pdcsgirl

I am trying to book for this July because I understand they run out of cars.  But we are still in the process of deciding what to do in each port.  Any suggestions of where a convertible is the best bet vs a Jeep (wrangler is guess), which I’m told may give better visibility, especially for our kids?  I’m pretty sure I’ll rent in Kahului and Nawiliwili because we are overnighting.  But is it as convenient to rent in Hilo and Kona (tender) and what are folks’ experiences with whether it was too much of a hassle given the time we have to be back on board?  Thanks in advance.

We are going to use Ubers and taxis while in Waikiki because we can walk to the beach and don't want to deal with driving or parking.  But we could also rent a convertible or jeep for any day trips or drives worth doing from there rather than Aulani.  I have the map of Ohau, but I have no sense of the distance or time.  Would it make more sense to do places like the North Shore, the PCC, the Ranch, etc. from Waikiki or from Aulani?  The Waikiki drives would be on the 4th of July and/or a Friday, if that matters.  The Aulani drives would be on the weekend or a Mon or Tues.  Any thoughts (or other recommended destinations on Ohau)? Thanks.

I still need to do this!

Thanks!

delayed post...but thanks for these!!!

I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if someone knew whether the Penthouses are considered "suites" for purposes of making dining reservations?  Will we be able to make them at 130 days out if we are booked in a Penthouse, or do we need to wait until 120 days out?  Thanks.

We  will be in Waikiki for a few days before the POA Cruise and at Aulani for a few days after the cruise.  I am concerned about the crowds, especially at Aulani given we arrive on  a Saturday, but this is really the only time we can go.

I found a place to hold our luggage, so would it make sense to do Pearl Harbor on the Saturday we disembark the ship, before going to Aulani, given we can't check into Aulani until 4 anyway and it will be crowded?  Or will Pearl Harbor be just as crowded on a weekend?

Also, if we want to drive to the North Shore, should we do that Sunday, to get away from the crowds at Aulani, or will we just hit lots of traffic and all the locals on the North Shore for the weekend?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Are there car rental places right at the port after getting off the Pride of America?  If not, how far is the shuttle to get the car?  I'm trying to decide whether it is going to be a hassle for a family of 4, with luggage, to rent a car there.  Maybe better to just do private transportation (to/from Aulani) and then rent at the resort?  Thanks.

You can book many of the shore excursions now..... and I would if you know for sure what you want.

As to the dining... that usually opens up 90 to 120 days out from sail date. And if you are looking for early seating...I would book that ASAP.

 

Chuck

I thought Norwegian was Freestyle dining?

Posted this on the Hawaii board but thought I should check here as well.

I've booked flight and accommodations for next July, but we won't tell our kids (12 and 9) until Christmas Day.

Can I wait until January to plan things on the POA cruise (excursions, restaurants), or do things book this early? Anything I must book now?

Thanks in advance!

First timers to Hawaii here. I've booked flight and accommodations for next July, but we won't tell our kids (12 and 9) until Christmas Day.

Can I wait until January to plan things on Oahu (we will have 7 nights) and on the POA cruise (excursions, restaurants), or do things book this early? Anything I must book now? We'll have 3 nights in Waikiki, the cruise, and 4 nights in Aulani.

Thanks in advance!

Unless things have changed I was warned by experienced travelers not to stay right at JFK airport. Supposedly they use most of the airport hotels for women and children in need of shelter from bad home situations and although I applaud this there is definitely a "run down motel" feel to them. Again this was when I was trying to decide between LGA and JFK airport hotels and was mentioned by numerous people. Just check it out to be sure.

Good to know, although I was thinking of trying the new one right in the airport.

did you say 13508 has no tub? a stand alone shower then? I am unable to find a picture of this..it is just what we want..also is there a real door closing off the bathroom? THANKS!

It was a typo. I read that 13018 does not have a tub. I don't know anything about 13508 but am surprised to see that someone is posting photos with 2 sinks because according to the deck plans 13508 is a regular penthouse, not a deluxe one.

We just got home from Hawaii and flew on American with Premium Economy seats, these are much better than delta comfort plus and other economy seats with extra leg room. Unfortunately, yes airlines can change aircraft on long haul flights, on our return flight AA changed to a different configuration and there were no premium economy seats, so we got stuck in an economy seat. We were not at all pleased about this. But the seats were fine, about the same as a first class seat on a domestic flight. They are much more comfortable for a long haul flight than econmony or economy with extra leg room. American Premium Economy seats do have foot rests that fold down form the seat in front of you, the bulk head seat may not have them. If you look at the pictures on the AA website it shows a foot rest like a recliner, they are not like that at all.

 

We flew from Florida thru DFW and landed in HNL about 2:30... at the hotel before 4:00.

Very helpful because we would fly through DFW as well. When they changed the aircraft did they give you a credit for having paid for PE and lending up in regular E? I would not have been happy about that but the lack of credit would have been even worse!

I am also short and really miss having a footrest on many aircraft. I tried a couple of inflatable ones and didn't care for them. A couple years ago I found a solution on Amazon, it's a foot rest that hangs on the frame of your tray table....kind of like a little hammock for your feet. Check it out, I really use mine a lot.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M35M87O/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01M35M87O&pd_rd_wg=INwCT&pd_rd_r=CGHDKGMAVEAV4ZPWZ34Z&pd_rd_w=i2y61

Thanks!

I wound up booking an SE suite since the square footage was much larger than the 2br and it was less money. Very excited for this cruise:)

Understood. I wanted the murphy bed so my kids don't have to share a bed. Enjoy!

There will be 4 of us in the room. I booked cabin 13512 because it’s larger than 2 br and has Murphy bed in a corner where it doesn’t get in the way of anything and sofa bed. Also has large balcony.

I have also booked this suite, for a family of 4. I don't go until July 2019 so can't offer pictures or video yet.

They expire after 4 years. Although in the past they’ve had promos that you can use expired ones.

So not a liability. Just lost money.

The certificate becomes the entire deposit for your next cruise, you don't have to come up with whatever the minimum is normally. You are also only paying HALF the face value of the certificate, so if it was $300 value, you are paying $150 (the other $150 is put back into your on board account) and you actually apply the entire $300 to the deposit covering your next cruise. But if you aren't sailing in 4 years it becomes a liability.

How does it become a liability?

Just to be clear Premium Econ (On American which they have just recently started) is a separate class. Above regular econ but below Biz/First. The other two are just economy with extra legroom. (MCE Main cabin extra is what AA calls their extra legroom seats).

 

In economy they are all about the same. If going out of EWR then I would just take the direct UA flight from EWR to HNL and be done with it. It will probably be on a 777 or maybe a 767 (and if you get lucky maybe one of their shinny new 787's) . Unless the price is drastically different I would not go through ATL, DTW, DFW or LAX unless I had to.

 

p.s. you might want to check whit he "cruise air" section of this board. There are some very experienced fliers there who can give you a much more detailed reply.

Thanks. I do understand that, but believe that, at least as of now, they are similar price points and that there really isn't a separate class between economy and business on the other lines. And yes, if we went up to EWR or JFK we would fly direct. We'd only stop if we elected to fly out of PHL using AA or Delta.

Hopefully everything goes perfectly for your plans & that you can share your checked luggage experience.

We don't go for a long time, but I will! Thanks!!

There aren’t but I don’t remember them on United either for that flight. The Hawaiian A330 is much better laid out- if you book early enough you can get row 11, seats AB or HJ which are basically their own private little compartments in premium economy.

 

The other nice thing is that you can use Amex points (usually only 25,000) to upgrade to fully flat seats in Hawaiians first class.

Good to know.. thanks!

One thing that has changed though- in order for you to get American miles you need to be ticketed on the Hawaiian flight through American.

Yes, I see that. Is it true that there are no footrests though? We are short..that is an issue for us!

We actually live in Philly and still take it every year. We usually will go up and get a room in Manhattan the night before and the flight is at 10am. What’s really great about it is that Hawaiian is code share with American so we can earn American points for the flight (as well as exchange Amex points for upgrades). With American being the only game at PHL it’s a great way to earn a lot of points.

Wow...I thought that I checked that and that Hawaiian Airlines no longer let you do that (HA to AA miles). You're right then--that may be the way to go for us. Rather than spend the night in Newark we just spent it near the JFK airport. I have heard good things about that flight, and it is more likely that we'll use AA miles than United or Delta.

You also have Hawaiian Airlines once a day service nonstop from JFK-HNL. Usually very competitive pricing and they have a nice premium economy cabin. We always find it fun taking Hawaiian over there because it has a Island vibe the moment you step aboard in NY.

JFK is a bit further for us because we are coming from southern nj. And what do I then do with miles on Hawaii Airline, given then don't fly out of PHL, which is our usual airport. It's definitely a possibility, but not ideal for us.