KONA ARRIVAL

We returned to the USA this morning and had to clear Customs & Immigration.  The ship called us down by deck, but we waited until the end since we didn’t have early plans.

There wasn’t any line by the time we entered the MDR on Deck 3.  The Customs officers didn’t even require us to open our passports – so the real checking was done in advance, and this inspection was cursory and a formality.

KONA “PIRATE” FOOD TOUR

We went ashore around noon and planned to repeat our 2022 Kona Food tour  (read about it HERE) – with Kim and George from Table 89.  The HAL tour was sold out and the price had raised to $239 a person.  If you are here on a non-cruise ship day, the same tour is $129, and you can book it HERE .  We were looking forward to finding out how much it would cost for us to buy the same dishes.

FIRST STOP – FISH HOPPER

The Fish Hopper is close to the tender pier and sits on a platform above street level.  Their specialty is Clam Chowder.  We ordered cups for $9.95 each and a half bottle of La Marca Prosecco for $13 (serves 3 people).  We didn’t need reservations when we arrived around 11:30 am.  Our waitress was Nicole, who was very friendly and provided excellent service.  The chowder was great.  We were here for about 30 minutes.

Tasty Kona, a retail shop selling cookies, candies, and other snacks, is the second stop on the official tour, but since we were on our own “Pirate Food Tour,” we decided to stop here last so we wouldn’t have to carry our purchases for the rest of the day.

SECOND STOP – KONA INN

The Kona Inn is a little hard to find – It’s off the main street inside a shopping area.  You may have to ask someone if you can’t find it immediately.  When you arrive, tell the hostess that you only want drinks at the bar, and she will wave you in.  There isn’t waiter service, so you have to order their Kona Inn “World Famous” Mai Tais ($13.50) from the bar.  You can either sit at the bar or in a small area with tables above the bar where the tables are marked for self-service.

We noticed that the Mai Tais we bought on our Pirate tour are served in larger glassed with a pineapple garnish where the HAL Tour Mai Tais are a little smaller without the pineapple.

These Mai-Tais are made with light and dark rum and are delicious!  We were here for about 30 minutes.

THIRD STOP –  FOSTERS KITCHEN

We went out of order since we learned that the normal third stop, Pa’Akai Poké, is closed on Tuesday, but we didn’t find that out until we walked a couple hundred yards to it’s location off the main street.  We learned later that the tour will be substituting Kai Eats and Drinks on Tuesdays.  If you go to  Pa’Akai Poké, you’ll want to order the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl with a Mac Salad.  Get some fresh fruit as well, if available.

Fosters Kitchen is on the second floor – you will find stairs at the end of the building.  Fosters Kitchen is attached to another building via an elevated walkway.  The other building has an elevator if necessary.

The Fish and Chips, fried in country-style cornmeal, is your food choice here, along with a craft beer.  The standard entrée comes with three pieces of fish for $24.  We split one order per couple.  The food tour will allocate one fish piece per person and a small beer.  The fish was spectacular – highly recommended.

We lingered here for almost an hour before moving on.

FOURTH STOP – GYPSEA GELATO

Around the corner from Fosters Kitchen is Gypsea Gelato, a small ice cream shop with an excellent selection.  Menu HERE

You can order multiple scoops in any size, from mini to extra large.  We got the small size, and as expected, the ice cream was delicious.  The HAL tour will get you the mini size.

FIFTH STOP – PAPA KONA’s

We backtracked to Papa Kona’s, located on the top lanai of the Waterfront Row, heading back toward the tender landing.  More HERE

The restaurant is set back from the street so you may have to ask to find the entrance if you get disoriented.  The restaurant has excellent views.  Here, you will order Avocado Fries (panko breaded avocado topped with teriyaki sauce & sambal aioli) for $24.  One order was plenty for our group of four.  The special drink to get here is the UBE-BE, made with Rumhaven’s naturally infused coconut rum & coconut water mixed with a local ube syrup and fresh lemon, topped with prosecco – $15.

SIXTH STOP – KAI EATS AND DRINKS

As you leave Papa Kona’s, you will walk right by the Kai Eats and Drinks entrance.  This place looks small from the street, but it is pretty big.  More HERE

Here, you will order the Luau Pizza – with Roasted Pineapple, Kalua Pork, Mozzarella, Scallion, and Hoisin-Honey Mustard Sauce ($22).  The drink to order is the Pina Colada or one of their specialty Mai Tais.  The Pizza is a nice size for sharing – about 12 inches.

SEVENTH STOP – TASTY KONA

You will pass by two Tasty Kona locations in Kona – you can stop in either one.  They feature “Treats & Treasures from local farmers & entrepreneurs.”  A wide variety of local products are available, along with samples if you ask.

BOTTOM LINE

We had a great time and this Pirate Food Tour is easy.  Remember that your items will be larger than you find on the tour.  You can order less than we did, share more, and still end up full – there is a lot of food.  Here is what we spent for the two of us.  These prices include 20-25% tips.   Our cost per person was $104 – The normal tour is $129, and HAL charges $239.  You will also get interesting commentary and tips if you choose the HAL tour.  You can’t go wrong with any food tour in Kona!

Here is the cost breakdown by restaurant for two people.

GLAMP OUT

Back on the Ship – we had the Glamp Out.  Last year, they had a band – this year, they showed the movie “Walk in the Woods.”

Loungers were arranged around the Lido Pool, facing aft toward a makeshift movie screen set up a platform on the aft end of the pool.  The Zuiderdam is not set up to show Movies Under the Stars, so the picture and sound quality were OK, but not up to what you have come to expect on ships set up to show movies.

A nice drink station was on one side, along with a popcorn station.  Waiters circulated the pool, serving mini hot dogs, mini hamburgers, smores, doughnuts, and other snacks.

Attendance was light and most people weren’t paying attention to the movie.  We left Kona at 7:30 pm and the Glamp Out started at 8:30 pm.  Many folks were probably tired after a long day ashore and chose to relax in their cabins.  This event would do better on a sea day.

Here is a YouTube Short to give you a feel for the event.