like to add that we went for one week and had no problems with jet lag or anything else. Stayed Friday night in Seattle and flew early morning directly to Maui. Flew back changing planes in Seattle, arriving in Boston early AM Sunday.

We had something to do everyday and crossed Hawaii off the bucket list.