mjc775

What a great thread. It brings back memories of the multiple trips to the islands that we've done over the years, and the May 18 PoA sailing that we just disembarked. The cruise is definitely a great way to experience the uniqueness of 4 different islands all in one vacation. I write this on our last day on the islands until next time - on the beach next to the Waikiki Shore. Thanks for taking the time to post your daily travels.

We had an Owner's Suite - 8th floor front of ship. It was very noisy when approaching the ports - presumably with anchors lowering. Also the first and last nights were quite rough, so bad that I had to get my wife motion sickness pills. We've been on 4 cruises beforehand and never experienced roughness to that extreme - not sure if it was our suite location or the ship/itinerary being rougher than others. All other cruises we've been on we were mid-ship.

We just disembarked and were in an Owner's Suite (SC). It doesn't hurt to ask the butler or concierge about the 2 other family members dining with you. However there are so many dining options + room service, we only ate at Cagney's for breakfast/lunch once during the entire cruise. We found the food at the buffet to be very good, and seating at the outside back patio of the ship to be quiet and relaxing.

The butler surprised us with afternoon cheeses or chocolates, taking our complimentary wine to dinner, and priority tendering and disembarkation. Also concierge escorted us to priority seating at the shows in the Hollywood Theater.

We just did the May 18-25 sailing. Our daughter is gluten-free and they were very attentive to the dietary restrictions. Most of it is obvious to her- such as don't get the bun with the burger.

We booked one excursion through NCL (Maui - PWF Molokini snorkel), and one Roberts Hawaii excursion (Kauai - Waimea Canyon, Wailua River & Grotto Tour). I highly recommend both.

We go to Hawaii about every 2 years on average, so this cruise was a nice way 2 experience all of the islands in one trip. We didn't do an excursion on the big island as we have done most of the island before, and wanted some relaxation days to just sit by the pool or on the balcony.

Other's had recommended renting a car. However, on our first day in Maui my wife and daughter wanted some beach time, so we took an Uber to-and-from a beach about 8 miles away near Paia.

Feel free to ask any questions about our experience. We would definitely do it again, but a Mediterranean cruise is next on our bucket list.

We got one last week in an Owner’s Suite on POA. I just asked the concierge when we were boarding, and it was in the stateroom a few hours later. There was plenty of room for it. I’m glad we asked because the sleeper sofa was only a twin - brother and sister would not have been happy. 

I hope this is not too late for your cruise... I'm on the POA right now. Per the Freestyle Daily newsletter: "Dress Code: If choosing Liberty the main dining room or Jefferson's Bistro, we have a Resort Casual dress code. For men: a collared shirt, slacks and closed-toe shoes. For women: dresses/skirts, slacks and tops." I also noticed the sign in front of Jefferson's stated "nice jeans" are acceptable. Everyplace else is "freestyle".

I’ve always been pleased with Roberts Hawaii Shuttle.

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Can you go a different week?

The week we’re looking at next spring for the Owner’s Suite (category SC) is the most affordable and has the most availability except for decks 10 & 12 - those seem to go first. I just looked again & the OS went down $25/person since earlier today. I just may take our chances with 8000/8500 and make sure I take lots of pictures and do some really good videos to monetize on YouTube so future sailers won’t have to wonder what it looks like.

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...8 don't look too broken up and like one larger living room.

By 2nd bath it is a toilet and sink.

Are the living and bedroom larger on 8 vs 11? I just watched videos of 11000 & 13000 and both rooms look smaller on 11000. My main goal is being able to fit a rollaway or air mattress in the living room so that my son and daughter don't have to sleep in the sofa bed together.

We're considering booking a cruise on POA in an Owner's Suite 8000 or 8500. We want the 2nd (guest) bathroom, and the SC category on decks 10 & 12 are already booked - leaving us with the aforementioned suites as the only remaining suites fulfilling all our needs. I've found a few pictures online, but nothing descriptive showing how broken up the floorplan appears to by looking at the deck plans. Any information is much appreciated.