Port of Kahului in Maui for the Grand

[AZjohn]

And to try and show on the map (red circled area) is the road we are trying to explain traffic can be backed up due to an accident, fire, construction, etc.

It's a small single lane each way. Locals explained this area is called the "poly" and we can all share our experiences that we had to wait a long-long time to get through on occasions. Not that bad if you are on island time staying there but, wouldn't try if I had to catch a cruise ship.

[Syracusefan44]

In 2019 we took the Road to Hana excursion thru Princess and hit a traffic jam which delayed us getting back to the ship.  The guide mentioned this is the reason why you don’t want to do a private tour since one accident can cause long delays and you will miss your ship. 

[nocl]

1 hour ago, AZjohn said:

And to try and show on the map (red circled area) is the road we are trying to explain traffic can be backed up due to an accident, fire, construction, etc.

It's a small single lane each way. Locals explained this area is called the "poly" and we can all share our experiences that we had to wait a long-long time to get through on occasions. Not that bad if you are on island time staying there but, wouldn't try if I had to catch a cruise ship.

It is a bit better these days since they put in the bypass around Lahaina.  Though there is still the section right at the point that can be problematic.  You can get back to the port going the other way past the Ritz Carleton (takes about 2.5 hours)  via a narrow windy round kind of like the road to Hana type.

[Redwing55]

On 12/2/2021 at 4:17 PM, Syracusefan44 said:

In 2019 we took the Road to Hana excursion thru Princess and hit a traffic jam which delayed us getting back to the ship.  The guide mentioned this is the reason why you don’t want to do a private tour since one accident can cause long delays and you will miss your ship. 

Not trying to steal this thread, but was the excursion worth it?  We're looking to book it.

TIA

[cr8tiv1]

And this is why whale watching is from the other side of Maui…missed opportunity by Princess. 
 

 

 

 

[caribill]

On 12/2/2021 at 3:05 PM, AZjohn said:

 

Map looks like a person on their knees.

[Syracusefan44]

7 hours ago, Redwing55 said:

Not trying to steal this thread, but was the excursion worth it?  We're looking to book it.

TIA

My wife and I really enjoyed the Road To Hana excursion with stops at a state park, black sand beach, and a waterfall.  It is a long day in the car and beware if you get car sick due to the 600+ curves (the guide let my wife sit in the front seat and she was fine).  The only disappointment was we did not get much time in Hana but could have been due to the traffic at the outset of the excursion in town.

[Syracusefan44]

My wife and I switch from the 1/19/22 cruise to Hawaii to the 2/13/22 voyage.
 

We had the Haleakala National Park & Maui Ocean Center excursion booked on the 1/19/22 cruise but when we search the 2/13/22 cruise Princess does not offer any excursions to the Haleakala National Park.

 

Has anyone heard why Princess is not offering excursions to Haleakala on the 2/13/22 voyage?

[caribill]

14 hours ago, Syracusefan44 said:

My wife and I switch from the 1/19/22 cruise to Hawaii to the 2/13/22 voyage.
 

We had the Haleakala National Park & Maui Ocean Center excursion booked on the 1/19/22 cruise but when we search the 2/13/22 cruise Princess does not offer any excursions to the Haleakala National Park.

 

Has anyone heard why Princess is not offering excursions to Haleakala on the 2/13/22 voyage?

 

Have you asked Princess?

[cr8tiv1]

Most interesting observation.  The Tour to Maui Ocean Center is 3 hours (10-1).  The tour to Haleakala is 8:45 - 12:45 (4 hours).  I'm basing this on 4/10 cruise.  Port time is 7 AM to 6 PM.

 

Speculations:

 

1.  Is this your final island port?  

2.  Princess could not arrange one bus for both tours?  

3.  Driving time alone is 2:17 minutes with no traffic.

   https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Kahului+Airport+(OGG),+Keolani+Place,+Kahului,+HI/Park+Headquarters+Visitor+Center,+Haleakala+Highway,+Kula,+HI/Maui+Ocean+Center,+The+Aquarium+of+Hawaii,+Maalaea+Road,+Wailuku,+HI/Kahului+Airport,+1+Keolani+Pl,+Kahului,+HI+96732/@20.8234168,-156.5173744,11z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x7954c9dcecbb324f:0x3bd5f56708dc1aad!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954d2b01b8e0419:0xc35ea962dd1a9041!2m2!1d-156.4360744!2d20.894598!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954c9dceb584fe7:0x78519543b84f347f!2m2!1d-156.2466925!2d20.7594454!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954d130a0c031b3:0xad1cd589958ba5c8!2m2!1d-156.5121616!2d20.7926322!1m5!1m1!1s0x7954d2b01b8e0419:0xc35ea962dd1a9041!2m2!1d-156.4360744!2d20.894598!3e0

4.  Is Princess not willing to "chance" getting caught up in traffic (bottle neck highway)?

5.  Is this why Princess is not offering a ride to Lahaina?

6.  Is Maui still not ready for cruise ships?

 

So many questions, and very few answers.

 

PS....Still no word from the state regarding opening up cruising in January or dates in 2022.

[azbirdmom]

We were at the Wharf Center in Lahaina yesterday and the bus from there to the big shopping center in Kahului is still running.  Of course if one chooses to do this they should allow plenty of time to transit back to the ship.  Here's the route https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8643/Lahaina-Islander-Route-Map-?bidId= .  It's route 20, Lahaina Islander and here is the current schedule https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4353/Bus-Fixed-Route-Schedule?bidId= .   Cost is $2 per trip.

[Bgwest]

16 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

6.  Is Maui still not ready for cruise ships?

 

We are checking all the appropriate news sources several times a day anticipating a(n)(positive) answer 

[cr8tiv1]

@Syracusefan44, I just spotted it on March 10 voyage.  8-2:30 (6.5 hours) $240 pp. You are spending a lot of time on the road.  I've been to Haleakala several times.  It is spectacular for sunrise and night star gazing.  Other than that, it is just another crater.  You might see Nene Goose (state bird) or Silver sword plants in bloom.  But other than that....it's a big hole in the ground.  

 

Depart From Ship To Haleakala

Transport type: Air Conditioned Motorcoach

Travel time: 00:50

Time at site: 00:20

Free time at site: 5

Restroom available: Yes

Shopping available: No

 

Arrive At Haleakala National Park Headquarters

Transport type: Air Conditioned Motorcoach

Travel time: 01:00

Time at site: 00:25

Inside visit: Yes

Walking distance: 10

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

Restroom available: Yes

Shopping available: Yes

 

Visit To Crater Rim

Transport type: Air Conditioned Motorcoach

Travel time: 00:20

Time at site: 00:30

Walking distance: 100

Restroom available: Yes

 

Visit To Maui Ocean Center

Transport type: Air Conditioned Motorcoach

Travel time: 01:30

Time at site: 02:00

Inside visit: Yes

Walking distance: 150

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

Restroom available: Yes

Shopping available: Yes

 

Re-Board Motorcoach For Return To Ship

Transport type: Air Conditioned Motorcoach

Travel time: 00:40

[nocl]

On 12/13/2021 at 5:11 PM, Bgwest said:

We are checking all the appropriate news sources several times a day anticipating a(n)(positive) answer 

Not looking good with no word on agreements 6 days before Christmas, doubt anything happens between 24 and 2nd.

 

Now, in addition, Hawaii Health Department Officials are talking about cases growing and the potential for increasing restrictions.

 

Not encouraging for Jan Hawaii cruises.

 

How about a 15 day cruise to Costa Rica and Huatulco (great lobster tacos there).

[Bgwest]

3 hours ago, nocl said:

Not looking good with no word on agreements 6 days before Christmas, doubt anything happens between 24 and 2nd.

 

Now, in addition, Hawaii Health Department Officials are talking about cases growing and the potential for increasing restrictions.

 

Not encouraging for Jan Hawaii cruises.

 

How about a 15 day cruise to Costa Rica and Huatulco (great lobster tacos there).

Thanks, Pollyanna!

[cr8tiv1]

Hawaii Covid positive numbers are rising quickly. From low 100 a week ago to over 900 today.  The “good news” is that the numbers are mostly community spread.  Very little to none from visitors to the island.  
 

The delay for opening cruise ship travels “seem to be” getting the Safe Travels app up and running (include entry by water).  Just hope Hawaii is not using the creators of the MedallionClass app to fine tune the working Safe Travels app (sarcasm if not recognized).

Edited December 20, 2021 by cr8tiv1

[Astro Flyer]

On 12/19/2021 at 4:33 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

Hawaii Covid positive numbers are rising quickly. From low 100 a week ago to over 900 today.  The “good news” is that the numbers are mostly community spread.  Very little to none from visitors to the island.  
 

The delay for opening cruise ship travels “seem to be” getting the Safe Travels app up and running (include entry by water).  Just hope Hawaii is not using the creators of the MedallionClass app to fine tune the working Safe Travels app (sarcasm if not recognized).

Checking the Hawaii Travels website they have recently added a cruise information option. That’s an encouraging step but as you know there’s no local news discussing the resumption of Hawaii cruises which isn’t encouraging to me.

 

 

[MishelleMcc]

We registered (just now) and this came up at the end.  So either Princess or us, individually, will be required to complete this step.  What do you all think?

[nocl]

11 minutes ago, MishelleMcc said:

We registered (just now) and this came up at the end.  So either Princess or us, individually, will be required to complete this step.  What do you all think?

Same process as by air so one would expect each passenger would need to cpmplete within 24 hours of arrival at the first port.

[kiwimum]

Our daughter was in Honolulu last week with her band at a large resort for an event.   Arrived Monday and left Thursday, fully vaccinated, tested negative on Sunday before leaving.  Monday after arriving home she and several of the band tested positive.   

[caribill]

19 minutes ago, nocl said:

Same process as by air so one would expect each passenger would need to complete within 24 hours of arrival at the first port.

 

So 100% of the passengers need Internet access to do this in that 24 hour period.

 

a) For those who did not purchase Internet access, will Princess provide it free for this purpose?

b) Last time we were on Princess to Hawaii the Internet did not work much of the way across the Pacific including the day before reaching Hawaii. (However, the ship did not have MedallionNet technology at that time.)

[cr8tiv1]

12 minutes ago, kiwimum said:

Our daughter was in Honolulu last week with her band at a large resort for an event.   Arrived Monday and left Thursday, fully vaccinated, tested negative on Sunday before leaving.  Monday after arriving home she and several of the band tested positive.   

 

I am so sorry your daughter and her friends tested positive.  Hawaii is spiking badly.  Wishing her a speedy recovery.

[ProfMHC]

Also just registered. Now let’s see what happens. It’s definitely day-to-day.

[MishelleMcc]

7 hours ago, kiwimum said:

Our daughter was in Honolulu last week with her band at a large resort for an event.   Arrived Monday and left Thursday, fully vaccinated, tested negative on Sunday before leaving.  Monday after arriving home she and several of the band tested positive.   

Oh I am so sorry!   Hopefully they all recover well!!

 

7 hours ago, caribill said:

 

So 100% of the passengers need Internet access to do this in that 24 hour period.

 

a) For those who did not purchase Internet access, will Princess provide it free for this purpose?

b) Last time we were on Princess to Hawaii the Internet did not work much of the way across the Pacific including the day before reaching Hawaii. (However, the ship did not have MedallionNet technology at that time.)

Very good point!  Not everyone will have internet!  However, Our trip to Hawaii in Dec 2019 on the Grand did have MedallionNet and it was the best internet we've experienced on a cruise ever!

 

1 hour ago, ProfMHC said:

Also just registered. Now let’s see what happens. It’s definitely day-to-day.

Yippee!  Yes, fingers still crossed but we are feeling like we are really going to be able to go to Hawaii!!!!

[ProfMHC]

Just got updated schedule email. Looking even better!