Common Hawaiian Words & Phrases - It’s another language!

Although Hawaii is as American as apple pie, when you are there in the islands, you can feel like you aren’t quite certain of this. The mixed cultures that make up Hawaii - the pidgin english, the hawaiian language and mixed hawaiian-english words & language used can easily transport you to what feels like a foreign country. But its 100% USA and the beauty of the different cultures, traditions and customs are what makes Hawaii in my mind so very special and unique.  

While you are visiting it might be helpful to know and understand a couple of simple words that Hawaiians use... following are a few that I thought you might want to know. And if you really want to check things out... look up this website:

                       Hawaiian Words - Hear the Spoken Word

I found it to be helpful as you can actually hear the words being spoken. Enjoy the Aloha

and you cruisers my thought is let’s get jiggy with it! Have fun!

Aloha - love, affection;greeting, salutation; Hello! Good-bye!

Mahalo  - Thank you

Mahalo Nui Loa - Thank you very much

Ono - Delicious

Pau  - Finished, ended ,all done

Wahine - Woman, Lady

Kane - A man or a boy

Kama’aina  - Commonly referred to a long time resident of Hawaii

Malihini - Newcomer, Visitor

Haole - A foreigner, pidgin slang-caucasian

Hapa haole - Person of mixed racial ancestry

E Komo Mai - Welcome, Enter

A hui hoa Until we meet again

A hui hoa kahou - Until we meet again - said to a group

Kai - Sea, sea water, seaside

Mauka - Inland, upland,towards the mountain

Pupu - Snack or appetizers

Kuli Kuli - Be Quiet! Shut up!

Wiki wiki - Fast or Speedy

TRANSPORTATION TO THE CRUISE TERMINAL

Most recently this past Spring, Roger and I utilized a great transportation service that I wanted to share with you. It is called DEVINE RIDE LIMO SERVICE. The contact person is JOHN. Phone number 949/355-8820. To see what was available, I actually contacted 15 different Town Car/Limo Service in the Orange County area and John was not only the most reasonable but also the most personable.

John was very professional and was early in arriving. He has great follow-up and was in communication with me upon our pick-up as well. His car was very well maintained and clean. We rode in a Black Lincoln Navigator and to my surprise he even had Starbuck’s Coffee waiting in the cup holder for us. Now c’mon that’s a big tug at my Customer Service standard that had me chuckling.

Devine Ride Limo Service is located at 318 W. Avenida Valencia, San Clemente CA 92672.  He is also listed on Yelp and so you can check out other reviews...but personally, we highly recommend him and you will be self assured that he will not disappoint you. Give him a call and make your reservation for your shuttle to the cruise terminal soon! 

IMPORTANT CRUISE DEADLINES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Graphics by socialmediaexaminer.com

Planning ahead as much as Diana does is enough to drive even her travel agent, Alex crazy at times. I know it drives Roger nuts, but for the most part he has learned that planning ahead is far better then last minute rushing (as long as Diana does all the work of course!). Certainly some of our cruisers have already began to inquire .... “When can I...? Is it time to...? Can I start to....” well here are some helpful guidelines to settle those inquiry minds or at least get you to start establishing your own timeline. Additional reminders may be communicated and noted in the upcoming future, so check back here at our cruise blog.

In the upcoming months Alex and I (and maybe even some of our more veteran cruisers) may be elaborating some of the topics below in our cruise blog. In the meantime...mark your calendar or add these important dates to your schedule. Mahalo Fellow Cruisers, it’s getting real!

PRE-CRUISE TASK DESCRIPTION	2015 DEADLINE DATES
DAVIS GROUP CRUISE SIGN-UP DEADLINE         Last call to be included in our group. Renewal preparations  are needing finalization of counts and details!	MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
SHORE EXCURSION POSTING BY PRINCESS CRUISES            75 days to 140 days before embarkations. Estimated posting dates             are as early as week of May 12 through week of July 21, 2015	Approx. the Week of: May 12  thru  July 21
FINAL CRUISE CONNECTION: Guest Introduction                       Email Article & Photo to Diana	FRIDAY,  MAY 1
YOUR DINING OPTION TO ALEX Options: Anytime Dining - Early Dining - Late Dining	FRIDAY,  MAY 29
RSVP & PAYMENT DUE FOR PRE-CRUISE SOCIAL Mail check to Diana - $37 per person	FRIDAY, JUNE 6
PRE-CRUISE GROUP SOCIAL  Duke’s Huntington Beach - 12:00 Noon	SUNDAY, JUNE 28
GROUP CRUISE PAYMENT FULL BALANCE DUE TO ALEX   Contact Alex to approve your credit card payment	FRIDAY, JULY 17
PRE-CRUISE STAY &/or PARK RESERVATION TO ALEX         San Pedro Double Tree Hotel	FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
T-SHIRT SIZES & COLOR ROGER  Email at rogerwdavis@cox.net	MONDAY, AUGUST 17
FORMALWEAR (TUX) RENTAL	SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
CRUISE PERSONALIZER- ONLINE, completion	SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
CHEF TABLE RESERVATION TO DIANA           Limited seating & availability. First Come- First Served No guaranteed till I can confirm with Ruby Princess Maitre’d	MONDAY, AUGUST 31
PASSPORT & USA CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS	MONDAY, AUGUST 31
FLIGHT & SHUTTLE ARRANGEMENT Airport Option: LAX (Los Angeles) or LGB (Long Beach) Generally your best price for flight is to book early!  PRE-CRUISE OVERNIGHT STAY & PARK                                   San Pedro Double Tree Hotel, pre-reservation required. Contact Alex                                                                                                                                                              EMBARKATION DAY Boarding 12:30pm-3:00pm, Ship Departures 4pm	FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

PRINCESS CRUISES: Cruise Answer Book

Here’s a cruise preparation tip if you haven’t check this out already. It’s the Princess Cruise’s  “Cruise Answer Book”. This is a downloadable document off the Princess Cruise’s website. It is about 32 or so pages and you can print it for your reference. This document is a good resource for you to know what will be expected of you for your upcoming cruise and may very well answer some questions you have been wondering about.

To access it start by going to http://www.princess.com then click on SHIPS & EXPERIENCE, scroll down to FAQ:Onboard Experience open the page and

not on the lower right hand side, under: Download, Cruise Answer Book, 

Download Now >> 

Below is the Table of Content to this document...now go and print it for your pre-cruise preparation. 

PRE-CRUISE

Preparing for your cruise

• Cruise Personalizer
• Passage Contract
• Document Requirement
• Visas
• Princess Medical Centers
• Health & Wellness
• Pregnancy
• Passengers with Special Needs
• Casino Cash Advances
• Princess Vacation Protection
• Princess eZAir

Before you leave

• Boarding Passes and Luggage Tags
• Travel Summary
• Age Requirements/Traveling with Children
• Pre-Reserving Shore Excursions
• Pre-Reserving Lotus Spa Appointments
• Ship Deck Plans
• Port Driving Directions

What to Bring

• Clothing Recommendations
• Formal Wear Rentals
• Packing for Your Vacation
• Valuables

Travel & Transportation

• Port Driving Directions
• Motorcoach Travel
• Transfers
• Travel Tips
• En route delays
• Safety Ashore

ONBOARD

Onboard Experience 

• Onboard Atmosphere
• Special Occasions
• Alcohol Policy
• Alcohol Age Restrictions
• Laundry Services
• Cashless Cruising
• Onboard Currency
• Shopping Onboard
• Staying Healthy
• Gratuities 
• Stateroom Amenities
• Television Programming
• Medical Assistance
• Religious services
• Daytime Activities
• Future Cruise Sales

Youth & Teen Programs

• Children and Teen Programs
• Family Traveling
• Children’s TV Programming
• Children with Special Needs
• Additional reminders

Dining & Nightlife

• 1st Day Dining
• Anytime Dining
• Traditional Dining
• Speciality Restaurants
• Casual Dining Venues
• Special Dietary Requests
• Room service
• Onboard Entertainment
• Casino Games

Keeping in Touch

• Contact Phone Numbers
• The Internet at Sea
• Cell Phones at Sea

POST-CRUISE

Saying Goodbye

• Disembarkation

HELP...Where do I look for other Cruise Connection Cruiser Articles ?

I have sent out emails to a number of our cruisers who are already deposited for our 2015 Hawaii Cruise. I have asked them to write an introduction about themselves and as a result some have asked for examples of past cruiser introductions. So hopefully this will assist those inquiry minds... 

Here is a guide to help you check out the past cruiser's intro that past cruisers have created.The article is called CRUISE CONNECTION & their name to follow.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN IN...just go directly onto the blog and...

Step One: Begin by linking onto:

Roger & Diana's ASIA to ALASKA CRUISE 2013

http://rogerdianaasiatoalaska2013.blogspot.com

Step Two: Look for...

Right-hand side of blog > BLOG ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Step Three: Look for.... 

2013

01/27-02/03

02/03 -02/10

02/17-02/24 

02/24-03/03 ALEX & TED, ROGER, DIANA

2012 

12/09-12/16 ROCKY & PEGGY

11/25-12/02

11/11-11/18 STELLA

10/28-11/04 KAREN & BUZZ

10/21-10/28 JO MARY & MICHAEL & Diana's Intro

Step Four....

You can click onto any of the dates listed and you should see a CRUISE CONNECTION article with a name following. I noted a few individuals that will be joining us on our Hawaii Cruise next to the date.

These are articles that our Asia Cruisers wrote...are examples and can be used as a guide, just in case you need some format or ideas. But hey, be creative and do your own thing. Appreciate your help and looking forward to getting to know you even more! MAHALO, Diana