HaoleCanuck

Hi, from my memory there were choices of different wines and prices...we stayed with white wines only different types but the cheaper brands. We bought 8 bottles, so they gave us 8 paper vouchers that we redeem at the bars when needed. We found it convenient this way . If you have any left over tickets you can take the bottles off the ship on the last day. Enjoy your vacation, you will love it.

My mistake , sorry about that, it was Dollar/thrifty shuttle and booth.

We were on the POA in Nov. and rented a car in every port with Thrifty who owns Budget (same shuttle and location) . We never had any lineups at counter nor long waits for shuttles. I would join their Fastbreak program(was called Blue chip for Thrifty) this will allow you to skip lines if there are any. Good luck

Our experience was with the Gypsy app, we payed $39 for all four islands and gave us Imformation and driving tours of the islands. We were very happy with it.

My husband and I were on Pride of America this past November. We are beer and wine drinkers. One beer is $8.00 but if you buy a bucket of 6 beers, the cost was $42.00 . The more bottles of wine you buy the cheaper it becomes...on first day we bought 8 bottles. Came to around $200, one bottle can be 44 something 8 bottles brought it to 26something each. We a Maiti each on first day, $8.00 each. Hubby bought the unlimited pop package for $50ish. Hope this helps

I remember having that dilemma when we were trying to decide which excursion to take back in Nov. I wanted Fairwinds as it takes you to captain cook monument and I heard it was a nicer snorkling site. But did not like having to take taxi there and have to worry how quickly we can get to port with tender. We chose to not stress and go with the cruise excursion with body glove. Having priority to excit the cruise was peace of mind. Loved Body Glove, saw spinner dolphins on way to snorkling site. Was so beautiful and crystal clear, saw sooo many fish and many types . Once done with the excursion had time to enjoy the small beach before taking tender back.

We rented a car for the two days in Maui (a convertable with Thrifty) We bought the Gypsy App for all the islands. Very helpful and informative. Our first day we drove the road to Hana. We stopped many times including a small trail hike at black sand beach. We went as far as the 7 sacred pools, doing a small trail hike there too. We packed a lunch from the buffet (sandwiches , fruit) . We were back at airport to park the car by 4:30 before dark . An 8 hour day.

Day two we were in car by 8 and off to Haleakala . For us this was our highlight of the entire week. It was a clear morning and the views were absolutely stunning . We did a nice hike called "sliding Sands" inside the crater. Totally different than the other craters, wanted to do things that we would not see elsewhere. We drove back down and drove to Hookipa beach to watch the surfers ,having picnic lunch from the lunch we made from the ship ( from home brought zip lock bags and insulated lunch bag and would make sandwiches (sand which station during morning buffet on POA) would get another bag filled with ice to keep lunch cold) .

Had plenty of time to drop car off at airport and back to the ship.

Miss our Hawaii vacation .

I agree that the cruise was more about Hawaii .this was our first cruise . We did not participate in any on ship activities, nor see shows . Only ate at the main dining room once (Buffett the rest of the nights. What we did enjoy at the end of a full day at port was sitting on our balcony with a beer or glass of wine, that’s when saving with special priced packages helps. The pop pkg was still worth it for my husband.

Yes the sofa package was per person. He was given an insulated NCL cup (products are Pepsi) then they gave a new card that had S on it so he had to show his card every time to fill up Cup .(or they provide a cup. He still bought pop during the day on our excursions .

Answering #2 question: my hubby purchased a soda pkg. unlimited pop for $50-55.

You did not ask about alcohol but a bucket of your choise of beer cost $42.00

The more wine bottles you buy the cheaper per bottle it becomes. For example , one bottle may be $40ish, buying 8 bottles brought it around $27 ish.

Our Hawaiin vacation was from Tuesday. November 7th -Tues. November 21 2017.4 days pre cruise 3days post cruise.

Honolulu: Day 1, Arrival, rented car with enterprise. Checked in at Aqua Pacific monarch(2 blocks from beach where King Duke is at. )

Walked beach, explored area.

Day 2: drove to towards North shore, stopping at Dole Plantation, Matsumotos for shaved ice in Haleiwa. Had lunch at Giovani shrimp truck (I think in Kahuku)

TIP: we purchased Gypsy App before travels , very helpful .

Day 3:Hanauma Bay for snorkling in morning, Lanaikai Beach in afternnon(gorgeous beach) . Had first Maiti at House without a Key(Halekelani Hotel) and watched a hula show.

Day 4:Hiked Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor (booked on line a month before for a reservation at 12:00pm to visit the Arizona Memorial. Free parking. Also hiked Manoa Falls.

Cruise Nov.11-18 2017

Day 1: embarkation . was pleased with our starboard balcony room 8180.

Day 2 Maui: took shuttle to airport, rented convertable with Thrifty(easy process). With our gypsy app to guide us, on way to the road to Hana, went as far as the 7 sacred pools . We left at 8am stopped many times (including black sand beach trails) back by 4pm before dark. Parked car at airport for the night and shuttle to cruise.

Day3 Maui: shuttle to pick up rental car, drove to Haleakala , hiked the Sliding Sand Trail(brings you inside crater). Drove to Hoopkepa Beach to watch surfers.

Day 4 Hilo: shuttle to airport for rental car(thrifty) drove to Volcano National park. There is a hotel across from Visitor centre, worth going in and go on the deck,gorgeous view of the crater with steam (a woman on the cruise suggested to go, glad I knew about it) .

Day 5 Kona: tender day. So booked a snorkling excursion from NCL Big Island Snorkling, with Body Glove, was excellent, included breakfast , lunch, water toys,took us to great snorkling site, saw spinner dolphins on the way .spent rest of afternoon on the beach closet to port.

Day 6 Kuai: shuttle to airport for car rental(thrifty) Drove to Waimea canyon checked out several viewing stops. Spent rest of afternoon at Poipu Beach. Parked car at Anchor Cove shopping centre $20 for the night. Walked to the ship from there(easy 10 minute walk) .

Day 7 Kuai: walked to shopping mall early to get car , drove to North shore as far as Ke'e Beach, viewed several beaches and waterfall on way back. Swam at the beach close to port.

Day 8 : Back to Honolulu, embarkation. Grabbed taxi to airport($30) to pick up rental car(enterprise) back to Aqua Pacific Monarch . Beach day on Waikiki.

The next two days before departing Hawaii, we hiked Coco Head, and spent more time exploring the different beaches. Had more shaved ice, ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise and concentrated on souvenir shopping(mostly Christmas presents at the time. My favourite stores were the ABC stores, found at everywhere.

Can't wait to go back

I booked this excursion when we take the cruise in Nov. how was the actual snorkling location? Do you see many kinds of fish?