Looking at the POA

[whatcruiseisnext]

We have never cruised NCL but have cruised Princess and Holland America. We are interested in the POA in Hawaii followed by a post cruise stay in the Islands. Would we be happy with this ship?

[garycarla]

Would you be happy?

 

Surely pretty much impossible for anyone to answer that without knowing more about your likes, dislikes, expectations, etc etc

 

Would suggest reading some reviews on the review section. Scrolling down and reading some mini reviews.

 

Do keep in mind that NCL-A (Hawaii) is sort of part of NCL, but different because the American crew. Service and reviews have improved considerably over the past year or so once they went from three ships to one.

[NewYearsBaby]

We went on the POA in 2007 (3 couples, all of us had balcony cabins) and we certainly enjoyed it. I have also sailed on Princess and HAL. Be aware that in many ways the POA is different from other cruises. There is no casino. You are in port every day of the cruise. You are in port overnight on Kauai and Maui. If you are aware that the ship is more like a floating hotel taking you from place to place and your goal is more to experience the islands than the ship, I think you will be happy.

We found the crew friendly, the food good, the rooms clean, the beds comfortable. I lived in Hawaii for 3 years and it's like going back home to me. My opinion is that the POA is a great way to see more of the islands. Affordable, too.

One more thing: The POA is the only ship where I found that the balcony wasn't all that important. Enjoyed it of course, but with so much time in port, there was very little time to sit on the balcony.

[nashcruisers]

Thanks NewYearsBaby for the following [quote]One more thing: The POA is the only ship where I found that the balcony wasn't all that important. Enjoyed it of course, but with so much time in port, there was very little time to sit on the balcony.

. I booked an inside but have been wondering since then if I was going to regret not getting a balcony but did not see how there would be much time on it and for the extra dollars that could be spent at a bar(s) or tour(s)

[Budget Queen]

The excellence of this cruise is the itinerary, which in my opinion is superb.

 

Overall, I look at the ship as lodging, meals and transportation, nothing more. With that it does an excellent job.

 

Your touring of Hawaii is wide open. My priority on these cruises. IF you are more in tune to the ship experience, you may want to scale back your expectations perhaps??

[whatcruiseisnext]

Thanks so much for your responses. We will be off the ship most of the time in Hawaii and will just be using it as a hotel for breakfast and some dinners. We've been to Hawaii before and will preface and extend this vacation with extra time in the Islands. We booked today an inside as I totally agree that we would not be spending time on a balcony for this itinearary.

 

Budget Queen......good to see you again. You gave us valuable information when we were planning our Alaska cruise. Thanks so much.

 

It will be awhile before this one....we booked for Sept 10, 2011. Prior to this cruise we have a Greek Isles cruise in June 2010 and a Caribbean cruise in February 2011. I'll be looking forward to learning about NCL.

 

thanks again for the kind responses.

[NewYearsBaby]

Whatcruiseisnext and Nashcruisers, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time -- aloha!

[SnakeBitten]

We recently returned from a cruise on POA and had a great time. As a previous poster wrote...read the reviews. SB