B-52

1 hour ago, rcooked said:

Should be in good shape.  They have a separate checkin for suite holders - with snacks.  Once checked in, they will escort you on the ship and straight to Cagneys for lunch (at least they did for us).

 

Enjoy!

Thanks for the info

We will be in suite for our upcoming cruise in the 24th

searching the boards there is not much info on POA suites 

what time did you check in? Was it quick for suite guests? And after you checked in you were escorted to Carney’s?

i had heard they escorted you to your suite 

How soon was your suite ready?

What did you think of the comedian, Gary Dalena

He is a friend of mine going back to high school in the 60's.

We will be on the POA on the 24th, missed him by a few weeks.

Thanks for the dailies!

Tell Me more about your Beach Day in Maui...

Which beach did you go to

Were you able to rent chairs, etc?

Thanks

Specialty restaurants....want you to book online, but unlike other cruise lines they do not show menus so hard to make decisions.

If the Arizona memorial is closed, what do you get for your Arizona tickets

we pre paid for the “Heart of the Missouri” and the aviation museum, thus far 

also, why else do you need reservation tickets for?

want to cover all bases 

Thanks for the review....will be there in August.

Question, first day in Maui...you had to walk out to the pharmacy..were there any Taxis about?

Or for that matter shuttles to the rental car agencies?

16 hours ago, rtread said:

 

B-52, our POA cruise is August 24....is that the same as yours?

Yes, I believe so.......

‘stop by the roll call for that cruise.

there is only a handful of us now but it is growing

Thanks for your very helpful input....app. 60 days to go for us...

Thanks for the report

we always book a suite but this is our first time with NCL

i have heard things about Georgia elsewhere and hope we get her also.

since this is our first NCL suite, I have to ask in comparison to other cruise lines

is there a. concierge lounge? Or a place for pre-meal drinks, etc?

also, is there reserved set aside seating at the pool and theater for suite guests 

thank you

We are planning on renting a car in most  (but not all) ports.

I would like to hear what intineraries - schedules - stops people have planned and followed

when they used a rental car and explored on their own.

I also remeber reading where people followed apps?

We will be on the POA in August

Thanks in Advance

6 hours ago, baflagg said:

Morning, I scheduled a car rental for Sunday when we are in Maui from Avis rental at the airport.  My original thought was we would try to do the Road to Hana on our own as it would be much less expensive then an excursion through the ship or a business (party of 4 traveling). After reading all the reviews from people that have done this on their own it doesn't really seem like it would be such a good idea with the winding roads, blind spots, etc.  I have a hard time in taxis when we go to Bermuda and always feel nauseous after so riding in a car on the road to Hana  may not be good for me.

 

We sail in a couple of weeks and really have not done to much research yet on what we'd like to do. So my question is, any suggestions for what are the best things to do in Maui for one day with our own car?  I didn't realize the area around the port was industrial until reading the original post, we kind of thought we would just walk off the ship and spend the day walking around to whatever was in the area but it sounds like there really isn't much there.

 

Appreciate any input. Thanks 

We are there 2 days on POA.

Day One we are renting a car from the airport. Will drive and see some sights ending up in Lahina.

Then we are going to the "Old Lahina Luau" at 6pm, which is finished slightly past 9.

Will return the car by 11pm when they close.

Day two we will do the Rd to Hana excursion through the ship. Leave the driving to them and get us back in time.

Curious, what are peoples experience returning cars late at night? Say about 11pm?

Especially Maui.

Looking for nice beach within fair taxi-uber ride from cruise port

Would like all the amenities, food, bar, chairs etc.

Won't mind paying a resort fee if that is what is needed.

We have a Helicopter tour in the am, and want to lounge at a beach that afternoon.

Thanks In Advance

Will be on the POA this August.

I need to know the names of each port for the POA

This way I can locate on map, find nearest rental agencies, and plan our day.

Maui

Hilo

Kona

Kauai

Also, are any of these ports tendered ports?

Thanks In Advance

What if you carried a small back pack to hold medical equipment???

No offense to anyone, but this is PEARL HARBOR!

It is not just about the USS Arizona....It's about American history and major events that changed the course of the country.

I've been to places like Gettysburg just to walk through the historic battlefields. I have gone to Washington DC and spent the day just walking..

I did 2 tours in Vietnam back in the early 70's, and Pearl was home of the 7th fleet western pacific command. Been there countless times and I can't wait to get back...Arizona or no Arizona.

BTW, of all the times I have been to Pearl I have been to the Arizona Memorial only once...that's all it took.

Our ship would tie up right across the harbor and every morning I would go topside and look across the water at it....that view, and the panoramic all around it was good for me to soak in.

I have been reading here from people who are bummed because the Arizona Memorial is closed. PLEASE don't sell the entire base short because of one memorial with a wall full of names.

16 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

It sounds like you were at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort vs the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. We much prefer the location of the Reef because of its quieter location.

Yes, it came down to the two, pros and cons for both. Sine we are only there 3 nights we went for the center of action (and noise)

If it were a full vacation stay and not a pre-cruise, we would not even pick a hotel near Waikiki...

Pride of America leaves port at 7pm, have to be onboard 2 hrs prior.
That leaves a long day for activites in Ohau prior to getting on the ship.

I would like to hear what some people do on that day. How do you deal with your luggage, etc.

What time did you arrive at the port?

We decided on the Outrigger Beach hotel, Club level beachfront view.

After reading as many reviews as I can.

The outrigger, both a pro and con, is that it is center of everything. A very busy area.

We figured why not. We are only there 3 nights pre-cruise so lets be in the center of everything.

If we were staying in Ohau for vacation and was looking for a resort for our entire stay, it would not have been the Outrigger.

Ok, booked cruise, have our airfare...now to pick a pre-cruise hotel for 3 nights.

This is tough! When searching for hotels, it comes down to 3-4 on or very near the beach that keep popping up on web searches as popular.

But reading reviews, you get the very negative to very exceptional for every one.

Seems the biggest negative comments are around small over crowded pools, lack of beach chairs, etc.

Also very busy, noisy, etc.

Not looking for anyone to tell me what to choose, just like to hear your reviews.

Keeping in mind this may be a once in a lifetime trip.

Thank You

Quick Question...can you book the pre-cruise hotel for more than one night??

Also, was the cost added to your total cruise bill? Or do you pay separate

Reason I'm asking...I like the idea of NCL taking luggage direct from hotel. But we want to stay in Ohau 3 nights prior, and we want to pay with our CC points.

I was in the US Navy, and was in and out of Pearl countless times. But that was almost 50 years ago.

We are torn between a Tour or on our own.

I belong to a Facebook group of 7th fleet sailors and Fellow Vietnam vets, and Pearl harbor comes up in discussions.

I have learned little gems to see and do, some from people stationed there right now, that I am not sure a Tour will get to.

For instance...be at the USS Utah on the other side of Ford Island when they lower the colors (flag) at sundown.

Very Moving.

Long time cruiser, first cruise with NCL POA cruise.

We are Diamond + with RCCL, but want to book a Hawaiian Cruise, so will have many NCL questions before then.

But first things first...

Looking to book a Penthouse Suite, but not sure to go with Deck 13 or 10.

From what I've researched, the Suites on Deck 13 are newer?

Anyone have an opinion?

For that matter, which Penthouse Suite would you feel was the best?? And why....

Thanks in advance.

Of all our cruises, we always stay in a GS, I think one time we didn't and then we got a free upgrade back to a GS...go figure.

We do not stay in a Suite for the perks.

We simply love the room...feels more like a normal hotel room with plenty of closets, drawers, large bathrooms, better room service, etc.

On the adventure, there is not much in the way of Suite perks...priority boarding, (but you don't need a GS for that) Reserved seating at the pool and theater...

We very rarely visit the CL...perhaps early in the morning to get coffee.

Most cruises you'll get a Bridge tour. But we generally skip them also.

It's nice to know the Concierge is there if you need any help. say with Dining arrangments or that hard to get shore excursion.....but that's about it.

Again, we like the room itself...and that is simply our personal preference.

Voyager class is our favorite class of ships, sailed on the Explorer and Mariner many, many times.

But it seems the ships and departure ports are being replaced with the "Mega" ships, Oasis and Anthem, which I personally have no interest in.

So 2 years ago we flew to San Juan for the Adventure and was very pleased.

We are going again in 2017 after the refurbishment so it should be even better.

Plus the prices are very reasonable. We always stay in a GS or better, 1/2 the price of the Anthem which is only a 45-minute drive away for us.

Add to that a few days pre and post cruise at a nice resort/hotel in San Juan and it makes for a very special vacation.