Beagle Feels Sincere "Pride Of America" - A Lengthy Trip Report w/Pics

[Leanduh]

Thx for review, good info, looking forward to more, we are booked for May 19.

[bluesea777]

The POA is the only way to see Hawaii. Cruising in from Vancouver is just too far and not enough time in the islands.

 

wrt to your AA connection, valid connections are anything over 30 minutes. But,,, when you booked the return, the AA website should have warned you that it was a tight connection. An inconspicuous message that says "connection time". We fly to Hawaii often and always give ourselves >1 hour connection to allow for delays over the Pacific.

 

I agree completely with this too, always give an hour!!! ;)

 

Us too, at least an hour when connecting planes within USA, but at least 3 hours when flying into USA from overseas (need to go thru Immigration & Customs, and then TSA again).

 

When we flew home from Honolulu it was via LAX (1 hour 15 layover) and JFK (2 hours). All AA. Before we departed hotel we received email from AA stating the flight from HNL to LAX was delayed 30 mins. When we got to airport, I asked the checkin about the tight connection in LAX, and was told not to worry. Well ... the plane departed 2 1/2 hours late :o, but it SPED to LAX, arriving just 20 mins before our LAX-JFK flight was to leave. The plane pulled into a gate right next to the JFK plane!! As it turned out, there were about 25 people on the plane like us going on to JFK, we deplaned, trotted over to the next gate and re-planed. Our luggage were transferred plane to plane, and we pulled away bang on time. KUDO to AA. All our bags made home with us.

 

Great review and photos, Beagle! Re-living our vacation in Hawaii and on POA!

[Beagleluv6107]

Following and eagerly waiting for your next installment[emoji1]. Loving your review so far. I was trying to decide if the cruise was enough but your experience has helped me change my mind[emoji1]. Thank you and keep writing❤️❤️❤️

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thanks Sjudis,

I can't wait to tell you the rest.

[Beagleluv6107]

Us too, at least an hour when connecting planes within USA, but at least 3 hours when flying into USA from overseas (need to go thru Immigration & Customs, and then TSA again).

 

When we flew home from Honolulu it was via LAX (1 hour 15 layover) and JFK (2 hours). All AA. Before we departed hotel we received email from AA stating the flight from HNL to LAX was delayed 30 mins. When we got to airport, I asked the checkin about the tight connection in LAX, and was told not to worry. Well ... the plane departed 2 1/2 hours late :o, but it SPED to LAX, arriving just 20 mins before our LAX-JFK flight was to leave. The plane pulled into a gate right next to the JFK plane!! As it turned out, there were about 25 people on the plane like us going on to JFK, we deplaned, trotted over to the next gate and re-planed. Our luggage were transferred plane to plane, and we pulled away bang on time. KUDO to AA. All our bags made home with us.

 

Great review and photos, Beagle! Re-living our vacation in Hawaii and on POA!

 

 

Thanks for reading along Bluesea,

So glad you made that connection, although I'm sure you were stressed out to say the least!!

[bluesea777]

Thanks for reading along Bluesea,

So glad you made that connection, although I'm sure you were stressed out to say the least!!

 

:D We weren't stressed out because we booked the whole lot with AA - when I typed in HNL to BDA, they gave us these flights. So if we had missed the JFK flight in LAX, then AA would have to put us into hotel for a night in either LAX or JFK - at their expense. ;p:cool::D

[Beagleluv6107]

Day 3 –Happy Anniversary

 

You know it is going to be the best anniversary ever when you wake up on Waikiki Beach! AND…you’re getting ready to embark on a cruise ship. We did the same routine and sat on the balcony at 5am but this time the sunrise wasn’t gorgeous. It was all cloudy and overcast. I didn’t let that deter me from a good time, so I dragged DH back down to LuLu’s for breakfast at 7am. Only this time… I insisted on drinks first. Look at these amazing blood Mary’s.

 

 

We had another fantastic breakfast and then headed back to the room to pack and get ready for our 11am pick up.

 

 

I also arranged transportation to the port with GO808EXPRESS.The driver called about 10:45am to tell me he was late. That was fine. The only mission of the day was to board the POA and they don’t start until noon. We headed down to the lobby at 11 and it was packed. At least 100 people were checked out and waiting for their bus to take them to the port. Now all of a sudden, I’m competitive and pacing. I couldn’t wait for my driver so I can beat these people. DH shakes his head. My driver showed up at 11:23 and we did beat that bus after all.

 

Here's my first sighting of the POA,

 

I didn’t need to be so competitive, embarkation was quick and easy. From the time we left the hotel to when were sipping our first beer on board was exactly 1 hour.

[Beagleluv6107]

 

 

 

I loved that I got a fresh lei and DH got some beads

 

 

 

We had hoped to drop off our backpacks in our cabin but Norwegian doesn’t allow that. Or at least not on this ship. Everything was roped off and the staff was monitoring the stairs. I haven’t had this issue on Carnival but… I may never have been on a ship this early. Since we had nothing else to do, we might as well go eat. We found our way to the Key West Grill and had some burgers. There was no line and no crowd, and the burgers were quite good.

[Beagleluv6107]

After eating lunch and killing time, we still couldn’t get to our room, so we headed to the Waikiki Bar all the way in the back of the ship. We met David the manager and Samuel. Great friendly bartenders and we enjoyed getting to know them. One word of advice if you are a smoker, do not get on board early. Smoking is only allowed at the Waikiki Bar area but not until after the ship has been refueled which might be 4 or 5pm. This was causing a bit of an issue with some guests.

 

A few random pics.

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

A few more hours ticked by when our floor number was finally called. We were the very last. I couldn’t wait to fling open the door and see what’s up. Especially never having sailed on Norwegian, I was intrigued. We had cabin #10616. The room was fine, the balcony was fine just different. I never had an enclosed balcony before. I think it might hinder the view in pictures, but it didn’t bother me, and DH seemed to like it. It keeps the sun, wind, and rain away, so I guess its better.

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Here’s what I did not like. The bathroom sink. I know the shower is itsy bitsy on all cruises hips but that sink really annoyed me all week. There was no counter space and brushing your teeth or washing your hands and face, you splash water everywhere. It's funny that I mention this because I didn't take a picture of the sink as proof. Sorry about that.

 

 

 

 

 

I think the lifeboat drill was at 4:45pm. It was pretty painless for us. We were placed in the Cadillac Diner. This gave me quite a bit of time to peruse the menu and make mental notes for later. After the drill, we met our room Steward Tamara. She is a real sweetheart and funny. She took very good care of us all week.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Great pictures. I am looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip. I sailed Hawaii on the Wind (yep an old ship but a great ship) back in the day. The DD, DGD, and I are looking forward to our Hawaii vacation.

[Beagleluv6107]

I tried to put this picture in the last post but it disappeared.

Here's a few more random pictures.

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We headed back to the Waikiki Bar for sail away. Another tip if you are a beer drinker is to buy a bucket. It’s cheaper. We averaged $42 for a bucket of 6. I asked another bartender Larry what the cheapest vodka/cranberry would be, and he said with tax and gratuity your paying $12.10 per drink. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the heads-up Larry, I will not be drinking any mixed drinks this week!!! Wow.

We also found the Gold Rush Saloon somewhere along the way.

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We missed the Welcome Aboard show that night. I never looked at my freestyle daily. It was just really nice to sit and watch sail away even if it was after 7pm and dark outside. It also started raining. After the bucket was gone, it was time to head to the MDR for some dinner. We were given a postcard to give to the maître d that said due to our anniversary being today, we would have priority seating.That was fantastic because there was quite the line this night. We were seated immediately. I felt special.

 

For dinner DH had the crab cakes, Caesar salad, and prime rib.

 

 

I had the French onion soup, curry chicken and molten lava cake.

 

 

 

 

 

Everything was fabulous, and we thought that was a good sign of things to come every night for dinner. We aren’t ones to pay for specialty restaurants. As I was digging into that lava cake… here came the waitresses and waiters with an anniversary cake. Then they sang, bless their hearts. I was thrilled. Remember it doesn’t take much to make me happy. I can’t believe they acknowledged our anniversary like that, but the best part was the look on DH’s face. This man was mortified!!!! He couldn’t wait for the singing to be OVER. I still laugh out loud when I think about those few minutes.

 

 

Since I was stuffed, the staff was kind enough to box up my cake for me to take back to the cabin. That was so nice and will give me something to get into in the middle of the night. (which I did by the way). We were seated at 7:40 and having dessert by 8:13 so I thought that was pretty fast and amazing service for the first night.

Next Up...

Day 4 – Rappelling – Do I Really Want To Do This?

[#55worktoplay]

I’m really enjoying your review thanks

 

I have wanted to do this cruise since NCL introduced the Pride of Aloha but the flight and costs have deterred me thus far. I was determined on our 10th anniversary we were going but instead of that we renovated our kitchen. Next year is our 25th Anniversary so we should do it but guess what- two bathrooms need to be renovated. I will ponder it and with any luck after reading your review you will have me convinced. Coming from Eastern Ontario would be quite the flight to get through! I forgot to mention I hate flying.

 

Can’t wait for more!

[Momtocss]

Loving your review! We are booked on this cruise in June for our 25th anniversary. I’m looking forward to reading more.

[CruisinChills]

Loving your review! We are booked on this cruise in June for our 25th anniversary. I’m looking forward to reading more.

 

 

 

We are too! Which sailing are you on?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pe4all]

This tidbit is a little too late to help you - but we dropped our backpacks off at East Meets West, where they hold them (or carryons) for free if you want to get off and explore Oahu a bit more, or just stay on the ship without lugging them around. We were on the ship by 11:30, off again by 12:15 (walked to see the King Kamehameha statue, etc.) and back by 1:30. After 2 pm they move the carryons/backpacks to Guest Services for pickup. They just give you a ticket to hold to reclaim your stuff. Our cabin was ready at 2 pm - our deck was called right in the middle of the pack!

[bluesea777]

Great so far ... keep going!

 

POA id different from other NCL ships. We have been on all NCL ships except Sky, Jewel and of course the new Bliss. Each ship has its pros and cons.

 

POA: the cons are the tiny round shower cubicle WITH CURTAIN, and no casino, and no UBP, otherwise we liked the ship and had good time. We sailed from San Francisco (where she underwent dry dock) to HNL via the islands - 10 days.

 

The POA's pros: CADALLIC DINER - the breakfasts there were the best on all NCL - it was a secret. Our OK cabin was just above it (7612), so we just went down there for our breakfast daily before venturing ashore - quick and the omelettes, toast and coffee were great and hot.

[Momtocss]

We are too! Which sailing are you on?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

We are on the June 16 cruise. How about you?

[CruisinChills]

We are on the June 16 cruise. How about you?

 

Missing you by a week ... we board June 23. Happy anniversary!

[L1211]

Loving your review! I cannot seem to convince myself to plan a return trip to Hawaii. We’ve only been to Maui and would love to cruise to see much more, but those flights... living vicariously through you!! Thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[C cruise]

enjoying your fun report

[bradburleson]

I'm loving your review. We board a week from Saturday (5/19/18) and can't wait! Mahalo and aloha!

[GJustice]

Missing you by a week ... we board June 23. Happy anniversary!

 

We'll be with you on the 23rd!

 

Counting down the days :)