Beagle Feels Sincere "Pride Of America" - A Lengthy Trip Report w/Pics

[Silver Sweethearts]

We were seated at 7:40 and having dessert by 8:13 so I thought that was pretty fast and amazing service for the first night.

 

A multi-course dinner, and it only took you 33 minutes to get to dessert? Was the fast service at your request? On the other hand, are you allowed to linger over the courses if you wish?

[LadyLion_AP]

Following... Great review so far! Thank you!!! Hubby and I are sailing in July.

 

 

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[Let Me Travel!]

Need more input!! More, more...love your sense of humor! Keep writing...we are on POA on 5/12....yes, 3 days! So excited! Write more!

 

 

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[Beagleluv6107]

I’m really enjoying your review thanks

 

I have wanted to do this cruise since NCL introduced the Pride of Aloha but the flight and costs have deterred me thus far. I was determined on our 10th anniversary we were going but instead of that we renovated our kitchen. Next year is our 25th Anniversary so we should do it but guess what- two bathrooms need to be renovated. I will ponder it and with any luck after reading your review you will have me convinced. Coming from Eastern Ontario would be quite the flight to get through! I forgot to mention I hate flying.

 

Can’t wait for more!

 

 

Hey Thanks 55,

I totally understand about time, money, and the distance. We had a jug of quarters saved for years and years and I was so naïve to think that was gonna pay for half of this trip. Not even close. We decided to just do it and I am so glad we did. I don't know that we will ever do anything so amazing again.

[Beagleluv6107]

Loving your review! We are booked on this cruise in June for our 25th anniversary. I’m looking forward to reading more.

 

CONGRATS on your 25th. That's amazing and you are going to have the best time!!

[Beagleluv6107]

This tidbit is a little too late to help you - but we dropped our backpacks off at East Meets West, where they hold them (or carryons) for free if you want to get off and explore Oahu a bit more, or just stay on the ship without lugging them around. We were on the ship by 11:30, off again by 12:15 (walked to see the King Kamehameha statue, etc.) and back by 1:30. After 2 pm they move the carryons/backpacks to Guest Services for pickup. They just give you a ticket to hold to reclaim your stuff. Our cabin was ready at 2 pm - our deck was called right in the middle of the pack!

 

Hey Pe4all,

Thanks for the tip. I'm sure that's gonna help someone here on CC. Glad you got to the room by 2. We were at least 4pm.

[Beagleluv6107]

Great pictures. I am looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip. I sailed Hawaii on the Wind (yep an old ship but a great ship) back in the day. The DD, DGD, and I are looking forward to our Hawaii vacation.

 

Hi Linda,

Wow, that is old ship. I'm so happy for you, DD and DGD.

You will all have a blast!!

[Beagleluv6107]

Great so far ... keep going!

 

POA id different from other NCL ships. We have been on all NCL ships except Sky, Jewel and of course the new Bliss. Each ship has its pros and cons.

 

POA: the cons are the tiny round shower cubicle WITH CURTAIN, and no casino, and no UBP, otherwise we liked the ship and had good time. We sailed from San Francisco (where she underwent dry dock) to HNL via the islands - 10 days.

 

The POA's pros: CADALLIC DINER - the breakfasts there were the best on all NCL - it was a secret. Our OK cabin was just above it (7612), so we just went down there for our breakfast daily before venturing ashore - quick and the omelettes, toast and coffee were great and hot.

 

 

Hey Bluesea,

Yes I agree with all the cons. I sure wished I had known about getting that breakfast at the Cadillac Diner. I already liked it there but we never tried breakfast. Darn!! Hopefully the folks getting ready to board soon read this secret!!

[Beagleluv6107]

Loving your review! I cannot seem to convince myself to plan a return trip to Hawaii. We’ve only been to Maui and would love to cruise to see much more, but those flights... living vicariously through you!! Thanks.

 

 

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Yes that travel is brutal. At least going you are excited...coming home. UGH!

[Beagleluv6107]

We were seated at 7:40 and having dessert by 8:13 so I thought that was pretty fast and amazing service for the first night.

 

A multi-course dinner, and it only took you 33 minutes to get to dessert? Was the fast service at your request? On the other hand, are you allowed to linger over the courses if you wish?

 

 

Hi Silver,

Yes, service was that fast the 1st night. I did not request it but it was just the two of us and as soon as the apps were done the meal came right out. The longest part of the dinner according to DH was the singing. He still cringes.

[Beagleluv6107]

Need more input!! More, more...love your sense of humor! Keep writing...we are on POA on 5/12....yes, 3 days! So excited! Write more!

 

 

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Hey Let Me Travel,

Thank you. I wish I could wrap this up for you before you leave but I make a long story longer. ;p I'll get a little more in right now.

Have a great trip!!!!

[Beagleluv6107]

Day 4 –Rappelling – Do I Really Want To Do This?

 

I was up at 5am and ready get this day started.

 

Here’s my first sighting of Maui.

 

 

 

The weather was terrible, and the forecast did not sound promising. We were portside so it wasn't the prettiest view from our balcony.

 

 

We headed to the buffet early because we had to meet at 7:50am.

[Deb and Jack]

Yes that travel is brutal. At least going you are excited...coming home. UGH!

That's why I'm treating myself to 1st class layflat seats. Once in a lifetime going for broke. :)

 

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[Beagleluv6107]

I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about this rappelling adventure. I kept telling myself this was my bright idea and to just suck it up! This excursion was booked through Norwegian with Rappel Maui. Tickets were left in our stateroom and said to meet our guide at the port entrance at 7:50am. I read all good reviews about the company. We only had one other couple join us. I thought wow, we are the only daredevils onboard. They were an awesome couple and we all took pictures of each other and exchanged them via email when we got back.

 

Our guide Elena was waiting right at the port entrance as promised. We had to sign off a bunch of forms and waivers. That sparked even more nerves in me. Along the way, we picked up our second guide Katy. Elena said it would be about an hour ride to the privately-owned area called the Garden of Eden. 50 minutes of the ride is on the famous Road To Hana. I had read so many people like to rent a car and drive this road. The 50 minutes I had was enough for me. It was raining almost the whole time. They offered us ginger candy. I usually suffer terrible motion sickness, so I had taken 3 ginger pills before I left. I’m glad I did. They said there are 56 one lane bridges and 617 hair pin turns on the Road To Hana. They said that often times sections of the road will wash out and strand people. I didn’t really care for this road much. There were some gushing streams and waterfalls that we passed but not really pull off areas for tourists. When we got to the entrance of the Garden of Eden, there was a gate and Katy got out to unlock it. That's when the other man with us had to get out and puke. Poor Fella, I was patting myself on the back for taking the ginger pills. At least, I did not get sick.

 

Our guides told us all about the rainfall they have experienced since January. They were under a flash flood warning and we would not be rappelling in the waterfalls but near them for safety reasons. Once we saw the gushing falls, we all agreed that was not a problem for us. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

Once we arrived at base camp, we were given special footwear, life jackets, and harnesses. It didn’t take long until we were on our way walking in the rainforest.

At least it wasn’t raining at this time. I took that as a good sign. After our instructions, DH volunteered to go first. He had a little experience in marine corps boot camp. So off he went. The other couple didn’t mind that I went second. I figured I’d better get this going because by now my stomach was up inside my throat. If I waited a second more, I would have chickened out. So…off the side I went… ok, I’m going… really I’m gonna do this. I was really trying and going no where fast. Only a mere few inches. I told the other couple to sit down and relax cause I was gonna be awhile. Luckily, they were good sports.

[Beagleluv6107]

After I FINALLY got about 10 feet over the mountain, it occurred to me that fear was keeping me from letting go of the rope more than an inch at a time. My arm muscles were fatigued, and I couldn’t go up, so I better get some courage quickly before I fall to my death. Ok not that dramatic, but surely my arms would give out soon. I eventually got into a rhythm and finished up pretty strong. Even DH said wow you went fast at the end. I said cause my arms wore out and I had no choice. We all had agood laugh. Here I am...

 

Now time for the other couple. The guy didn’t do so well. He went faster than me at first, but then completely lost it all together and ended up kinda belly first laying against the mountain. Poor thing, first the puking, now this. He finally managed to get to the bottom all covered in mud and a bit scratched up. His wife however, went down like a pro. She easily beat all of our times.

 

They called that the bunny hill at 80 feet. The next rappel was 120 feet. By then, I felt way more confident and went down with ease. The 3rd and final rappel was a little more challenging because it was straight down, and you couldn’t see anyone at the bottom. I have no idea how long but by this point, I was really having fun. But that poor guy after me lost his footing again and almost ended up upside down which seemed impossible. Sure enough, the wife did it in less than 2 minutes. She was amazing. Then it was time to hike all the way back up the rain forest and let me tell you, that was a serious workout. I loved it, but a few times you had to hold the safety rope they provided. It was so steep and a long way in-between the steps they cut into the trail.

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Once we reached the top, our guides had either turkey or veggie wraps, fresh pineapple and chocolate chip cookies.

That hit the spot after all that work. We were given time to walk around and take pictures.

 

 

Then our driver came to take us back to the port. Elena and Katy were taking another couple for their excursion. We loaded up in the van and that’s when the skies unleashed. It poured all the way back down the road to Hana. All 4 of us kept saying thank goodness we were not that “other” couple rappelling in the pouring rain.

 

I totally recommend this excursion and Rappel Maui. They did an excellent job. Even though we did not get a chance to rappel in the falls, or go swimming in the water, it was still worth it.

[Beagleluv6107]

We were back on board by 1:30. That was nice because we had some time to hang out and enjoy the ship. Except it was miserable out. We tried to sit at the Waikiki and enjoy a bucket, but it was just too windy and wet up there.

 

 

 

 

We headed to the Key West Grill for a post lunch, pre-dinner snack.

 

 

[Momtocss]

Missing you by a week ... we board June 23. Happy anniversary!

 

Happy Anniversary to you as well!

[Let Me Travel!]

That's why I'm treating myself to 1st class layflat seats. Once in a lifetime going for broke. :)

 

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Us too! I'm excited about the 1st class flight!

 

 

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[Beagleluv6107]

While we were at the Key West Grill, I got a call from Brittany from Paddle On Maui regarding our excursion for the next day. She said the weather was looking terrible. She promised to call in the morning before we got to the rental car office and confirm. We also found out from other cruisers, that part of the Road To Hana had washed out and they couldn’t get to the end. Some folks were stuck on the other side for hours, not able to make it back to the ship. Wow, we really were very lucky this day!!

 

Eventually, we found the Gold Rush Saloon and hung out there until it was time to go to the Hollywood Theater for the Polynesian Show at 6:30.

 

Since we didn’t make it to the Polynesian Culture Center on Waikiki, I thought this was a good idea to give DH a little taste of the history. I was right. We really enjoyed the show. I don’t expect Broadway and these folks work so hard. It was fun for us and we did learn about the various cultures.

 

We went to dinner at 7:30 and only had a 10 minute wait to be seated. DH had the Ceaser salad, sushi, and clam linguini. I only snapped a picture of the sushi.

I had the cream of mushroom soup and Argentinian steak salad. I learned my lesson the night before and never ordered dessert again. It was just too much for me at one time. Probably having lunch and .... second lunch factored in there somewhere too. ;p

 

Up Next – Do We Paddle Board Or Don’t We?

[Linda the Book Lover]

Hey Bluesea,

Yes I agree with all the cons. I sure wished I had known about getting that breakfast at the Cadillac Diner. I already liked it there but we never tried breakfast. Darn!! Hopefully the folks getting ready to board soon read this secret!!

 

Already planning on it.

[pe4all]

I am really enjoying reading your review! Another tip for those with upcoming POA cruises: We found that buying bottles of water in the gift shop was very cheap! They always had a fridge full of it, and not many people seemed to know it was there. It was cheaper than buying bottled water from the bars.

[Beachiekeen]

Wow I have always wanted to know more about Rappel Maui so thanks for such a detailed recap!

[cherokee54]

Your reviews and pictures are wonderful! We leave next Saturday (19th) and are celebrating our 20th (a bit earlier than the actual date). Your posts are so informative and helpful! I had become a bit discouraged reading all the negative posts, but now I am now looking forward to our adventure and getting excited. Thank you for a balanced view and congratulations and best wishes for many more years to you both!

[Czmzlz]

Thanks for your review! I'm loving it! We will be on the POA for our anniversary and aren't big into paying extra for restaurants etc so it's good to know you can get crab cakes and prime rib in MDR. Your meal looked great! Did you use a travel agent? Just wondering how they knew it was your anniversary. Thanks! Can't wait for the rest of your review!!