Some questions

[BNguy]

Hello all,

I'm going to apologize in advance for these questions. This is our 2nd cruise and first one on HAL. We are so looking forward to it yet in my quest to make sure it's a good one I've not been able to really find the answers I need. My wife and I are sailing on the Amsterdam, May 5 on a round trip to Hawaii from Seattle. It's in part a celebration of our 30th annivesary. Enough setup here are the questions.

1. I've read many places about on board liquor and from what I can determine, you can't buy it on board for comsumption on board. Can you, however, order it ahead of time and have it be in your room for on board consumption? I've tried to find that answer on the HAL website and can not seem to a solid answer.

2. Of course I would love to treat my wife to the Pinnacle Grill, we intend to do it at least once, if we go twice will the menu be the same?

3. Finally, this is my 2nd time in Hawaii and my wife's first. The first time for me was on business (really it was!). I'm thinking of renting a car in Hilo, on Maui and in Honolulu. Are there rental agencies at the cruise docks in those locations or do you have to get out to the airport to get your car?

Thanks for any and all answers, and again I apologize if these are repeat questions but as much searching as I've done has not resulted in solid answers.

BNguy, 82 days and counting

[K&RCurt]

You can buy liquer ahead of time through ship's services or onboard through roomservice. What you can't do is buy alcohol from the DUTY FREE shop for consumption in you room. That will be put aside for you and brought to your cabin on the last night.

The Pinnacle grill menu does not change. If you book ahead for the first night, and see enough menu choices for a second visit, you should be able to book another night while on board.

Never been to Hawaii so can't help with that.

[Southbound]

In case you didn't spot this while searching for the info you're seeking, you can dine at the Pinnacle the first night of your cruise for half price, i.e., $10 p.p. instead of $20 p.p. To take advantage of this deal, you must call ship's services in advance to make a reservation and charge it to your credit card at that time.

Have a great cruise! :)

[dakrewser]

No need to apologize, they're very good questions - something lot's of first timers should ask (and regret not asking :) ).


The answers you've gotten are spot on and, unfortunately, we've only flown to Hawaii so can't help on the car question.

If no one chimes in, you might just call Hertz or Avis and ask about the various ports you're interested in, though. I jnow that Hertz, for example, has a dozen or so pickup points on Maui.

[the2ofus]

There was quite a bit of discussion on the Ports of Call board a while back. There are no pick ups at the pier in any of the ports you mentioned. There are shuttle vans which take you to the airports or other rental spots. Best to call ahead to reserve the type of vehicle you want.

Make sure you understand what the van schedules are. With some of the rental companies, the vans are on their schedule, not yours, and you can spend a lot of time waiting at both ends of the shuttle trip.

[BNguy]

I just wanted to thank you for answering my questions, this is what makes the board a good place to be. :) And to Southbound, I did see that post about the first night on board in the Pinnacle Grill, thanks again.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You can also buy a alcohol for in-cabin consumption once you are on the ship. You can order it through cabin service or go to any bar to buy a bottle. The price will be the same.

Once in a while the Pinnacle will have an evening special. It is never announced.

[Cuttle]

Last year on the same cruise - the Amsterdame from Seattle - we decided to rent a car at the last minute after we had disembarked. We were not docked at the usual Aloha Tower but at a couple of piers away with not the same facilities. We had not taken a cell phone ashore and we finally found ONE phone to phone a car rental agency. They would come and pick us up to take us to their office. We waited for a long time and even phoned again (that is a experience in itself, as we all probably know!). Finally the shuttle arrived. The van took us right down into the heart of Honolulu - a fairly long ride. After signing for the vehicle it was now approximately 11.00 a.m. - at least two hours from the time we had first phoned.

Just be prepared for a wait for the pick up. If you have access to a cell phone use it. We drove round the island but had to have the car back by 4.30 I think it was if we wanted a shuttle to return us to the ship.

So pre arrange for the car if you can and hopefully someone will be waiting for you as you get off the ship.

[BigDogMom]

On the HAL website, under Onboard Experience, there is a drop down menu. Go to Gifts and you will find the order forms for gifts and wines. The soda cards and Pinnacle Grill in on the form. There doesn't seem to be hard liquors but a fairly extensive wine list to order from. Just have what you want sent to you cabin as a gift.
We ordered the 6 bottle wine package once and the mix up worked in our favor. There were 6 bottles of wine in our room on embarkation. The next night, at dinner the Sommelier asked us to sign a receipt for the wine. OK, no problem. We thought that was for the wine in the room. Each night at dinner the Sommelier asked us which wine we would be choosing for that night. Apparently, HAL did not know we had the 6 bottles in the room and gave us 6 more. On a 10 day cruise, it worked out great for us! OUt TA also sent us 2 bottles of champagne so we were drowning in wines!

[CDRMark]

If you e-mail HAL, they will respond with the wine and alcohol availability lists so you can order ahead of time. They are fairly extensive. Have a great cruise.
Cheers
MarkB

[Sea Island Lady]

We hired a car service to chauffer us around the islands . Well worth the cost to have a personal guide, and to avoid having to drive ourselves in all the unfamiliar places. We had a full stretch limo in Maui...very interesting when we were negotiating those curves of the mountainous terrain.:eek:

[Lefty Bob]

Sea Island Lady
Which car service did you use?
Lefty Bob

[Sea Island Lady]

Lefty - I am terrible with names and should have saved all of my correspondence. There are several recommendations on the Hawaii board if you take a look over there.
I believe one company was called Star Limo - Maui, it was pre-arranged. The others were picked up at the ports.

[cruzingqueen]

Krazy Kruizers - i just saw you are going on the Volendam soon. Would you please tell a bartender "hello" for me? He just returned to the ship after a lengthy vacation and I'm sure it was hard to go back to work...LOL, something we all have in common. Anyway, if you see a bartender named "Loderick" (or "Derick" for short), please tell him Lisa said hello and welcome back. He's got alot of magic tricks he does at the bar...maybe he'll show you some. Have a great time and thanks!