Pride of America drama

[checkitallout]

Our Feb -12 cruise was canceled. This was a rebook from last year. The price for next year is more than 50%more

than we were paying for a suite. Not rebooking it now. The other issue is our airfare can be rebooked- but we have to fly by March 31 2022. No plans on going anywhere now. I did look into a few days in Waikiki and a few days in Maui or kaui. Problem is hotel prices are astronomical. Don’t know what I will do. 

[dumbth]

You can try to avoid this great snarl of POA regulation by taking the rare trips on another NCL ship that includes Tahiti with most Hawaii stops. The per day cost is (was) about half as I recall, and what is so bad about a few extra days sea time.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

27 minutes ago, dumbth said:

You can try to avoid this great snarl of POA regulation by taking the rare trips on another NCL ship that includes Tahiti with most Hawaii stops. The per day cost is (was) about half as I recall, and what is so bad about a few extra days sea time.

Yet another option are the 14 to 18 day round trip sailings from Los Angeles, San Fransisco, San Diego and Vancouver on lines like Princess, Carnival and HAL. They can often be had for similar or less $ than the Pride of America From HNL. The HAL 18 day sailings in particular are quite attractive due to the amount of time spent in Hawaii (6 full days - 2 in Honolulu and 1 each in Kauai, Maui, Hilo and Kona).

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by AtlantaCruiser72

[dexddd]

8 hours ago, dumbth said:

You can try to avoid this great snarl of POA regulation by taking the rare trips on another NCL ship that includes Tahiti with most Hawaii stops. The per day cost is (was) about half as I recall, and what is so bad about a few extra days sea time.

You mean the Spirit?  Those cruises sold well but the Spirit has not sailed since Feb\Mar of 2020.

 

Not scheduled until late April.  I'd be concerned those trips happen.  Plus the prices crazy high.

 

I love the Spirit but prices crazy.  Would love to sail her for a third time after the refurb early 2020, but the prices say no.

[bluesea777]

Reflag POA and have it sail R/T from San Diego? Yes, several sea days would be added and a Mexican port added also, but would be cheaper if prices are same as you don’t need air to HNL.

 

We were very lucky to have hitched a one way ride on post-dry dock POA from SFO to HNL (10 days and we got to visit all 4 ports there) at a fraction of the normal astronomical prices. It was in March 2016 and we will never ever be able to afford to sail on POA again if it still sails within Hawaii for 7 days, plus pre- /post- cruise stays are very expensive.

 

JMO. 
 

Edited January 21, 2022 by bluesea777

[chengkp75]

29 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

Reflag POA and have it sail R/T from San Diego? Yes, several sea days would be added and a Mexican port added also, but would be cheaper if prices are same as you don’t need air to HNL.

There is a definitive demand for the Hawaiian 7 day cruises, that fill the POA on most weeks.  There is a totally different demographic for the 14 day cruises from the West Coast, and what would differentiate POA from all the other brands sailing these cruises, that would draw enough demand away from the other lines?  Especially since the POA has no casino.

[NikiPinkston]

15 hours ago, checkitallout said:

Our Feb -12 cruise was canceled. This was a rebook from last year. The price for next year is more than 50%more

than we were paying for a suite. Not rebooking it now. The other issue is our airfare can be rebooked- but we have to fly by March 31 2022. No plans on going anywhere now. I did look into a few days in Waikiki and a few days in Maui or kaui. Problem is hotel prices are astronomical. Don’t know what I will do. 

We're kind of in the same boat. We were booked on the POA in March, 2020 and, after several re-bookings & cancellations, are now sailing this fall (fingers crossed). We had airfare we had to re-book by March 31 & we're hoping things are somewhat back to "normal" by then.  We're staying in Waikiki for a few days pre-cruise & were originally booked at the Moana Surfrider but, to make up a bit for the difference in the POA fare, I looked at just about every other hotel in Waikiki.  We're now booked at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and, with our Marriott Bonvoy discount (we just recently joined) and the senior discount, I feel that the rate was quite reasonable for Waikiki.  All of the rooms have balconies & we got an ocean view room.  My second choice for a more reasonable but still pretty nice hotel would be the Waikiki Beachcomber.  Both are centrally located right on Kalakaua Avenue.  There are also a few hotel threads on the CC Hawaii board that I found very helpful.  Hope that helps if you decide to spend some time in Waikiki.

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by NikiPinkston

[tupperstamper]

We are scheduled to sale on April 9. I still hope to cruise in April and being that that is suppose to be the first sailing, we put a deposit down on the December 3 sailing. The price is cheaper than April and we got a better room.

[oteixeira]

5 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

There is a definitive demand for the Hawaiian 7 day cruises, that fill the POA on most weeks.  There is a totally different demographic for the 14 day cruises from the West Coast, and what would differentiate POA from all the other brands sailing these cruises, that would draw enough demand away from the other lines?  Especially since the POA has no casino.

Totally true, a family can swing it with just one week off work (9 day window) on POA, and you can't do that on any other line sailing from California.

[Caraec]

I have been looking forward to our 5/14/22 30th anniversary cruise since I booked it in April of 2022, while I was in the middle of my chemo journey. I decided to roll the dice and pay my full fare on the 10th of this month, and OF COURSE the cruises were canceled again through 4/2 the very next week.

 

I have purchased airfare and we are going to Hawaii (probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip) one way or the other. I am busily working out a Plan B land itinerary. 

[fabby50]

We are also getting ready to book air, and have decide that we're going to Hawaii regardless.  If our cruise is cancelled, I'll get my $$ back and book a ritzy hotel instead 🙂  We already have a day before and two days after booked and I'd would just extend one or the other or both.

[Cindy]

9 hours ago, NikiPinkston said:

We're kind of in the same boat. We were booked on the POA in March, 2020 and, after several re-bookings & cancellations, are now sailing this fall (fingers crossed). We had airfare we had to re-book by March 31 & we're hoping things are somewhat back to "normal" by then.  We're staying in Waikiki for a few days pre-cruise & were originally booked at the Moana Surfrider but, to make up a bit for the difference in the POA fare, I looked at just about every other hotel in Waikiki.  We're now booked at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and, with our Marriott Bonvoy discount (we just recently joined) and the senior discount, I feel that the rate was quite reasonable for Waikiki.  All of the rooms have balconies & we got an ocean view room.  My second choice for a more reasonable but still pretty nice hotel would be the Waikiki Beachcomber.  Both are centrally located right on Kalakaua Avenue.  There are also a few hotel threads on the CC Hawaii board that I found very helpful.  Hope that helps if you decide to spend some time in Waikiki.

 

We’re in the same boat, so to speak.😂 We started out in April 2020 and we’re giving it one more try on October 1sr.

 

I had moved our Outrigger Reef reservation several times but since we’re adding a night and their prices have skyrocketed I’m looking around. I think the prices are reasonable at the Waikiki Beachcomber, but I think we’re going to go with either the Hyatt Regency (breakfast buffet included😁) or the Halepuna Waikiki. Both have great rates for oceanfront rooms through Costco Travel. 
 

I’m busy now working on my Plan B. We have to move our air tickets by May 27, so we ARE flying to Honolulu on September 27! We’ll leave Honolulu for Kauai and Maui on October 1. The only thing that remains to be seen is if we island hop on the POA or by air! I’m hoping it’s on the ship, but we’ll make the best of it no matter what!

[dexddd]

On 1/21/2022 at 8:18 AM, bluesea777 said:

Reflag POA and have it sail R/T from San Diego? Yes, several sea days would be added and a Mexican port added also, but would be cheaper if prices are same as you don’t need air to HNL.

 

We were very lucky to have hitched a one way ride on post-dry dock POA from SFO to HNL (10 days and we got to visit all 4 ports there) at a fraction of the normal astronomical prices. It was in March 2016 and we will never ever be able to afford to sail on POA again if it still sails within Hawaii for 7 days, plus pre- /post- cruise stays are very expensive.

 

JMO. 
 

Yep, we were on that cruise too.  Think I saw it around July 4th 2015, price was great booked in one day.  Kids had to miss some school.  Other than the cluster with the one day delay and NCL taking how many months to refund what they promised it was a great trip.

 

Plus we got to meet the wonderful Klaus.

[bluesea777]

53 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Yep, we were on that cruise too.  Think I saw it around July 4th 2015, price was great booked in one day.  Kids had to miss some school.  Other than the cluster with the one day delay and NCL taking how many months to refund what they promised it was a great trip.

 

Plus we got to meet the wonderful Klaus.

Righto. I saw it around the same time and told DH who suggested we book straight away, prices were too good to pass up. Then a little while later it disappeared from NCL.com for many months and when it came back the prices were higher!
 

Yes, it was good seeing both Klaus and Kai again - we’d met them before. We saw Klaus again on the inaugural Encore TA and he said Kai is still on POA. 
 

Pity you and us never had the chance to meet. 
 

 

[Cindy]

21 hours ago, Cindy said:

I think we’re going to go with either the Hyatt Regency (breakfast buffet included😁) or the Halepuna Waikiki. Both have great rates for oceanfront rooms through Costco Travel. 
 

I’m busy now working on my Plan B. We have to move our air tickets by May 27, so we ARE flying to Honolulu on September 27! We’ll leave Honolulu for Kauai and Maui on October 1. The only thing that remains to be seen is if we island hop on the POA or by air! I’m hoping it’s on the ship, but we’ll make the best of it no matter what!

Things are falling into place. We booked directly at the Halepuna using a package that includes breakfast and resort credit. I decided I liked the smaller hotel with no resort fees. Plan B is in place with refundable hotel and car reservations for Kauai and Maui. I hope we don’t have to use them, but I’m ready if we do!

[Oceansaway17]

5 hours ago, dexddd said:

Yep, we were on that cruise too.  Think I saw it around July 4th 2015, price was great booked in one day.  Kids had to miss some school.  Other than the cluster with the one day delay and NCL taking how many months to refund what they promised it was a great trip.

 

Plus we got to meet the wonderful Klaus.

 

 

You met SANTA!!!!!1    ha ha

[dexddd]

18 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

 

You met SANTA!!!!!1    ha ha

Klaus is better than Santa.  What a wonderful person.

[4 cruisers]

On 1/19/2022 at 8:55 AM, amyh13 said:

I am confused at to why NCL keeps pushing back the start date for POA.  I know ships are sailing to Hawaii.  Final Payment is due on Friday.  I we could drive to the port that is one thing, but people have to make a significant investment for airfare to Hawaii and refundable fares are ridiculously priced.  It makes me a little nervous to wait and book airfare 6 weeks out.  Grrrrr.  I booked this trip pre-covid and have been looking forward to it for so long.  I got a steal on a suite so I hate to let it go.  

I agree and understand your concern~ we are booked (third try)on the April 23rd sailing.  We have changed air twice and I think the time limits will be out if we try to change again.  We were so excited about our awesome suite but I don't want to make final payment and be stuck!

 

[4 cruisers]

On 1/19/2022 at 11:27 AM, The Traveling Man said:

Any idea when they implemented those regulations?  When we sailed on the PoA in December 2016 we were told by the General Manager that only 75% of the crew had to be US residents.  We met several officers and crew members whose citizenship was other than US, but they were documented US residents.  We also met a few who lived outside the US.  Also, this is first time I've heard anything about a requirement that everyone, all the way down the roster to the waiters and stewards, had to be Coast Guard certified as merchant mariners.  Could you please quote your source for this info?

This is what I was told as well!
 

[Diver2014]

On 1/22/2022 at 5:40 AM, chengkp75 said:

 

The poster I was answering asked me to quote my source for this information, so I did.  If you don't care, did anyone force you to read my post?  And, there were 13 folks who liked the post.

 

Don't you just want to roll your eyes when someone asks you to quote your sources, like you're just making something up?  I think your years of experience are far more credible than any opinions stated on these boards.  Just sayin'......

[Crown Vic]

On 1/22/2022 at 1:39 PM, dexddd said:

Yep, we were on that cruise too.  Think I saw it around July 4th 2015, price was great booked in one day.  Kids had to miss some school.  Other than the cluster with the one day delay and NCL taking how many months to refund what they promised it was a great trip.

 

Plus we got to meet the wonderful Klaus.

Two thumbs up! 👍 One for the ship and the SFO-HNL trip and  👍 one for Klaus...

[amyh13]

I totally agree with this.  We are not close to retirement and have middle school and high school kids.  This 7 day cruise is perfect for us when scheduling time off from work.

 

 

On 1/21/2022 at 9:53 AM, chengkp75 said:

There is a definitive demand for the Hawaiian 7 day cruises, that fill the POA on most weeks.  There is a totally different demographic for the 14 day cruises from the West Coast, and what would differentiate POA from all the other brands sailing these cruises, that would draw enough demand away from the other lines?  Especially since the POA has no casino.

 

[Oceansaway17]

21 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

 

Don't you just want to roll your eyes when someone asks you to quote your sources, like you're just making something up?  I think your years of experience are far more credible than any opinions stated on these boards.  Just sayin'......

 

I know I chuckle too.  I mean we are not writing term papers here.  As for me, if I hear something twice and or read it more and more, then I say it is collective thoughts and ideas.  There ya go. 

 

 

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

I know I chuckle too.  I mean we are not writing term papers here.  As for me, if I hear something twice and or read it more and more, then I say it is collective thoughts and ideas.  There ya go. 

 

 

source??

[ChiefMateJRK]

I see that two Princess ships have now sailed to Hawaii and that port agreements are in place for several lines, including NCL.  That suggests to me that the crew concerns in this thread may be the root cause of the NCL delays.  If that is the case, I'm not sure that there is a quick/easy fix.  Hopefully NCL won't just throw their hands up at some point and pull POA out of HI. If they replaced it with a longer LA/SD round trip like other lines, I wouldn't be entirely disappointed.