Sailing on POA and not going ashore...

[Silver Sweethearts]

We live in Hawaii and have also stayed on all of the islands the Pride of America visits, but we felt it might be interesting to sail to those islands. If we were to mainly stay on the ship in each port rather than taking excursions, would there be enough to do during the day to occupy us? Do many people usually stay aboard while in port? Mahalo for any information you can give us.

[Ilovesailing]

No this cruise as it's very very port intensive and expensive for most folks therefore they make the most of each. The days are long and your up early morning to get breaky and get off ship for whatever.

The ship will be very quiet with not much to do but sun swim read etc. I think evan one of the main dining rooms will be closed for lunch.

Because of no casino which I'm sure you know this also makes the cruise somewhat expensive.

 

I will say that it's a beautiful ship.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Ilovesailing

[Sauer-kraut]

There is a good reason to stay on the ship. My parents did a Hawaii cruise a few years ago and the State of Hawaii brings cultural ambassadors on board to give presentations. Since you live in the state it might not be information you are unfamiliar with, but the lectures and demonstrations were very enlightening for my Mom.

 

My parents being somewhat elderly just got off the ship and walked around the port, or took a public bus into the port city but were always on the ship for lunch. The ship will be very empty, but what a great way to stay away from crowds. The pool will be empty and you will have the ship to yourselves.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time!

[yankees111]

I have been on this cruise and the ship will be like a ghost town during the daytime. Think of it like a floating hotel. Definitely not a normal cruise and not one I would recommend if not doing excursions at each port.

[mking8288]

Well, if OP don't mind and especially if they can get a kamaʻaina rate during slower months - why not ? Except, what to do when it overnight in Maui - stay on the ship for lunch & get a ride home for dinner and get back onboard to catch the entertainment. Factor in the cost/value of overnight lodging & meals, and free use of the fitness center (most will be busy & off the ship during the day.)

 

There's always something happening on the ship while it is docked, it will be busy early at breakfast time - so, enjoy a leisure sit-down breakfast in the MDR (hours might be shorter than usual) but lunch would likely be buffet only or at the diner (which also has limited hours) but dinner is pretty much like most cruises. Local friends from the Big Island or Kauai can come by the pier to meet & pickup the OP for a bit of hospitality. Or, enjoy the pool & the spa with port specials.

 

Sort of a hybrid CTN for 7 days, and if it's a good deal for OP, just do it - let someone else worry about the cooking & daily iiving routines. Internet access will be free using one's own home cellular connections - a floating hotel at sea. Mahalo.

Edited June 8, 2015 by mking8288

[BeachMartini]

Let me just say how jealous I am and how lucky you are that you live in Hawaii. We spent time in Maui and Kauai last year and it was just amazing in every way.

[kapoho2]

We also live in Hawaii and if you check my signature you will see that we have done an inter island cruise 8 times and we just got off another on the RCCL Legend of the Seas that started in Ensenada and cruised trans Pacific and then spent 4 days in the islands. I have not updated my signature yet :o. We love it!! We can always find something new to do on each island if we want to. But, most of the time we do the same things. For instance, in Kona, we ride the tender ashore and stroll down the street to our favorite "watering hole" and have a drink or two. On this last cruise, in Hilo, we jumped on the Walmart shuttle to quickly pick up something we forgot, had a drink in Kona, and never got off the ship in Lahaina or Kauai. The ship is very quiet and the pool is delightful when it is less crowded. We call it our private yacht!!! There is always someplace open for dining. And, you would be surprised how many folks do not disembark at each port. Obviously, it is our vacation of choice. We like the 35 minute flight to and from Oahu as opposed to the cost and time of flying to the mainland. It is a way for us to squeeze in another cruise now and then....booking an inside cabin to keep the costs down. It is a very relaxing time for us.....no cooking, cleaning, or responsibilities of any kind for the week.

Edited June 8, 2015 by kapoho2