Hawaii

[sailor john]

We have never cruised with NCL, only with princess & Holland America.

we want to see Hawaii, Is this a good cruise line anybody done the Hawaii cruise with NCL.

thanks in advance

Sailor John

:)

[commission1]

Yes we thought it was a great way to sample hawaii, the best vacation we ever took. I believe that NCL provides a very very adequate product, hawaii is the main attraction not the cruise itself. It is like a floating hotel room, we rented cars in each port and saw so much in a short amount of time.

[Wineshipper]

I have been on the POA and would do it again. Great introduction to the islands. Where else can you get 4 of the islands, see lava flow into the ocean at night and cruise past the Napali coast. Throw in whales, dolphins and the excursions available and prepare for a great time.

 

The big difference is to understand that this is about the destination and not as much about the cruise. Port intensive.

[leonslady]

I agree. We did this cruise in April of 2010, the only thing I would suggest is getting there a few days eariler to get use to the time change. This way you can ease into the Aloha spirit.

 

[lambs2]

I agree. We did this cruise in April of 2010, the only thing I would suggest is getting there a few days eariler to get use to the time change. This way you can ease into the Aloha spirit.

 

I totally agree with the above poster. A few days precruise is a wonderful way to unwind and build the anticipation for a fabulous (but busy) week on the Pride of America! ALOHA!

[nycruise]

I agree. We did this cruise in April of 2010, the only thing I would suggest is getting there a few days eariler to get use to the time change. This way you can ease into the Aloha spirit.

 

 

leonslady: I see you came in from New Jersey, how grueling was the flight and did you take a non-stop or did you connect? Thinking of doing the Hawaii cruise, flying from Newark, but dread the thought of the almost 11 hour non-stop flight? Are 2 nights enough to acclimate to the time change?

[Evil Scotsman]

As long as you are not expecting the normal entertainment you would get on a regular cruies. We did this last year on NCL Pride of America and had a GREAT TIME! The entertainement isn't there nor the casino. But you are in port EVERY day and SO tired by the time you get back you really don't have the energy for a nightlife. We rented a car in a couple ports and a Harley in Kauai, (the highlight of our trip) and had a great time. The staff was good and friendly. You won't regret it!

[brettsmom2004]

We did this cruise in 2008 and had a great time...flew into Las Vegas for 2 days to break up the flights..was almost like 2 vacations....lol...

Next year we have booked again on POA but are flying from Michigan to Las Vegas for 1 night, then flying into Honolulu for 2 nights before the cruise, then back to Las Vegas for 1 night, then back home to Michigan.

 

We had a great time on the Ship and ashore....easy way to sample pieces of the islands..the ship is considered a floating hotel and by the time you go to bed at night and wake up, you're docked at a different island....your day is usually very busy and you can take in a little of the night life aboard the ship too. I recommend this cruise.

 

gg

[coldferret]

We did this cruise in 2008 and had a great time...flew into Las Vegas for 2 days to break up the flights..was almost like 2 vacations....lol...

Next year we have booked again on POA but are flying from Michigan to Las Vegas for 1 night, then flying into Honolulu for 2 nights before the cruise, then back to Las Vegas for 1 night, then back home to Michigan.

 

We had a great time on the Ship and ashore....easy way to sample pieces of the islands..the ship is considered a floating hotel and by the time you go to bed at night and wake up, you're docked at a different island....your day is usually very busy and you can take in a little of the night life aboard the ship too. I recommend this cruise.

 

gg

Thanks for your input. We are in Wisconsin and thinking of doing a similar booking. Do you feel there is a best time to take this cruise ? I would be looking at a winter get away from here but looking at prices on NCL is pointing in other directions. I was just looking at air fare to Vegas yesterday and was sad to see higher fares and inconvenient travel times for a non stop. Much better choices last year at this time. Would be happy to hear about any recomendations for transportation, etc.

[Fishbait17]

leonslady: I see you came in from New Jersey, how grueling was the flight and did you take a non-stop or did you connect? Thinking of doing the Hawaii cruise, flying from Newark, but dread the thought of the almost 11 hour non-stop flight? Are 2 nights enough to acclimate to the time change?

 

We've done the CO nonstop from Newark numerous times - it's really not bad. On the outbound, your spend the day watching movies, eating, reading, etc, and it's a wide body, so plenty of room to walk around and stretch. The return is a red-eye, so hopefully you can sleep and wake up on the EWR approach. Would much rather do it in one long flight than break it up myself. Two nights are plenty to acclimate to the time change. You will find on the first day, when you arrive, you will be tired. Try to stay up until a reasonable bedtime (9pm is either 2 or 3am East Coast time depending on time of year)

And then make the room as dark as possible and go to bed. Hopefully, you will sleep until at least 5am or later, and you will find that you adjust pretty easily. The return is a bit harder on your body, but not too bad for adjusting - it will feel like you are going to bed very early, but you will likely be tired from

the red-eye.

 

If at ALL possible, plan to stay as long as possible on the islands - you are going a long way and make the most of it... Hawaii is my favorite place on earth (and I've seen a lot of this earth!). Take time to get away from the resort areas and meet some locals, you won't be sorry!

 

Robin

[mking8288]

Hawaii can be visited nearly any time of the year with its ideal year-round temperature & climate (we just avoid winter/spring & school breaks and major holidays, LOL)

 

Land-based lodging at hotels, resorts & even condos are priced very competitively and unbelievable bargains can be found with a bit of planning and online work searching - and if one's travel plans are flexible and can take advantage of airfare sales & "last minute" cruise bargains offered by NCL sometimes - it can be a very, very nice vacation. DH and I aren't crazy about flying 11 to 13 hours as we usually connect JFK via LAX or SFO to HNL, sometimes stopping at LAX or SFO for 2 days before continuing outbound.

 

The body clock do adjust to the 5 hour time zone change, feeling sleepy by early evening and waking up @ 3 am/pre-dawn, just need to nap & adjust one's schedule & meal time according for 2 to 3 days - before boarding POA as it's a port intensive 7 nights, sailing time is usually 8 pm (after dining onboard) Breakfast next morning is 6:30 am as the shore excursion begin as early as 7:30 am as it's already docked at the pier - you get the idea .... (and, not much time for really entertainment on the ship)

 

But, it's a 4 stars+ floating hotel (okay, tiny "efficency" cabins for most) with good meals for 7 nights traveling to 3 islands. DH and I will be glad to do it all over again and our plan is to sail the POA again in a year or two (enough airline miles earned to "cash" in 2 sets of RT economy tickets with a free West Coast stopover, YES - YES !!!)

 

Lots of useful & updated info in the Hawaii section of this Board, set side time to read, it's a MUST to truely plan & enjoy your time out in the Pacific - highly recommended.

 

Mahaolo :D

[sdmike]

As long as you are not expecting the normal entertainment you would get on a regular cruies. We did this last year on NCL Pride of America and had a GREAT TIME! The entertainement isn't there nor the casino. But you are in port EVERY day and SO tired by the time you get back you really don't have the energy for a nightlife. We rented a car in a couple ports and a Harley in Kauai, (the highlight of our trip) and had a great time. The staff was good and friendly. You won't regret it!

 

We spent over a week just in Kauai and would go back there in a heartbeat. Never have we had such a great time in such a little place. :) It took me a few days to get on "island time" though. I remember trying to get somewhere to see the sunset (I think Spouting Horn down near Poipu) and being very impatient that the driver in front of me was doing only 25 in a 40 zone. A few days later I was the guy doing 25. :)

 

Seeing the Na Pali coast from the ocean has to be breathtaking. I was awestruck just seeing it from Kalalau Lookout at the north end of the canyon.

[sdmike]

ok...I wanna see this from the ocean side. This is the Na Pali coast where they filmed King Kong. Yes, I took these. lol

 

 

 

Yes, this scared the hell out of me. It was gorgeous, but a long way down

 

[Dakota Traveler]

ok...I wanna see this from the ocean side. This is the Na Pali coast where they filmed King Kong. Yes, I took these. lol

 

 

 

Yes, this scared the hell out of me. It was gorgeous, but a long way down

 

 

Here is a few shots from the ocean side

 

 

 

 

DT

[suntan]

sdMike: OMG! Those pix are absolutely gorgeous. We are currently looking at either doing the NCL Hawaii cruise or booking a land only vacation on one or two of the islands. My "must see" is the sunrise on Haleakala Volcano in Maui - so beautiful (at least in the pix I've seen).

[sdmike]

Dakota! Thank you! We hiked along there from the beach up at the NW corner of the island (the name escapes me), but it's even more gorgeous from the water than I thought. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks for the kind words, Suntan. I'm sorta one of those "camera always in his hand snapping digital shots until he gets a good one" kind of guys. :)

[sdmike]

sdMike: OMG! Those pix are absolutely gorgeous. We are currently looking at either doing the NCL Hawaii cruise or booking a land only vacation on one or two of the islands. My "must see" is the sunrise on Haleakala Volcano in Maui - so beautiful (at least in the pix I've seen).

 

We did our honeymoon on Maui, but believe it or not we never did get up in time to go see the sunrise. One of my big regrets. Had a heck of a lot of fun going off roading in a rental jeep that wasn't supposed to go off-roading (ha!). We stayed down in Kihei (sp?) because we didn't want to get over on the busy west coast. We loved driving down to the lava fields south of Makena/Wailea. There are some pretty resorts over there, but far less crowded. The road to Hana was well worth the trip, and we even circled around the south side of the island which was very desert-like, especially after having come through Hana. It's an amazing place. I still have to say we like Kauai better, but I'm still waiting to compare it to visiting Kona, which we should do this year.

 

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time. Oh...try the bike ride DOWN the volcano. Now THAT is a rush :)

[mking8288]

We rented our own minivan in Maui overnight and drove up in the afternoon - after checking the weather forecast & info on cloud covers - in time to catch the sunset at 10,000 feet - rising above the clouds, and left several pax. riding speechless with the sights. (Note - dress warmly as it's chilly, if not cold, up there at higher elevations & beware of thinner oxgen level in the air)

 

Then, it was driving down the mountain roads after dark - slowly & carefully, letting the "fast" drivers in their rented Jeep and convertible Mustang pass us - at many places with space to pull off to the side to left them zoom off (hey, wanna drive down fast - straight off the cliff & roads with no guard rails .... go ahead, LOL)

 

The nice thing about watching the sunset is that in case of clouds, you still get a 2nd. chance to drive up in the early morning hours for the view at sunrise.

 

Hmmm, as for riding the bike down the mountain roads after dark - that will definitely be a wild ride (if it's offered, LOL)

[sdmike]

lol! No, the bike rides are during the day. There are several providers. Here's one of them. It's a BLAST

 

http://www.mauidownhill.com/

[beachchick]

We prefer land trips for Hawaii, but had a wonderful cruise with NCLA a few years ago. We might do it again.

 

beachchick