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

[Beagleluv6107]

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

One last picture from our ride. I'll wrap up the rest of our first day in Kauai sometime tomorrow hopefully.

 

[Computer Nerd]

Thanks for the tip about smoking. Is there no inside smoking area (I was going to ask about the casino until I remembered the POA doesn't have a casino)?

[pe4all]

We also had Ben as our Jack Harter pilot! He did a fantastic job for us, sometimes circling back if he didn't like the view he was getting for us. I was also in the front middle, but was fine with it, as I wanted dd25 to get the "open-door" experience. At the end of the flight I literally had to pry her hand off the top door handle, as she was gripping it so tightly for the entire ride!

[Beagleluv6107]

Thanks for the tip about smoking. Is there no inside smoking area (I was going to ask about the casino until I remembered the POA doesn't have a casino)?

 

Hey there,

I was told absolutely no smoking anywhere but that back bar called the Waikiki.

[Beagleluv6107]

We also had Ben as our Jack Harter pilot! He did a fantastic job for us, sometimes circling back if he didn't like the view he was getting for us. I was also in the front middle, but was fine with it, as I wanted dd25 to get the "open-door" experience. At the end of the flight I literally had to pry her hand off the top door handle, as she was gripping it so tightly for the entire ride!

 

Pe4all, That's hilarious. I'm glad she got to experience it. I loved being over the farmland and the water but I got a little tense flying over those jagged edges of the mountains or should I call that area cliffs? I'm not sure what to call them, but I definitely felt my hand tighten up on the handle when we flew over those areas.

[Beagleluv6107]

A little delayed but I’m back to wrap up Day 1 in Kauai.

 

We were taken from the airport back to Jack’s headquarters. The other people that were not on the cruise ship got out and the rest of us were dropped off back at the dock. We wore jeans and jackets for the flight, so we went back to the cabin to put on shorts and tank tops. The sun wasn’t actually shining, but it was still warm.

 

When I researched the area, I found a Duke’s Restaurant and bar that was within walking distance. My plan was to go there and hang out and save money on a few beers. It was a quick 10-minute walk and we caught the happy hour. Duke’s only serves draft beer ($5 Coors Light Drafts). We looked over the menu and everything was pretty pricy. I tried to get DH to try the Sashimi or the Ahi Poke, but he wasn’t interested. I think he was having a craving for those wings we could get at the Cadillac Diner back on board. He’s not a fan of draft beer either so we left.

 

Here’s our view from Duke’s.

 

Here’s the view looking inside the Marriot.

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

While we were walking back to the ship, we noticed that you could rent paddle boards for only $25 per person for an hour. Wow!!! We decided that since we had nothing on the agenda for the next day, we would finally Paddle Board! It was not exactly what I had planned for our excursion in Maui, but it was cheap!

 

We got back on board and headed straight for the wings.

 

We also got an order of loaded French fries to try. They were certainly not loaded. There was a sprinkle of cheese on top.

 

 

I got the wedge salad again. It was also very good.

Thank goodness the wings were excellent again. We ventured outside to the Waikiki Bar, but it was raining and windy. The weather sure does change quickly around here! We sat inside at the Gold Rush and chatted with Casey the bartender. She gave us the lowdown on the Pride of America and how/why the rules for this ship are so different.

[Beagleluv6107]

Either 6:30 or 7 we went to the Hollywood Theater to see These Guys Worldwide. I cannot stress how much we enjoyed this show. They were fantastic. They even had 1 guy missing and we would not have known, if they didn’t tell us. Apparently, one of the members wasn’t feeling well. At some point, they asked the Sax player from the house band to help them sing 1 song as a barbershop quartet and even he was fantastic. Wow, we loved it!

 

We went to dinner in the Skyline about 9. DH had the New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, and grilled garlic snapper & shrimp.

 

I had the crab and shrimp souffle and also the grilled garlic snapper & shrimp.

They were both very good. We were at table 221 on this night and it was by far the best table for two in the whole place. I wish this could have been our table every night. I should have taken a picture to give you an idea of the location. It was quiet and tucked away and next to a window.

 

Up Next – Do I Finally Get to Paddle Board???

[Computer Nerd]

Hey there,

I was told absolutely no smoking anywhere but that back bar called the Waikiki.

 

Thank you. I hope it is protected from the weather.

[AmyJA]

Thanks for doing this Beagle. This cruise was just brought up by mom. So I was glad to see a newish review.

 

Please keep it coming!

[KYbornLeapyear]

TO: Beagleluv,

Your POA review is wonderful. I've made notes and await your next post. DH and I are cruising POA at the end of July for our 50th anniversary. Whoop, whoop!! <3

[ksamcard]

Thanks, Beagleluv I have really enjoyed reading your reviews of Pride of America, I'm scheduled for July 14,2018. I've received a change in schedule, we will be at sea on Tuesday (no Hilo). I'm still excited just from reading your reviews. Thanks A Million

[we b cruzin]

Thank you very much, Beagleluv for this fantastic review. I have enjoyed reading it and, although our cruise isn't until November, it has made us even more anxious for our cruise to get here.

[Sherrica]

Thanks for your review! Glad to see you had a wonderful time!

[postaljames]

Just booked this cruise today for January 2019. Following your adventure for now.Thanks for sharing.

 

Sent from my KFSUWI using Forums mobile app

[Beagleluv6107]

Thanks for doing this Beagle. This cruise was just brought up by mom. So I was glad to see a newish review.

 

Please keep it coming!

 

Hi AmyJA,

I sure hope you get to go and experience this!

[Beagleluv6107]

TO: Beagleluv,

Your POA review is wonderful. I've made notes and await your next post. DH and I are cruising POA at the end of July for our 50th anniversary. Whoop, whoop!! <3

 

Thank you so much for reading along. Congratulations on your upcoming 50th. That is so awesome!!! DH and I have been married 10 but we were best friends for 18 years before we became a couple. I hope you have an amazing trip!!

[Beagleluv6107]

Day 9 – 2nd Day in Kauai and Paddle Boarding!!!

 

The great thing about an overnight stay is the buffet is not crowded in the morning!! DH finally got his omelet. I was just tickled to get a seat and actually enjoy my breakfast. I was also thrilled the weather cooperated and I would finally be able to wear that nifty new wet suit coat I just had to buy.

 

We got off the boat around 9 and walked toward the Marriott. The sign where you rent the boards says Kauai Beach Boys.

 

 

We told the nice young lady we had no idea what we were doing so she gave us a quick run-down of the safety precautions and said to stay to the left in the calm water. The surfers stayed to the right. Ok, that sounds easy enough.

 

DH grabbed his board and off he went into the distance. I could barely carry this stupid board to the water’s edge and as the breeze blew, it would send me backward. DH was oblivious. I finally figured out the strap and how to hold the board and the paddle and step into the water. By this point, I’ve become a spectacle and a crowd was gathering.

 

Typically, I’m that girl that takes an hour to get in the water cause it’s always too cold. Well… when I heard the giggling behind me, I was too embarrassed to dilly-dally. I pushed the board to a little over knee deep water and I dove on top of it. I didn’t want the waves to knock me off, so I quickly pulled myself up on my knees and paddled frantically to the left.

 

At some point, I was panting and sweating and not quite sure why this wet suit jacket was a must have. DH was either being brave or a show off cause he stood up on his board and paddled on over to me. Are you ok he asks… hmmm 15 minutes has gone by and he’s just now asking. I said I’m just a little overwhelmed with the 4-foot swells, where is this calm water the little girl spoke of??? I can’t find it.

 

 

I eventually switched positions and looked like I was riding a horse side saddle. DH asked if I was ever going to stand up. No… no, I really don’t think that’s a good idea. It was just so wavy. The 4-foot swells comment may have been a bit dramatic but it was not my idea of calm water. Then I watched as DH wiped out and went for dip. That sealed the deal. Maybe next time. Haha These pictures don't prove my case, it really looks pretty calm.

Here's a picture of the POA. You can see how close we are.

 

 

Trying to get that heavy board out of the water and back to the shop was just as challenging so I actually parked it right there at the water’s edge and made DH carry it when he came in. I was worn out!

[Beagleluv6107]

We changed into dry clothes right at the restroom above the little shop. I believe it was the Café Portofino's restroom but no one stopped us (thankfully). Here's the view.

 

 

 

 

On our walk back, we stopped in a few shops that I didn’t notice the day before. We also found a nice little bar with outside seating. It was called JJ’s Broiler and they had $7 bloody Mary’s. They were excellent, and they also had $3 bottled Corona Light. I guess it’s best we didn’t know this until the very last minute.

 

 

 

 

These little guys were every where all over the islands.

[Beagleluv6107]

We were back on the boat by 1 and we headed to the pool for a barbeque. They had a nice spread. I think we both had hamburgers and DH had a piece of chicken. I snapped a picture of the authorities chasing down this paddle boarder.

 

 

We went to the Waikiki for sail away

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Here's a bunch of pictures I took while we were sailing away.

 

Here's the Marriott.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

As we got close to the Napali Coast we went back to our balcony. That was fun. The pictures show how cloudy and overcast the view was. I was so happy we got to see everything by helicopter the day before. I could hear a little bit of what was being narrated about the area over the loud speaker, but you can also turn on the TV and hear it as well.

 

 

 

 

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Just a few more pics