Spring Break cruise in Hawaii - Day 1

 

Harbor View from our hotel room (Aston Hotel)

We visited Hawaii in 2021 with Alice and Ava. The beauty of Hawaii can not be overstated, but due to the timing of our visit, the trip left much to be desired. The island had just reopened after COVID lockdowns and all of the attractions experienced unprecedented crowd levels. This time around, Teddy and I decided to give Hawaii another chance. Somewhat of a redemption trip, without the kids. We had an amazing time.

March 29, 2024

Today we are flying to Honolulu. We booked the nonstop flight from ATL on Delta. This route is always expensive and today is no different. We did try to use a regional upgrade certificate but it did not go through. It did however, delay our check-in at the counter for 30 minutes, during of which we caught a glimpse of Rachael Kirkconnell of Bachelor fame.

Food served in Premium Select cabin

Delta’s Premium Select class is similar to a domestic first class seat. The seat is wider with bigger recline, there is better food and wine, real glassware, and amenity kit. The headphone set was nicer as was the pillow and blanket. The major downside from first class is that the seats do not lay flat.

Our meal had two options for the entree: the Roasted Bell & Evans Chicken Leg w/Fingerling Potatoes, Broccoli, Lemon Herb Jus, OR Pasta Mami’s Wild Mushroom Tortelloni w/ Wilted Spinach, Roasted Tomatoes, Black Truffle Cream. I chose the former. I was a little disappointed that there was no seafood option.

Dinner was better – I was given Tuna Tataki Salad with Edamame and Quinoa.

Tuna Tataki Salad

Overall I think Premium Select is a good middle ground between First Class and Economy. I would do it again. For tonight, we are booked at the 4-star Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel. Our room is the One Bedroom One Bath Executive Harbor View Suite, for $237.15 a night before tax. I was happy with this choice. Our hotel room was very spacious with full kitchen.

Our bedroom at Aston Hotel

Senia

Tonight’s dinner is at a restaurant called Senia. Senia serves dishes that are a wonderful blend of Hawaiian and New American. Senia has a tasting menu option on Friday & Saturday nights, at the Chef’s counter, which is what we chose to do. Our tasting menu cost $275 per person before tax and tip. The tip was a mandatory 23%. The entire payment was required up front at the time of reservation.

Kitchen @ Senia

The Chef’s Counter has 8 seats total and gives you a front row view of what’s going on in the kitchen, where magic truly happens. Senia also presents the raw ingredients to us before some of the courses and explain the work that had been put into the dish.

For a complete blog entry on Senia, please click here.

This ends our first day in Hawaii. Tomorrow we will embark on our inter-island cruise. So excited!!