POA review from 6/23 - 6/30th

[MikeACY]

There are many reviews on this site about the POA. I'll give a brief description of what I encountered, as well as some "surprises" about Hawaii in general. (When I say Hawaii, I mean all the Islands the ship docked at) Including this cruise, I have been on 14...the other 13 to Bermuda and the Carribbean...(west, east and southern)

 

POA: The ship is well docorated in Americans themes. The 99% american staff are friendly and couldn't do enough for you. Food, just as good as any other cruise...I didn't do the specialty restaurants.. There two "free" dinning rooms. The "Skyline" is very casual..men and women can wear shorts in the evening. The "Liberty" is more formal...long pants, dresses, etc etc. No one hounds you to purchase drinks around the pool, theather, etc. The shows were very good. But this is a different cruise for most people don't spend much time on the ship. It is a great way to see the Islands however.

 

YES you can bring water, soda, juices on board with NO problem...even when you come back from the ports.

 

There is no casino on the ship, nor a store to purchase alcohol.

 

The ship docks at "Container shipping" ports....except in Kona where you will have to take a tender to shore. Kona is the only port where there are shops/bars restaurants at the pier. All the other ports (including Kona) offer free shuttles to Walmart, Kmart, and other shopping centers within a few miles of the port. The ports are not "pretty" as in the Carribbean.

 

Now here was the big surprise for my group. Hawaii for the most part is cloudy and cool compaired to the Carribbean. (I confirmed this with many locals as I toured the Island) Temps mostly in the mid 70's. If you go up into the mountains, as most excursions do, it will be even cooler. Drizzel is found almost everywhere...but go a few miles and the sun will come out. 2/3rds of the Islands are mostly cloudy...the other 1/3 is the desert side where most of the hotel zones are. The ship does not dock in these areas. If you were to take a bus over to those areas you will see the Hawaii that you probably expect....warm temps..probably around 80 or so, light winds, sunny skies.

Hawaii is very windy...except at the desert areas. Maui in particular.

The water temps are chilly...around 70-75. We went snorkling and the guide informed us to rent swim suits for the water temps were around 70..he was right! It was cold when you snorkel for any length of time.

 

Otherwise a good time... the Island buses are inexpensive to get around..I would suggest them. The cruise receptionist desk is very helpful in choosing the right bus route to get you to your destination.

 

Any question, you can email me. Bring a light jacket..you will probably need it.

Thanks

Mike

[Keith1010]

Mike, thanks for posting your review.

 

Keith

[rockabutzer]

Mike, thanks for posting your review.

 

Keith

 

 

Ditto.

 

DW and I will be there in January. We are planning to put a change of clothes in our carry-on so that we can change into something appropriate for the islands while enroute to Honolulu. That way we shouldn't look like rubes getting off the plane, just gawking tourists. :p

[Carl Nival]

The Lazy J Steakhouse was awful.

 

Jefferson's Bistro was divine.

 

The sushi bar part of East Meets West was bad.

 

The food in the 2 MDRs were great, but the service was hit or miss. When it was great, it was great. When it was bad, it was bad.

 

The Aloha Grill was fine but claustrophobic.

 

The Cadillac Diner was great for breakfast because it was so quiet.

 

The entertainment was so much fun. I loved David Pellegrene, the piano player in Pink's Champagne Bar. Toby Beau was awesome. The only entertainment I didn't care for was "Rock-a-hula", which was stupid.

 

You're right, the ports were butt-ugly except for Kona. Too bad they can't dock in Lahaina on Maui.

 

Hope you had a super time like I did.

[Kapuna]

You are right , we have had a cool start this summer . Mainly due to the strong trade winds which bring cooler air from the northeast . When the winds slack off you will find lots of " tropical " temperatures and humidity in Hawaii !

[MikeACY]

There are many reviews on this site about the POA. I'll give a brief description of what I encountered, as well as some "surprises" about Hawaii in general. (When I say Hawaii, I mean all the Islands the ship docked at) Including this cruise, I have been on 14...the other 13 to Bermuda and the Carribbean...(west, east and southern)

 

POA: The ship is well docorated in Americans themes. The 99% american staff are friendly and couldn't do enough for you. Food, just as good as any other cruise...I didn't do the specialty restaurants.. There two "free" dinning rooms. The "Skyline" is very casual..men and women can wear shorts in the evening. The "Liberty" is more formal...long pants, dresses, etc etc. No one hounds you to purchase drinks around the pool, theather, etc. The shows were very good. But this is a different cruise for most people don't spend much time on the ship. It is a great way to see the Islands however.

 

YES you can bring water, soda, juices on board with NO problem...even when you come back from the ports.

 

There is no casino on the ship, nor a store to purchase alcohol.

 

This was the rockiest ship I have ever been on. Sure on prior cruises we all have had a day or two when the ship rocked, but this rocked every evening. And according to the TV and observations from my balcony, the seas weren't all that bad...slight was the term used on the TV. I'm thinking that this may be caused by the slow speed of the ship. Each Island is approx 120 miles a part. The ship has roughly 12 hours to get there...so the captain cruises the ship at 10 kts...ships tend to be less stable at slower speeds. But what ever the reason, it rocks bad. I can only wonder how bad it must be in the winter when the winds are stronger and the water rougher.

 

The ship docks at "Container shipping" ports....except in Kona where you will have to take a tender to shore. Kona is the only port where there are shops/bars restaurants at the pier. All the other ports (including Kona) offer free shuttles to Walmart, Kmart, and other shopping centers within a few miles of the port. The ports are not "pretty" as in the Carribbean.

 

Now here was the big surprise for my group. Hawaii for the most part is cloudy and cool compaired to the Carribbean. (I confirmed this with many locals as I toured the Island) Temps mostly in the mid 70's. If you go up into the mountains, as most excursions do, it will be even cooler. Drizzel is found almost everywhere...but go a few miles and the sun will come out. 2/3rds of the Islands are mostly cloudy...the other 1/3 is the desert side where most of the hotel zones are. The ship does not dock in these areas. If you were to take a bus over to those areas you will see the Hawaii that you probably expect....warm temps..probably around 80 or so, light winds, sunny skies.

Hawaii is very windy...except at the desert areas. Maui in particular.

The water temps are chilly...around 70-75. We went snorkling and the guide informed us to rent swim suits for the water temps were around 70..he was right! It was cold when you snorkel for any length of time.

 

Otherwise a good time... the Island buses are inexpensive to get around..I would suggest them. The cruise receptionist desk is very helpful in choosing the right bus route to get you to your destination.

 

Any question, you can email me. Bring a light jacket..you will probably need it.

Thanks

Mike

....I forgot to add that the ship rocks bad at night when cruising...

[MikeACY]

....I forgot to add that the ship rocks bad at night when cruising...

 

This was the rockiest ship I have ever been on. Sure on prior cruises we all have had a day or two when the ship rocked, but this rocked every evening. And according to the TV and observations from my balcony, the seas weren't all that bad...slight was the term used on the TV. I'm thinking that this may be caused by the slow speed of the ship. Each Island is approx 120 miles a part. The ship has roughly 12 hours to get there...so the captain cruises the ship at 10 kts...ships tend to be less stable at slower speeds. But what ever the reason, it rocks bad. I can only wonder how bad it must be in the winter when the winds are stronger and the water rougher.

[scordovi]

There are many reviews on this site about the POA. I'll give a brief description of what I encountered, as well as some "surprises" about Hawaii in general. (When I say Hawaii, I mean all the Islands the ship docked at) Including this cruise, I have been on 14...the other 13 to Bermuda and the Carribbean...(west, east and southern)

 

POA: The ship is well docorated in Americans themes. The 99% american staff are friendly and couldn't do enough for you. Food, just as good as any other cruise...I didn't do the specialty restaurants.. There two "free" dinning rooms. The "Skyline" is very casual..men and women can wear shorts in the evening. The "Liberty" is more formal...long pants, dresses, etc etc. No one hounds you to purchase drinks around the pool, theather, etc. The shows were very good. But this is a different cruise for most people don't spend much time on the ship. It is a great way to see the Islands however.

 

YES you can bring water, soda, juices on board with NO problem...even when you come back from the ports.

 

There is no casino on the ship, nor a store to purchase alcohol.

 

The ship docks at "Container shipping" ports....except in Kona where you will have to take a tender to shore. Kona is the only port where there are shops/bars restaurants at the pier. All the other ports (including Kona) offer free shuttles to Walmart, Kmart, and other shopping centers within a few miles of the port. The ports are not "pretty" as in the Carribbean.

 

Now here was the big surprise for my group. Hawaii for the most part is cloudy and cool compaired to the Carribbean. (I confirmed this with many locals as I toured the Island) Temps mostly in the mid 70's. If you go up into the mountains, as most excursions do, it will be even cooler. Drizzel is found almost everywhere...but go a few miles and the sun will come out. 2/3rds of the Islands are mostly cloudy...the other 1/3 is the desert side where most of the hotel zones are. The ship does not dock in these areas. If you were to take a bus over to those areas you will see the Hawaii that you probably expect....warm temps..probably around 80 or so, light winds, sunny skies.

Hawaii is very windy...except at the desert areas. Maui in particular.

The water temps are chilly...around 70-75. We went snorkling and the guide informed us to rent swim suits for the water temps were around 70..he was right! It was cold when you snorkel for any length of time.

 

Otherwise a good time... the Island buses are inexpensive to get around..I would suggest them. The cruise receptionist desk is very helpful in choosing the right bus route to get you to your destination.

 

Any question, you can email me. Bring a light jacket..you will probably need it.

Thanks

Mike

 

By any chance do you have the dailies you can share with us?

[Just4You]

This was the rockiest ship I have ever been on.quote]

 

Warning: don't take a shower when the boat is this rocky or you will have a flood in the bathroom.

[DaisyGoldberg]

I took the cruise in May and it wasn't the least bit rocky, day or night. So it's just a function of that week's particular weather, not the itinerary itself.

[hill6]

Thanks for the review. Just made final payment today on our cruise. Can't wait.

[shadowlover]

I must disagree with the statement about Hawaii's weather. The summer is hot and humid most days unless, as stated, there are trade winds. The trades are very welcome by the locals! Winter months can be a little chilly, if you call low 80's chilly. Don't let one person's experience fool you about the weather. It can rain for a week at a time in Hawaii but that is very rare..mainly just passing windward and Mauka showers (as the news will say on a nightly basis!)