rakuroda

Have been watching the National Park Service website to see when tickets will become available for our planned Sept. 30 visit. Perhaps those of you familiar with the site can just clarify something for me.

 

We would like to do the narrated tour, which costs $7.50. So obviously I'll be purchasing two tickets for that.

 

But in addition, I also have to make a reservation for two for the Arizona Memorial. Am I correct in assuming that admission to the Arizona is free?

 

I'm guessing that you select your time for the Arizona and then can do the narrated tour at your leisure? Does it matter which we do first?

 

Thanks in advance!

Aloha :D

On the NPS website, two months in advance is the earliest you can reserve the FREE tickets with a $1.50 processing fee. These tickets must be picked up 1 hour before the scheduled time of the ticket or they will be given to the daily walk-in visitors. The ticket is actually for the tender ride to the actual Arizona Memorial.

There are only about 3,000 online tickets/day to ride the tender and an additional 1,300 are kept for daily walk-in visitors that start lining up well before the 7am opening of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

The $7.50 pre-recorded audio tour is rented in the visitor center and is not by the NPS. You would listen to the audio tour as you are visiting the Arizona Memorial, not one and then the other.

This is the most requested ticket for visitors and there is a 6 ticket limit per reservation call. There is no preference given to Hawaii residents. I don't know how the various tour companies can offer the Arizona Memorial tour on their websites because commercial companies supposedly are no longer given special consideration.

Since 2013, there have been reports of problems at the WWII Valor in the Pacific Memorial in the local news. Among the reports was information about tour companies receiving preferential treatment for the tickets, poor employee and volunteer morale, and substandard maintenance. http://www.peer.org/news/news-releases/2014/11/17/uss-arizona-memorial-mired-in-dispirited-mess/ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/12/07/mismanagement-allegations-at-pearl-harbor-memorial/ I do not know whether these reports are related to a new temporary Superintendent at the WWII Valor In the Pacific Memorial. The NPS releases make no mention of the problems at the memorial under Paul DePrey's tenure. DePrey the former superintendent of the, WWII Valor in the Pacific Memorial (which includes the Arizona Memorial) was transferred in April to Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/21/us/ap-us-pearl-harbor-superintendent.html

More information about the problems can be found by Googling "Paul DePrey scandal".

It was previously reported that the online tickets seem to go very quickly, so if the commercial companies are speed dialing from their offices to get tickets to sell, I would be waiting by the telephone for 7am Hawaii time two months before I wanted to see the Arizona Memorial, unless I was willing to pay the tour company upcharges.

I posted on another thread about how I would do it if I was visiting Waikiki to relax, see and play on the beach, and wanted to see the WWII Valor in the Pacific Memorial. Of course, we are retired and have lots of time and hate to be rushed when doing anything. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2214787&page=3

I hope this helps.

Aloha :D

Hi,

I am travelling with my husband and two teenagers to new york in October on the Anthem of the seas TA .We arrive in NY at around 6am but our flight back to Manchester does not depart till 10.50pm from JFK .

We were thinking of going into manhatten to do some shopping around Times square and to see the Empire state building aswell as maybe going to see the 9/11 memorial .I have read various posts about transport from port into NY but would be gratefull if someone could advise on what our best option is to get in to NY and then out to JFK after sightseeing,also whats the best option for our luggage storage .It will be our first trip to NY so we have no idea if what we plan is practical or even possible :confused: .

We are really reluctant to sit on a coach and just see the sights by doing the ship trip/tour and then sit in the airport for 6 hours so would really like to plan and book our own little adventure to make the most of our time ,I really appreciate any help or advice thankyou:)

Aloha :D

I've been researching our first East Coast cruise and have found 138east (Carol) to be extremely accurate and helpful. From what I've read of your cruise so far, you arrive at Cape Liberty, Tuesday, 6am. You want to go to Manhattan to sightsee and shop, and leave JFK at 10:50pm.

Manhattan rush hour traffic is from 7am-10am so take your time and eat a good breakfast on board.

Using CarmelLimo's website, https://www.carmellimo.com/WebApp/index.jsp, CarmelLimo minivan 8:30am from Cape Liberty cruise port to Schwartz Luggage & Storage (357 W 37 St., NY, NY 10018), online coupon $5 off available, 4 people 6 luggage $61+tolls+tip-coupon (probably $85 total).

4 people and 4 luggage need at least a minivan. The ride wil be 35-60 minutes long depending on the route the driver takes. I chose the W 37 St. facility since the one near the World Trade Center closes at 6pm.

CarmelLimo minivan 7:15pm from Schwartz Luggage & Storage to JFK, online coupon $3 off available after 7pm, 4 people 6 luggage $68+tolls+tip-coupon (probably $90 total).

Again, the ride will be 35-60 minutes long depending on the driver and traffic.

Subway rides are $2.75/person per ride in Manhattan so $2.75x4=$11 for the 4 of you to ride the subway. A taxi ride to the 9/11 Memorial Museum near the World Trade Center from mid-town Manhattan is $20-$25 using TaxiFareFinder http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=NY

CarmelLimo rates seem to get higher as the number of reservations for a particular date increase so I think they actually keep track which is a good sign for the customer, but it also means that the longer you wait to make your reservation, the rate can go up.

Both the 9/11 Memorial Museum http://www.911memorial.org/ and the Empire State Building http://www.esbnyc.com/ have online sites where you can gather information and purchase tickets ahead of time.

I don't shop so I can't help you plan that. I do know that there is a big Macy's taking up the whole block between 34th and 35th streets and 6th and 7th avenues, because my wife does shop, so I hope this helps in your planning

Aloha :D

You're welcome. A few more pieces of info. Downtown Newark is a highly urban area that you don't want to wander on foot. The station is fine. There is a sky Bridge walkway to Newark Penn Station Hilton. The Robert Treat is a few blocks away - their hotel shuttle will pick up and drop off at the station. Cabs are inexpensive in town - the interesting restaurants in the Ironbound district are a short taxi ride away.

 

The airport hotels are relatively isolated and they are just airport hotels. Embassy Suites is next to the Jersey Gardens Mall with more dining options like IHOP, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebee's, Johnny Rockets, and a food court. It offers free breakfast and is the newest airport hotel. The Ramada has a restaurant, cafe, and Teddy's sports bar and the Doubletree next door has a restaurant and bar.

 

PATH costs $2.75 and is a 22 minute ride between Newark Penn Station and World Trade.

Aloha Dave & Nancy :D

Please don't mind the larger text (old eyes) and easier to find my posts.

We arrive on 6:30am, 9/9, at JFK and are catching CarmelLimo to Hilton Newark Penn Station, mentioned by Carol as "Newark Penn Station Hilton". The Hilton Newark Penn Station is where RCI puts passengers and charges a premium over the regular hotel rate. We booked the package with the cruise shuttle because that is what my wife said we are doing.

If I was doing it, I would book a room in Jersey City close to the PATH/light rail and Newport Centre, and use the light rail mentioned by Carol to get to the port or CarmelLimo or the independent cab as also recommended by Carol. I say Jersey City because I think it might be a little less expensive than near the airport, but easier to use the mass transit to get to Manhattan.

My wife has no concept of packing light, is petite, and doesn't want me hurting myself schlepping the bags so she booked what WE wanted.

Our plan is to drop our bags at the Hilton Newark Penn Station and catch the PATH and subway to Katz's Delicatessen, 205 E Houston St., New York, NY. The rest of the day and night is free style. Next day is the shuttle to the ship.

Since our daughter moved to Manhattan, we've been several times and have visted Central Park, etc. After the cruise, DH says we are using Marriott points and staying in at the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Herald Square, on 35th St. for two nights after the cruise and will visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It wasn't open the last time we were in NY. It's really near Macy's and the Empire State Building.

When I'm asked what I want to do in Manhattan (or anywhere on vacation), my answer is EAT! and look for places to eat. Good deli, pizza, Italian, Korean, get the idea. If DH says we want to see a show, we'll see a show, but she hasn't said what we want to do. My she and my daughter will decide what choice of show or what we want to do besides eat. My daughter says she will join us after we've eaten. Now less you think I'm a large person, I only weigh 175lbs. All that walking looking for food keeps my weight down. LOL!

I hope this gives you some ideas.

Aloha :D

Considering staying at one of the Staten Island hotels that have the Bayonne cruiseport shuttle (Hilton Gardens or Hampton Inn), and wondered whether anyone has done this and then taken the Staten Island Ferry to Battery Park to catch the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry tour :confused:...timeframe is mid-September in case that makes a difference.

Aloha Dave & Nancy from Arizona :D

My wife and I are on the same cruise that you are.

Are you flying in from AZ to EWR? They are working on the Staten Island Bridge during the day from about 9am to about 3pm on weekdays according to what I've been reading and they say that they won't be finished with the renovation to the bridge before the LOS 9/10, NE/CA cruise, so it will affect you if you stay on Staten Island.

Read 138east/Carol's stuff. She has a lot of good information and seems to be very knowledgeable about cruising out of Cape Liberty. Use the function to look at her past posting and ask concise questions for the clearest answers to your question.

I've provided the "recommended" solutions to the questions my boss has asked and would have followed almost all of Carol's recommended solutions, but I only report the news, I don't make it! LOL!

Aloha :D

Hi everyone!

I'm new here. We're heading out of Bayonne, NJ tomorrow. Just wondering because of the rain predicted if we'll have a rough send off or even rough night cruising? Anyone have any advice? My son and I are prone to motion sickness but my parents(who are paying for this amazing trip) promise me that we'll both be fine and not even feel any motion. I however am not so convinced that we won't need the patches for behind our ears!!

 

Thanks for any advice you can give this semi-wear traveler!!

Aloha :D

Your parents are probably right. With a ship a large as LOS, you probably won't feel any motion unless you are extremely sensitive. If you're leaving tomorrow, it's probably too late to get the patches, but you might pick up some OTC pills.

I would go to the Liberty of the Seas Roll Calls, June 27, 2015 - 5-Night to Bermuda page http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2064045 and read like crazy tonite!

Aloha :D

My mom and I will be disembarking from the Caribbean Princess at Cape Liberty on October 11th (Canada & New England cruise, starts from Quebec City on October 1st). Princess told us to book departure flights no earlier than 3 p.m., so I am trying to plan our flight home to Los Angeles and the port-to-airport transfer, and I would appreciate your suggestions.

 

Airfare from EWR to LAX seems slightly higher than JFK, but I get the impression from reading the thread that EWR would be easier to get to from the port than JFK -- is that true? Would it make a difference choosing between the two airports on a Sunday?

 

I am also searching for the best way to get to the airport... Princess offers transfer to LGA/JFK/EWR for $34, but I am curious if there are better (more cost-effective and still relatively stress-free) options, like the $16-per-person shuttle to EWR -- can anyone share experiences?

 

Thank you in advance!!

Ally

Aloha :D

Apparently, there is no easy way to get from Cape Liberty to JFK. The consensus seems to be to use a car service unless you want to take a tour that winds up at JFK and cost quite a bit more that the car service. The car service alone will cost you over $100 for the two of you to JFK (I just checked CarmelLimo for you). It's costing me about $120 for my wife and myself going from JFK to EWR before we go on our cruise. A taxi will definitely more because you are going from NY to NJ. Using the transit systems is cheaper and will take you longer and you have to manage your bags yourself and if you are not familiar with the transit systems in the area can be confusing.

So first, the consensus seems to be to fly thru EWR. The $16/person shuttle from Cape Liberty to EWR is now $28.50/person according to a posting on this thread. CarmelLimo shows a fare of $47+tolls+tip. I think the toll is $1.65. I think a taxi will run you about the same as CarmelLimo.

The Princess website show that your ship docks at 7am so you should be able to catch CarmelLimo by 9:20am. Google Maps show it is a 9.2 mile, 18 minute ride from Cape Liberty to EWR on Sunday, June 28, leaving at 9:20am and arriving at EWR about 9:40am. If Princess tells you that your ship disembark time is later than 8:30am, then you can schedule a later pick-up time. If what I think is correct, a 3pm departure to LAX (you say Socal) would mean a long wait in the airport.

September will be the first time we are cruising out of Cape Liberty, or NY/NJ. The information above is derived by researching the CC message board and using the internet.

If I had found this message board before out first cruise in 2012, I would have known a lot of stuff I wish I knew before our last two cruises. I'm retired and have no hobbies, but I like to keep learning stuff so I read on the internet, and research when my wife tells me I'm going someplace so I at least have an idea what I might see. Most of the time she just tells me what I am going to see so it cuts down on my research scope. LOL! That is why I'm currently spending a lot of time on the internet lately.

Also, I just read under Cape Liberty Airport shuttles are now $28.50/pp

Independent driver - 888-816-0973

 

These folks have larger vehicles - no frills - no web site - good prices - talk to Abdul. Post 147 - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2203122&highlight=abdul

Aloha :D

It makes me feel better that it's not a tender port. I'll just arrive at the deck early as possible and evaluate where I'm at when I hit solid ground.

Aloha :D

Save yourself a lot of grief and book a later time! Think about it, do you want to stress out to make a close departure time to get to someplace where you will then try to relax? What if there is no taxi? What if the driver gets lost? You're on vacation, take your time and don't stress!

Aloha :D

Oka, so roundtrip to seattle is too expensive. So we are looking at the cruise you described, alaska to vancouver on star princess. How was it? Was it a great experience? Are there still options for excursions?

I hear you and that is exactly what my husband and I were thinking before and only considering the caribbean: we would go to alaska when we can spend more. However, now we are really thinking about Alaska because an interior room on princess from alaska to vancouver is about 550pp including taxes and we thought we should see Alaska even if we cannot splurge on it. Part of the reason is because if our budget is higher ever then I want to see other places like Europe, The Mediterranean, Austrailia, etc.

I am surprised that many are willing to go to the same places multiple times instead of exploring new places. Is it that good? What ships did you go on to Alaska that you loved it so much to go again?

Aloha :D

We were on the Island Princess and thought it was a really nice ship for our first cruise. We were looking at going on our own but then my hs class decided to cruise as a reunion group. We actually had over 30 people on the cruise. When it came to the MDR, the first night we showed up as a group and they started assigning us to tables in the same area. We went to the Maître d' and explained that if they just gave us tables in the same area, we would arrange ourselves since some people would be going to the speciality restaurants on different nights. They were agreeable to this and it worked out fine. IMPORTANT NOTE! You can have more than one entree at dinner since they are actually small portions. Same with appetizers and desserts. Some had only appetizers and desserts for their meal and remember the buffet is also open if the MDR doesn't satisfy you.

Everybody did what they wanted at the different ports, and of course some of the ports we had a dozen or more doing the same thing. Others arranged shore excursions not offered by the cruise line on their own.

We actually booked our cruise as a "cruise tour" which has a land portion before/after the actual cruise. We flew into Fairbanks and Princess met us at the airport. You can read about the different possibilities on their website.

My wife and I don't like to load up on things to do when we are on vacation and like a lot of "down time", so we enjoyed the cruise. While there is the "automatic gratuity charge, so they can pay the crew less" as I mentioned in an earlier post that is shared by the crew in the restaurant, cabin stewards, etc., the cabin stewards really deserved the extra tip for the service we received on the cruise (tip $20 at the start and the last night of the cruise) since we would see them every day and would do their best to take care of anything we would call in to be done while we were out of the suite (what a name for the small room). Also, use the room service for your wake-up because they will call before they leave with your food (coffee, tea, fruit, toast and jelly) and always tip the server $2-$5 per delivery (they are the low end for sharing tips) and they will give you information about using room service (stuff that isn't on the menu, even MDR items are available on some ships during dinnertime thru room service but you have to ask). Later, you can go to the dining room or buffet and have a full breakfast or order more room service.

We booked a balcony because my wife said that it was our first cruise and she didn't want to miss seeing anything. I told her it was too cold out there to simply sit and watch the trees and ocean go by. When I wanted to see that, I dressed warmly and went up to the top deck or I went to the buffet and looked out the big windows. At least I could get coffee and eat a snack.

IMPORTANT NOTE! For Alaska, you really need good quality raingear because it is really wet. Lots of drizzles. Some people get lucky and have sunny weather when they are in port but cool/cold drizzles are the rule.

On our 2nd cruise which was around Hokkaido (also Princess 7 days, July 2014), we booked an inside suite (always having the ocean to look at isn't something we're willing to pay for and "cruise suite" = a small room by any standards) and were never woken by the sun (we like to sleep in a lot). All of our shore excursions were booked thru Princess because they offered "English speaking" tour guides.

All cruise ships offer shore excursions, because they can up-charge the same excursion you could book on your own. They are in it for the money!

The people that wrote that they really like the Alaska cruises might be like us and enjoy a lot of down time or the fact that every time they visit they can do something different in the port instead of multiple excursions during one port stop. I would go again if my wife said that is what we want to do. If she says I want to go again, then I want to go. My wife says that I like cruises because I don't have to unpack and repack every day (married 43 years in August), so I like cruises. I don't plan our vacations, that is her job, my job is to pay for them!

We are both retired and live on fixed incomes so I understand about budgets, but I think it is better to wait and save up so you are not worried if you will have enough spending money on the trip. I don't like to worry about money when I'm on vacation (just when, where, and what am I going to eat). We don't carry charge card balances and only buy what we can afford and I don't want to leave a lot of money to the kids when we die or they might start praying that we don't spend it all.

Aloha :D

My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon for next summer. We are a gay couple in our early 30s from New York City area. We are looking at a few trip options, all of which would take place in June or July 2016 and last about 2 weeks.

 

1. Australia is our first option. I couldn't find any cruises of interest for our trip (I guess since its winter there.), so it'd be a land and air trip that would include a few day in Sydney, a few days in Melbourne, maybe a few days in Brisbane, and some time in Cairns/Great Barrier Reef/the rainforest.

 

2. Hawaii is the traditional option. Coming from New York, we are thinking about spending a few days on the West Coast (Anaheim/Vegas/Napa Valley), and then heading to Hawaii. (I) A land/air only trip would include a few days in Honolulu, and then 4-5 on Maui and 4-5 on Kauai. (II) A cruise/land/air trip would have the same few days in Honolulu, then the Norwegian Pride of America cruise, followed by 4-5 days on one of those two other islands, or 2-3 nights on each.

 

3. The third option is a Mediterranean cruise, ending with a few days on either/both Mykonos or Santorini (or another island). There are so many different options for cruising the region, so we'd love some input about peoples' experience and recommendations. I'm thinking it makes sense to end up in Athens for easiest accessibility to the islands, but is my logic accurate? What are the sites we HAVE to see - The Barcelona, Nice, Rome route? Or the Venice, Croatia, Greek Isles, Turkey route? What cruise line and/or ship is right for us? Are there any cruise lines which are or are not gay-friendly? We don't want to be the only newlyweds on a family-heavy cruise, nor do we want to be the youngest people on a seniors-heavy cruise. If our trip is 2 weeks, how much time should be on the boat and how much on land? Big, mega ship or moderate size?

 

The two of us have virtually no cruise experience, so we'd welcome any input and suggestions. 15 years ago, on a teen tour, I cruised with what's now DFDS Seaways in Northern Europe, so I am familiar with only the basic premises of cruising. My fiancee is worried about getting sick since he fell ill on a deep sea fishing boat off the coast of Florida as a kid, so what can we do to minimize his risk of getting sick on our honeymoon.

 

Thanks everyone!

Aloha :D

The most important thing you have to decide is what are you trying to do. When you have this answer, your questions will be more specific and people can give you better answers. Otherwise it's like asking simply "What should I do on vacation?" This is the most important answer of your planning!

Are you just trying to celebrate, get out of NYC during the summer heat, or do you want to go somewhere and sightsee, hike, or lie on the beach?

Without you being more specific, we can't give you very good answers.

Also, I notice since you posted your first question, you haven't responded to any of the replies on this thread! You need to work for to get your answers.

Aloha :D

Now I am also considering: Alaska roundtrip from Seattle but it will not be navigator- just not sure what cruise line yet still have to do research on the best prices; princess would be a possibility) and Western Caribbean (Mexico, Belize, Honduras) on navigator.

 

I heard Alaska cruises are the best and really worth seeing.

 

This would be our first cruise

 

Is it really cold on those cruises to Alaska in August or September? I am afraid if it is too cold I won't be able to enjoy?

Aloha :D

Our first cruise was on Princess, Sept. 2012, 7 days from Anchorage (Whittier, 45minute shuttle or train ride because ships don't actually leave from Anchorage) to Vancouver. The ship only stopped in Skagway, Juneau, and Kitchikan. The rest of the time the ship was sailing, including one day to look at the glaciers. The port towns are all landlocked and not very big.

If you did the roundtrip from Seattle (7 days), you would have more than enough time to walk around the ports. Yes it is cool on the ship but it was not cold except when we went inland to the glaciers. The keys are a good breathable lightweight rainjacket (so no umbrella needed), a good lightweight backpack (I just bought a nice $20 one for our upcoming Sept. NE/CA cruise), and multiple lightweight layers. I bought a size larger lightweight rainjacket so I could wear it over the backpack and keep it dry, because yes Alaska is very drizzly all year round (That's why it's so green!).

Also, most cruise lines don't tell you that there is an automatic gratuity charge per day for almost all cruise lines now. $12/day x 7 days x 2 people = $168.

You are not allowed to bring your own soda or alcohol on to the ship. If you don't buy a beverage package, you pay for each soda or alcoholic drink which normally includes an automatic tip. Beverage packages on the ship are not inexpensive, even the soda package, $6.50/day x 7 days x 2 people = $91, so make sure you read the information on the website to avoid any surprises.

For a first cruise this is a good one so you know what it is like to cruise. This will also give you a good idea what it is like to spend most of your time with your SO!

We haven't cruised the Caribbean so I can't tell you much about it.

Aloha :D

That thread is terrific! That's EXACTLY what I was hoping to find! :D

Aloha :D

One thing you will also find going through the different threads is that by doing your research and working a little you can save a bunch of money by NOT booking tours throught the cruise line.

For example, at one port on my cruise, the cruise line web page describes a 20 stop narrated trolley tour where the cruise line will provide an accompanying escort from the ship to walk you over to the start of the trolley tour for $43+ per adult. The trolley tour company website says that if you purchase your ticket directly from them, it will cost you $36, that the trolley driver provides the narration on the trolley ride, and that if you purchase direct from them, you can hop off and hop on the trolleys since their multiple trolleys make the same loop every 15 minutes.

Also, the Shore Excursions on the cruise line web site are not necessarily available thru them during your particular tour, but only on specific cruises. (DUH?)

I hope this helps.

Aloha :D

Aloha :D

Pearl Harbor (PH) that visitors want to see can be just the Arizona Memorial (Arizona) or can be the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Hawaii. This consists of the PH Visitor Center (PHVC), the Arizona museum, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park (Bowfin), the Battleship Missouri Memorial (Missouri), and the Pacific Aviation Museum (PAM).

I cannot stress how important it is to visit this Plan Your Visit site and read it very carefully because if you don't, you may run into some problems. This is not a theme park! It is like visiting Arlington National Cemetery!

THIS IS AN ACTIVE MILITARY FACILITY

Strict security measures prohibit purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage and/or other items that offer concealment. Visitors may bring cameras, cell phones, and wallets, although since no bags are allowed, you are encouraged to pack lightly.

A storage facility operated by the Bowfin is available in the immediate area of the entrance to the PHVC. There is a nominal storage fee of $3 per bag. The storage facility is in operation daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors may use the same bag storage for visits to all PH Historic Sites.

Having lived here all my life and visited all four of the museums, I would not try to do them all in one day. I have spoken to some of the people that work at the four museums and they say that they wouldn't try to do all four in one day either.

But, if I were staying in Waikiki and wanted to try and see everything in one day (which will very hectic, and I wouldn't do it), this is what I would do:

I would us a car service like VIP Trans PH Express ($9/person round trip at this writing) and ask for the earliest pickup in Waikiki for transport to the PHVC. The reason is that commuter traffic is the worst in the nation (even worst than L.A.) and people start commuting from 5:30am on Oahu. The Bus is cheaper and starts very early but there is no express bus to PH so you will be riding with commuters for at least an hour to reach PH from Waikiki and making all the stops along the way. Use the time in the car service to drink your coffee and eat a sandwich breakfast.

Make sure you decide which of the four museums you want to see. At the PHVC you will find the Arizona and the Bowfin. The Missouri and the PAM are on Ford Island which you reach by using the free shuttle located behind the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. This Ford Island shuttle bus has three stops, the PHVC, the Missouri, the PAM, and returns to the PHVC.

There is no charge to visit the Arizona, but there are only 1,300/day free tickets available for walk-in visitors and people start lining up for them at 6:30am. The tickets are one per person in line, so all people that want to visit the Arizona have to be in line at the same time or they won't receive a ticket. You cannot pick up a ticket for your husband or wife or child. They have to be in line to receive a walk-in ticket. You may however pay a $1.50 service fee and reserve a ticket (2,700/day) up to two months in advance, however you must pick up the ticket at least one hour before the ticket time or it will be given to a walk-in visitor! There is a $7.50 digital audio player tour that can be purchases in the PHVC that will explain the various items you are looking at when you go through the PHVC and the Arizona.

After you pick up your Arizona ticket you will know when your actual 75-minute program begins. The program for begins at PH Memorial Theater. It includes a brief introduction, a 23-minute documentary film, a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the memorial, and time to experience the memorial itself.

If you have time before your Arizona tour begins, visit the Bowfin. The ticket purchased in the PHVC allows you to enter the actual submarine where a digital audio player that narrates your tour as you explore the historic WWII submarine and imagine what life on board must have been like for her 80-man crew. A digital audio player narrates your tour of the 10,000 square foot museum. Exhibits include an impressive collection of submarine-related artifacts such as submarine weapon systems, photographs, paintings, battle flags, original recruiting posters, and detailed submarine models, all illustrating the history of the U.S. Submarine Service. Exhibits include a Poseidon C-3 missile that allows visitors to examine its inner workings. It is the only one of its kind to be on public display. Within Bowfin Park stands a public memorial honoring the 52 American submarines and the more than 3,500 submariners lost during WWII.

After seeing the Arizona and Bowfin, I would take my VIP car service back to my Waikiki hotel and relax and get ready for dinner.

The second day, I would take the VIP Trans PH Express back to the PHVC and take the Ford Island shuttle to the Missouri and the PAM.

At the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the tour guide can take a half hour or three hours explaining the battleship and the memorial. If you want to know something, don't be afraid to ask the tour guide. Most of them are very knowledgeable about their memorial, but are also aware that a lot of people try to cram as much as they can see into a limited time and they try to accomodate this. If you tell the people at the entrance to the Missouri that you would like to take your time going through the memorial, they will try to find one of the tour guides that likes to give a complete explanation about the memorial. Also remember that the Missouri has a lot of stairs to traverse.

There are actually two tours for the Missouri. The Mighty Mo Pass is a guided tour with one of our knowledgeable Battleship Tour Guides. As you are escorted throughout the ship, you will walk the footsteps of General Douglas MacArthur and see where World War II ended. There is an acoustiguide that can take from 45-120 minutes and is the informational audio phones tour of the ship at your pace following one or all three separate tour routes, the Main Deck tour highlights the most famous historical aspects of the ship, the below Decks tour highlights "Life at Sea" and will show you where the crew ate, slept and spent most of their free time, and the Above Decks tour highlights the command and control of the ship and included the bridge, flying bridge and the Captain's at-sea cabin. The longer tour is called Heart of Missouri Tour that showcases the power behind the Mighty Mo, known to many as one of the greatest Battleship of all time. As the most requested guided tour, you will see the mechanics behind this Iowa-class battleship which was designed for speed and firepower.

What exactly does it make to move a ship three football fields long at a speed of nearly 40 MPH? How does one 16-inch gun fire a 2,700 pound projectile to an incredible 23 miles with pinpoint accuracy? Not only will this tour answer some of your most sought after questions about one of history's most dominant warships, but you'll get hands on training with lessons on lighting off one of the eight three-story Babcock and Wilcox boilers. Grab onto the throttles releasing the steam which drives the ship's massive propellers. Venture down Broadway, the longest and widest passage on the ship and meet (via video) the ship's last Chief Engineer who will explain the work of the "snipes," the men who worked below the water line in the heart of the Missouri. And if you're up to it, test your firing skills in the aft plotting room, where you will enter data into the Missouri's giant analog computers and pull the trigger that fires the big guns!

The PAM suggests taking at least 2 hours to visit them. There are actual two buildings that make up this museum. This was the only one of the museums that has a little walk-up restaurant for hamburgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, etc. It has grown over the years and is quite something to see.

I hope this is of some help to those trying to figure out visiting Pearl Harbor.

Oh! Sorry! Three in their 60s (Baby Boomers), three in our 30s (Generation X) and two kids under 9. All flying into Tampa from different points in Midwest and South.

 

Thanks for your help; this makes me feel better!

Aloha :D

First things first ! Be realistic ! Not everybody is going to want to do the same thing at the same time, either on the ship or in the port !

You are spending thousands of dollars on this cruise so do your research and remember that the reason you are going on a cruise ship is to RELAX and ENJOY, not run around like a chicken without a head! You don't want to be so stressed out trying to meet a schedule of things to do that you can't RELAX and ENJOY.

For the Baby Boomers, do you really want to go to the bars with the loud music or spend a lot of time in the arcade?

Each decision maker will have to research the ship and the ports and decide what they want to do. When you have an idea of what you may want to do, then use the Ports of Call forums and see what other people have done. Use the Roll Call section under Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas and the date of your cruise and sign up for the Meet & Mingle and post your questions like you are doing.

There is a guy that just went on his first cruise and posted about it. Here is the link to his review. Read it, it has the Cruise Compass for the 9 days of the cruise. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223424

I thought it was great !

And read this url http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1086757

Then come back and ask your questions !

Aloha :D

Aloha :D

I was confused about all the questions about tipping on the cruise and my wife cleared this up for me. We have no choice about tipping. RCI automatically charges you for tips on your cruise.

10. Tipping – So that you can thank those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined, we’ve simplified the service recognition process, Royal Caribbean has implemented the Automatic Gratuity Program, the program is available in two options:

 

a. For the convenience of guests, pre-paid gratuities may be arranged online or added to your booking by your travel agent, before your sail date, at a daily rate of $12.00 USD gratuity ($14.25 USD for Suite Guests).

 

b. If a guest chooses not to pre-pay gratuities, Royal Caribbean automatically adds a $12.00 USD gratuity ($14.25 USD for Suite Guests) to each guest’s SeaPass® account on a daily basis.

 

This gratuity is shared by Dining Services Staff, Stateroom Attendants and other Housekeeping Services Personnel that work to enhance your cruise. The daily automatic gratuity amounts are based on customary industry standards. These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to any bar service beverages, mini bar items and Spa & Salon services.

Q: Are gratuities included in the all-inclusive beverage packages purchase price?

 

A: A service charge of 18% has already been included in the purchase price. You will not have to pay additional gratuities unless you desire to do so.

If you don't buy a beverage package and charge your account when you buy a beverage in a bar or restaurant,

"bar service beverages, ..., your bill has a 15% gratuity automatically added.

A 15% gratuity is automatically added to any ... mini bar items and Spa & Salon services.

Just remember that $12/day for a 9 day cruise is $108 for the cruise, or in the case of my wife and myself, $216 for our cruise. For a family of 6, that is $648 for a 9 day cruise, and that includes your kids ! ! !

I hope this information helps ! ! !

Aloha :D

There is no shortage of sunscreen in Hawaii & I do not think the price difference is so high as to be concerned about buying it here.

 

They have about every brand available & the Coppertone Sport and Neutrogena we buy on sale at Costco is about the same price as on the Mainland & they protect us. You may pay more at ABC than at big stores but places like Long's Drugs are also reasonably priced. We use SPF protection shirts & hats for our daily walks and a SPF rashguard in the water. Don't forget to also protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses.

 

This could turn into a lengthy discussion if it evolved into the various opinions about sun protection & you could research online for that info. You're experienced in the Caribbean so already know what works best for you. To me it's similar to Hawaii only most of the time we have tradewinds to make it feel cooler than during my Caribbean experiences.

Aloha :D,

When visiting Hawaii regardless of the time of year, EVERYBODY ! ! ! , make sure you use a really good sunscreen in Hawaii.

I have dark skin and have lived here all my life and use an SPF 50 or 35 (SPF 15 is too weak) if I'm going to be outside all day. If I don't, I will be sunburned in 60 minutes. I only buy BullFrog "waterproof" sunscreen. Just remember just because it says waterproof doesn't mean you don't need to re-apply it. The cost for a tube or spray bottle is only $1-$3 more expensive than when it on sale regardless of where you are from so don't bother bringing a lot with you.

Many people that snorkle wear a t-shirt or rash-guard because your back will be exposed to the sun. You won't get out of the water because you are cold because the water is amost alway warm in Hawaii.

Remember that you are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to come to Hawaii, so $3 isn't going to break your budget. The difference in cost is less than a Starbuck's coffee.

Don't forget to also protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. In Hawaii, especially at the beach, the sun reflects off the sand and the water so your eyes will feel like they are burning if they get sunburned. I buy Polarized sunglasses when we go to Las Vegas for like $15 -$20 at Walmart, then I don't worry if I lose or forget them. It's not like losing a $200 (DUMB) pair of Oakleys.

It is almost impossible to have fun on vacation if you have sunburn blisters which I see on tourists in Hawaii all the time.

Aloha :D !

Just finished writing my final portion of my review which is a entertaining and revealing look at our Labadee adventure. I will posting it tonight.

 

I want to thank everyone who has commented and kept me excited in sharing my experience with you and answering questions for others. Again, thank you so much for being involved.

Aloha :D

I'm looking forward to reading your final portion. Your review has been OUTSTANDING ! ! ! so far.

Aloha :D

Aloha Fizzlewicket :D,

The soft drink package is now $6.50/day for adult, $4.50 for 17 & under. 9 days, $58.50 adult, $40.50 17 & under.

"Royal Refreshment Package. Enjoy unlimited refills on fountain Coca-Cola® products at any of our bars, lounges, Windjammer Café, Main Dining Room, and at our private destinations. A complimentary Coca-Cola souvenir cup is included!"

After reading you review, I'm going to buy the soft drink package for me and the twelve 1 liter Evian water for $39 for my wife and I'm definitely bringing an insulated hot cup to keep my coffee warm.

Aloha :D

Aloha :D,

If the ship docks at 7am, and we are not dragging our luggage around with us, what time do we get off the ship? Do you request a time or are you assigned a time?

Is the MDR open for breakfast or the Windjammer? Is room service available on debarkation day?

Aloha :D

We are staying on Waikiki Beach a few days prior to our cruise. I was wondering what people would recommend doing the tours on our own or with a company? I want to make sure we get the most out of our day there in the way of information and knowledge. I am not sure if we would get the same on our own or get more information on a tour?

 

The tour company I am looking at is Roberts Hawaii (which I have found him from recommendations on here). This is what it entails (12 hours long).

 

Oahu – Day at Pearl Harbor Tour - 134.50 pp

Tour Overview (*denotes stops made)

 

USS Battleship Missouri*

Pacific Aviation Museum*

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park*

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Iolani Palace

Kawaiahao Church

Hawaii State Capitol Grounds

Honolulu City Hall

Narrated Audio Tour at USS Arizona

“Road to War” and “Attack” Exhibit Galleries

Ford Island (drive through)

Downtown Honolulu

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center*

USS Arizona Memorial*

 

Has anyone done this tour or can anyone provide me with insight on what would be best? We are not renting a vehicle.

Aloha :D,

Please note that that on this tour, you will only stop at the World War II Valor in the Pacific museum site. The USS Arizona Memorial & (Narrated Audio Tour at USS Arizona), USS Battleship Missouri, Pacific Aviation Museum, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum are all at Pearl Harbor. The rest of the places are just drive bys.

I know for a fact that busses are not allowed to stop and park at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and most of the other places listed don't allow tour busses to stop and park either.

That being said, what exactly are you trying to see? If you are trying to see the World War II Valor in the Pacific museums http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm , I would do it over 2 days and see 2 museums each day. Visit the site for information about the cost of visiting the other museums.

On this thread, #3, js4rq said that he recommends VIP Trans, at $6pp one way or $9pp roundtrip. http://www.viptrans.com/ I would not catch the Bus since the traffic on Oahu is the worst I've seen in all of the years I've lived here because of the light rail construction that won't be finished for at least 5 years.

I would take the VIP Trans to Pearl Harbor taking the earliest possible reservation and eat breakfast in the car. I would pay the $1.50 service fee and reserve my free Arizona Memorial ticket ahead of time. REMEMBER you have to pick up your ticket at least 1 hour ahead of the ticket time. If you want the $7.50 Narrated Audio Tour at USS Arizona, you can purchase it in the visitor center. When I got to Pear Harbor, I would go to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & visitor center while I waited for my Arizona Memorial ticket time and ride the tender out to the memorial.

Taking your time and seeing the memorials and then getting back to Waikiki (why else are you going to Hawaii and Waikiki?) and the beach & pool and resting up for a nice dinner will get you prepared to go back to Pearl Harbor the next day.

The second day, I would go back to the World War II Valor in the Pacific/Arizona Memorial visitor center and take the Ford Island shuttle to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum, again returning to Waikiki to enjoy the hotel and the beach.

For a 3rd day trip (this is all day & into the night), I would take the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) all day tour with one of the tour companies. This is something I take my out of town visitors to see. I've driven them out to the PCC and visited the different "villages" and had the dinner several time and it never seems to get old.

I hope this is of some help to those trying to figure out visiting Oahu. If you have more that 3 days to sightsee, just post here again and I'll try and see what I can recommend.

Also, EVERYBODY! ! ! , make sure you use a really good sunscreen in Hawaii. I've lived here all my life and I use an SPF 35 or 50 (SPF 15 is too weak) if I'm going to be outside all day. If I don't, I will be sunburned in 60 minutes. It is almost impossible to have fun on vacation if you have sunburn blisters which I see on tourists in Hawaii all the time.

Aloha :D

Aloha all :D,

I started reading Fizzlewicket's review of his first cruise out of CL that includes scans of the Cruise Compass for 9 days and pictures of the ship. I found it facinating and he is not finished posting this. I have bookmarked it and am posting the link to it for those who want to see it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223424

I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about the ship and the ports we'll be visiting.

BTW Carol, the superintendent of WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument Paul Deprey was recently reassigned to be superintendent of two parks, Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites in Massachusetts. Many people here believe that he was the cause of the problems at the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument like the free tickets not being available to the walk-in visitors.

There was speculation that he was responsible for the distribution of the tickets to tour companies for inclusion in their expensive tour packages as well as the lack of maintenance to the park.

The acting superintendent for 4 months is a young lady from Hawaii who was one of the supervisors at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a good track record who apparently is being groomed to be a superintendent at one of the NPS parks. She was previously acting superintendent in 2013 of Puuhonua O Honaunau and Kaloko-Honokohau on Hawaii Island before returning to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

I hope your Massachusetts parks don't suffer the same problems we did under Paul Deprey's tenure. I don't understand the rational behind simply transferring this guy rather than firing him unless it is the NPS policy not to fire underperforming employees.

Aloha :D

Just head over to page 5 and 6 of my Fizztastic Liberty of the Seas 03 Jun - 13 Jun 2015 Review and Tour. Enjoy. :D

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223424&page=5

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223424&page=6

I'm loving your review of your LOS 6/4 cruise. Looking forward to more! !:D

Aloha Fizzlewicket :D,

We are taking the 9/10-9/19 NE & Canada cruise. We've been wondering what the RCI cruise would be like and your review is filling in a lot of our questions. Keep up the good work and I'll be back to see your additional info.

I liked the pictures you took of the dishes from the MDR. By any chance, did you get pictures of the MDR menus or the room service menus like your pictures of the Cruise Compass?

Aloha :D

What is the cheapest way to get to port liberty from NYC? Plan is to take metro north to grand central then what? Path to jersey? The to port?

 

Or what?

 

Lifelong northern NYC suburbs dwellers and know NYC very well but for this trip looking for the least expensive way to get my 25 yo and her friend to port liberty.

 

 

I guess I could drop them off but they are very self sufficient and are used to making their way via public transport in large cities as grad students. They will figure it out of course but I would actually like to know for myself too as we would like to cruise from there someday too

 

Tia

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Aloha Tia :D,

According to Carol (138east) who is currently on a cruise, the least expensive way is to use the PATH from NYC to NJ and then use the light rail in NJ to the 34th street light rail station in Bayonne. Then catch a taxi from the station to the Cape Liberty cruise port.

Total cost should be less than $25 for 2 people. Carol says that the NJ light rail and the PATH should have more room than MTA in NYC.

My wife and I (senior citizens) are going to explore the reverse of this route to go from Cape Liberty cruise port into NYC for our 2 night stay in Manhattan before returning to Hawaii. :D

If you search for postings by Carol (138east), you can find her original recommendations & instructions.

Aloha & good luck :D

Any new positives out there? Our cruise is now 129 days. Still seems like forever. I'm even more excited. I've read thread after thread. It seems a lot of the disappointment comes from high expectations vs reality, or perception of that reality. I'm pretty easy going/go with the flow. Give me a lobster bisque or a good chili dog and I'm happy. Now if they run out of wine, I gotta improvise...

Aloha :D,

Sept. wife & I are going on our 3rd cruise. 1st Anchorage to Vancouver, 2nd Hokkaido circle island.

However, firstime using this message board for 3rd cruise.

Use the very front page of message board http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php and look under "Roll Calls" for Carnival CL. Sign up for the Mix and Mingle get together hosted by the CL.

Also look for interesting topics using search feature. Use "Jacksonville" as a search criteria and see what pops up.

Play around with the message board topics and you will probably garner a lot of information about your particular cruise from people who have taken the same cruise previously.

Ignore grumblers. If it was so bad, why are they still paying to go cruising?

Aloha & good luck ! ! :D

Are you talking about taking the light rail to Hoboken and PATH to 33rd St in Manhattan?]

 

Thanks Carol...only ever having spent one day in NYC and coming in and out on Amtrax need all the helpful information I can get.

 

Hire a car, take a bus, the train - getting from terminal to station.... I figure more I can learn the smoother our trip will be... just when I think I have made a decision someone writes something else and that decision flies out the window LOL.

 

At least I have just under five months to sort it all out.

 

Again my thanks,

 

Cee

 

 

Aloha Cee, :D

 

I've been exploring the PATH and MTA sites and have found that both have Senior rates if you get their senior ID cards. Both appear to have half off rates.

 

In the past, we've stayed in NYC and gotten the 7 day unlimited subway MetroCards. They cost $31 each so half off is $15.50 each. Since we're only going to be in the area for 1 day before and 2 days after the cruise, I think we will be doing the buy a ticket for each ride this comming Sept. $3.50 vs. $1.75.

 

The PATH from NJ seems to be $2 per ride with a senior rate of $1.

 

Neither senior card appears to expire so once you get the senior ID card, you can use it again for your next trip.

 

I haven't called the PATH or MTA sites to confirm what I have just told you but I probably will just to be sure before I begin applying for the Senior cards.

 

Aloha, :D