We did this in June; I never wrote a TR
We started with two nights in Waikiki, just to make sure our luggage caught up to us before boarding the cruise (it did). We did not book the package with NCL; I just booked direct with the Marriott, as that's my hotel chain of choice. We rented a car at the airport. We did Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and surf lessons while staying there. We toured downtown before returning our car near the port and boarded the cruise in late afternoon (around 3-4).
Since this was our first time in Hawaii, we wanted to see several islands, so we loved the cruise for that. All we did was eat and sleep on the ship, except on Kona afternoon, when we boarded early enough to make free kukui nut leis. We rented cars in every port. There are 4 of us, so it was always cheaper (and more flexible) than any excursions.
On our return, we took a taxi back to the airport area to rent another car for our Aulani stay. We spent five nights at Aulani. We did Pearl Harbor and the swap meet one day, and we did the north shore one day. Other than that, we didn't leave Aulani except for the Paradise Cove luau and a couple of meals across the street. Aulani was the most beautiful man-made thing we saw in all of Hawaii.
We really would love to relax at Aulani again, but with the cost, it's not likely we will return. I want to see more of Kauai and Maui next trip (5 years!!!!), so as much as I'd love to see Kailua, Hanauma Bay again, and Aulani again, Oahu is third on the priority list. If airfares drive me to fly in or out of Oahu, I'd do two nights at Aulani in a heartbeat!!! Otherwise, I doubt I'll be able to swing it
(There are other places we want to go between now and then, too, so...)
I'd love to answer any other questions! We had an amazing trip!!!