trivia addict

Princeton123211 is correct. Lots of recent posts on this topic. i, myself recently posted of my rental experience when we were on the POA 2 weeks ago. In a nutshell here’s what I reported. All of the rental companies are at the airports. None are in walking distance. I think only one has a shuttle. Ours did not ( Hertz) We rented cars in each port except Kona, and had no trouble finding cabs to the airports. We did not use Uber, but others did. From a previous experience, I see no reason to rent in Kona. It’s a tender port and time is short. If you go to VNP while in Hilo, there’s not much else to see. If renting a car, purchase and download the Guide Along app for the Hawaiian Islands for directions and commentary. It is invaluable. Finally, if you are going in 3 weeks, I wouldn’t wait any longer to secure a rental car. Cruise season has just started in Hawaii with the other Lines.

And, Go Bills!

I have never had a problem cancelling a dinner reservation on board. Either go to the dinner reservations desk or the restaurant itself. You also could just let it go, but cancelling when you first get onboard would be a considerate thing to do as it opens up the space for those trying to make onboard reservations.

That is exactly what we did a few weeks ago. We were advised by many that to complete the loop after Hana would be even more difficult than the road we had just travelled. So, we too, did a few more stops from Guidealong and then turned back also.

Royal has been doing this for many years. It is one of the big reasons that except for family cruises that I had no choice on, why I do not choose to sail on this line. And it sounds from reading this thread that the problem has even gotten much worse than when it started years ago. It is truly ridiculous to badger customers in this fashion. It is awkward for both staff and cruisers. I have never encountered these intrusions on any of my subsequent cruises on Celebrity, Holland, Norwegian or Viking.

Unless you are arriving late in the evening, another vote for staying downtown. The airport hotels are not inexpensive and by comparing prices and reserving so far in advance, you can probably get a nice room downtown at a comparable price or even less. Use the list of hotels above to start your search. The airport hotels are in a sterile area with no amenities nearby. In the city you will have restaurants and sightseeing opportunities. And I agree, with the poster who advised not to use your hotel credits so far in advance. Better to book with the option to cancel or change your hotel in the next several months.

I have always heard mixed reviews of this ship. We were on her last week for the first time, and in over 40 cruises on various lines, this cruise ranks as one of our favorites. You cannot go expecting bells and whistles. I would not recommend it for young families. You go with the expectation of experiencing the Hawaiian Islands during the days and relaxing evenings of food, drink and meeting new, interesting, people and conversation at night. We had delightful times sitting on the top open deck bar at night talking with people from all over the world. Whatever you do, do not miss the sailaway from Honolulu from the top deck. It is one of the prettiest I have ever experienced. The ship is clean, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and I love the retro look of the public spaces. Wooden columns and gleaming mahogany bars remind me of our first cruises at the turn of this century. Not all is perfect tho. The buffet is small and dark. The cabins are small. The entertainment is lacking. I don’t expect produced shows, but more live music would be nice. And the pool gets crowded, with no Vibe for me to escape to! Still, I look forward to sailing the POA again in the future.

Drink tax in the Hawaiian Island ports too. Can anyone name a US port that does not charge a tax?

We were on NCL and were able to book Roberts direct if that helps anyone

Hertz doesn’t offer a shuttle. Some of the others do but I’m not sure which ones. Taxis were waiting outside on the pier and we had no problem getting one for either direction. Cost was about $20 plus tip for each direction. We were two couples and so split all of the costs.

As an update, we just took our independent shore excursion with Robert’s to Waimea Canyon. We were in a small tour van with 8 other people from our ship. We had an exceptional tour with a very knowledgeable driver/guide. We had rented a car on our first day in Kauai, and did a brief visit to the Canyon, but this was more thorough. I recommend booking this excursion on line and saving money by doing so.

The discrepancy in time waiting for a taxi might have to do with the timing of the cruise. We were there last week and had no problem, but the driver told us that starting this coming week taxi drivers were going to be very busy because “cruise season is starting”. Apparently the other cruise lines are starting their winter cruises now that Alaska is finishing. More ships will now be in port.

Just did the Hilo rental from Hertz this past week. Had almost the same experience as philv above. It was very easy to do and would recommend that you do it without having to worry.

We just got off of POA yesterday. We rented a car in 3 of the ports. Kahuului in Maui, where we drove the Road to Hana. Hilo on the Big Island where we drove to Volcano National Park and in Kauai at Lihue, where we drove around the entire Island, including Waimea Canyon. We were two couples that split the rental fees and gas expense. We saved an enormous amount of money by doing this. Renting a car is very easy to do. All car agencies are located at the airports which are located close to the ports. Some of the agencies have shuttles. Ours ( Hertz) did not, but taxis are always waiting at the dock. We pre purchased an app for our phone, called Guide Along Audio Tours that we used for excellent guidance and information on each of our rides. I strongly recommend looking into and getting it if you rent a car.

I thought that since I was getting on the boat late this time, I would just board, drag, my luggage to the room, unpack and be done with it. But after reading all of your comments, I will just hand it over to a porter after all. We are in Honolulu, and since the ship does not leave until 6, we do not need to be on board until mid afternoon. Thought I’d give it a try, but you’ve convinced me otherwise ! Thanks everyone for your help, and Aloha!

We will be boarding on our ship later than usual. By the time we board all rooms should be open. I figure it easy just to carry my 26 inch suitcase on myself. Can this be done? Will it fit through the port X-ray scanners when we go through the checkin?

We rented a car once while in the port of Kona. For the reasons stated above we regretted doing it. On our up coming cruise on the POA, we are not renting a car. Instead we will take the tender to shore, stay a short time and go back to the ship for a leisurely day onboard.

We were in the Vibe on the Joy on the June 8th sailing this year. Although we had wrist bands we never had to wear them or show them. I wonder if the sailing referenced here had complaints about people who were crashing the venue. I also think that the Vibe staff is so attuned to its guests that perhaps they noticed people who didn’t belong there on that sailing, and took action. I have always found that after my first visit to the Vibe, the staff always know my name and drink preference!

Pin is gorgeous! Her talent cannot be denied. Unfortunately, there is so much history that is only selectively taught to us. I hope you do give the program I mentioned a try. And please post a picture of your strawberry hydrangea. Hydrangeas are my favorite flower!

I do not post here often, but like to read your thread as my morning travelogue! Learning about ports, recipes, and experiencing your travails and joys along with you as I wake up. i have to comment today on celebrating Coco Chanel Day. She was a brilliant designer and business woman, but her activities during WWII, would never allow me to celebrate her. For a fascinating look at her, watch The New Look on Apple TV. Although one would think it is solely about fashion, it is more of an historical presentation of France under German Occupation.

We are on her the week following those two weeks. First week in Sept. Would love to hear how both of you enjoy your cruises.

We will be renting a car in each port on our POA cruise in September. Would it be advisible to bring along insect repellent to use in some of the areas with lush greenery?

Have been on 4 NCL cruises since Covid in balcony cabins and have never received luggage tags by mail. In fact, I have not received tags by mail from several other cruise lines in many years, either. They are easy to print out and I also use the tag holders from Amazon. ( and while you are looking at Amazon, purchase some of their magnetic hooks for the cabin wall. they come in very handy!)

HOHO buses in NYC like those in most cities are generally overcrowded. Once you get off it is often difficult to find a spot on the next bus and can be long wait times between buses. So you end up frustrated at wasting time. I like to use them in a new city for a good overview and guide of the city. I stay on for the entire loop and afterwards or the next day I can go back to the places that I want to visit. Of course time constraints might preclude you from going back, but for me, I would rather see the entire picture unless of course there was something very special on your bucket list you must see!

I’ve never been to the Lumberjack Show, but I have been to Ward Cove twice. Both times with RCCL. Respectively, to all, I have never had a problem navigating it. I don’t know why people dislike it so much. It’s inconvenient but that’s the worst I can say about it.