Hawaiian Holiday 🎄🍾 LIVE from Koningsdam Dec 21-Jan 6: join me for my 1st solo cruise & 1st inside cabin!

[Haljo1935]

Many of these have not been cropped - TIA for understanding.

Pictures from the USS Missouri - an emotional, humbling experience. 

Difficult to capture all the flags in a single shot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain quarters

 

Surrender Deck - a very moving experience 

 

 

A few of the 9 guns

Heading to the exit

 

 

 

[Haljo1935]

On 1/6/2024 at 8:34 PM, Chris-n-Shawn said:

Hi Haljo1935 - about post #675 and the mentioned experience at Pearl Harbor; if it was people-caused negative energy, darn and no need to relive it 😕

We’re going to Pearl Harbor via the Kdam next month; if there were any scheduling /transportation/ etc snafus, we’d be interested in hearing...

@Chris-n-Shawn Pearl Harbor was THE must do stop for me on this cruise, so I decided to do the excursion through the ship hoping for the best experience. Surely they would use only vetted, reliable guides and put their "power in numbers" to work for the masses. Based on comments we heard, that worked for some people, but not our bus. Well, at least not for all but 4 on our bus.

Polynesian Adventures is the company HAL used, "Kama" was the guide.

The tour was sold out; our bus was not the only one that went, so many others had an opportunity for an experience that we did not. We were 20 min late leaving the ship as we waited on 4 late passengers that did not show. Unfortunately, that 20 min was not the only delay.

Tour guide immediately set the ground rules of "tight schedule, you have to be on time" which he himself had already broken and later would not honor. We waited 25 min after touring the Missouri for passengers which did eventually show. So now we were 45 min off schedule. This 45 min was completely the fault of the tour operator. 

Before and after Kama handed out tickets, he told us we had to "run to the standy line" if we wanted any chance of making it to the Memorial. He knew we would not make it - his time for us to leave was 1:45 to get back to the ship by 2. It is 45 min roundtrip for The Memorial shuttle & tour; it does not run between 12 and 1 (closed for lunch). He stressed that if we were on the 12:45 shuttle, we would not make his 1:45 deadline, meaning we had to be on one prior to 12:45. So, w/o a schedule change, we were iffy after the 20 min delay and assured of missing it after the 25 min delay. 

All tour tickets have a disclaimer that Operators reserve the right to change the order of stops. Had ours done that and taken us to the Memorial 1st, we would have made it. 

Making the experience even worse, we waited 30 min past his 1:45 deadline for 4 passengers who, you guessed it, went to the Memorial. An entire bus missed something that they may not have an opportunity to revisit and, sadly, did not have to be missed.

So, for you, I would recommend not using this tour company independently or through the ship. And regardless of the excursion you do select, go to the website and secure your own reserved time so you have a slot. We didn't know you could get reserved tickets and use them with the ship tour - you can and should. As you mention you're going through the ship, you might consider calling Shore Exc to see if they are using this Tour Operator.  If so, let them know you do NOT want that guide. I'm sure they can't arrange that in advance (you'llbe on record should somethingunfortunatelygo wrong), so I would strongly advise you ask when you're at the pier lining up and as you're assigned your bus - the guides are there - be sure you are put w/a different guide. 

Also, go to the Memorial 1st then the Missouri.

At the Memorial, there are 3 lines - left is the film, center reserved time tickets, right is stand-by.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise and are able to do everything you plan. I would love to hear about your adventure and see any pictures you'd like to share. 😊

Edited January 9 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Chris-n-Shawn Pearl Harbor was THE must do stop for me on this cruise, so I decided to do the excursion through the ship hoping for the best experience. Surely they would use only vetted, reliable guides and put their "power in numbers" to work for the masses. Based on comments we heard, that worked for some people, but not our bus. Well, at least not for all but 4 on our bus.

Polynesian Adventures is the company HAL used, "Kama" was the guide.

The tour was sold out; our bus was not the only one that went, so many others had an opportunity for an experience that we did not. We were 20 min late leaving the ship as we waited on 4 late passengers that did not show. Unfortunately, that 20 min was not the only delay.

Tour guide immediately set the ground rules of "tight schedule, you have to be on time" which he himself had already broken and later would not honor. We waited 25 min after touring the Missouri for passengers which did eventually show. So now we were 45 min off schedule. This 45 min was completely the fault of the tour operator. 

Before and after Kama handed out tickets, he told us we had to "run to the standy line" if we wanted any chance of making it to the Memorial. He knew we would not make it - his time for us to leave was 1:45 to get back to the ship by 2. It is 45 min roundtrip for The Memorial shuttle & tour; it does not run between 12 and 1 (closed for lunch). He stressed that if we were on the 12:45 shuttle, we would not make his 1:45 deadline, meaning we had to be on one prior to 12:45. So, w/o a schedule change, we were iffy after the 20 min delay and assured of missing it after the 25 min delay. 

All tour tickets have a disclaimer that Operators reserve the right to change the order of stops. Had ours done that and taken us to the Memorial 1st, we would have made it. 

Making the experience even worse, we waited 30 min past his 1:45 deadline for 4 passengers who, you guessed it, went to the Memorial. An entire bus missed something that they may not have an opportunity to revisit and, sadly, did not have to be missed.

So, for you, I would recommend not using this tour company independently or through the ship. And regardless of the excursion you do select, go to the website and secure your own reserved time so you have a slot. We didn't know you could get reserved tickets and use them with the ship tour - you can and should. As you mention you're going through the ship, you might consider calling Shore Exc to see if they are using this Tour Operator.  If so, let them know you do NOT want that guide. I'm sure they can't arrange that in advance (you'llbe on record should somethingunfortunatelygo wrong), so I would strongly advise you ask when you're at the pier lining up and as you're assigned your bus - the guides are there - be sure you are put w/a different guide. 

Also, go to the Memorial 1st then the Missouri.

At the Memorial, there are 3 lines - left is the film, center reserved time tickets, right is stand-by.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise and are able to do everything you plan. I would love to hear about your adventure and see any pictures you'd like to share. 😊

How frustrating that must have been! I'm sorry that you missed out on what, for most people, is the most moving experience at Pearl Harbor.

[57redbird]

20 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Thanks for letting those of us not on FB know.

Where is the post? - which board?  Thanks.

[BetsyS.]

I'm sorry you had that experience. Did you get your post cruise survey yet?

[Haljo1935]

6 minutes ago, BetsyS. said:

I'm sorry you had that experience. Did you get your post cruise survey yet?

No, ma'am, I have not received it yet.

[Haljo1935]

13 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

Where is the post? - which board?  Thanks.

@Destiny0315 post #849. Is that what you're looking for?

[FlorenceItaly]

8 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

No, ma'am, I have not received it yet.

I received mine yesterday at 4:38 EST.  I have not filled it out yet.  I do plan on mentioning these "domestic animals" even though I have no first hand experience other than witnessing them in the LIDO RESTAURANT.

[BetsyS.]

On past cruises, there were always plenty of officers in the Lido restaurant. I'm surprised that the officers on your cruise did not have the animals removed immediately!!

[Destiny0315]

43 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

I have no first hand experience other than witnessing them in the LIDO RESTAURANT.

If you look at my post #849 as referenced by @Haljo1935 above you will see right underneath the area I circled in the ADA requirements a statement regarding public food service areas and how service animals are generally allowed in them even if that overrules state and local health codes. Now what the policy in International Waters is I don't know but I do know that when the health inspectors come on board the ships they best not fine droppings from any dog or human for that matter in any food service areas.

Edited January 9 by Destiny0315

[FlorenceItaly]

6 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

If you look at my post #849 as referenced by @Haljo1935 above you will see right underneath the area I circled in the ADA requirements a statement regarding public food service areas and how service animals are generally allowed in them even if that overrules state and local health codes. Now what the policy in International Waters is I don't know but I do know that when the health inspectors come on board the ships they best not fine droppings from any dog or human for that matter in any food service areas.

I am not convinced these are true service animals by ADA definition.  

[Haljo1935]

3 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

I am not convinced these are true service animals by ADA definition.  

If they're the same ones I encountered, I feel certain they were not.

[FlorenceItaly]

4 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

If they're the same ones I encountered, I feel certain they were not.

HAL handled the situation poorly and they know it.  These domestic animals should have never been on this cruise.

[57redbird]

I'm wanting to see tne post by John Heald.

[Destiny0315]

17 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

I am not convinced these are true service animals by ADA definition.

Oh I agree that these were very likely not licensed service animals. If HAL allowed them on with whatever documentation that was provided then they need to take a closer look at that process. The more feedback they get from passengers like yourself and others about the issues then the more likely they will review their procedures.

[Blackduck59]

@Haljo1935 I read your post about the Pearl Harbour experience. I can understand your disappointment. I have to say the Arizona Memorial is a moving place. I was honoured to attend but have to say I won't be going back there. We weren't part of a tour so we planned our own visit, the priority was the memorial; like you said, do that first.

We were not on a cruise when we visited. We had a rented car and made sure to be there when it opened. The public transportation in Honolulu is excellent, I wonder if for some people it wouldn't be better to catch the local bus from the cruise terminal to Pearl Harbour and get your tickets there. 

Thanks for sharing your disappointing experience, perhaps it will help others make better arrangements for their Pearl Harbour experience, it is a special place.

[SonuvaBeach]

4 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Chris-n-Shawn Pearl Harbor was THE must do stop for me on this cruise, so I decided to do the excursion through the ship hoping for the best experience. Surely they would use only vetted, reliable guides and put their "power in numbers" to work for the masses. Based on comments we heard, that worked for some people, but not our bus. Well, at least not for all but 4 on our bus.

Polynesian Adventures is the company HAL used, "Kama" was the guide.

The tour was sold out; our bus was not the only one that went, so many others had an opportunity for an experience that we did not. We were 20 min late leaving the ship as we waited on 4 late passengers that did not show. Unfortunately, that 20 min was not the only delay.

Tour guide immediately set the ground rules of "tight schedule, you have to be on time" which he himself had already broken and later would not honor. We waited 25 min after touring the Missouri for passengers which did eventually show. So now we were 45 min off schedule. This 45 min was completely the fault of the tour operator. 

Before and after Kama handed out tickets, he told us we had to "run to the standy line" if we wanted any chance of making it to the Memorial. He knew we would not make it - his time for us to leave was 1:45 to get back to the ship by 2. It is 45 min roundtrip for The Memorial shuttle & tour; it does not run between 12 and 1 (closed for lunch). He stressed that if we were on the 12:45 shuttle, we would not make his 1:45 deadline, meaning we had to be on one prior to 12:45. So, w/o a schedule change, we were iffy after the 20 min delay and assured of missing it after the 25 min delay. 

All tour tickets have a disclaimer that Operators reserve the right to change the order of stops. Had ours done that and taken us to the Memorial 1st, we would have made it. 

Making the experience even worse, we waited 30 min past his 1:45 deadline for 4 passengers who, you guessed it, went to the Memorial. An entire bus missed something that they may not have an opportunity to revisit and, sadly, did not have to be missed.

So, for you, I would recommend not using this tour company independently or through the ship. And regardless of the excursion you do select, go to the website and secure your own reserved time so you have a slot. We didn't know you could get reserved tickets and use them with the ship tour - you can and should. As you mention you're going through the ship, you might consider calling Shore Exc to see if they are using this Tour Operator.  If so, let them know you do NOT want that guide. I'm sure they can't arrange that in advance (you'llbe on record should somethingunfortunatelygo wrong), so I would strongly advise you ask when you're at the pier lining up and as you're assigned your bus - the guides are there - be sure you are put w/a different guide. 

Also, go to the Memorial 1st then the Missouri.

At the Memorial, there are 3 lines - left is the film, center reserved time tickets, right is stand-by.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise and are able to do everything you plan. I would love to hear about your adventure and see any pictures you'd like to share. 😊

OH MY GOD! I would have been RIPPIN ANGRY!!  We went to Pearl in 2022. The day we were there, a main water line burst! The whole part of the island was without water and Pearl was shut down. No one's fault, but disappointing.

We booked the Koningsdam excursion for this trip for March 2024...EXPENSIVE, but we used some of the  HIA shore ex. money for this...nothing else to spend it on anyways!! If we do not get to go to the memorial, I am going to demand my money back..I think you should as well!

[jeh10641]

14 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Many of these have not been cropped - TIA for understanding.

Pictures from the USS Missouri - an emotional, humbling experience. 

Difficult to capture all the flags in a single shot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain quarters

 

Surrender Deck - a very moving experience 

 

 

A few of the 9 guns

Heading to the exit

 

 

 

Before moving to Pearl Harbor, the Missouri was berthed for many years in Bremerton WA across Puget Sound from Seattle. I took my son and wife there a couple of times when he was younger (now 52+_). I miss being able to visit this historic ship so conveniently.

Jim

Edited January 9 by jeh10641
missing word

[jeh10641]

Back when I was employed, I used to visit Pearl Harbor three times a year as I used to sell books to the Gift Shop there. I agree that it is worth the effort to get there. I would prefer to do it on my own not with an excursion. Another "Don't Miss" is the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore. That, too, I would do on my own, if time is no issue.

Jim

[Blackduck59]

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a great place. Remember it is far from the cruise port and you need the whole day for your visit. I would also suggest that Chief's Luau is a great show if your cruise stop is overnight.

[shippmates]

In response to the dogs (service or non), I just read an article on the Royal Caribbean's new ship Icon.  It is just going into regular service and it was reported they will have a permanent dog living on the ship as their mascot.  Boy what problems is that going to cause with passengers.  Afraid it may get ugly.

[jeh10641]

12 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a great place. Remember it is far from the cruise port and you need the whole day for your visit. I would also suggest that Chief's Luau is a great show if your cruise stop is overnight.

Blackduck59,

My Jan. 2025 cruise on Koningsdam has an overnight stay in Honolulu so there will be time to get to the Polynesian Cultural Center, on my own. I have been there before as well as its gift shop was another of my accounts. Thanks for the reminder.

Jim

[Haljo1935]

50 minutes ago, jeh10641 said:

Before moving to Pearl Harbor, the Missouri was berthed for many years in Bremerton WA across Puget Sound from Seattle. I took my son and wife there a couple of times when he was younger (now 52+_). I miss being able to visit this historic ship so conveniently.

Jim

A family in my bus group lived in that area and mentioned they had toured the Missouri a few times while it was there. While nice for them to see again, they also said the Arizona Memorial was the priority on this trip, but appreciated having had an opportunity to see the Missouri before.

[jeh10641]

5 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

A family in my bus group lived in that area and mentioned they had toured the Missouri a few times while it was there. While nice for them to see again, they also said the Arizona Memorial was the priority on this trip, but appreciated having had an opportunity to see the Missouri before.

Thanks, Haljo1935. Happy you got home safely. Your commentary has been wonderful to follow. I hope our paths will cross. If you ever get to Seattle, let me know. 

Jim 

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

Thanks, Haljo1935. Happy you got home safely. Your commentary has been wonderful to follow. I hope our paths will cross. If you ever get to Seattle, let me know. 

Jim 

If my current cruise schedule holds, I will be there in May, Sept & Oct of this year for Sea roundtrip AK 😊