The Polite Traveler

Food on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  When discussing desserts and the various other scrumptious meals we experienced on the Coral Princess Panama Canal cruise, it’s a must.  Words couldn’t possibly come close to doing any of the dishes justice.  Therefore, check out the slideshow of delicious eats.   One note, the absolute “not-to-be-missed” dishes were the Chocolate Journeys desserts.  All were unforgettable.  Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.      Please Read Cruise Review: Panama Canal; Coral Princess Importance of Being Polite When Cruising Cruise Room Review: Grand Princess L307

Fall in Love with the Quirky but Lovely Coral Princess Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, So, after several cruises on the much larger ship—the Grand Princess—we now are on a smaller ship; our first time on the Coral.  While the Grand is grand in size, it is not as homey...or quirky.  The Coral hosts 1,000 guest cabins compared to the Grand’s 1,301.  The Coral’s cabin sizes are much smaller, as well, with the average balcony cabin at 225 square feet compared to Grand’s 253 square feet which makes taking a shower even more interesting than on the larger ships—not that it is ever easy.   Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Quirky is as Quirky Does Many fellow passengers shared the same first impression of the Coral: it’s quirky.  For my fellow polite cruisers of larger ships, you probably recognize the long, sometimes tight, hallways leading to our staterooms.  Coral definitely follows suit with one notab

Poor Behavior by Rude Passengers on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Travelers, Surprise!  We’re talking civility here.  Who would have thought?  Sure, most of us consider ourselves polite, civil people who treat others kindly.  Then why do many of us cringe when observing the behavior of fellow cruisers?  Simple answer: many travelers have unrealistic high expectations that are bound to result in poor behavior toward those attempting to please us.  This is especially true with cruisers.  Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    What?  Rude Passengers? Okay, so here’s a scenario I observed.  My travel partner hubby and I were sitting at the Explorer’s Lounge Bar—tiny and intimate—enjoying a wonderful conversation with the bartender and a couple of servers.  With one of the servers, I became more familiar with and found that she’s actually a nurse who gave up her career to work for Prince

Cruising Through the Panama Canal on the Coral Princess Dear Polite Traveler, Revised 4/2021 Today, I’d like to share with you tales of our Princess Cruise through the Panama Canal—some were amazing and some...not so.   The “Not so,” I’ll save for another post.  Prepare to be amazed! “The event to be celebrated tomorrow will probably always be known as the 'Wedding of the Oceans.'” Direct Wire in the Oct. 10, 1913, edition of The Times Mere words cannot describe the wonder and intricacy of the canal dug through the middle of a mountainous country to join two seas.  Just imagine waking up to see beautiful Panama City facing the mild Pacific and toasting the wilder Atlantic in late afternoon.  Granted there is plenty of rising and lowering of the ship squeezing through locks and cruising placid waters in between.  History on the Water Nevertheless, this is more a cruise of traveling through history.  Every inch of this canal cost thousands of lives and millions

A Must Stop When in Waikiki:  One Stop Shop, Dine and Drink Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, When my hubby and I heard that a “super” ABC Store will open soon in Waikiki , we were ecstatic.   Learning that it would be open upon our return, we knew what our first mission would be: get there as soon as our bags are unpacked.   And, we did.   What we found was exactly what was needed—a full market, a grab-and-go market, wine and spirit shop, a bakery with beverages, a full restaurant, with full bar, and simpler fare, such as pizza and sandwiches .   Note: All these stores and restaurants are within steps of one another.   In fact, Chill, Island Gourmet Coffee, and the Bakery share the same counters—built in an “L” shape.   Thus, one can grab a pastry from the Bakery, order a cup of Kona coffee from Island Gourmet Coffee and choose a cup of gelato from Chill all at once. Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Great little A

Lots of Love and Unity Shared in Honolulu Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, After witnessing the Pearl Harbor 75th Commemoration Parade last year in Honolulu, my expectations about the MLK parade were limited.   I figured the parade would arrive late and disorganized, but still memorable.   Was I surprised?   Oh yeah.   And, how about the People’s Rally/Women’s March?   Well, that was worth the price of admission. Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   MLK Parade Honors a Remarkable Man with a Remarkable Parade Marching bands...check.   Unknown persons riding in cars ...check.   Typical, right?   Some aspects of this parade simulated most.   Nevertheless, most of the multiple marching bands were animated, each member displaying emotion not typically found in the “typical” parade.   After all, we’re in Hawaii.   I never flashed so many “Shaka” signs in my life. Enough of my opinion.   Check out the video above. The Peo

Memorable.     Learning Opportunities.    Simply Amazing! Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, I must admit; my hubby and I are two lucky people.   We stumble across a docent who is an expert of amphibians and reptiles at the Honolulu Zoo .   And, then the very next day, we stumble across a retired Professor at the Waikīkī Aquarium .   How lucky is that?!       Having someone at our side explaining habitats and the ocean life we were witnessing enabled us to enjoy our visit more.   We came to see, and we found knowledge. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.       To fully appreciate this gem, please watch my video. Please Read Hotel Review: Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Hotel Room Review: Hilton Garden Inn in Waikiki Room #1435 Activity Review: Fun Activities in Honolulu 2020 

Lions, Tigers, No Bears...But They Do Have Gharials Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, With so many activities to choose from while visiting Honolulu, deciding on a trip to the zoo might not make a lot of sense.   After all, most home cities have zoos, so why waste precious vacation time on visiting one in Honolulu?   Because it’s this one. Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    What makes it so darn special? This may not be the largest zoo in the U.S. with its 42 acres, but it is home to 995 different animals from the tropics.   Making this zoo quite cool.   Also cool, is that this is our only royal zoo.   Okay, not quite royal, but the land once was.   King David Kalakaua, Monarch of Hawaii granted the people these lands in 1876.   Point of fact, he actually granted an entire 300 acres that became the zoo and Kapiolani Regional Park.   For those of you who have visited Oahu, more specifically the Honolulu area, you a

Relaxing and Exploring is Easy.  Stay, Go, Eat, Swim, Workout...Do it all Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Ah, Waikiki with its white beaches, iconic hotels, high-end shops and the aloha spirit.   I simply cannot get enough.   So, even though we recently visited via a cruise , I found we didn’t have enough land time, necessitating a Waikiki stay in one of our favorite hotels: Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel.   As full disclosure is everyone’s friend, I must admit my rabid fandom for Hilton Honors and their various properties.    It’s for good reason though, as this post and many others will affirm.   Membership is free; most room upgrades—based on availability—are free; Free Internet access, and for many properties, a hot breakfast is included.   For this property, as Gold Honors Members, we were offered a free hot breakfast and an excellent evening appetizer buffet, which was more of a meal.   Coffee, tea, juice, and soft drinks were available all day. Please read my Hotel Room