Pride of America, ports baby friendly?

[CandLcruisers]

Looking to cruise on Pride of America in summer 2022. Have a baby that will be almost two at that time. I heard most of the ports are industrial or not typical cruise ports. We would like to explore the islands. I assume a car seat would be needed for this. Is this practical to bring a baby on this cruise?  She travels well. We could bring our car seat and then use a stroller when needed. But if you have to travel to see sites, is it a bus (taxi) with several stops or does it take you to one location and drop you off. We wanted to do a luau, site see volcanos and waterfalls, and anything else we can get to easily with a baby. Any recommendations?  Has anyone ever taken a baby or can describe the process and transportation of seeing the islands. Any help is appreciated before we book a cruise that we end up not leaving the ship and wasting our money! 

[ColeThornton]

Welcome to CC.   You may also want to ask this/research over on the Hawaii Port of Call forum.

 

Here is the link for you.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/37-hawaii/

[milolii]

Yes, welcome to Cruise  critic. You many also ask questions in this Forum 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/28-family-cruises/

 

Many rent cars in the ports.  Good luck! 

[dexddd]

Welcome to CC. 

 

We took our 3 yo DS back in 2006 when NCL had three ships there.  For us it was flexibility to work around things.   Car rentals were easy there but hearing stories of rental shortages now.

 

We tried to keep things to about half a day or we split doing things off ship with older child.

 

Key for us was to get a nap in for him.  The ship will be deserted during Port stops so an afternoon stint in the pools was lots of fun.

 

We have pictures on wall with kids in the pool and one with him sitting on a beach chair smiling and holding a sub as big as his head on one of the islands.

[CandLcruisers]

Thank you so much. That is very helpful and good advice! 

[Middleager]

We've always rented cars in Hawaiian ports.  It's easy to drive around Hawaii.  It's USA, signs are in English, driving on the right side, easy to find places to stop, gas up, eat, sightsee. 

 

Bring your GPS if you have one, or use phone/data.  Yes bring your car seat/stroller.  You may not always be able to rent a car seat at all ports.  In some places if you want to hike a bit, hope the baby isn't too big/heavy to pouch on you.

 

Don't forget to stay extra days in Oahu.  You'll be in paradise.

[CandLcruisers]

Thank you for that advice! 

[Longstockingpippi1]

I did the POA as an introduction to Hawaii before the pandemic. Loved Hawaii and the ship. The first port is an overnight on Maui, a tiny beach and storefronts surround the dock. Nothing worth seeing in the area, rent a car and go, plenty of time. Then Hilo, they were working on improving the surrounding area when I was there . Sign up for a volcano excursion if that interests you. Then comes Kona a tender port, once on shore it is a diners/shoppers area. Lots of interesting excursions and small beach close by. Since no lava is flowing into the ocean the ship does not sail past the southern coast. The last port is Kauai 😍😍, an overnight stop. Rent a car and GO. But which direction? Decisions, decisions.

[CandLcruisers]

Thank you so much Longstockingpippi! This is so helpful! 😊