Ready to sail again in 2025!

[MaxThrusters]

Hi all!

Wow has it really been so long since I last sailed? 2017! I remember putting off re-booking something, and then we had that COVID pandemic. Well, I'm ready now! I think I would like to do a Hawaii cruise this time: something new! Looking at 28 January 2025 for 18 days on the ms Konigsdam from San Diego.

The last ship I sailed on was in fact the ms Konigsdam, so that is fun to be going back. I believe it's been updated since I was on her last. I'm a 3-star mariner, and have done Verandahs, Signatures, and Vistas in the past. Oh and one upgrade to Neptune! This time around I think it will be a verandah.

I'm waiting to hear back from a PCC (my previous PCC seems not work there anymore!), to arrange the booking. I already have casino offers flagged to my account, but I want to add in my AARP membership to the mix to see what I can get, and preferably get it done before the HIA promo going on now ends. There's also another small coded promo going on right now which expires this Monday for an additional $100 OBC. I also want to get Club Orange! That should get me an upgrade from fully obstructed verandah to V, VA, or VX (Spa) if there is any available. I'm only 2 or 3 cruises short of 4-star so I would like to do CO while it's worthwhile. I hate standing around waiting to board.

So, Hawaii! I had a look at the HAL excursions. Wow, they sure are more expensive these days. I think for Honolulu I would like to check out something to do with Pearl Harbour, and the cultural centre/luau one. I like excursions with a meal, so I am looking at the other days with that in mind.

I will probably get the thermal suite pass, because on past cruises I really enjoyed that in the mornings and in the evenings.This cruise has many sea days too. I skipped it last time, in 2017, and I wish I hadn't! So relaxing.

I'd love to hear from folks who have done the Hawaii circle cruise before, with suggestions etc for the ports and what not. Or anyone who wants to offer input!
 

Cheers!

Edited February 3 by MaxThrusters

[crystalspin]

14 minutes ago, MaxThrusters said:

I want to add in my AARP membership to the mix to see what I can get, and preferably get it done before the HIA promo going on now ends. There's also another small coded promo going on right now which expires this Monday for an additional $100 OBC.

Hi Max!

You are supposed to verify your AARP with Sheer before you book, and it takes a few days, so getting that done before the "small coded promo" expires may be tricky. The AARP will be worth $200 OBC for a Hawaii cruise in a verandah, though.

 

Welcome back to cruising! Oh yeah, the Koningsdam did have a drydock in April 2023 and all of the fleet now has StarLink with much better internet. Also libraries are back on most, but the Crows Nest has apparently been chopped up somewhat. We board in just two weeks, so then I will be able to speak definitively!

 

If you have an overnight in Honolulu, you can visit the Polynesian Cultural Center the first day -- it is a LONG day. It is more expensive from the cruiseline (currently $189 for entrance, luau dinner, and nighttime show, plus $26 for bus transport, and the bus is not immediate to the port). It is $310 per adult from HAL! There are several levels of visits you can do to Pearl Harbor on the shorter day.

[MaxThrusters]

Hi Crystalspin!

I did the Sheer verification already, yesterday, and doing it again gets me a message saying "thanks for being so enthusiastic but you are already verified!" or something similar haha! It's going to be a bit tricky: I am Canadian, and the HAL Canada website does not show the AARP deal, despite Canadians being welcome to join AARP and qualifying through Sheer. I also qualify for past passenger casino offerings; all this means I really need a PCC to sort it out to see what works best for me between the AARP and Casino offers, and HAI, and CO.. so complicated! If I miss out on that small $100obc weekend offer I suppose I wont be too upset.

Wow the non-HAL version of the luau/cultural center tour sounds like a much better deal! I will have to look into this. I don't mind paying extra for a HAL tour especially if the times are tight, but the first day being an overnight..well I doubt I will be late by a whole day. Perhaps I will book that independent, and take up with HAL for the pearl harbour tour for day 2.

I'm just sitting around waiting to hear back from a PCC now. They are going to love me when they do call: I will be all "hi, I am ready to book X" hehe

Edited February 3 by MaxThrusters

[crystalspin]

31 minutes ago, MaxThrusters said:

Wow the non-HAL version of the luau/cultural center tour sounds like a much better deal! I will have to look into this. I don't mind paying extra for a HAL tour especially if the times are tight,

Oh I forgot to say, the HAL version doesn't include the luau but a buffet/cafeteria style meal! But we are getting old enough not to want to navigate the walk to catch the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center, not that other PCC!) bus and walk back. But if you're up to it, independent really is a better deal!

 

Edited February 3 by crystalspin

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, MaxThrusters said:

...Perhaps I will book that independent, and take up with HAL for the pearl harbour tour for day 2.

Whichever way you go, you have a great cruise in your future!!

For Pearl Harbor, if the Memorial is important to you, find out if the HAL excursion goes to the Memorial first or the Missouri. We had a very disappointing experience in Jan.

[MaxThrusters]

Crystal, is there an independent cultural center/luau tour I should be looking for? I saw the HAL one is a buffet which kind of disappointed me. I want a real luau, or at least as real as Disney does at their Polynesian Village down in Florida haha

[MaxThrusters]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Whichever way you go, you have a great cruise in your future!!

For Pearl Harbor, if the Memorial is important to you, find out if the HAL excursion goes to the Memorial first or the Missouri. We had a very disappointing experience in Jan.

I could be wrong, but I thought the Missouri memorial is always separate from the tours

[MaxThrusters]

Something else I am looking forward to on this particular cruise is visiting the San Diego Zoo as an excursion on the way to the airport home. I hope I can get an evening flight so I can do this. I don't like zoos in general, but I read that the one in San Diego is pretty good

[Mike B Landlubber]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Whichever way you go, you have a great cruise in your future!!

For Pearl Harbor, if the Memorial is important to you, find out if the HAL excursion goes to the Memorial first or the Missouri. We had a very disappointing experience in Jan.

I’m signed up to cruise to Hawaii on Zaandam in November, so forgive me grabbing the wheel… What’s the deal about Memorial or Missouri first?

[MaxThrusters]

Just now, Mike B Landlubber said:

I’m signed up to cruise to Hawaii on Zaandam in November, so forgive me grabbing the wheel… What’s the deal about Memorial or Missouri first?

I think the memorial for that ship isn't something you can do with any tour from anyone or anywhere, as it's literally a sort of cemetery: if you want to see it it's a separate charge you pay onsite or something. The HAL excursions I looked at all said as much. I expect they want it like that, as respect for the fallen perhaps

[kazu]

For Honolulu, we went to the Chief’s Luau.  It was very good.  We booked it independently and they pick you up just a couple of blocks from the terminal and bring you back.

 

The roll call members who had done the Polynesian one said this was better.  YMMV.

[MaxThrusters]

36 minutes ago, kazu said:

For Honolulu, we went to the Chief’s Luau.  It was very good.  We booked it independently and they pick you up just a couple of blocks from the terminal and bring you back.

 

The roll call members who had done the Polynesian one said this was better.  YMMV.

Hmm, now this is helpful! Thanks, I will look into it!!!

[REOVA]

Enjoy the spa package as the first 5 days after embarkation are sea days and usually excitement of getting in makes for a long time without ports. We love sea days, especially after busy (tiring ports) but doing that many initially with the anticipation of new cruise can make initial sea days long for some. And the SD zoo is one of the best. Depending on what exc you like (beaches, history, cultural, food) will dictate which excursions. I prefer local tours for more private in depth experience. I spent a month on Oahu with a friend many years ago and there are many places to see. If you like snorkeling, visit Hanauma Bay (Wed-Sun) via a tour. Limited visitors allowed and sells out quickly. (You can do it on your own by signing up online days in advance with State REc but getting there and back is more difficult - no UBER.) 

[Haljo1935]

5 hours ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

I’m signed up to cruise to Hawaii on Zaandam in November, so forgive me grabbing the wheel… What’s the deal about Memorial or Missouri first?

 

5 hours ago, MaxThrusters said:

I think the memorial for that ship isn't something you can do with any tour from anyone or anywhere, as it's literally a sort of cemetery: if you want to see it it's a separate charge you pay onsite or something. The HAL excursions I looked at all said as much. I expect they want it like that, as respect for the fallen perhaps

Touring the Missouri is interesting and moving, seeing things such as the site of Surrender Deck. It can be done anytime during operating times. There us a fee ($34.99) for it, which is included in the HAL tour price.

The Memorial, which is the final resting place for the fallen, sits atop the Arizona. The tour times are very structured w/limited capacity and closest for lunch from 12-1. For reserved times, the fee is $2 if purchased online and included in HAL tour price. There is no fee if you go standby.

Due to the timing of the tours and closing at lunch, it's better to go to the Memorial first them the Missouri. If you do the Missouri first, you may well miss the Memorial. 

If you don't get to the Memorial, you can still visit the museum and watch the film, both free, both very worth doing.

Jan, our HAL tour missed the Memorial due to above timing and pax being late to the bus.

But tours available through the ship and independently. 

Edited February 3 by Haljo1935
Typo

[crystalspin]

9 hours ago, MaxThrusters said:

Crystal, is there an independent cultural center/luau tour I should be looking for? I saw the HAL one is a buffet which kind of disappointed me. I want a real luau, or at least as real as Disney does at their Polynesian Village down in Florida haha

I think you would organize it through the Cultural Center's website, and get the directions for where to catch the bus there. It is a luau-like experience, probably on a par with Epcot Center. (Note, I haven't done either, but did one at a hotel when we stayed a week at Kona.) 

 

Maybe others can speak to the difference.

[oakridger]

@MaxThrusters It's so fun to hear your enthusiasm for getting back to cruising!  🙂

 

I suggest you join the Roll Call for your cruise so you can discuss all the information about shore excursions and the ship amenities with your fellow Konningsdam cruisers.  The link is below.

 

 

Have fun planning and enjoy the cruise in about a year!!

 

~Nancy