The Polite Traveler

My Five Favorite Activities on the Grand Princess Cruise to Hawaii Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, There are not many phrases a person wants to hear more than “You are a winner!”  Another would be “The painting is yours,” especially when it is a painting dear to one’s heart and at a remarkable price.  Well, I experienced this and many more enjoyable and exciting adventures on our last Princess Cruise.  This time, it was the 15-day cruise to the Hawaiian Islands on the Grand Princess.  Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Princess Fine Arts Program Princess Cruises teamed up with the creditable Park West Galleries to provide educational art seminars, which include art history and art auctions .  I never imagined myself as a serious art collector, as my discretionary funds don’t line up with my taste in art.  Nevertheless, our Art Director, Naomi Baldwin made me deals I couldn’t refuse.  Altho

Top Three Things About Princess’ Balcony Staterooms Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Imagine sitting on the balcony of a cruise ship to watch the warm waters of the Pacific roll by.  Now, imagine those waters closer to the California coast.  Yep.  For most days, there was no sitting or doing anything else on the stateroom balcony of our most recent cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  This part of the Pacific can be choppy if not downright wild.  Cold too.  Very chilly.   Nevertheless, as we rolled closer to the islands, the waters and the air warmed, allowing us to finally enjoy our upgraded room.  Watching the mountainous, green shore of Kauai grow larger as we neared was priceless.  Note : Follow CDC and Princess guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Storage Tips The balcony aside, these rooms are not large— roughly 274 sq. ft. including the balcony—but was ample enough for a fifteen-day cruise.  Storage is limited.  However, if o

Unexpected Upgrade at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Hotel Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, For our most recent visit to the “Gathering Place”, better known as Oahu, we decided to split our ten-day stay between two excellent Hilton properties: Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel ( review ) and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Hotel.   During our stay at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, I thought it couldn’t get any better.  We enjoyed our stay immensely.  Nevertheless, Hilton surprised us once more. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   We’re upgraded to where? Yep, because we are Hilton Honors members, we were upgraded again to...wait for it…the Ali’i Tower!  Breathe, breathe.  Amazing upgrade.  Here’s a bit of the background about this excellent upgrade.  Earlier this year, my husband noticed an unbelievable half-price deal on suites at the Hawaiian Village property.  So, without hesitation, h