georgiacat

There were 3 of us oversized adults (2 used wheelchairs from plane to shuttle area).  Our son helped with the 2 largest pieces of luggage.  We had 4 pieces of luggage (medium to very large), 3 backpacks, 1 CPAP machine in case, & 1 purse.

From airport to hotel Hawaii23 sent a shuttle van (with logo on side).  There was one other couple on it too, with their luggage.  The van held all comfortably.  From hotel to ship Hawaii23 sent an SUV, and we were the only passengers.  Again, everything fit comfortably.

These are the directions that we received from Hawaii23.  I showed them to the wheelchair pushers, and they knew where to go for the shuttle pick up area.  We waited about 20 minutes for shuttle bus to come; our plane was an hour early.  There were other shuttle buses and taxis waiting in that area.  And people waiting too.  We felt very safe.

We will track your flight and will be in the airport area upon your flight arrival.

 

You will be looking for the Pre-arranged 4 area. 

 

Please exit the bag claim area between carousels 21 & 25 and cross the street to the median. From the median you will see signs for Pre- arranged pickup area number 4. 

Please use the crosswalk once more and proceed into the Pre-arranged 4 area.

 

Look for our driver with a Hawaii 23 sign. 

We were on POA last week.  I haven't had time to recuperate or write any reviews yet.

We were assigned boarding time of 1:30 by computer check in, but our hotel wanted us out by 11 am.  We had 4 days pre-cruise in Honolulu, so we did not want to sight see the morning of.  We checked out of hotel and went to the ship for boarding.  No time checked.  That time of day we just did all the stuff and walked on board.  It was very fast.  It gets really crowded middle of the afternoon.  We went to safety drill station, got check off, ate lunch in the buffet at 12 noon, found the library to read.  Our rooms were ready about 1:30 to 2 pm.  Ask any questions you wish.

We used Hawaii23 808-926-9049 last week for pick up from terminal to hotel and again pick up at hotel to ship.  We reserved them before leaving home.  For 3 of us plus luggage, it was $33 plus tip ($40) each time.  It was worth it to us.  They sent details of where they would pick us up at the shuttle area of the airport, and the wheelchair people rode us there.  We highly recommend them.

I would suggest that you spend 2 days at each lodge that you visit.  One day only gets you there, sleep, and get on the bus the next day; very tiring.  

We reserve cruises/cruisetours through a travel agent and asked her to get us close to the main lodge since we are limited in our walking.  You may wish to designate handicapped lodging.  They have shuttle buses to get you around the campus from your room to main lodge, but sometimes it is quite a distance to walk.  Shuttles may be inconsistent in timing.

Check out the reviews posted here about Princess cruisetours.  They can answer a lot of questions.  We have been twice.

love to cruise 2017,

Will you be on NCL?  We just finished a cruise on NCL in Hawaii and chose their transfer "Pearl Harbor & City Tour" with airport drop off.  It fit our needs perfectly.  Debark from the ship was a breeze.  Luggage stayed on bus.  We had city tour with a stop for King Kamehameha statue pictures and almost 4 hours at Pearl Harbor.  Arrived at airport about 1:45 pm for our 4:30 pm flight.

We took a taxi to the Maui Ocean Center last week.  We thoroughly enjoyed the center and spent 2-3 hours there.  Don't miss the whale show (theater).  It was very much worth it.

There are a lot of options with PCC.  We did the luau with show and the HA, Breath of Life show last week.  We were finished by 9 pm with everything.  Back to hotel by 10:30 by bus provided by PCC.  We chose to use their transportation option instead of renting a car.  If you do not stay for HA, you will be finished earlier, about 6:30 pm.

The food at the Aloha luau was delicious.  The show was great.

Thank all of you for reassuring me.  I was worried and you have made me feel much better.  
Down to the last minute.

I completed my check in last night for the POA and was assigned a check in time of 1:30 pm.  However, we have to be out of hotel by 11 am; car service is picking us up at 11 am; I thought we would be at port by 11:30 am.  How strict is POA at enforcing their check in/boarding times?  If we arrive at port at 11:30, will we be able to proceed to check in?  What do we do in the meantime if we have to wait until 1:30?

thank you for your help.  First time on NCL ships.

I am so glad to see that you are back to cruising.  I was beginning to worry if anything had happened to you.  I will enjoy your reviews and tales/tails.

We are sailing on the POA in a couple of weeks; I will report when I get back.  Meanwhile, I reserved a private tour for 3 of us on Maui with Michael of Maui Island Transport and Tours.  It is reasonably priced and customized for what we want to do (no road to Hana for us).  I did not have to prepay.  His response to my inquiry was prompt and we arranged what we wanted to see.  Will report in about a month on how it actually goes.

I found him in a roundabout way.  Reserve your tours early because everything is getting booked up.

I have really enjoyed reading about your cruise.  Thank you for taking the time and effort to report this.

As to the 10's (from someone who used to work in a business that 10 or fail were the only options), this comes from headquarters.  Not even the captain is in charge of pushing this.  They are told what to do and what to make or else.  If I can't give them a 10, I skip the survey.

Request a wheelchair for 98 year old.  That may help things.

Use Google Maps.  It will give you distance and maybe time.

Thanks for the information regarding posting the pictures.

On some ships, you can order fried eggs from the omelet station.  Have your sister try that.

I am enjoying your report.  How do you get your pictures separated with white space between each one?  When I post pictures on CC, they stick together.

On your personalizer, distilled water can be found under special dietary needs.  It is free.  If not in room, request from room steward.  Bring your own extension cords.

Thank you all for the information.  Our first time on NCL; I just want to be prepared.

We will be sailing POA in May.  I made a reservation for Cagney's dining.  I see that it is a la carte.  How does that work if we have a specialty dining credit (with our cruise, not a dining package)?  Do we get a voucher with a certain amount of money to spend?  or are we limited to a special menu to order from?

Thanks for your help.

I ordered water package for the room a couple of weeks ago.  I had to hunt for what I wanted.  Go to beverages, click water, and go as far right as possible to see the selections.  There are more offerings than what you first see.

I agree with your thoughts about the POA excursions, and we don't want to rent a car either.  I plan to use excursions from https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/ for Maui and Kona.  We have used this company for excursions in the Caribbean (not been to Hawaii yet), and I liked what I got.

For Hilo we are going on the Hoppa On Hoppa Off Keikana Trolley Tour.

For Nawailiwili we have a Helicopter tour (Blue Hawaiian) and Day Pass (Royal Sonesta).

Prior to cruise in Honolulu we are doing the Polynesian Cultural Center (booked on line with transportation) and Roberts Circle Island tour.

Google each island for cruise excursions.  Most of what you get involve snorkeling and hiking (not for me), but you can find other tours.

Let me know what you find.  It may give me more ideas.  We sail in May.  

I would think probably the Maui Ocean Center.  It seems modern.

Have you considered the Maui Ocean Center?  We have not been yet, but it is on my list to visit.

I notice that you said it rained hard both days you were in Maui.  Did you notice if things were open as expected or closed on Sunday?  We are thinking of taking an island tour and wondered if shops would be open on Sunday morning.  If they are not, I suppose we could schedule for Monday.

We usually tip about $5 pp (there are 2 of us) for a half day, just okay, excursion and $10 pp for an excellent half day excursion.  If there is an additional driver, we usually tip him/her half of what the guide got.  We withhold tips if we feel that something within the guide's control was not up to par.