SissyFace

A few years ago, HAL assigned me an agent ... one of their staff to make or change reservations, answer questions, etc.  I have no idea why.

I don't really need an agent, as years ago - I went through travel agent training myself (for fun!).  But having an assigned person to call ... who knows me - it's handy.

So don't hesitate to call them and ask for an agent.  HAL's website isn't the best ... but I don't think any are particularly user-friendly (including CC). 

Start by identifying your nightly budget.  How much are you willing or comfortable paying per night?  "Medium" does help us much. 

Is being right on the beach important to you?  Across the street?

Do you have a good map of Waikiki?

Where is your ship "docking?"  Kahului or Lahaina?

I need to clarify ... there are "tours" WITHIN the Pearl Harbor complex ... guided or not ... but they are under the purview of the National Parks Service - not part of any commercial bus tour.  Bus tours are simply transportation to and from the main entrance - and they don't give you much time.  You can easily spend all day at Pearl Harbor!  

http://drumsofthepacificmaui.com

Drums of the Pacific is very popular - excellent luau in a great location at the Hyatt resort on Kaanapali Beach.  I would opt for it as an excursion - with no worries!  

Very high praise on the TripAdvisor Maui Forum.  

Maui has a wonderful selection of luau ... better than Oahu, IMHO.

Jo - that fact is ... there are no tours of Pearl Harbor.  Only National Parks Service employees can assist visitors.  Tours are simply, and honestly, a VERY expensive bus ride that guarantees a time-slot for the Arizona Memorial.  That's it!  They rush you in and they rush you out.  

** Pearl Harbor is massive!  Familiarize yourself with the official website (National Parks Service).  You can tour a battleship or submarine ... there are museums ... and a very nice aviation museum as well.  Lovely area.  

So try to get a time reserved on-line ... for the Arizona Memorial.  The Arizona Memorial is the only feature that needs a time-slot ... and honestly, if you arrive super early sometimes you can get lucky.  

For better details - pull up the Island of Oahu Forum on TripAdvisor.  Look at the Top Questions off to the right-hand side of the page - or post questions.  There are some very dedicated responders who will do their best to help you. 

Germaine's - I wouldn't go out of my way or pay big bucks for Germaine's.  When luau are discussed on the TripAdvisor Island of Oahu Forum - Germaine's is close to the end of the preferences.  I would look for a luau closer to Waikiki - or on another Island.   

Keep in mind that Aulani is a resort ... and a smallish one, at that!  No Downtown Disney or rides ... but some cool features, for sure.  Lovely art!  But it's not an amusement park - very little for the general public.     

Any day of the week is crowded in July.  Folks are on vacation.  Aulani will always be busy - but it's not in a metro area.  Very little shopping, few restaurants on site.    

You can check your luggage at Pearl Harbor!  Not a big deal.  You're renting a car, yes?  You will need one for sure.  

Post on the TripAdvisor Forums re: Pearl Harbor.  You will absolutely want time-slots for the Arizona Memorial - and you need to plan ahead.  And early morning is a great idea.  There are wonderful folks on the TripAdvisor Island of Oahu Forum to help you.

I would wait until Monday or a weekday for the North Shore - avoid the weekend.  

Again, there will be no big weekend crowds at Aulani.  It's not a destination like Disneyland/DisneyWorld - and there is very little there for non-guests.

Is your ship offering a luau as an excursion?  I would either opt for that or, if possible, attend a luau on another Island.  

You will be on pins and needles worrying about your timing, returning the car, traffic (oh, yes!) ... and I doubt you will enjoy yourself.  Just getting out of the parking lot can be a chore ... and you don't know your way around, either.  

Budget, please?  In USD.  

There are a ton of hotels on Waikiki.  None, really that are handy to the cruise dock.

Your cruiseline may have a hotel discount package - so check it out and share with us what they are promoting.  

I agree, the Embassy Suites is an excellent choice.  

Also, there are handful of hotels right on the beach, if that is what you want.  

Be careful!  Hawaii hotels have 2 layers of taxes - and often a "resort fee" which is also taxed.  Hotel parking is expensive ... and also taxed.  

On TripAdvisor - the discussion boards - Germaine's generally comes in last.  Caters to large groups - and there are a good handful of other luau that are much better.  

If the Polynesian Cultural Center luau is an option - take it!

I'd grab a cab!  Also - before heading out, have a sound idea of where your tour bus will pick you up.  Ask them for a map.  The Ala Moana (shopping) Center is large and multi-storied/odd levels.  (And boy, do I love it!)  

You can do both - beach and Lahaina.  Easy bus ride or cheap cab ride between the two.  Ka'anapali Beach has Whaler's Village - fun for shops and restaurants.  Resort shops and restaurants are open to public as well. 

I would just focus on Ka'anapali ... but Lahaina is fun to browse as well.  Gets beastly hot, though.   The two areas are very close to each other.  

You don't need a Jeep or convertible.  You don't need sunburn or windburn - that's for sure.  

You need a car with good air-conditioning and a trunk to store your goodies out of sight. 

You may not want a car in Honolulu - it depends on whether you're staying in town or exploring the Island.  Understand that hotel parking can be very pricey, and it is taxed as well.  

I would not rent a car in Hilo - that's the one port where I would take an excursion ... Volcanoes National Park.  You gawk while someone else drives.  

Honestly, be aware of the ship excursion options before renting a car.  I would rather take an excursion to Haleakala or the Road to Hana as a first-time visitor to Maui.  

I would post on the TripAdvisor Hawaii Forum.  They have sub-Forums for each of the Islands as well.  

The posters there can easily field your questions - and they do it a lot!  I used to be a Destination Expert for Oahu - but handled questions for all of the Islands. 

The problem with travel guides (and I love them, too!) - is that they are out of date so quickly.  

First order of business:  Get a good map of the Hawaiian Islands.  There are guidebooks that have pull-out maps in the back.  AAA may have a good map as well

Flying to Montreal tomorrow! Long day!

I'm talking my 4th cruise from Montreal ... on Saturday. And I think HAL is great. Yes, the ships on this route are smaller ... which is why they can sail all the way to Montreal! The fact that the Veendam is "older" means nothing. It has all the bells and whistles. And I really like the cabins in that class of ship. Given that there is only one "day-at-sea" - you're not going to be hanging around the ship a lot anyway. I prefer the smaller ships ... less lines ... quick processes. Not a mob!

How about the Dockyard? Lunch there?

Recommendations for lunch in Hamilton - close to where the Holland America (Veendam-smaller ship) docks. We have two full days and two partial days ... and I would love to catch a meal or two off of the ship.

You can use US currency and coin in Canada ... but your change will be in Canadian money. You don't really want that because 1) Canadian money is worth less than US money and 2) you can't use Canadian money in the US.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my home bank can easily provide me with Canadian money. Just yesterday I spent $247 American to buy $295 Canadian. So start with your own bank and see what they can do for you. You can travel prepared!

There is live entertainment outdoors by the Fiddle ... weather cooperating ...

The excursion doesn't sound interesting to me. I made that cruise going the other direction - last September. Not a whole lot in the area.

(You really can't miss the fiddle. It's right there!)

It seems odd that you would want to buy stuff and lug it on to the ship ... when the ship is full of goodies! I make sure that the front desk knows there is a birthday on board ... and let them take care of you.

Did your cruise line ask if there would be any special occasions on board? I know Holland America does.

Our experience with Canadian Thanksgiving ... was that everything was SLAMMED. The most incredible traffic ... crowds and some closures. There is no way I would book a cruise that intersects with Canadian Thanksgiving. You live and learn.

I have taken Holland America twice and am scheduled for my third trip in early May (can't wait!). Holland America uses smaller ships - and can cruise all the way to Montreal. Is Montreal worth it? Yes! I would never take an east Canada cruise that does not include Montreal. It is magnificent! Since Montreal is either the beginning or end of the cruise, book a couple extra nights there. And yes, it is SO much easier to fly into or out of Montreal.

The other advantage of the smaller ships is that the lines are shorter on the ship ... and getting on and off the ship. It rather spoils you! The smaller ships generally have the larger cruise ship "bells and whistles," only on a little smaller scale. It's more peaceful!

We have also cruised Saguenay on Crystal Cruises. Gorgeous area ... but not really much to see in the little town. I do love Charlottetown and look forward to returning.

The tender ride is short ... and I would ask Ship's staff about "front-sies" for the earliest one. Protocols are different from ship to ship.