Waimea'sMom

I just pulled my confirmation from Princess for the Jan 18th Emerald sailing and it says that the final is due Nov 4. Perhaps your TA advised you of the earlier date to make sure it wasn't late? So, you still have a few extra days to find a better deal or cancel if this ebola thing blows up.

 

I just did a dummy booking on that sailing and there are inside cabins now for 349.00.

I sure wish my cruises would go on sale. I have two upcoming that don't have final payment made yet, but the current price has gone up since my booking.

I am a bit of a germaphobe anyway so I plan on still taking all three upcoming cruises - and using lots of sanitizer and hand washing, as always.

We did hit the jackpot this time. We all had suites so we ate in Crown Grill on embarkation night, had breakfast in Sabatini's every morning, and scored the Chef's Table as a group. But I say again, just the offer of a complimentary dinner was much appreciated, even if not utilized.

I must be alone on this one. I would much prefer having a dinner for my spouse and I to use privately rather than attending the luncheon or cocktail party. I don't usually get to attend -- only have gone to the luncheon 3 or 4 times and a the cocktail party once (which I actually much prefer since you can mingle), but depending on the company at your table they can either be quite enjoyable or quite boring.

I do distinctly remember one luncheon though where our officer (the ship doctor got called away) so we were unchaperoned. Left to our own devices, we had two far right wing table mates and a couple of far left wing table mates that got into an argument about the President. The poor Captain Circle hostess was beside herself. I casually mentioned it to her on the way out and she fretted "Oh dear, they told me never to let Americans talk about religion or politics." That was definitely not a boring lunch though. :)

I always take my iPad and iPhone on every cruise. But I usually turn off my iPhone until in port (if in the US). I use the iPad for all my internet on the ship -- though usually do it early in the morning or late at night when the speeds are faster since fewer people are using ship internet then.

Take this with a grain of salt from someone that lives in San Pedro - the area around 1st and Gaffey is very sketchy. I always hate having visitors drive through that part of town as it reflects very poorly on the area as a whole. Believe it or not, San Pedro is not all medicinal marijuana, homeless folks and liquor stores, but that is what you would think if you were in that part of the neighborhood.

I have had many people not know there are actually very nice parts of Pedro closer to Western (where I live) due to their perception of this area where the 110 freeway terminates...and where the Best Western is located. I have never stayed there or even visited it. But I would never consider it for my friends or family purely based on its location.

To the contrary, the waterfront area is a little nicer and I would encourage people to pick a hotel closer to that part of town. Just a local's two cents.

Hi there, we have taken the cruise to Hawaii on princess once before and will be doing it in Dec of this year again. For those of you that have done this cruise, which port stop was it where you docked in the area where you had to take the bus into town. There was almost like an industrial area? I don't know maybe I was dreaming it, but remember having to take a bus and it just took you to a mall type place with a Sears and a souvenir shop.

Hilo, most likely. The port is very industrial and there are a lot of buses that go to either Hilo Hattie (in a mall shopping lot next to Sears) or Walmart. I know, why would people go to Walmart in Hawaii? You will be surprised how full those buses get - lots of crew stocking up too. One note about those buses, Hilo Hattie and the mall are directly across the street from Walmart and Target, so take whichever bus comes first.

A couple of years ago, when the Red Sox and Rays were playing each other in the ALCS it was televised in the cabins, satellite permitting. I have seen football regularly on MUTS and in the Explorers Lounge but never baseball. Admittedly though I have only traveled during the divisional series and league championship series, not the World Series.

I am a big fan of their chicken panini. I often will skip the dining room for dinner if I had a big lunch and just have one of those for my dinner instead. I do remember that there was one sailing on the Golden where the chocolate doughnuts were divine. It got so bad that I was having one every morning -- and the very sweet gentleman behind the counter knew it because each morning he would say -- with a grin -- when he saw me, "Chocolate doughnut madam?"

Thankfully (for my waistline) I have never found the doughnut to be as good on other sailings, and have been one and done. I am terrified of trying the cronut on my upcoming sailing though. If it is as good as some I've had in the past I may be back on the doughnut a day diet.

As of 9/20 on the Coral Princess MUTS showings will be:

 

Godzilla (2014): Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe. Directed by Gareth Edwards. PG-13, 123 min.

 

Maleficent (2014): Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning. Directed by Robert Stromberg. PG, 97 mins.

Ooh, Maleficent. I meant to see that in the theater but never made it out to see it. I'm really hoping that is still playing in December -- though in the Princess Theater. I am not a fan of MUTS but do like seeing the movies in the theater on sea days.

I'm a woman, not a man, but I always take multiple Aloha shirts with me on the Hawaiian cruise. In fact, usually I wear one each night to dinner (not formal night of course). I have a lot of ukuleles, so many of my shirts have an ukulele theme. I have one with the print of my alma mater (Fight on USC!) and a couple floral ones. My main problem is that it is hard to find interesting ones in women's cuts so I usually have to end up buying men's to get the patterns I like -- then they are too long and the sleeves also are too long.

As far as people who don't like it -- ehh, who cares? I don't like half the clothes I see people wearing, but as long as they are not indecent, it is none of my business. If they like them that is all that matters.

You chimed in...but still no word? Miss you guys. Come on Princess. We are all hanging on by a thread.

It is annoying to me that we still don't know which duo will be where -- or even if the Hawaiian Cultural program will continue. But as irritating as it is to me, I can only imagine how disconcerting it must be to both couples. They still don't know and cannot plan their lives. I suppose while they probably have a ship preference, the main thing is to know they have a contract coming. I wish Princess would get on the ball and let them know. It is only a couple of months away now, with final payments approaching on some of these cruises.

I would only go on the Grand this year (I am taking it in both December and February) since I live in San Pedro, and it would make no sense to fly to SF. But if I lived anywhere other than one of those two cities, I would definitely choose the ship that Elua is assigned to. I am sure the other couple is very talented and are lovely people, but Dave and Leialoha have added immeasurably to our enjoyment of this itinerary, and are a large part of why we keep repeatedly taking this sailing.

We always sail the Hawaii itinerary the first two weeks of December. The ship is always beautifully decorated -- particularly the atrium area. Christmas carols are also playing over the loudspeaker. I do miss some of the stuff at home but I always really enjoy sailing that time of year. We have a small artificial tree in our cabin -- with the mini lights installed and plug it in occasionally. And I usually bring eggnog and hot chocolate on board with me -- all the better to enjoy the decorations.

Unlike most of the Princess ships, which have the gym over cabins, the Royal has the Gym over the Horizons Cafe. As such no cabins would be impacted by noise from the Gym.

What a dream come true! We go to the gym daily to combat cruise calories and are always there when they open - which on the 7am ships makes it difficult to make dining room breakfasts. I am always glad to get a 6am ship but even then, to guarantee a treadmill we often are waiting in line outside the door by 5:30. 8am would drive me crazy!

My mother was once almost knocked down by someone racing through the spa hallway to get inside first. What I wouldn't give to have it be 24/7 so we could avoid the stampede and also get it over with first thing in the morning - without sacrificing dining room breakfasts.

Basic economics, supply and demand, also inflation.

 

Btw it isn't comparing apples to apples, as it isn't the same ship or same year.

 

They will always charge more farther out, before actual payment is made, to make maximum profit, and none if the prices mean squat until final payment is made anyhow, where ther have the real passengers and staterooms are booked.

Actually, I have a friend that just made final payment on the November sailing. She got her Caribe balcony for $2199 on a sale and it is currently selling for more than that. I suppose they could have a sale after the fact but prices have increased as time has gone on.

I think you need to find a different travel agent; one who discounts. We are booked for Feb, 2015 and are paying about the same that you paid in Nov, but are in a BD balcony on Caribe deck, not a mini suite.;)

But in your very own statement you are admitting you paid the same for a balcony that the OP did for a minisuite.

I have sailed this itinerary ten times, always in a balcony or minisuite, for as low as $1799 per person. I am currently booked on it in both December and February and already paid for my December sailing but they currently want $2399 for my February booking. To be honest, I am not sure if I am willing to pay that.

It is beyond frustrating to me that they have not disclosed if they will continue the Hawaiian ambassador program, and if so, which couple will be assigned to each ship. We adore Dave and Leialoha and have enjoyed sailing with them nine times now, but I am certainly not going to fly to SF to sail with them when I live in San Pedro. That being said, it would have been nice to have known where they would be. And while it is mildly annoying to us, I cannot imagine how disruptive it is to them since THEY don't even know yet.

A vote for Elua on the Grand in December (and February) please!

Oh no!!! I love cronuts and will be on the Grand in December and February. Looks like I have to log extra time in the gym every day now!

I always wear a lanyard because I don't want to carry a purse onboard. Though I do need to be more careful because at least once or twice a cruise I end up demagnetizing my cabin card on my ipad by accidentally brushing them against each other.

Perhaps I need to get one of those laminated sleeves (rather than just punching a hold in the card) to keep the card safe from being deactivated.

I actually had D727 on an upcoming cruise and today switched it to E727 because I wanted the fully covered balcony on my minisuite.

Does any one know (speculate) why Princess has decided to mix up the ships? (that being a rhetorical question: bottom line is the dollars). It was my understanding that Princess really had the Hawaiian Cultural Experience locked down with the very best program amongst all the cruise lines that cruised to the islands (including NCL).

 

I do not know Makani E, but I know that Dave Cole and Elua put an enormous amount of effort into their voyages to make it the best experience possible. I am really impressed with Dave Cole's knowledge of the islands and his lectures are outstanding.

 

In my opinion, Princess is messing with what was once a very good thing. I hope they understand the ramifications of making such changes. Just read the boards. You have many repeat cruisers on this itinerary.

Ditto. I've done the Princess Hawaii run 10 times from LA (9 of them with Elua) and the NCL Pride of America a few times as well. There is truly no comparison between the two Cultural programs. For starters, there is no ukulele on the Pride (or wasn't the last time I took it). The hula is also a lot more basic with very goofy songs -- the ambassador was a very nice man, but he doesn't do the lectures or the extent of the cultural stuff Princess did. The only thing better culture wise was the orchid lei making -- that was WAY better than on Princess. But otherwise, it was not even close.

I am so disappointed they changed the number of sailings -- even into next year. I also notice the prices are MUCH higher than they used to be -- probably due to scarcity of this itinerary. I currently have bookings for both December and February on this itinerary but I agree, I think they are messing with a good thing. And if it means the two duos are unable to be there, it will be even more of a letdown -- these boards are filled with folks singing their praises.

That being said, I'm still fingers crossed for Elua on the Grand...perhaps they can get a well deserved break back home in Hawaii on those breaks in the sailings.

I called Princess about this and was told it will be September or October before they know who will be where -- we sailed with Makani E in March of this year -- they did a great job and we thoroughly enjoyed them. We are on the Star in February 2015 and are hopeful that one of the groups will be on board. Anxiously waiting to hear!

That is really disconcerting. Our final payment for our December cruise will be due in September and we were really hoping to hear if Elua will be onboard before we made final payment, as we have sailed with Dave and Leialoha 9 times now and they add a great deal of enjoyment to our cruise experience. I'm sure the other couple is also quite lovely and talented, but we really enjoy Elua.

I guess I can see them not releasing that info publicly (we are probably the only people weird enough to care about something like this) but it seems awful unfair to both Hawaiian Cultural Ambassador duos to be so last minute with notifications to them. How are they supposed to plan their work schedules and home related issues (pet sitting, house sitting, etc.) if they don't find out until so late?

I can't believe it is the middle of May and we still don't know which ship Elua will be on in the upcoming season. We have traveled with them many times, and currently have the Grand booked in December. But to be honest, if they are not on it, we will probably cancel the cruise and just do a land trip instead. No offense to the other couple, I have never experienced them firsthand, but Dave and Leialoha add a lot to our enjoyment of this itinerary.

This is for Dave and Dave (and Leialoha)...

 

My vote is for the Grand out of LA! Please.

Ditto. I have the Grand booked for this December - my mom and I have sailed with Elua nine times now and they are a big part of why we book this cruise. If they are on the Star out of SF, we will probably either change ships or cancel our booking and just do another land vacation to Hawaii.

Dave of Elua mentioned that they're hoping to return to the Star Princess out of San Francisco. Nothing's been finalized yet, however. He's usually pretty good about keeping us on CC up to date on where they'll be in the future. I do know that they're supposed leave the Star after the current sailing, and do a few cruises for the Japanese market on the Diamond Princess. At least that's what he said during our sailing.

Hmm, that would be great for folks booked on the Star out of SF. But I have to be honest, my mom and I are booked on the Grand out of LA in December and so I would be very disappointed to see them assigned to the SF sailings. We have sailed with them ten times already on this itinerary and have really enjoyed the aloha that Dave and Leialoha add to this trip. I honestly don't even know if we would still go on the cruise if they are not on our sailing. I probably would cancel it or rebook on the Star. Hopefully they will know soon as the fall season is not that far away.

There's always been a demand for the Hawaiian RTs so it surprises me (yea' date=' I know the $) that Princess would cut back on this popular itinerary.[/quote']

 

I agree. I always felt they could probably devote one ship year round (or very nearly so) since those itineraries are so popular. But now with so few sailings, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our fare goes down in December. This is my favorite itinerary and I usually do it once or twice a year, but if the prices are jacked up sky high that may come to an end.

I wear it on a lanyard because some of my clothes don't have pockets and I don't want to carry a purse while I'm on a ship. So it is just easier to wear a lanyard. That said, I always end up demagnitizing it at least once or twice -- no matter how hard I try to keep it from brushing against my iPad I always end up having to get replacement cards.

I'm curious -- does anyone have a photo of the new ones?

I admit, I do hold it out rather obviously when I'm in the Elite/Suite line at the Purser's Desk. Though truth be told, it seems like half the time it is faster to just go in the regular line. But I have gotten really dirty stares from people when I have used the Elite line, so I always at least try to make the black card obvious then. If it looks like a Platinum one, I'll probably just go to the regular line at the Purser to avoid even nastier stares.

I second the nomination for (shudder) Walmart. You will find tons of cheap souvenirs there -- lots of the same type of stuff from International Marketplace. There are tshirts, tote bags, mac nuts, playing cards, etc. at very inexpensive (for Hawaii) prices. And if you can't find what you want there, try ABC stores or Whaler's General Stores.

Where do you recommend in Kahalui? We port there. Thanks!

Kahului is not a really touristy spot -- you may want to take a shuttle, rent a car or take a tour to Lahaina or Kaanapali.

Kahului's best stops are the Ululani Shave Ice stand and a very small mall located near the pier. It is kind of industrial and not very touristy. They may have an ABC store at the mall but I don't recall.