mooline

Hi everyone,

120 days from today we'll be boarding the POA! We have 2 specialty dining packages for each adult in our group and wonder if it's worth adding them for the kids (girls ages 11 and 6). Or, should they just order a la carte? Either one of the kids could eat everything on the menu - or nothing, on any given night 🤪.

I see that the price is the same, comes to $50 plus per person per meal; that's a LOT for a kiddo!

An add-on question: If you had just 2 choices of speciality restaurant on the POA, what would you choose (for a family)?  I'm thinking Cagney's, since most are steak lovers, and maybe the Italian restaurant? 

Thank you both.

So, it looks like the sub can work, but the downside is a possibly long bus ride. We'll be past whale season (June), but still something to consider.

Two votes for the Ocean Center! Good to hear. My hesitation with that excursion is she has been to some very good animal parks/aquariums. Nonetheless, it may be a great option! 

One more consideration:

Of these two choices (sub and Ocean Center, each with associated shopping and meal options) which one is likely to have better and safer bathroom options (e.g. : a "family bathroom")? I know this may sound absurd, but I (GMom) do have a little anxiety over how to manage this, given that he may need privacy if he has to go, and the world is too crazy to let her go into a multi stall public restroom by herself.

Thanks to all of you for all of your help with this!

With so many port days (and two overnights) on POA, I’m curious to know what’s typically open or closed during days when in port.

Is there enough to do on the ship to enjoy a port day on board? Is the Kids Club open?

Yes, I know that this is Hawaii… why stay on the ship? But some in our group are extreme introverts and look forward to a day or part of a day when pools and decks have smaller to no crowds.

Ok, then, this may be coming together. In addition to the Lahaina on your own, there's the Atlantis sub, with time after to explore Lahaina. We've done a sub in Grand Cayman, so Grampy has an idea of what to expect on that, but the 6 year old has never been on a boat, let alone a sub. (Of course, she will be on a BIG boat on the ride to Maui!)

Thoughts?

Well, we've finally settled on this - and there is a lot of research behind our selection.

We'll be doing the private lunch ride with Triple L Ranch. We're able to do the ride on Sunday, a day when the ship is overnighting in port (so no worries about missing the departure). Triple L's staff was incredibly responsive and accommodating. The private ride, with lunch, was exactly what we wanted. The experienced rider isn't worried about being bored. Since she is on a competitive show team at her barn, she said the thought of riding with no pressure, just to take in the scenery and enjoy the horse, will be wonderful. Spoken like the true introvert she is! 

We'll be using Aloha Maui Limo to drive us, wait and return us to the ship. That company was also very responsive to our inquiries.

Will offer a full review after we return - not until June, but hopefully worth the wait!  🙂

Scottca075, I saw your comments on another post in this forum asking about options for Maui, and Lahaina was mentioned. There is an option to take a motorcoach sponsored by our ship and spend the day in Lahaina. Might this be a better option for Grampy and his belle? it's cheaper than the NorthShore tour, by a lot, but honestly money isn't the driving factor in our choices.

What in Lahaina would most appeal to a 6 year old (who does like art, has never been on a motor coach, eats constantly, and loves to spend her grandparents' money)?

Lahaina looks a bit like Key West from the video and description on NCL's website - is that an accurate assumption?

By the way, on our second second day in Maui, all of the family is doing the Molokini Crater & Snorkel Tour, just so you have frame of reference.

Really appreciating everyone's input, ideas and help.  🙂

We are on POA, so docking in Kahului. We've actually just booked the riding experience. We're going to Triple L in Kula, which I understand is 5 minutes from Maui Wine, if that helps. (I’m not concerned about distance, since we're overnight in port that day.)
 

Grampy and his pal don’t have to do something nearby the ranch, anywhere is ok.

One ship sponsored shore excursion I’m thinking of is called North Shore Beach and Waterfall Walk. Looks like a combo of sightseeing, shopping and sit down lunch, all on the North Shore. Thoughts?

I do like the options suggested by you, Silver Sweethearts, and will take a look at those. Might make for a shorter day, and they will have the ship right there for easy return if she gets bored or antsy (or if she spends all of his money!).

With this added clarification, any other ideas?

Thanks to all! 💕

Another option - We (6 of us) are in the same boat (pun intended) and have 2 kids in tow. We're doing 2 days in HNL on the front end, so with work schedules, extra time on the back end isn't an option.

We booked a private tour to pick us up at the ship, and drop us at the airport in time for our flight. The tour company was VERY quick to respond and has been very accommodating - offering many options for us for the day, but we can customize every thing right up to day of. (We found the tour operator through ratings on Trip Advisor. I hesitate to say the company name, as we haven't been on the tour yet so I don't think I'm allowed to mention it here.)

This isn't cheap, but it offered tremendous flexibility, rides from the port and to the airport, a way to hold our bags, and the ability to arrange fun things to do, all with one reservation. To keep the cost down, you could always get to the airport earlier than you need (this type of tours books by the hour).

Our trip isn't until June but I'll be happy to come back and offer a review then!

PixiTrix, wondering what luau if any you booked, and how you liked it.

We just booked Nutridge for June, for 6 of us. When I presented options to the family, the two introverts looked pale when I mentioned 200+ people and loud, over the top entertainment at the traditional luaus. Nutridge won because of them. The extroverts will deal; they'll be fast friends with every performer and  guest before the end of the night.  😆

Hi everyone,

Four of us in a group of 6 are going horseback riding on Maui. Our sweet 6 year old granddaughter just misses the min age for riding, and 6' 5" Grampy exceed the weight limit (even though he's not huge!)

What ideas can you offer for a fun time for the two of them? He's very active, as is she (of course). They spend a lot of time together and greatly enjoy each other's company. She is 6 going on 26...

All ideas welcome, especially fun, wacky, and creative ones!

Greetings, just wondering if anyone has current info on the kids' club hours aboard POA. Specifically wondering if the club is open when in port, especially the overnights (Maui and Kauai).  I know that generally the clubs are closed in port, but wonder if anything is different aboard POA.

Many thanks!

21 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

Upcountry is considered the slopes of Mount Haleakala, while Mendes Ranch is part of the West Maui Mountains.  Princeton 123211 is correct though in saying the road beyond Mendes Ranch turns treacherous, but you won't be going on that part of it.  Have you researched Makani Olu Ranch on Waiko Road in Waikapu?  It is fairly close to the ship too. We can't guarantee it, but neither place should have traffic.

Yes, we did research Makani Olu on your earlier recommendation, and that's one of our options as well. It appears to be a little further away, which isn't a dealbreaker. They do have Sunday options, but the challenge is the starting times of the rides, vs when the ship docks and how quickly we can get off. Makani Olu is a slightly longer ride, which will be appealing if we can make Sunday work.

Thank you for your help!

Such an awesome review, Paula! Many thanks for this great information.

I'm interested to hear about the "down day" - Noticing how port intensive the cruise is, I thought about the same thing. No reason to feel we "have" to do something specific in each port, especially if there isn't a tour that gets everyone really excited.

Like you, we enjoy just sitting on the balcony watching the world go by. Sounds like it will be the ideal place to do just that.

Thanks again; your guidance is so very much appreciated.

5 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

We disembarked the ship on Saturday, but we did enjoy the whole trip and had a great time.  The service was fine and there was plenty of staff. 

 

We disembarked in Maui on Sunday around 8am.  

Thanks so much, Paula! Very happy to hear that the cruise was great for you! 

Any tips/hints/advice, especially for those who are first time on this ship?

Anyone have a comment on POA's wifi?

Thanks, Paula! Hope you're having a great time! Are you also experiencing the "pleasant surprise" of good service and a better than expected experience?

Can you tell us what time you were able to disembark in Maui on Sunday?

I'm thinking about arranging for a horseback ride on either Sunday or Monday, with a preference for Sunday so we don't have any risk of missing the ship as it departs. However, not sure we'll be off the ship early enough to get to the ranches in time for the start of the rides. (We'll probably arrange a private car service to pick us up at the ship, wait, and bring us back.)

Thanks so much!

Hi all, I'm resurrecting this post for some opinions: I've found a couple of options for horseback riding on Maui. We're in port for 2 days, Sunday ~8 am to Monday, 6 pm. Ideally I'd prefer to ride on Sunday, so we have no worries at all about getting back to the ship before departure.

However, 2 of the ranches I prefer are closed on Sunday. How confident can I be if I book a ride that finishes before noon, that we'll be back to the ship no later than 5 pm, taking a private car service... is there a worry about traffic, accidents, etc that would cause a 5 hour trip for any reason? I realize very rare situations might occur, but in general... I'm thinking this is a very low risk option. If we do Monday, we'd likely book at Mendes Ranch in Wailuku, which looks to be not all that far from the ship - 30 minutes, maybe?

I am always queasy about considering excursions that aren't ship sponsored as I never want to risk being left waving goodbye, so this is a big step out of the comfort zone.

Thanks for your thoughts!

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I implore you, absolutely implore you to enjoy Honolulu on Saturday. Go to Cafe Kaila for breakfast. You won't be disappointed, especially if you order the fruit. It's so yummy! Then check out Diamond Head State Monument. Don't get on the ship so quickly since it leaves at 7 PM. Enjoy Oahu! 

Thank you! We also have all day Friday, since we arrive on Thursday. Greatly appreciate your guidance...I know you're right, even though everyone's eager to start the cruise experience!

Thanks so much for all of this helpful information! We're a multigenerational family of 6, in 2 suites sailing in June. The kiddos in our group are first time cruisers. Everyone is so looking forward to this trip and this thread whets the appetites even more! 

We, too have the beverage packages, will that include water? 
 

We're arriving on Thursday afternoon, so will have a full day plus to explore Honolulu. What is the earliest time on Saturday that we can head to the ship? I think everyone will be quite excited to embark even though the ship leaves in the evening.

I’m trying to think through options for disembarkation day. What time should we expect to be booted out? Our flight leaves at 4:30, but from what I’ve heard, we don’t want to hang at the airport all that time. Not sure about Pearl Harbor as we have a 6 year old in the group (and an 11 year old, but she’s old enough to understand- just very emotionally sensitive). Thinking about a day room at a local hotel, but whether that's sensible really depends on the time we're off the ship.

Thanks again for this great thread, here's hoping more 2023 POA cruisers chime in with reviews.

Thanks to both of you, apologies for my very delayed reply. Much appreciated nonetheless.

Hi All, 

My family and I are on POA in June 2023, staying in the Deluxe Owners Suite and Deluxe Family Suite. Wondering if this level of suite receives free or discounted laundry service at some point during the trip?

Thanks for any info!

Thanks, bluetardis, that was my first choice and what we usually do when we have late flights. However, the only post-cruise excursions offered by NCL that will fit our timeframe is Pearl Harbor. We will have a 6 year old in the group and I'm not sure it will be a good one for her. (Actually thinking that the adults and split up and do PH when we arrive, since we have a couple of days on that end.)

Maybe reserve a car service and go to the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Dole Plantation, then to the airport?

Thank you both. After reading all of these comments, I think we'll talk with her, to see if this is something she really wants to do (I can't imagine not, but who knows with kiddos?)

Makani'Olu Ranch looks good, but they say they take age 12 and over. She will be 2 months shy of 12, and where she is already experienced, I hope the might be able to make an exception for her (if their insurance allows.) Triple L seems good also, but I'm not sure that the times of their rides (even if we do a private) will work with the ship's arrival/departure times.

Meanwhile, her little sister (age 6) is convinced that she is a mermaid - so maybe the guys in our group can take her to one of the mermaid swims while we ride - if we ride!  🙂

Hi all, reviving this very helpful post. I'm in the same situation as Kelly68, except our flight leaves at 4 pm, and we're traveling with kiddos. Thinking that arriving at HNL by 2 pm should be OK (we "should" all have precheck, but you never know). That still leaves several hours to kill, even if we disembark at late as 9 am. (I know they need to scoot us off to get the ship ready to go and that's fine of course.)

I love the ResortPass idea, since the kids can swim, the adults can relax and we can all enjoy lunch before we head to the airport.

Just wondering if there is a better option for 4 hours...

(Kelly68, thanks for letting me take your thread semi-off topic.)

Thanks, georgiacat; I did look but only see 2 bedroom units, even when looking at specific unit #s that are listed as 3 br. You're right, though, the prices are actually much better than the ES.  Maybe I'll contact them directly by email and see what they say.

A family member did an AirBnB a few years ago; I'm wary of those for a trip like this, though. We won't have a car, so purchasing our own consumables might be a logistical issue, and take time away from fun things.