astridwilson

Sailing POA end of August. I saw someone post about a ship Luoa that starts at 4pm. We plan to be off the ship every day when in port. We do plan to have dinner every night back on the ship. Granted some evenings it may be late. Are there activities that we should plan for on the ship while in port?

We will be on the NCL Pride of America in late August with an overnight stop in Kauai. The first day arrival is 8AM. The second day departure is 2PM. We were thinking of driving the Waimea Canyon State Park & Kokee State Park Drive. Per Google Maps Kauai (LIH) Round trip to Kalalau Lookout is about 3 hours of just driving so if you add a few hours for stops and an hour for lunch at the lodge. This is a 6 hour day. Yes??

I want to snorkel on the second day but because the day is short and it seems there is no convenient overnight parking we are turning in the car on the first day.

So where do we snorkel on the second day.

Also if you ONLY had a day and ½ in Kauai. Is this the Best plan?

We Love Love the water. We are certified divers but also Love to Snorkel.

Keep in mind that the cruise ship does a cruise by of the Napli Coast.

So which is better right or left?

So if you buy 4 bottles for $88 + 18% grats, do you still have to pay $15 per bottle corkage fee? Seems a shame to have to spend $26 for bottle of wine you can buy at Wal-mart for $6.

Just to be clear, both roads?

Volcano National Park – 1.5 hours round trip to get to park. 4-5 Hour Visit: http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/ccr_tour.htm. Explore the summit of Kīlauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive; an 11-mile road that encircles the summit caldera, passes through desert, lush tropical rain forest, traverses the caldera floor, and provides access to well-marked scenic stops and short walks. (Crater Rim Drive is closed between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction due to volcanic activity in Halemaʻumaʻu crater).

Stops:

*Start Your Tour at Kīlauea Visitor Center. *Jaggar Museum. *Kīlauea Overlook. *Steam Vents, Steaming Bluff and Ha'akulamanu - Sulphur Banks. *Kīlauea Iki Overlook. *Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube. *Puʻu Puaʻi Overlook. *Devastation Trail. *Hike to Keanakākoʻi Crater.

Also explore the East Rift and coastal area of the Park via Chain of Craters Road. This road descends 3,700 feet in 20 miles and ends where a 2003 lava flow crossed the road. Lava flow activity is always changing. Check at the Kīlauea Visitor Center for the most current information. No food, water, or fuel is available along the Chain of Craters Road. (18 Miles). Stops: *Lua Manu Crater. *Hilina Pali Road. *Pauahi Crater. *Mauna Ulu. *Mauna Ulu Flow Across Chain of Craters Road. *Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu. *Kealakomo Lookout. *Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs. *Hōlei Sea Arch. *End of Chain of Craters Road.

Volcano National Park.

Doing VNP on the Hilo cruise day.

Do you know the resturants where you can watch the mantas at night?

3 nights on Kohala Coast

1 night in VNP is our post cruise itinerary.

Do we Dive or Snorkel Kona BI – Kealakekua Bay / Captain Hook or Two Step / City of Refuge at Honounou bay??

Recommended Dive Ops?

Are there Dive Ops that will pick up Cruisers or do we need to rent a car?

Time in Port is 8AM to 5PM.

We will be spending 4 other days on the BI, so we thought we would keep the Kona day local.

The NCL cruise line asks $230 per person for a 2 tank dive. That is too much. I can rent a car for the day if needed, but the car is ~$80 in this port.

No I decided the Road to Hana was too much driving, and no water time.

I am really not a fan of guided Snorkel Tours. Would Love to find a Dive tour that goes to the back wall of the Molokini Crater, but no one seems to do it on a Sunday or Monday. I have read on Scuba Board forums, that folks are disappointed with the Dive to the bowl of the crater.

Day 1 Sunday – Beach Hop - West Shore

Top Spots: *Kapalua Bay - A calm sheltered cove, very pretty (1 hour – Hit first). *Kahekili (Airport Beach) Beach in front of Westin Ka'anapali Resort. *Kaanapali Beach - Black Rock - Rated one of the top beaches in the world. *Olowalu (last on way back if time) – Acres of Coral. 4 Locations.

Day 2 Monday - Beach Hop – South Shore

Top Spots: *Turtle Town Maui & Maluaka Beach - a favorite snorkeling beach. *Ahihi Kinau Reserve. *La Perouse - Dolphins. *Ulua Beach on way back. Maybe *Po‘olenalena Beach on way back - 5 Locations.

Which spot should I eliminate on Day 2?

Thoughts??

coming ashore at Kahului

Also, all car are from Airport with exception of Kona.

Maui (OGG)

Hilo (ITO)

Kona (KING KAMEHAMEHA HOTEL)

Kauai (LIH)

Also have a Car in Honolulu on last day as we are staying for 4 nights post cruise. I rented this one at the Airport as it was much cheaper than Waikiki and much cheaper then the cruise port.

Picking up a rental Car form Thrifty at every port on Hawaii Cruise. Thrifty with a AAA discount was cheaper than Auto Slash.

My question is how do I get to the Thrifty offices to pick up the car and how do I get back to the ship upon return of the car?

So I looked http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com, looked at Maps, read reviews and think that on day one. I would like to try the loop around West Maui form the Kahului Harbor, Kahului, HI up to Nakalele Blowhole, snorkel Kapalua Bay . snorkel * Kaanapali Beach - Black Rock - snorkel *Beach in front of Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort. maybe snorkel * Olowalu, HI and back to the Harbor. Per google Maps, this is 2 1/2 hours of driving.

Day 2 - do the South Shore

snorkel * Turtle Town Maui & Maluaka Beach . snorkel *Ahihi Kinau Reserve.Per google Maps, this is 2 hours of driving

Thoughts??

Is the Road to Hana doable on the second cruise day? Knowing the car needs to be turned in and the boat boarded at 5:30PM.

Seems that it is 41/2 hours of driving round trip and with frequent stops, an all day trip with an over night stay recommended?

I ask about the second day versus the first day as the first day is our very first day in paradise and I do not want to spend it in a car driving but in the water snorkeling or diving.

I do want to see Maui and this road trip seems like a must do. So what is a good turn around point? Waikani Falls? Nahiku?

So the plan is first day beach hopping to most likely snorkel and the second day on Road to Hana (kinda)

September. My question is do we snorkel or Dive in Maui. Where do we dive in Maui?

Keep in mind, I love to Dive, but also love the freedom that Snorkeling gives you. No gear, no time limits. My hubbie is an air sucker, so I dive a smaller tank and still have more air than him when we are done. He hates a two tank boat dive, due to motion sickness. He prefers a shore dive. We are bringing, fins, masks, computers and snorkels but not bringing BCs or regulators so we would have to rent those. I also do not want to spend all day on a boat when we have limited time to see the island.

Hawaii Plans are 1 week Cruise followed by 4 nights in Waikiki Beach, followed by 4 nights on the Big Island. All reservations have been booked. Planning Itineraries now.

We have an overnight stop on the cruise ship in Maui from 8am to 6pm. Looks like snorkeling is very good in Honolua bay, kapalua bay and black rock. They are all within an hours drive of the cruise dock ( I think). We plan to rent a car.

Is there a dive that is not to be missed that is possible on our stop? Molokini crater seems to have mixed reviews.

Still working on our late August/September 30th anniversary Hawaii Trip.

Here is my question:

How do we spend Cruise day in Hilo?

Here is the itinerary:

Start with a one week cruise that starts and ends in Honolulu Oahu and visits:

Kahului Maui 2 days

Hilo Big Island 1 day

Kona Big Island 1 day

Nawiliwilli Kauai 2 days

After the cruise we are staying 4 nights at The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki beach in Honolulu.

Then flying to The Big Island for 4 nights. The first 3 nights we are staying in a condo at the Mauna Lani Terrace on Kohala Coast.

Then one night on the East side TBD.

Fly home from East side

All reservations have been made but east side night and plane tickets.

Where we stay on the east side will be determined by what we do on Hilo cruise day.

We have one day from 8AM to 6PM (really 9-5) in Hilo. Do we use that day to explore Volcano Nation park and then when we return on our second to last day explore the rest of the east side. The waterfalls and the botanical gardens, perhaps the green and black beaches?

If the answer is spend the cruise day at VNP then my next question is do we rent a car and explore on our own or do we book an excursion with who??

Paul Gauguin Versus Windstar for Tahiti and Society Islands. Have you cruised both? Which is better and Why?

Paul Gauguin Versus Windstar for Tahiti and Society Islands. Have you cruised both? Which is better and Why?