ncl in hawaii

[cruising mickey]

hello,

 

what are the advantages / disadvantages of ncl's port intensive Hawaiian itinerary?

 

thanks in advance

[greatlakesgirl]

Advantages:

 

LOTS of island time! Overnights on Maui and Kauai and two port stops on Hawaii Island - Hilo and Kona. This is a biggie. No long days at sea to and from the west coast. Of course, for those that love sea days, this would go under the Disadvantages heading. ;)

 

The Na Pali Coast sail-by. So amazing. A part of Kauai that can only be seen by land or sea. Or traversing the Kalalau Trail, a precarious trail that hugs the Na Pali coast. You can hike all eleven miles of it to Kalalau Valley.

 

Disadvantages:

 

None for me. :D I'm sure someone will come up with something.

[punkincc]

No disadvantages at all! This itinerary allows you max time in the islands rather than several days at sea. A few days pre or post cruise tacked on makes for a wonderful vacation.

[luv2gonow]

Advantages:

 

LOTS of island time! Overnights on Maui and Kauai and two port stops on Hawaii Island - Hilo and Kona. This is a biggie. No long days at sea to and from the west coast. Of course, for those that love sea days, this would go under the Disadvantages heading. ;)

 

The Na Pali Coast sail-by. So amazing. A part of Kauai that can only be seen by land or sea. Or traversing the Kalalau Trail, a precarious trail that hugs the Na Pali coast. You can hike all eleven miles of it to Kalalau Valley.

 

Disadvantages:

 

None for me. :D I'm sure someone will come up with something.

 

Is port or starboard better for Hawaii sailings.

I agree the NCL itinerary looks amazing!!

Besides that funny not much competition.

Kerri

[punkincc]

Is port or starboard better for Hawaii sailings.

I agree the NCL itinerary looks amazing!!

Besides that funny not much competition.

Kerri

 

Port side for the hours long Na Pali Coast sail by the afternoon you leave Kauai. Or just go up on deck.

 

No competition as no other cruise line wants to go through the trouble and expense of having a ship registered in the US. The POA is the only one. US regs re wages, etc, greatly increase the costs.

[zookiebird]

We were on the POA this past March. It was our first visit to Hawaii. We thought NCL did a great job with this cruise. Can't really think of a disadvantage except even with the overnights in Maui and Kauai the cruise is extremely port intensive. For us, there was so much that we wanted to see and do on each island that it left little time to sit back and take it all in. If we were to go back we'd probably do a land trip but the POA gave us a great taste of the islands. Aloha!!

[GateGuardian]

One disadvantage I find is that all the ports are industrial ports. You either have to take an excursion or rent a car. There isn't a mall within walking distance that have shopping boutiques etc.

 

Also, no casino on the ship if you're into it.

[punkincc]

One disadvantage I find is that all the ports are industrial ports. You either have to take an excursion or rent a car. There isn't a mall within walking distance that have shopping boutiques etc.

 

Also, no casino on the ship if you're into it.

 

The port in Kauai is within walking distance of a shopping and beach area. About 2 blocks away via sidewalk or you can take a free shuttle right from the ship. Lots of shops near port in Kona as well.

 

The islands are very easy to navigate by car. No need to waste money on tours and you can see much more.

[js4rq]

We did the Hawaiian islands cruise with NCL in February 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

I agree, the adventure of doing the cruise is that you get lots of island time! It is port intensive, which we didn't mind! :D

[Txfeenix]

We were on the POA this past March. It was our first visit to Hawaii. We thought NCL did a great job with this cruise. Can't really think of a disadvantage except even with the overnights in Maui and Kauai the cruise is extremely port intensive. For us, there was so much that we wanted to see and do on each island that it left little time to sit back and take it all in. If we were to go back we'd probably do a land trip but the POA gave us a great taste of the islands. Aloha!!

 

We felt the same way. We needed a vacation after our vacation! :) We went a few days early and wandered around Oahu. Advice: do that after so you can recouperate and still be in Hawaii!

 

No casino is a disadvantage but you don't really have time!!

[Ilovesailing]

Can't get enough of this cruise.

 

There is also no casino, thus much less smoke around.

[4774Papa]

One disadvantage is that the cruise is relatively expensive for a seven day cruise. You can buy a 12-14 day cruise from the mainland for just a bit more $$ than the POA cruise.

Taking another line from the mainland, you cut down on flying time.

[SuiteTraveler]

A disadvantage is that you don't get a lot of time on any one island and they are all very different so you don't really get the feel of the island.

 

An advantage is seeing the lava flows at night from the ocean which is awe inspiring.

 

Another disadvantage is that you don't get to try authentic Hawaiian food on the ship such as Plate Lunch (available at surfing beaches, a real luau, Roy's, Kailoa's Super J's, Helena's Hawaiian food, Ono Seafood, Highway Inn, Yama's Fish Market). You really only get to barely scratch the surface of Aloha on a cruise.

 

An advantage is getting to see many different ports although briefly.

 

IDK, for Hawaii, I'd rather plan a trip where I was going to stay on 2 or 3 different islands over a 2 week period and do a night cruise to see the lava flows than be on a cruise ship all the time. That to me would be the best way to experience Hawaii and all it has to offer, but then I lived there when I was a child, so I know about stuff like going to open air movie theaters, Manoa falls, Honolulu fish market, Sunset at the Beach on Kapahulu pier, Mitsukeri's, Floral Parade and other stuff that most mainlanders NEVER get to experience much less people on a cruise. When you stay on the islands a sense of peace comes over you and time slows down. Way, way, way down. And you just get into the Aloha spirit and you'll never want to leave.

[pizzalady1]

One disadvantage is that the cruise is relatively expensive for a seven day cruise. You can buy a 12-14 day cruise from the mainland for just a bit more $$ than the POA cruise.

Taking another line from the mainland, you cut down on flying time.

 

I believe that the cruises from the west coast only go to 4 ports, not the 7 on the POA. Also from the west coast there are 9-10 sea days, and only 2 flight days for the POA.

 

Different cruises for different folks.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I believe that the cruises from the west coast only go to 4 ports, not the 7 on the POA. Also from the west coast there are 9-10 sea days, and only 2 flight days for the POA.

 

Different cruises for different folks.

 

POA only goes to 4 as well in less you count the embarkation/debarkation port of Honolulu.

 

Then there are 5.:)

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Port side for the hours long Na Pali Coast sail by the afternoon you leave Kauai. Or just go up on deck.

 

No competition as no other cruise line wants to go through the trouble and expense of having a ship registered in the US. The POA is the only one. US regs re wages, etc, greatly increase the costs.

how much a competitor wanted to have a US flagged they can't.

 

NCL wouldn't be US flagged either except the late Senator Inouye gave them a special dispensation since only part of the ship was built in the US. It was towed to Germany to be completed,

 

Since it is virtually impossible to get a cruise ship built in America, no matter how much they won't wanted to. (they don't)

 

Bill

Edited May 31, 2015 by S.S.Oceanlover

[greatlakesgirl]

Is port or starboard better for Hawaii sailings.

I agree the NCL itinerary looks amazing!!

Besides that funny not much competition.

Kerri

 

Port, definitely. However, if the lava on the Big Island ever resumes its flow to the sea, and the POA starts up their lava flow drive-by, then you might prefer starboard. If you don't have a balcony cabin and have to watch the Na Pali sail by on a public deck, go to deck six, it's the promenade deck and not many people utilize it as they are all on the upper decks.

[greatlakesgirl]

One disadvantage I find is that all the ports are industrial ports. You either have to take an excursion or rent a car. There isn't a mall within walking distance that have shopping boutiques etc.

 

Also, no casino on the ship if you're into it.

 

But you're in Hawaii for goodness sake, why would you want to go to a mall! :confused:

[tortoisegirl]

For us the biggest advantage was the amount we got to see (ports/islands visited in one week). We couldn't afford to take 2+ weeks off from work for one of the cruises from the mainland, and we tend to tack on a day at home on each end for packing & unpacking, and the night before the cruise in a hotel, so that just would have been too much time off. Plus I had concerns about all that open ocean time if going from the mainland, as it is a long ways off in case of an emergency, and I an prone to motion sickness (although I was just fine with Bonine I was actually surprised how much motion we got on the POA, apparently as we were so close to land). I also didn't have any desire to have a port stop in Mexico which most of the itineraries from the West Coast have to meet the foreign port rule. I think if someone has the time to take off they should definitely seriously consider the cruises from the mainland.

 

We had a great cruise and would recommend it. I think the main thing is you need to know this type of cruise is what you want. It was very port intensive (can be good or bad...typically we like some sea days, but in this case we were glad there weren't any). We did notice a difference in service with the American crew, but had set our expectations accordingly. If you were to price it out per day of vacation it would be very very expensive compared to other cruises (especially once considering flights & excursions, which we found were of similar cost to Alaska, not other island destinations).

 

Another disadvantage is we ended up spending some evening time onshore, so we lost out on the meals & entertainment we had essentially pre-paid for (still glad we did it though). I started to price out a land vacation and realized it would cost much much more to see all those locations (plus the only unpacking once thing it awesome). However, we were very pleased with the experience and glad we did it. We got a great overview, whether we don't end up making it back there or do end up planning another trip (gives you a very good idea of what islands you prefer for a future trip). The Na Pali coast sail by was a huge bonus which I wouldn't have realized ahead of time if I hadn't been on CruiseCritic! We even got to see some lava flowing (we went in 2013). Best wishes.

[Granny DI]

We have booked the POA for Jan 2017. We are going to spend a week in the Oahu area before the cruise and a week after the cruise on Maui. We have been traveling to Hawaii since 1988 and only stay a week. This time we're going to do it right.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Granny DI

[JohnCoMo]

A disadvantage is that you don't get a lot of time on any one island and they are all very different so you don't really get the feel of the island.

 

An advantage is seeing the lava flows at night from the ocean which is awe inspiring.

 

Another disadvantage is that you don't get to try authentic Hawaiian food on the ship such as Plate Lunch (available at surfing beaches, a real luau, Roy's, Kailoa's Super J's, Helena's Hawaiian food, Ono Seafood, Highway Inn, Yama's Fish Market). You really only get to barely scratch the surface of Aloha on a cruise.

 

An advantage is getting to see many different ports although briefly.

 

IDK, for Hawaii, I'd rather plan a trip where I was going to stay on 2 or 3 different islands over a 2 week period and do a night cruise to see the lava flows than be on a cruise ship all the time. That to me would be the best way to experience Hawaii and all it has to offer, but then I lived there when I was a child, so I know about stuff like going to open air movie theaters, Manoa falls, Honolulu fish market, Sunset at the Beach on Kapahulu pier, Mitsukeri's, Floral Parade and other stuff that most mainlanders NEVER get to experience much less people on a cruise. When you stay on the islands a sense of peace comes over you and time slows down. Way, way, way down. And you just get into the Aloha spirit and you'll never want to leave.

 

I couldn't agree more. I would never consider a cruise on any line in Hawaii. I just returned from a 2 week vacation to Maui and Kauaii last week and try to go to Hawaii at least once every 2 years. I see the people coming off the cruises and they always seem to be in so much of a hurry and only get to see a tiny part of the island. I think the only way you can truly appreciate Hawaii is to stay on land. I've never heard of anyone visiting all the major Hawaiian islands in one trip. Maybe 1 or 2 max, any more than that would be too rushed.

[pizzalady1]

POA only goes to 4 as well in less you count the embarkation/debarkation port of Honolulu.

 

Then there are 5.:)

 

Bill

 

Yes you are correct. I was thinking about the number of port days (not ports) which is 6, not counting Honolulu. Don't the west coast cruises only have 4 port days?

Edited June 1, 2015 by pizzalady1

[pizzalady1]

But you're in Hawaii for goodness sake, why would you want to go to a mall! :confused:

 

isn't this the same type of comment we were getting about the no take-out debacle? Many said that you are on a cruise--why in the world would you want to eat in your room or on your balcony?

 

Just remember that some people like shopping in malls at ports just like some like to eat in their room. Everyone has the right to design their own cruise.

Edited June 1, 2015 by pizzalady1

[mugtech]

We found the best and cheapest way to see Hawaii is to stay with family for a week on Oahu, then take the NCL cruise, then hang out for another week. It is dangerous to stay too long, makes you want to stay forever. Of course family takes vacation and stays with us in PA for a week at a time, but we obviously got the better part of the deal.

[greatlakesgirl]

isn't this the same type of comment we were getting about the no take-out debacle? Many said that you are on a cruise--why in the world would you want to eat in your room or on your balcony?

 

Just remember that some people like shopping in malls at ports just like some like to eat in their room. Everyone has the right to design their own cruise.

I have no idea as I didn't pay any attention to that. :)

 

I guess I just don't get it. :):confused:

 

Anyway, let's try not to get too far off topic. ;)

Edited June 1, 2015 by greatlakesgirl