POA - Can we get off the ship in Kona and back on in Hilo?

[cruisin'sz]

Does anyone know if we can get off POA in Kona, stay in a hotel overnight and get back on the ship the next afternoon in Hilo? We were thinking about touring VNP at night or climbing (by car )Mauna Kea to see the observatory, since NCL changed its itinerary.

[beachchick]

Pride of America or Pride of Aloha? If PoAl, is it one of the itineraries that goes to Fanning Island? (It can make a difference.) In any case, I don't know, but I'd guess probably yes. Best to check with the cruise line.

 

BTW, just to make sure you know. No one except the astronomers is allowed at the actual summit of Mauna Kea after sunset. You must have a 4-w/d vehicle to drive from the Visitor's Center (9,000 ft) to the summit (close to 14,000) because part of the road is graded gravel and not easy to drive. (Plus, drivers in 2-w/d vehicles who try it can really chew up the grading, making it more dangerous for the astronomers.) Be sure to check conditions that day because you can't always go up to the summit. Also, you'll need to stop for at least 1 hour at the Visitor's Center to acclimate. The University of Hawaii has stargazing every clear night of the year (about 320 of them) at the Visitor's Center using their "portable" but still fabulous telescopes. You'll want to rent a 4-w/d through Harpers unless other rental companies have started allowing their cars to be taken to the summit. As of last year, Harpers was still the only company that specifically allowed it.

 

beachchick

[Spikesgirl]

Touring VNP at night, with the exception of possibly seeing lava down on the cast, isn't much. You really need to be able to see the nature wonders for VNP to make its full impact. If you do go into the park (not on the coast) at night to do any walking around, make sure to take mosquito repellent - they are nasty up there at night.

 

Charlie

[CruisinMK]

Yes you can on the american flagged ships.