POA Tendering in Kona

How long should I expect the tendering process to take? If we are ready to go when the ship is cleared (posted time is 7AM), can we be on land by 8? I'm wondering if we can make it to Kohala by 9:30 to check-in for a 10:00 zipline tour. It is a 1hr 15min drive.

How long should I expect the tendering process to take? If we are ready to go when the ship is cleared (posted time is 7AM), can we be on land by 8? I'm wondering if we can make it to Kohala by 9:30 to check-in for a 10:00 zipline tour. It is a 1hr 15min drive.

Guests who have booked NCL tours will probably get the first tender/tenders. If you have booked independently, you might not get off the ship right away. Will you be renting a car when you go ashore? If so, do factor an amount of time in for that considering many of the people on the tender with you will be wanting to get their rental cars at the same time. As to the actual driving time that day, it is anyone's guess as traffic varies. Just consider these factors and see what you feel comfortable doing.

Not sure how long the tendering process takes in Kona, but if you can be on the road with your rental car by 8 a.m., you should be OK.

Are you picking up your rental at the King Kam Courtyard Marriott across the street from the pier? A quicker but more expensive option than an airport rental.

Is it Hawi that you have to drive to for the zipline?

Is there a later tour that's available? If so, I'd suggest opting for it so that you could have a more leisurely drive along the Kohala coast and stop at a few places of interest along the way - there are some really nice beaches as well, so if you had a lot of time to spare, you could stop at one of them.

How long should I expect the tendering process to take? If we are ready to go when the ship is cleared (posted time is 7AM), can we be on land by 8? I'm wondering if we can make it to Kohala by 9:30 to check-in for a 10:00 zipline tour. It is a 1hr 15min drive.

This information from the August 15 Freestyle Daily for "Kona Day" might be useful for you:

"Tender tickets can be picked up in the Mardi Gras Lounge on deck 6 FWD starting at 6:45 am. Please ensure that your entire party is completely ready to go ashore before picking up your tickets. We will escort you to the tender lobby when your boat is ready. We advise you to allow yourself at least one hour to get ashore."

On our cruise last year, we had Priority tickets delivered to our cabin as a Platinum perk and therefore did not need to pick up tickets. ( Is anyone in your party Gold or Platinum or in a Suite? ). We made our way down to the gangway on our own and were actually put on the very first tender with the crew who were going ashore that day. I think we were ashore about 7:30, but it might have been a little earlier. I would imagine ship tour groups would go ashore somewhere between 8:00 and 8:30 depending on tour start time.

I don't know if this procedure of taking groups down per tender is something new? Maybe it was being done on our cruise and I just didn't realize. But, I would not wait until 6:45 to get in line. I'd be first in line at 6:45 and would definately ask for an eta for your tx number to be on a tender, explaining that you have a 1+ hour drive and a tour to meet. I would also rent from the closest car rental site available and forget a shuttle to the airport.

Thanks to all for the replies. I may change course and do a whale watch on the Kohala coast and zipline in Maui. I feel like the 10am zip (with 9:30 arrival) is doable, but if anything went wrong with tendering or picking up the rental we would be late--we are renting the car at the King Kam to save time, but there could still be a line. If we go with an 11:00 zip time instead, we would only have a two hour window on the back end to return for the last tender, and that makes me nervous. A whale watch is only 2 hours (the zipline is 4). The extra two hours would give us more time to get off the ship and more cushion to return. If we zip on our second Maui day, we can get off the ship early with no tender and have a later on board time as well.

We have several things on our bucket list, and trying to choose the best ports and times that comfortably work is making my head spin! I know I could go with ship excursions and not worry, but we will save a LOT by going on our own!

P.S. We are first time cruisers with NCL and not in a suite (although I really wish I had booked one now), so we won't have any priority. I just thought if we were there for a ticket at 6:45, we might still make it ashore by 8.

Not sure how long the tendering process takes in Kona, but if you can be on the road with your rental car by 8 a.m., you should be OK.

 

 

 

Are you picking up your rental at the King Kam Courtyard Marriott across the street from the pier? A quicker but more expensive option than an airport rental.

 

 

 

Is it Hawi that you have to drive to for the zipline?

 

 

 

Is there a later tour that's available? If so, I'd suggest opting for it so that you could have a more leisurely drive along the Kohala coast and stop at a few places of interest along the way - there are some really nice beaches as well, so if you had a lot of time to spare, you could stop at one of them.

You sound very familiar with the area. As my above post states, I may rethink what we are doing, but if I did a zip at 11, we would return to the retail location at 3. Is this enough time to comfortably make it back to Kona, or is this an area where I could hit traffic and get into trouble? I think the last tender is at 5:00.

We did a 2 week land vacation on the Big Island two years ago, and covered a lot of ground while there. I love the drive that you'll be doing - up to Hawi along the coast - and back down Kohala Mountain Road - it's incredibly scenic! So, I'd keep the zipline in for the Big Island and I'd probably take a chance on the 10 a.m. one.

I get the impression here that a lot of people use their day in Kailua Kona as a relaxation day & to walk around the town and do some shopping ... in which case, you won't have as much competition for the tenders. I also think it would be preferable to have the extra hour to get back to the ship - if you're early, you can spend some time in town.

I think Maui offers better whale watching - i.e. with the number of whales.

I agree with your thoughts on DIY vs excursions - when we cruise we always do our own exploring whenever possible - not only does it save money, but we love the flexibility of going where we want and on our own vs. in a group.

Thanks to all for the replies. I may change course and do a whale watch on the Kohala coast and zipline in Maui. I feel like the 10am zip (with 9:30 arrival) is doable, but if anything went wrong with tendering or picking up the rental we would be late--we are renting the car at the King Kam to save time, but there could still be a line. If we go with an 11:00 zip time instead, we would only have a two hour window on the back end to return for the last tender, and that makes me nervous. A whale watch is only 2 hours (the zipline is 4). The extra two hours would give us more time to get off the ship and more cushion to return. If we zip on our second Maui day, we can get off the ship early with no tender and have a later on board time as well.

 

We have several things on our bucket list, and trying to choose the best ports and times that comfortably work is making my head spin! I know I could go with ship excursions and not worry, but we will save a LOT by going on our own!

 

P.S. We are first time cruisers with NCL and not in a suite (although I really wish I had booked one now), so we won't have any priority. I just thought if we were there for a ticket at 6:45, we might still make it ashore by 8.

I have sailed NCL in Hawaii over 10 times. IF you were to be READY to go, and in line 30 minutes prior for the tender tickets, (not at 6:45a as you state, but 6:15a) you should be off the ship by 8am. I do NOT suggest, you switch your tour ideas. There is NO comparison with whale watching out of Kona- where you might NOT see any, to Maui- where you will have numerous sightings. Far superior.

Sounds like we should definitely keep whale watching in Maui. We will do that. I'm still nervous about missing our start time, so I may decide to zipline on our second Kauai day. I'm just worried that if anything goes wrong with the tendering process, we will lose a lot of money! I may just leave Kona as a take-it-easy and explore day. That will be good, too!

Sounds like we should definitely keep whale watching in Maui. We will do that. I'm still nervous about missing our start time, so I may decide to zipline on our second Kauai day. I'm just worried that if anything goes wrong with the tendering process, we will lose a lot of money! I may just leave Kona as a take-it-easy and explore day. That will be good, too!

I do think you stand a very good chance of getting off the ship before 8:00 if you follow the advice to be first in line to make sure you are on the earliest possible tender.

But, if you feel the loss of money is too much of a risk and decide to cancel, I wonder what the possibility might be for a last minute, morning of, purchase of tickets for your zip tour. If things go well and you get an early start on the road, it sounds like you might be heading in that direction anyway. It sounds like a beautiful drive, and we might check it out next March, thanks, Susan! You could just call them from the road and inquire. Or ask when and if you cancel what the possibility might be for day of purchases.

One other suggestion, if you have not already received it, is to join the loyalty program for whichever car company you are renting from. It makes renting and sometimes returning your car much easier and faster, especially at the Kona airport. When we were in Kona in May we found that "rush hour" traffic was the opposite of what you will be doing...it was going into Kona in the A.M and coming out of Kona in the P.M. Sounds like you have a good plan and will have a great time. Cherie

One other suggestion, if you have not already received it, is to join the loyalty program for whichever car company you are renting from. It makes renting and sometimes returning your car much easier and faster, especially at the Kona airport. When we were in Kona in May we found that "rush hour" traffic was the opposite of what you will be doing...it was going into Kona in the A.M and coming out of Kona in the P.M. Sounds like you have a good plan and will have a great time. Cherie

It is poor advice to recommend anyone rent cars at Kona airport, and especially NOT the recommendation for the op.

My recommendation was to JOIN THE LOYALTY PROGRAM for the rental car company they will be using. OP has indicated that they are renting from the King Kam but my recommendation still goes. I have NOT been to a rental car location that did not give expedited service to loyalty program members. This is just my experience, you are welcome to give your opinion with your experience. I have NOT rented at the King Kam, only dropped a car off there. With a shipload of passengers hitting Kona I would imagine that having a leg up on others renting cars at the King Kam would be advisable, especially when you are on a tight schedule. JMO Cherie

Sounds like we should definitely keep whale watching in Maui. We will do that. I'm still nervous about missing our start time, so I may decide to zipline on our second Kauai day. I'm just worried that if anything goes wrong with the tendering process, we will lose a lot of money! I may just leave Kona as a take-it-easy and explore day. That will be good, too!

If you decide not to zipline you might consider a snorkeling adventure while in Kona. I think the zodiac trips are great and if you rent a car and go towards the City of Refuge there are wonderful snorkel spots where you can take a pic nic lunch and enjoy. I love the Kona coast and hope you get to see a bit more of it. There is a restaurant, Lava Lava, in the Waikoloa area that is a fun spot if you are in that area. Have a great time. Cherie

Thanks so much to all of you. I have decided to zip on our second day in Kauai. For now, I still have the car reserved at the King Kam in Kona, and we may use it to check out some of the other activities you have suggested. Or, we may cancel the car and have a more leisurely day just walking around town and resting. We may need a down day at that point!

Or, we may cancel the car and have a more leisurely day just walking around town and resting. We may need a down day at that point!

Keep the car - you can rest when you get home:) What a shame it would be to miss a great day on the BI!

Keep the car - you can rest when you get home:) What a shame it would be to miss a great day on the BI!

I sooooooooo agree. Cherie

I do get what you are both saying, and I agree! But when traveling with my introverted husband and two kids, some downtime sometimes makes the rest of the trip better! :)

Downtime away from the ship and the town of Kailua Kona would be nice - you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a nice beach or two (you won't get that by staying in town). Go see the petroglyphs and fishponds at the Mauna Lani resort - hang out at Makaiwa Beach. It's only a 45 minute drive north of the port, and you'll drive through miles of dried lava fields - very interesting. If you feel like exploring further - the drive that I mentioned earlier (up to Hawi and back down the Kohala Mtn Road) is one you wouldn't regret doing.

Downtime away from the ship and the town of Kailua Kona would be nice - you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a nice beach or two (you won't get that by staying in town). Go see the petroglyphs and fishponds at the Mauna Lani resort - hang out at Makaiwa Beach. It's only a 45 minute drive north of the port, and you'll drive through miles of dried lava fields - very interesting. If you feel like exploring further - the drive that I mentioned earlier (up to Hawi and back down the Kohala Mtn Road) is one you wouldn't regret doing.

Thank you! Both sound wonderful.

You will have two kids with you? I wouldn't spend a day walking around Kona. I don't know what their ages are, but old enough to zip line, Susan-M has good ideas for a drive, and...the zodiac snorkel tour is sooooooo much fun. I do understand what you are saying about down time, and I do not know the ages of your kids, but....if you max out your shore time they will be ready to enjoy a low key dinner on board and be ready for the next day. I am just remembering cruising with our kids, and all kids are different so I apologize if I overstep what I should say. Think of what they will talk about when they get home, walking through Kona or ? There are about 30 parking spots at the Mauna Kea Hotel reserved for beach goers. This is a great place to relax, snorkel, possibly see turtles, and get some down time. If the free spots are full you can say you are eating at the hotel and valet park. Just a thought. We used the Mauna Kea Beach twice in May, it is lovely. Again, I apologize for expressing my opinion so strongly but we started traveling to the Hawaiian Islands when our children were 8 months old and I do understand the meaning of downtime. All families are different, there is no right or wrong, and I hope you have a fabulous cruise. Cherie

Yes, we will have an 11 and 13 year old. We have very full days planned the rest of the trip, so your beach idea sounds great!

Since some of you have experience with this trip, here are my plans. Let me know if you have suggestions!

Day 1-arrive in Waikiki. Relax on beach.

Day 2-Pearl Harbor

Day 3-North Shore and Polynesian Cultural Center

Day 4-Diamond Head and board POA

Day 5-Io Needle and Haleakala

Day 6-Whale Watching/Lahaina

Day 7- Mary Lou's Tour in Hilo

Day 8- Kona (possible beach day)

Day 9-Wings Over Kauai in morning and explore by rental in afternoon

Day 10-zipline/napali coast sail by

Day 11-disembark/head home

I will speak up in favor of a "down" day in Kona. :) Our kids were 9 and 13 and our nephew was 11 when we went. It was so great not having to set an alarm that morning. We still didn't really sleep in, but it was definitely a more leisurely paced morning. We took our time at breakfast and then headed over on the tender boat with no wait at around 10 AM. We walked all over the town, bought Kona coffee and some other things. Walked up the hill to Long's Drugs for our daughter's Claratin that we'd run out of the previous day in Hilo. We walked along the beach in front of the King Kam hotel over to the replica of a heiau that sits along the wharf.

Around 1 PM we headed back to the ship for lunch and our kids had some pool time. Our younger daughter participated in, and won, the Iron Man competition. So much fun!

Sometimes I look back and think maybe we should have done something, but then I remember how much fun we had that day and I know we made the right choice. For us. :)

Have fun no matter what you decide to do!

I will speak up in favor of a "down" day in Kona. :) Our kids were 9 and 13 and our nephew was 11 when we went. It was so great not having to set an alarm that morning. We still didn't really sleep in, but it was definitely a more leisurely paced morning. We took our time at breakfast and then headed over on the tender boat with no wait at around 10 AM. We walked all over the town, bought Kona coffee and some other things. Walked up the hill to Long's Drugs for our daughter's Claratin that we'd run out of the previous day in Hilo. We walked along the beach in front of the King Kam hotel over to the replica of a heiau that sits along the wharf.

 

Around 1 PM we headed back to the ship for lunch and our kids had some pool time. Our younger daughter participated in, and won, the Iron Man competition. So much fun!

 

Sometimes I look back and think maybe we should have done something, but then I remember how much fun we had that day and I know we made the right choice. For us. :)

 

Have fun no matter what you decide to do!

I totally understand this, which is why I think it will be good for us. On our last cruise, we had one of our best days on an at sea day. My son played on the sport court all day, my daughter enjoyed the kids' club, my husband watched tv, and I read a book on the promenade deck. It was wonderful! I am the type of person who likes to plan and fill every minute with something amazing, but I've learned that sometimes we need a bit of nothing! By the time we get to Kona, we will have been gone from home for over a week. I think we will need a more relaxed day!