My son is on a fast attack sub based in Pearl Harbor.  He just called to tell me that the boat will be taking family members on a dependant's cruise.  Two days out of Pearl, run some maneuvers, surface at Maui and then back.  Sounds like a blast if I can get time off work and a flight out.  Any former sub guys know if this is as fun as it sounds?

can't say for subs, but for surface ships you get to do a lot more. Either way, they will give your son time off to spend with you if you go onboard. They will have a few activities for you all to either watch or participate in.
Suface ship tiger cruises get to shoot guns and watch an air show.

Yeah, it's fun as long as your just along for the ride and don't do it for four years straight.  They will probably do an "All Ahead Flank Cavitate" (full speed as fast as safely possible) and "Angles and Dangles" where they drive the ship at high speed like an airplane.  Might also do some fire fighting drills.  Pretty fun, you should do it.  Not many get to go just for fun.

Probably get a tour, cool places are Control, Torpedo Room and Aux Machinery Room.  Can't go back aft where the angry Nukes work, as it's all classified.  Submarine food is pretty decent too.

Ask the CO to "Pretty please let me go to Maneuvering!"  See what he says.

You must also pay homage to the SNOB and his belt buckle.

tiger cruises are very fun.  getting to watch civies go up and down water tight hatches and the endless pointing and saying "what is that for?"  i recommend you go.    ask to see the "sea bats" that they caught earlier.

What ship and what does your son do?

While it may be fun for you, I imagine it would be a hell of alot more fun for your son.  I would do whatever it took to make this happen for him.  And give him out thanks.

TXL

Quoted: What ship and what does your son do?

USS Cheyenne.  Sonar tech