Radiance of the Seas® docks at the historical town of Lahaina, Maui

Our first days of our vacation on the ship will be full of shipboard and Crown & Anchor Society activities.  Visions of sugar cane fields, tropical flowers, fresh pinapple and macadamia nuts will be dancing in our heads as the Radiance sails to our destination.  Think of all the shore excrusions and trips in Hawaii as we go from port to port!  Be sure to look up the shore excursions at royalcaribbean.com and plan ahead.

After 5 sea days, our first stop will be on May 9, 2008.  As you wake, the ship will already be anchored and ready for tendering in Lahaina.  The Radiance of the Seas® will dock for a day and a half in the town of Lahaina, on the northwest side of the island of Maui.

Four islands form a much larger island, Maui Nui, "Big Maui".  The land mass of Maui Nui developed 1.2 million years ago through the eruption of 7 volcanoes and is 50% larger than the island of Hawaii.  Maui Nui became submerged over 200,000 years ago and overtime formed four islands.  The other three islands that made this prehistoric island are Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, now known as Maui County.  The sea floor between the islands is shallow (.31 miles) but on the outer edges of the former island, the sea floor plummets into the Pacific Ocean.*

Lahaina, Maui: In the year 1800, King Kamehameha was ruling from Lahaina, the capital of Hawaii.  Lahaina has a rich history that makes the place what it is today - a Hawaiian time capsule tucked inside a town visited by many guests. 

If you stay in Lahaina, the focus of activity is along Front Street, which dates back to the 1820s. It is lined with stores and restaurants, and is often packed with tourists. Banyan Tree Square features the banyan tree planted in 1873 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the missionaries. It is also the site of the reconstructed ruins of Lahaina Fort, originally built in 1832, and a Buddhist temple whose gardens are open to the public.

Golfing:  With 70 golf courses overlooking breathtaking views across all the islands of Hawaii, this is definitely a haven for avid golfers to take their clubs for at least one relaxing day on a course.  Maui is no exception with 14 courses. 

Haleakala National Park:  The Park preserves the outstanding volcanic landscape of the upper slopes of Haleakala on the island of Maui and protects the unique and fragile ecosystems of Kipahulu Valley, the scenic pools along 'Ohe'o Gulch, and many rare and endangered species.  Activities to consider while visiting the park include backpacking, camping, interpretive talks, horseback riding, travelling to the crater at the top and overlooking Maui from every direction, nature walks, star gazing, and swimming in 'Ohe'o stream.

Luaus:  Any Maui vacation should include a luau.  Most luaus serve a buffet style dinner, with different side dishes and salads.  Beverages including an open bar, sodas, tea, juices and coffee are available at each Maui luau free of charge.  Maui luaus are often hosted right by the beach, offering excellent views.  The luau shows may differ, but most Maui luaus will feature various forms of Hawaiian song and dance, and many Maui luaus feature the song and dance of the other Polynesian islands.  In fact, we will be treating our Diamond and Diamond Plus members to a special shore excursion at the Waikapu Village Luau at the Maui Tropical Plantation!  I will be sure to let you know how our members enjoy this special treat. 

Maui Ecosystems Underwater: Seize the opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian ecosystem off the coast of Maui and the other islands.  There are three ways this can be done:

Scuba diving and snorkeling

Maui Submarine Tour

Maui Ocean Center

Tea and Hawaiian culture:  I wanted to make a special note about the history of tea and its relationship in Hawaii.  Tea is a popular product on the Hawaiian Islands with 90% of households drinking it on a daily basis. Introduced to the islands in 1887, only since 1999 has there been research to mass produce the product on the island.  Because of the lush landscape in Hawaii it can be grown anywhere from the mountains to a resident's backyard.  Most of the teas whether grown or imported in Hawaii are blended with other Hawaiian products such as fruits and other indigenous ingredients of the island.  The price of tea can be economical to a premium product.  The tea rooms on the island serve specifically a British or Japanese traditional ceremony.  For High Tea, 24 hour reservations are requested in advance. 

Whether I decide to take surfing lessons, snorkel, go on adventures at Haleakala National Park, swim with the dolphins or hangout in Lahaina, my first steps on Maui will give me ample time and attractions to fill my digital camera. 

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*From Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, April 10, 2003