Zeno

A lot of desserts are pretty bland and lacking in flavor.

The fruit crumbles/crisps used to be good but on our last cruise on the Jade, I was disappointed.

Fresh crepes are still pretty yummy.

Various types of Creme Brulee were decent

Mousses were hit or miss .- some were decent - others too bland.

I actually had a quite decent brownie on my last cruise and the cookies were pretty good.

Chocolate croissants were decent.

Cake like things and cheesecake were pretty uniformly tasteless - too much gelatin and not enough actual flavor.

As for other foods, they were pretty much OK and occasionally quite good (I had wonderful fish at Le Bistro). I have to agree that Moderno was a let-down - nothing really impressed me.

We have stayed at the 'Ilima in the past and will stay there on our next trip.

Advantages:

one of the cheapest hotels in Wailkiki

LARGE rooms with kitchen area - especially well set up if you want to get 3-4 people in a room - we will be 3 people

Good off-beach location a one minute walk from Kuhio and a 5-10 minute walk to the beach (depends on how fast you walk)

Friendly, helpful staff

Parking is available but limited (so you must reserve a spot)

Easy access to transit on Kuhio

Disadvantages:

Older hotel

Smaller pool

Short walk to beach

IF there are just 2 of you, you may find something cheaper (but likely with no kitchen facilities - so it depends on if you require either more room or kitchen facilities)

Very sad, but I don't blame the cruise lines, and it should be all about the victim and their family, no one else.

Exactly!

To answer the original question. I wash my hands a lot. At the buffet, I always get my hands spayed by the "washy washy" person.

And I am careful what I eat on shore. Except for one bad cold, I have never been sick on a cruise.

As others have said, order it through the access desk. It should be waiting in your room. If not contact customer service or your steward. (On our last NCL cruise Customer Service was useless but our steward was simply GREAT). He made sure I had distilled water.

great shots - very useful for anyone considering obstructed OV in that area

BEH's suggestions are very good! Haleakala is a bit of a drive from Lahaina but SO worth it!

"Lahaina...Whaler's Village...

Kaanapali... Kapalua Honolua Bay,

Dragon's Teeth at Makahia Point,…

Through the Honokohau Valley, arrive at Nakalele Point and Blowhole, Olivine Pools, Ohai Cliffs.

Where does the road get tricky? We want to stop at that point and turn around, heading back to Lahaina,

on to Īao Valley, Kahakuloa Village,

Valley of Makamaka'ole, Tide Pools,

turn around and back to Lahaina, turn in rental car.

Whew!! Thanks!! "

Strictly my personal opinion: Way too much!

I would do very little in Lahaina and would drive up Haleakala instead - MUCH more unique

'Iao Valley (if it's open) would be another thing worth doing but I don't think you have the time

From Lahaina:

1. FIRST Drive up Haleakala stopping at all the sign- posted short hikes - the views will amaze you, stop at Makaweo on the way down

2. Drive north of Lahaina

3. IF you have any time left spend a short time in Lahaina after you return the car

You simply cannot do both sides of Maui in one day if you actually want to make stops and enjoy anything.

Thx - I have never seen much discussion of POA bidding - so I was beginning to wonder if it happened much. We have passed the 90 day mark but not 80 days yet. If we get an offer and the range isn't too crazy we might bid for a balcony upgrade.

Thanks! If I cancel and rebook, does this mean the fare will be the current advertised fare? It’s gone up considerably since I booked so if that is the case I would just keep what I have!

We definitely DID NOT have to cancel and re-book - we just changed the perk and paid the gratuities on it.

Has anyone been offered a chance to bid on an upgrade for a POA cruise and what was the offer range for a suite or balcony from an OV?

Thx

Is this possible to do? I have never sailed NCL and am booked on a cruise next Sept that offered a choice of "free" perks. At the time of booking, I chose the only option that was truly free (as in no gratuity, etc) - the Internet package. Now I am thinking I might like to change it to the drink package. Would I be allowed to do so? Does it require calling and requesting the change, or am I out of luck? No big deal either way, but could be swayed to have a beverage or two if possible....

I had NO problems just changing one of my perks on my Jade cruise several months before I was due to sail. I just called my PCC and he changed it.

As others have said - you may have to wait (especially with a party of 6) BUT you will get seated eventually.

Let me put it this way - my husband is an expert cyclist who cycles several time a week. He has driven up and down Haleakala and his first comment was ONLY someone who is a good cyclist and who cycles regularly should consider this. He would not do it himself because of the numbers of inexperienced cyclists on the road and yes it is steep.

Very nice review! I thought your suggestions were good (packed lunches).

We liked La Cucina on the Jade very much. The Osso Bucco really was quite good. and my husband liked the Lasagna.

It was definitely a lot better than Moderno

I would say no too. Unless you are in a large group or must eat at a specific time.

Frankly we were not impressed with it on the Jade. (We liked all the other specialty restaurants we went to on the Jade - Le Bistro (our favorite), La Cucina and Tepanyaki. The food at Moderno was just "OK" and the guys with the meats were pretty prompt. Our waitress was the poorest we have ever had. She seemed to not understand her job at all. We did not get our sides until the meal was nearly over . Water glasses were never refilled - many other things. BTW Service at all the other restaurants was excellent.

All I can say is that - I have coronary artery disease and 2 stents. I did this when I was younger than you (I was about 60) with the encouragement of my cardiologist. She said to "pace yourself, keep hydrated, rest frequently and use common sense". I was fine. If you are concerned, check with your Dr.

forgot to add - She had done the hike herself and was familiar with it.

We used the laundry service twice on our 15 night Jade cruise (the special) and were very satisfied. We rolled the clothes to get as much in the bag as possible and I was very meticulous about filling out the form.

FYI - the website for the Oahu bus system is:

http://www.thebus.org/

WOW - great information - THANKS!

 

One more thing - is it worth just going to the visitor center if we feel that we cannot hike to the summit? Is there much to see from there?

Personally I don't think so but others may disagree. The hike up really is the point of going there and absolutely worth it.

We would like to visit Diamond Head while we are in Honolulu, but are a bit unsure of a couple of things.

 

First, can we get there by the local bus (if so, which one and where do we get it near Pier 11).

Yes but I would not recommend it. (Bus#2 about a 10 minute walk from the dock)

I would recommend a taxi instead.

Why: The bus will let you off outside of the crater and will take nearly an hour. Then you will have a to walk down a dark narrow tunnel with lots of vehicular traffic to get into the crater.

A taxi will take you instead the crater right to the visitor center. It will take around 20 minutes.

Second, I know we can hike all the way to the top, but are there any other options if we feel it is too much for us? For example, is there a visitor center or area for viewing that is not at the top?

The only trail that really matters is the one to the top. You can turn back at any time and there is an easier option near the top at the last challenging bit. (Go left instead of right - the choice will be obvious) BTW I did this with arthritis and a heart condition. I won't say that I found it easy but it is quite doable if you pace yourself - stop at ALL benches and take your time and bring a lot of water and go as early in the morning as possible (cooler).

Third, can we go to Hanauma Bay by bus from there? If so, which one. Can we get back to the pier from there?

I would not recommend it - you will be tired after Diamond Head and I don't think there is a direct route between the 2 (someone correct me if I am wrong). Also it would take about another hour by bus - too much for one day I think. Also if you are there on a Tuesday - NOTE Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays.

Fourth - how long would all of this take by bus?

Rough estimates and not counting on wait times for buses and assuming a certain fitness level to get up Diamond head.

Bus to Diamond Head

approx. 10 minute walk to bus stop then bus ride 50-60 minutes depending on traffic

time spent at Diamond head - minimum 2 hours - more likely 2.5-3 hours

There is no direct bus route between Diamond Head and Hanuama Bay - so you would either have a 20 minute walk to catch Bus#2 OR you would have to ride Bus#1 to where it connects to the Bus#2 route (I have not done this.) - I would assume that this will take at least another hour. I don't recommend trying to combine the two destinations in one day particularly if taking buses.

How far is it from Pier 11 (Aloha Tower) to Iolani Palace and how safe is it to walk?

It's walkable - about 1/2 mile - so depending on how fast you walk 15-20 or 10 if you are a really brisk walker.

I think it's perfectly safe.

Is the Iolani Palace a worthwhile visit?

Yes - especially if you get one of the guided tours - arrive early to secure a spot. The tour will not be too long.

Any other suggestions for places to see in the downtown area?

A number of things in the immediate area: government buildings, King Kamehameha statue, Art Gallery, Kawaiahao Church, China town is s short walk (5 minutes). The Foster Botanical gardens are a longer walk (10-15 minutes).

If you are not averse to a bus ride, the Bishop Museum (excellent BTW) is about a 20-25 minute bus ride . The bus stop to catch the bus to The Bishop is quite close to the Palace at South Hotel St and Alakea (Bus #2). You can just ask the driver where to get off. The Museum is a less than 5 minute walk from the Bus Stop at School St and Kapalama. Cross school St and walk down Kapalama until you get to Berenice St (2 min) - look to your right on Bernice and you will see the museum. We did Iolani Palace and The Bishop Museum on the same day and it was perfect.

Thank you for your comments - even the negative. I plan on going to Hawaii for my 50th and I’m pretty sure I will enjoy it. BUT, I’m struggling with whether I would enjoy the POA cruise. It “seems” perfect - and perfectly priced - but I keep thinking that I should do a land trip and see a couple of islands instead. Everyone’s opinions are useful.

My only problem with a "land" trip is the amount of time wasted in airports and switching hotels. On our first trip to Hawaii, we did a "land' trip and while we did not regret it, we found our next trip (arrived early in Oahu and then did the cruise) was MUCH more relaxing. Our next trip to Hawaii (after our 2018 cruise) will likely be just to 2 islands (either Kauai and The Big Island OR Kaui and Maui) - as you can see Kauai was our favorite. The cruise is a particularly good intro to Hawaii because it allows one a "taste" of 4 islands - this is why we are doing it again - our friends who will be with us have never seen Hawaii before. Truthfully it does surprise me somewhat when people cannot find things to enjoy in Hawaii but I guess everyone enjoys different things. We loved exploring the areas around volcanoes, beautiful beaches, amazing scenery and really good snorkeling (If you love to snorkel and are going in the summer or late spring or early fall - don't miss "Tunnels" on Kauai - easy amazing snorkeling. Sadly we won't be able to do it on our next trip - north shore beaches are VERY dangerous in the winter)