Thank you both. We set sail on Sat Dec 3rd and 1st stop is Maui on Dec 4th and 5th and then the Big Island for 2 days.  Looking forward to see your beloved islands.  Regards

Thank you for the link

Hope you don't mind I cut and pasted your links on the Roll Call for this Dec 3rd NCL POA Sailing.

Thank you Bermuda Bound 2014.   I posted a message in reference to this on the Roll Call for this sailing.  Our family has decided to cancel excursions for Hilo and Kona and play it by ear.  If I understand correctly it's not just the ash (which is bad on it's own)  and possible road closures but threat of large earthquake. 

On 9/12/2022 at 1:36 PM, mcmarya said:

Cruises had not resumed when we were there so I don't know about other vendors selling tours there but there are other options for shore snorkeling if you cannot snag one.  If all else fails, you can take the Kona Trolley to Kahalu'u Beach park which is the next to the last stop of the trolley route.  It runs every hour and is free.  If you do a search, you can see the schedule and route map.    Kahalu'u can get crowded so better to be there early.  There are changing rooms and rinsing showers as well as lifeguards.  They even give out reef safe sunscreen.  The bay is somewhat sheltered and not terribly deep so a good place to go if the seas are not super calm.  We visited this spot 3 times when in Hawaii in December and really enjoyed the snorkeling there. We saw turtles and all kinds of fish in great numbers. There are lots of other places to snorkel on the Big Island, but this is the closest good snorkeling to the port in Kailua Kona.

 

If you have time left after your tour, you can also use the beach at the Courtyard King K which is right next to the tender pier.  There is a changing/rest room on the pier and all beaches in Hawaii are public.  I saw quite a few fish just swimming off the beach.  And, if the ocean is calm, you can actually snorkel/swim right in Kailua bay.

 

 

Mcmarya,  saw this post and info hoping you could also inform if Kahalu'u has Snorkel Gear to use and or rent?  We will be there on Dec 7, 2022.  Great information.

On 11/17/2022 at 1:20 PM, mirglip69 said:

I posted this originally and after seeing the comments and doing little more research, we ended up booking a tour out of Ma’alaea as many suggested. 

Was wondering did you book through NCL or private? What is your sail date if you don't mind me asking.  We are booked on Whale Watching out of Ma'alaea.  Our sail date is 12/03/22

NCL sells Alkaline Water starting at $ 23.94.  Its called the Flow Water Packages 6-liters.

Thank you for the phone number.  Looking forward to see Maui.  Was sad to hear about the brush fires. Hope there was not a lot of damage.

I too was not able to make online Diner Reservations.  So I called NCL and made reservation through customer service. Was able to book to 2 nights at Cagney's.

thank you

Sorry another question.  Decided on renting a car and picking it up from airport location.  We will need to find a spot to park over night within walking distance to Kahului Harbor.  Is there parking lots without time limits that are okay with overnight parking.  

Thank you.

I have been watching this thread for we will be arriving Sunday December 4th via POA at Kahului Harbor.  I was hoping to see a follow up from Sirenitas on their overnight parking experience for Kahului Harbor.  We toyed with either Turo or the Car Rental (Avis, Budget, etc...) agencies.  We decided on Avis for we wanted a Jeep.  On Sundays all local Car Rental (Avis, Budget, etc...) are closed except for the agencies located at the airport.

Could anyone offer advise on:   a reliable cab company to use to and from Kahului Harbor and Airport,  where we may park the rental car overnight and is it safe to walk from Whole Foods to the Ship around 10 or 11 at night (Pls note I understand that you should always be aware walking at night no matter where you are. I'm from DC, but some areas are more risky then others). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Some website will say they have shuttles but I have manage to contact some of the local offices and they are saying they do not have shuttles.   FYI;  some news agencies are reporting the following: 

Okay. Got it. Sorry.

Sorry my Oct 3rd post did state Kahului.  Typo after CruiserBruce reply of Kahalui.  NCL Whale Watcher is Kahului.

For those who may also want to rent a car and explore I just came across the following from Hawaii Tourism Authority "Waipio Valley Road on the Island of Hawaii Closed to Visitors Indefinitely, Effective February 25"

Thank you Lorabelle.    I'm checking into Renting a car in lieu of Hop on Hop Off.  I have not been able to find out for sure if agencies like Avis and Budget have a shuttle from Hilo's Cruise Port to ITO airport which is 3 miles away.  I have seen post on another site which states that some have taken a shuttle from port to Avis and/or Budget rental office and back.  But they didn't give in depth info and I have not been able to reach anyone at Avis or Budget.   Does anyone know if a shuttle exist and is it a city shuttle or rental agency shuttle or is there a bus we can catch to airport from port and port to airport?

Thank you

Thank you

Hmm,  think we won't do the Whale watching.  Just check NCL site and it is Kahalui. I think on Day 1 we will drive to Mile 8 Lookout to see Whales if any.

Thank you both for the very helpful information.  We had recv a suggestion to take a NCL Zodiak Whale Watching excursion for 2 hours in Kahului, but didn't think going on Dec 5th would be the best for seeing Whales in Kahului.

Will have (2) days (1st week of Dec 2022)  in Maui.  The ship (POA) will be docked at Pier 1 Kahului Harbor.   Day 1 we are renting a car and traveling up Hwy 30 West Coast and then dinner in Lahaina.  Day 2 we did not want to rent a car and was hoping there was someplace close to travel to by Uber or Taxi.  Was wondering if Baldwin Beach was doable and / or worth it.   Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

Thank you Burnsmn. 

2 hours ago, fabby50 said:

We are going in December and it will be our third time doing this cruise.  With all the port time, we kind of thought of the ship as a floating hotel rather than a cruising experience.  The best cruising part was the Napoli coast.  I'm looking forward to a great time, thanks for the updates!

Fabby50,  see this is your 3rd POA cruise.  Any suggestion for 2nd day in Maui.  We've completed many cruises, but this is our 1st to Hawaii and 1st on NCL.  Our sail date is December 3rd.