Kona, Hawaii - October 25, 2026.

Kona, the Big Island – A Little Aloha, a Little Frustration, and Back to the Zaandam

Our last Hawaiian port on this journey was the Big Island of Hawaii, with a visit to Kona. This was another tender port, meaning we needed to take one of the ship’s tenders to get ashore. Before getting into the day’s adventures, here’s a little background on this beautiful island and one of the biggest sporting events in the world that calls Kona home.

A Little History of the Big Island

The Island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island, is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is still growing, thanks to its active volcanoes. It is a land of contrasts, from lush tropical landscapes to dramatic black lava fields, with Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa rising high above the island. Its history is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and traditions, and it was here that King Kamehameha I was born and eventually united the Hawaiian Islands under his rule in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Kona, on the western side of the island, is known for its sunny, dry climate, beautiful coastline, and, of course, its famous Kona coffee. It is also home to a rather remarkable sporting event that has put this little corner of Hawaii on the international map.

Kona and the IRONMAN World Championship

For those unfamiliar with the IRONMAN World Championship, this is not your average weekend sporting event! The race combines a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon run. And yes, they do all three one after the other, in a single day. Just thinking about it makes me tired!

The first IRONMAN took place on Oahu in 1978, when 15 competitors took on the challenge of combining three existing endurance events into one extraordinary test of fitness. In 1981, the race moved to Kona on the Big Island, where the rugged lava fields, intense sunshine, heat, and challenging crosswinds became part of its legendary reputation.

Kona became the home of the championship because its landscape offered a particularly demanding course, while the move away from Honolulu also helped avoid the city’s traffic hazards. Over the years, the race has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious endurance sporting events, attracting elite athletes and dedicated age-group competitors from around the globe.

The championship is held here because of that history and the unique challenges of the course. After some changes to the event’s location and format in recent years, the 2026 championship returns to Kona, with men and women competing together on the same day. Quite an achievement for a race that started with just 15 brave souls!

Now, while we certainly appreciate the dedication of these athletes, our own plans for Kona were considerably less strenuous. 😂

Our Day in Kona

After another lingering breakfast aboard the Zaandam, we waited for the open tenders and eventually hopped aboard one of the boats ferrying passengers into downtown Kona.

Having visited here many times before, we didn’t feel the need to head off on any major adventures or organized tours. Sometimes, it’s nice to simply wander around a familiar place and enjoy the day at our own pace.

We strolled through town, visiting a few of our favourite shops along the main strip. And naturally, we couldn’t pass up the famous ABC Store deal of four T-shirts for $20. You know the one! At those prices, it’s hard to resist adding a few more shirts to the collection, even when you probably don’t need them. 😉

Of, we can’t talk about Hawaii without mentioning one of its favourite foods, SPAM! Hawaii has a real love affair with this canned luncheon meat, thanks in part to its popularity during the Second World War when it became an important source of protein. Today, SPAM is firmly woven into local food culture, appearing in everything from breakfast plates to sushi-style snacks. One of the best-known local specialties is SPAM musubi, a slice of grilled SPAM sitting on a block of rice, all wrapped together with a strip of nori (seaweed). Think of it as Hawaii’s own take on sushi, and you’ll find it in convenience stores, supermarkets, and local eateries throughout the islands. It’s a simple, portable snack that has become a genuine Hawaiian favourite. Who knew a humble can of SPAM could become such a local celebrity! 😄

After our shopping expedition, we stopped for a leisurely, light lunch at a beautiful beachfront restaurant. With the ocean right there in front of us, it was the perfect place to sit back, enjoy the scenery, and soak up a little more of that Hawaiian atmosphere.

From there, we continued our stroll toward the beach near the tender pier. We found a shady spot beneath some trees on the grassy area close to the Marriott hotel and settled in for what we thought would be a very relaxing afternoon.

First, though, there was the important business of enjoying a swim in those lovely, warm Hawaiian waters. Ah, bliss! Nothing quite compares to a refreshing dip in the ocean on a warm tropical day.

Feeling thoroughly relaxed, we returned to our shady spot, pulled out our books, and prepared to enjoy a little quiet reading time.

Well, that was the plan, anyway!

An Unexpected Interruption to Our Aloha

We had barely managed to read a few pages when we heard a friendly “Aloha!” from hotel security.

Now, there weren’t many people relaxing on this grassy area, and we certainly weren’t causing any trouble. We were simply two people sitting quietly in the shade, minding our own business. We had enjoyed this same area last year without any issues, so it hadn’t occurred to us that there might be a problem.

Our friendly security guard explained that we were on hotel property and would have to vacate the area.

Fair enough, private property is private property, and we have no problem respecting that. However, it would have been nice to see a sign or some indication that the area was restricted, preferably before visitors settled in and made themselves comfortable. Even a small sign at the entrance would have saved everyone a little awkwardness.

Instead, we gathered our belongings and moved along. I couldn’t help wondering whether our security friend enjoyed his little power trip, although perhaps he was simply doing his job.

Either way, it certainly wasn’t quite the Hawaiian welcome we had imagined!

So much for that particular patch of shade and our peaceful afternoon of reading. With our little dose of aloha behind us, we decided there was a much more welcoming place to spend the rest of the day.

And that, of course, was back aboard our home away from home, the Zaandam!

Back to Our Happy Place

Once back on the ship, I decided to make the most of the afternoon and headed to the pool for my first swim at the aft pool aboard the Zaandam. It was lovely! A refreshing dip, followed by a shower and a change of clothes, and I was ready to settle into a more peaceful afternoon.

I made my way down to Deck 3, the Promenade Deck, where I could get back to my book and enjoy some quiet time. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best, especially when they come without any unexpected interruptions!

The rest of the day unfolded beautifully. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, followed by a fantastic show featuring our onboard singers and dancers. These talented performers have been keeping us entertained throughout the voyage, and it was a lovely way to round out our final Hawaiian port day.

Until Next Time, Hawaii!

And just like that, our Hawaiian island-hopping adventure was coming to an end. From the beauty of the islands to the warm waters, familiar shops, and wonderful food, we have certainly enjoyed our time exploring Hawaii once again.

Kona may have thrown us a little unexpected curveball, but it didn’t spoil the day. We still enjoyed our stroll through town, a lovely lunch, a swim in the ocean, and a relaxing afternoon back aboard the ship.

Sometimes travel reminds you that not every moment goes exactly as planned. You take the good with the not-so-good, have a little chuckle about it later, and carry on.

After all, there’s always another port, another adventure, and another opportunity to find a shady spot where we’re actually welcome to sit and read! 😂

For now, we’re back aboard the Zaandam, enjoying the comforts of our floating home and looking forward to what comes next on this legendary voyage. Now six days at sea…, ah bliss…

Maui, Hawaii - October 24, 2026

Maui – A Sea Day on Land!

After a few busy port days, we decided to treat our stop in Maui as a bit of a “sea day.” Sometimes you just need to slow things down, take a breath, and enjoy a more leisurely pace. After all, we are on a cruise, and there is absolutely no rule that says we have to be out exploring from morning until night!

Our day began with a lingering breakfast. In fact, we lingered for so long that people around us began arriving for lunch! LOL. I suppose that is one of the benefits of cruising when you have nowhere in particular you need to be.

A Different Side of Maui

One of the nice things about visiting Maui is that, unlike some of our other Hawaiian ports, we are docked right alongside the shore rather than having to take a tender ashore. The not-so-nice part is that we are now docking at Kahului, on the north side of the island, where many of the attractions and beautiful beaches are still quite a distance away. If you really want to explore Maui, you will generally need some form of transportation.

There is a reason our ships are no longer calling at Lahaina, on Maui’s west coast, as they once did. The devastating wildfires of August 2023 swept through the historic town, destroying much of its heart and forever changing the community. Lahaina was once a bustling whaling port and later became a popular destination for visitors arriving by cruise ship. Today, the recovery continues, and the town is slowly rebuilding its homes, businesses and historic places. The harbour is beginning to return to limited use, but it is not yet back to the sort of operation needed to welcome cruise ships as before.

It is difficult to imagine the scale of the destruction unless you have seen the area before and after the fires. What was once a lively historic town, with its shops, restaurants and waterfront streets, suffered an almost unimaginable loss. While the physical rebuilding is progressing, there is also the much more personal task of helping residents rebuild their lives and restoring the community that made Lahaina so special.

One of the most encouraging sights has been the recovery of Lahaina’s beloved banyan tree. Planted in 1873, this magnificent tree was a familiar landmark in the town square, spreading its enormous branches across an area that seemed almost impossible for a single tree to cover. It was badly scorched in the fires, and many feared it would not survive. However, with careful attention from arborists and the community, the tree has shown remarkable signs of life, producing new growth and leaves. Recent reports show it continuing to recover, a wonderful symbol of hope and resilience for Lahaina. It may take years for the tree to regain anything like its former appearance, but seeing it come back to life is encouraging.

As of 2026, rebuilding is well underway, with wildfire debris cleared and homes being completed, although many families and businesses still face a long road ahead. Lahaina is not simply being rebuilt as a collection of buildings; the challenge is to restore a historic community while respecting its culture, character and the memories of those who called it home.

We hope that, in time, we will be able to return to Lahaina and see more of this special place coming back to life.

A Little Shopping and a Quiet Afternoon

Back to our own much less ambitious plans for the day!

Last year, we managed to walk over to a nearby beach in about 10 to 15 minutes and enjoyed a swim. This time around, the weather in our immediate area wasn’t particularly inviting for a swim, so we decided not to bother. Sometimes the best travel decision is knowing when to leave things for another day.

After breakfast, we simply strolled off Zaandam and made our way to a local shopping mall to pick up a few supplies. With the more remote islands of French Polynesia and the Marquesas coming up on our itinerary, we figured it was a good opportunity to get a few things while we still had access to shops and familiar conveniences.

It may not sound like the most exciting day in paradise, but these little practical stops become more important as a voyage takes us farther away from the usual amenities. Besides, there is something rather enjoyable about wandering around without a schedule, knowing that the ship isn’t going anywhere without us!

And so, our Maui visit turned into exactly what we needed after several busy days ashore: a leisurely breakfast, a little shopping, and a chance to recharge before the next chapter of our adventure.

Not every port day needs to be filled with excursions and sightseeing. Sometimes a sea day on land is just about taking it easy and enjoying the journey. And that, as far as we were concerned, was time well spent!

Honolulu, Hawaii - October 23, 2026

A Royal Visit to ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu

Today was another hot one in the beautiful city of Honolulu, but we had a lovely day planned that involved a little history, a special musical performance, and a nice, easy stroll back to the ship. Sometimes the best days are the ones where you don’t try to do too much!

There was something we had always wanted to do on our previous visits to Honolulu but somehow never quite got around to it, and that was visiting ʻIolani Palace, the former royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchs. With this being our return visit, we decided it was finally time to put that right.

As we looked at the timing, we discovered an added bonus. Every Friday at noon, the Royal Hawaiian Band performs on the palace grounds. That gave us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the music first and then take our audio-guided tour, which I booked for 1:30 p.m.

A Special Performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band

The Royal Hawaiian Band has a fascinating history of its own. Established in 1836 by King Kamehameha III as the King’s Band, it has been part of Hawaiian life for almost two centuries. Over the years, the band has performed at royal celebrations, public ceremonies, community events, and important occasions throughout Hawaiʻi. Today, it continues to preserve and share Hawaiian musical traditions while performing for audiences both at home and around the world.

But for us, this particular performance had a much more personal connection.

Our friend Aaron’s father played in the Royal Hawaiian Band for many years. Knowing that made sitting there listening to the musicians all the more meaningful. It wasn’t simply a chance to enjoy some wonderful Hawaiian music; it was also a connection to Aaron’s family and a part of their history.

It is funny how travel sometimes brings these little connections to the surface. What might otherwise have been just another enjoyable stop on our itinerary became something much more special because of that family connection. We were delighted that we had arranged our visit to coincide with the Friday performance.

ʻIolani Palace — A Glimpse into Royal Hawaiʻi

After the band performance, it was time to step inside the palace and learn more about the Hawaiian Kingdom and the people who once called this remarkable building home.

The present ʻIolani Palace was commissioned by King David Kalākaua, with construction beginning in 1879 and being completed in 1882. It became the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and a centre for the kingdom’s political and social life. King Kalākaua and, following his death, his sister Queen Liliʻuokalani were the two reigning monarchs who lived in the palace.

This wasn’t simply a royal home. It was also a place where the king conducted official business, welcomed visiting dignitaries, hosted receptions and entertained guests with grand celebrations. It reflected King Kalākaua’s ambition to demonstrate that Hawaiʻi was a modern, independent kingdom with its own traditions, culture, and place in the world.

And modern it certainly was!

One of the most interesting facts we learned was that ʻIolani Palace had electric lighting before the White House in Washington, D.C. The palace was equipped with electricity, indoor plumbing, and even a telephone, making it remarkably advanced for its time. It is quite something to imagine these modern conveniences being installed in a royal palace in the middle of the Pacific during the 1880s.

The building itself is an impressive blend of European architectural influences and Hawaiian features. From the outside, its towers, grand verandas, and distinctive design make it stand out from the surrounding government buildings. Inside, the palace is elegant without losing sight of the Hawaiian history that gives it such importance.

A Difficult Chapter in Hawaiian History

Of course, the history of ʻIolani Palace is not all grand celebrations and royal entertaining. Some of its most important stories are also among its saddest.

In 1887, King Kalākaua was forced by a group of powerful foreign businessmen and their supporters to accept a new constitution. It became known as the Bayonet Constitution, a name reflecting the pressure and threat of force under which it was imposed. The constitution significantly reduced the king’s authority and restricted the political power of many Native Hawaiians while increasing the influence of wealthy foreign residents.

The events that followed eventually led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in January 1893. Queen Liliʻuokalani, who had succeeded her brother Kalākaua in 1891, sought to restore greater authority to the monarchy and the Hawaiian people. However, a group of opponents, supported by the presence of U.S. forces, overthrew her government. The United States later annexed Hawaiʻi in 1898.

For a country with such a proud royal history, this was a profound turning point, and the palace remains a powerful symbol of Hawaiian identity and sovereignty.

The story becomes even more poignant when you learn what happened to Queen Liliʻuokalani herself. Following an unsuccessful attempt by royalist supporters to restore the monarchy in 1895, she was arrested, tried in her own throne room, and convicted. She was then confined to a bedroom upstairs in the very palace that had once been her home.

The Queen spent nearly eight months under house arrest inside ʻIolani Palace.

During this time, she was permitted very few visitors and spent much of her confinement reading, writing music, praying, and working on needlework. It is difficult to imagine what it must have been like for a queen to be imprisoned within the walls of her own former home, surrounded by memories of the life and country she had lost.

Learning about this part of the palace’s history certainly adds another dimension to the visit. These rooms are not simply beautifully restored interiors; they are places where events that changed the course of Hawaiian history actually took place.

Exploring the Palace Rooms

Our audio-guided tour took us through the different areas of the palace, and it was fascinating to see how the building was divided between the public duties of the monarchy and the family’s private life.

The first floor was where the official business and entertaining took place. We visited the Grand Hall, with its beautiful koa wood staircase and portraits of Hawaiian monarchs, along with the State Dining Room, the Blue Room, and the magnificent Throne Room. It was easy to imagine the royal family welcoming distinguished guests, hosting formal dinners, and holding important ceremonies in these rooms.

The Throne Room was particularly significant because it was used not only for royal receptions and celebrations but also for Queen Liliʻuokalani’s trial after the overthrow. Knowing both sides of that history made the room especially moving.

Moving upstairs, we explored the more private areas of the palace, including the King’s and Queen’s suites, the Music Room, and the bedroom where Queen Liliʻuokalani was held under house arrest. The contrast between the elegance of the royal surroundings and the circumstances of her confinement was striking.

The tour also introduced us to the palace’s history through its furnishings, photographs, and other historical displays. The care taken to restore the building and return it as closely as possible to its former appearance helps bring the stories of the Hawaiian monarchy to life.

There is something quite special about walking through a building where history actually happened. Reading about these events in a book is one thing, but standing in the very rooms where they unfolded gives you a much better appreciation of the people involved and the changes that took place.

For anyone interested in Hawaiian history, I would certainly recommend putting ʻIolani Palace on the list of places to visit when in Honolulu.

Back to the Zaandam

After our visit, we made our way back outside into that lovely Honolulu sunshine. By this point, we had enjoyed our music, learned a great deal about the Hawaiian Kingdom, and finally crossed off something we had wanted to do for a long time.

We then enjoyed a leisurely stroll of about 15 minutes back to our home away from home, the Zaandam.

No complicated transportation arrangements, no rushing from one attraction to another, and no exhausting schedule to keep up with. Just a pleasant walk and a relaxing return to the ship after a very enjoyable day ashore.

It was one of those days that reminds us why we enjoy returning to places we have visited before. There is always something new to discover, and sometimes the experiences we have put off for years turn out to be among the most memorable.

And with the Royal Hawaiian Band, Aaron’s family connection, and the remarkable history of ʻIolani Palace all coming together, this turned out to be a particularly special day in Honolulu.

Another wonderful day in paradise!