OhJinkies

Jess, I've been planning my POA Hawaii cruise for over a year. I've still got a couple of months before we sail but thought I'd share with you what I'm doing. Now I am spending a LOT of money on this trip but I've been planning/paying for the past year. I don't know when I'll make it back to Hawaii, so for me, the extra money is worth it...

Traveling from east coast and arriving in Honolulu on a Tuesday afternoon, checking in to the Park Shore Waikiki. Early dinner and walk on the beach -- maybe check out

Taking a half-day Pearl Harbor/City Tour with Discover Hawaii on Wednesday morning (afternoon is free as I'm sure I will be jetlagged). Early dinner again.

Taking a sunrise photography tour on Thursday morning (afternoon is once again free -- I may try doing an outrigger canoe experience in Waikiki). Meeting up with a former co-worker who lives on Oahu to attend Germaine's luau, which I won from a podcast contest.

Friday -- back with Discover Hawaii for a full-day Ultimate Circle-Island Eco Adventure tour (will see North Shore, Kualoa Ranch, Byodo-In Temple, etc.) Will see fireworks from beach.

Saturday -- free morning and then board the POA (solo studio). May check bags and wander around Honolulu a bit (Iolani palace, etc.) before ship sails.

Sunday/Maui -- Booked small-group "Road to Hana" tour with Valley Isle excursions.

Monday/Maui -- Booked small-group Haleakala Sunrise expedition -- leaves at oh-dark-hundred. Rest of day free to rest/recover.

Tuesday/Hilo -- Joining fellow roll call members on small group AINA tour of Volcano and Rainbow falls. Picked this one as it includes Chain of Craters road and a lava field hike. Originally planned to rent a car and do VNP on my own but would prefer professional guide and some company this day.

Wednesday/Kailua-Kona -- Nothing scheduled, whew! Just plan to have a leisurely day/lunch in town.

Thursday/Kauai -- Booked "Heaven and Earth Quest" tour through the ship that includes a helicopter ride and small group van tour.

Friday/Kauai -- Booked Waimea Canyon excursion through the ship.

Saturday/Honolulu -- Disembark and rent a car, drive to Ko'Olina. Check into Aulani for one night. Just plan to enjoy the resort and relax, have a nice dinner.

Sunday -- Spa treatment at Aulani. Return to Honolulu, drop off rental car. Old friend from childhood picking me up for dinner and will drop me off at airport for return flight.

So my schedule is jam-packed but I tried to plan some downtime in there as well.

I saw that a couple of weeks ago, and I just cracked up! That's not a lounge, that's a HALLWAY!

Having sailed in a solo studio on the Epic, this is just ridiculous. But I'm not going to worry about it, I don't plan to spend much time there, anyway!

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I just got home from a wonderful week in studio #13003 on the POA.trying to collect my thoughts,and freestyle dailys to write a review and comparison of the studios on the epic and poa.if anyone has any questions or comments feel free to ask.

Ted - I'm booked in a Solo Studio on POA in May and have been watching for your review. Please let us know about your experience!!

The Skyline usually serves lunch Noon till 2pm.

 

Chuck

Thanks, Chuck!

I just printed my cruise docs tonight. You should also have links on that page to download your luggage tag(s) and some discount coupons.

I'll be cruising on the POA in May -- embarkation starts at noon so I think I'll wait until at least 1:00 p.m. to avoid the big rush. However... can anyone tell me how late they serve lunch? I'd really like to eat in one of the dining rooms to avoid the big crowds in the buffet but can't find the operating hours anywhere.

I've booked an oceanfront room at the Park Shore Waikiki for an upcoming pre-cruise stay. Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor -- they are very good, especially after the recent refurbishment. Very reasonable rates!

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I booked the Park Shore Waikiki for my pre-cruise stay, as well. It's at the "quiet" end of Waikiki but in walking distance of plenty of dining and shopping, plus The Bus. The rooms were recently remodeled. It's not a luxury hotel or resort, but is well-rated. I'm trying to leave my afternoons free (I'll be there 4 nights) to just chill on my balcony and enjoy the ocean view (I booked an ocean-front room). they also have a small pool that overlooks the ocean. I'm not going to rent a car but have booked some tours.

Where can you buy the luggage tag sleeves for the NCL tags?

Is there anything at this port worth taking a picture of? I am still debating Going on a short ships excursion just to get off of the ship first.

 

 

 

Has anyone else taken a ship excursion from the Jade and if so was it worth doing?

I visited Santorini on the Gem in 2010 and it's one of my favorite ports! We did not do an excursion ... We took the cable car up to Fira, and spoke with a cab driver who offered to give us a 2-hour tour and stop in Oia. I think he asked for $120, because it worked out to about $30 each for the four of us. He grew up on the island and knew all the best spots to take photos (sometimes from the back yards of his friends' homes). He'd slow down and greet his neighbors if he saw them on the street! He also took us to a small church where they let us take photos, and to a black sand beach. Santorini is one of the most scenic and spectacular ports you'll visit in terms of views - don't miss it!

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When I cruised on the Epic last December, I was surprised how much movement I felt, even though it's an large ship. If you're prone to motion sickness, you may want to bring some pills or sea bands.

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Thanks so much for your responses and suggestions, everyone!

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There is plenty of seating in the sun and shade inside and outside but I can tell you there is no down time on this cruise!

 

Non stop!

 

Enjoy!

Thanks, mcmomny -- I know there aren't any "sea days," but I need to force myself to have some down time or I'll be exhausted -- so I'm saving the afternoon of the second Maui day and the Kona day just to relax. I may stroll into town while in Kona, but I'm not planning a thing!

Are there any spots/decks that are good for reading (quiet, nice breeze and shady)?

Thanks again!

Does the POA have any lounge chairs in shaded areas, such as on the Promenade deck? I'm not a sun worshipper but enjoy the fresh air and sea views. I'm hoping to carve out a little time to just sit and read, but don't have a balcony.

And if weather is wet/windy, do you have any favorite indoor areas for lounging/ reading/ coffee?

Thanks!

We are booked on our first NCL cruise in April and have I joined the Latitudes Rewards program. Our cruise is 3 separate legs and a total of 28 days so after the first leg (14 days) when I get a new card for the next leg would I get a bronze card? On the third leg I would have already then done 21 days so would I get a silver card?

 

I hope someone who has completed back to backs will be able to answer this for me.

 

Pauline

In 2010, I was on a back-to-back cruise in the Med. I was given a bronze card for the second leg. My TA was aboard, so that might have helped, but you can always check in with the Latitudes office on board if you have any questions or concerns.

I stayed in a Solo Studio on the Epic last December and really liked it. I've had balcony rooms, oceanview, etc. so this was new but was fine. I didn't spend that much time in my room. It has plenty of space for one person. The bed is large, and there is plenty of storage. You'll see from the photos that there is no chair, just a small bench beneath the desk. You'll need to watch TV from bed. There is plenty of seating and more TVs in the Studio Lounge area. I did have a hairdryer, no problem. I liked the cool lighting and keycard access to the hallway. I spent a lot of time in a lounge chair on the Promenade Deck, reading in the shade. I did notice that the Epic seemed to have a lot of movement for a large ship, and my room creaked quite a bit (just the various panels and fittings). If Granny is a light sleeper, she may want to bring earplugs. The empty hangers in the closet slid around a rattled quite a bit as well -- I just took them down and put them in a drawer.

I've booked a Solo Studio on the POA for my Hawaii cruise this spring. If I want to travel alone without spending a LOT of money,the solo studios are a good option.

I'm single, so cruising can sometimes be a challenge. Sometimes I travel alone, and sometimes I find a roommate. I work for Disney, so sometimes I can get discounts on their cruises. But more often I have been sailing with NCL. I like the new solo studios they offer. I have a travel agent who sets up an easy payment plan, and making monthly payments over a year or so really helps me afford the trip. I use my American Express card for as much as I can, so the points accumulate and help to make the airfare more affordable.

Visiting Hawaii has been a dream of mine for a long time, but I've always had a problem trying to find somebody to travel with me. Having previously sailed in a solo studio on the Norwegian Epic, I was so excited to learn that the POA was adding some solo studios as well. Worried that these might sell out quickly, I booked back in February for May 2014 cruise. The rate of $2200 was the most that I ever have ever paid for a cruise, but for me, it's worth it. Sure, I'd love to have a balcony, but on my own, it would be over $4000. Since this may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip (although I hope not), I've added a few days in Oahu to stretch out my vacation. I am really looking forward to this, as traveling on my own will allow me to do whatever I like and see what I want to see. I checked online recently and most of the solo studios have sold out. So there is obviously a demand for them.

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My Epic sailing is on Dec. 1. I booked with a TA and made my final payment in September. I was able to download my edocs on Oct 6 (I think they were available about a week prior but the site was down when I first tried).

You may want to give them a call or email their customer service department (or if you used a TA, call them).

I was just thinking about the Flavia today and found this thread. My first cruise (senior class cruise) was on the Flavia in 1981. I shared a four-bunk stateroom with three other girls, and our destination was the Bahamas. I don't remember a lot about the cruise -- I'm going to have to go find my pictures. Funny, I do remember the bus trip from Orlando to Miami -- we played the "Rumours" album by Fleetwood Mac several times over!

I also remember a lounge with an undulating aqua ceiling, and our waiters. The assistant waiter looked a bit like Rick Springfield. Not a fancy or luxe ship but a fun time, for sure!!

Thanks for posting these photos -- what an incredible trip back in time! I never sailed on the Norway but my first cruise was on the Costa Flavia back in 1981 (it was my senior class trip -- I live in Florida).

I see some similarities... we were four to a stateroom, with fold-down bunks. The shower was basically an indentation in the floor with a curtain surrounding it. No "decor" at all in the room. I do recall many of the decor elements of that time period, though... LOTS of chrome, and "industrial" style fluorescent lighting. Astroturf, potted palms, narrow curtain panels that spanned two floors, garish carpet colors, etc. The Norway looks huge -- very long and sleek, but there aren't that many decks compared to today's massive superships.

And the fashions -- short shorts on the men, leisure suits, etc.

I guess it was all good at the time! Thanks again for the photos!

Don, thank you so much for your Epic Review!!

It was both informative and entertaining, and I actually started an "Epic Tips" document as part of my planning -- earlier this week I booked a Studio on the Epic for early December. I had hoped to hold out a bit to see if NCL would offer any specials, OBC, etc. but my travel agent urged me to go ahead and book as she said these studios sell out fairly quickly.

I live in Orlando too, and your pic looks somewhat familiar -- I'm wondering if we work for the same (large) employer?

Here is a little info from Dover:

Port of Dover

Cruise Terminal 2, Western Dock

Dover, Kent

The Port of Dover is located approximately 110 miles from London's Heathrow Airport (approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours), approximately 85 miles from London's Gatwick Airport (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours), approximately 95 miles from London's Stansted Airport (approximately 2 hours) and approximately 80 miles from Central London (approximately 1 1/2 hours).

Taxis are available. From Heathrow: £130.00 / From Gatwick £115.00 / From Stansted £130.00. (Rates subject to change).

Train service departs every 30 minutes from Dover Pier to Central London-Victoria or Charing Cross Stations, between 9:30am and 4:30pm.

Wow, thanks, Truffles! Is that train service National Express? I checked the trains leaving from Victoria and I'm concerned about their luggage restrictions. Wondering if a different train has different restrictions. I plan to bring one large suitcase on wheels and a carry-on, but NE limits you to two "medium" -sized bags in a very strange/small dimension.

Thanks again!

It depends on how interested you are in saving money, IMO.

 

If the cruise line includes transportation to the hotel and then to the port, then it's probably a convenient package. That would be in comparison to a private car to take you to the hotel and port, plus getting your own hotel.

 

However, if you want to stay in a nice, but less expensive, hotel, and take National Express or the train, then doing it on your own can be much less expensive.

 

I know the hotel we stayed in had a "family" room that would sleep 4 - 6 in the room/suite.

 

There are other threads on this board with many hotel recommendations, depending on where you want to stay, and how much you want to spend. If you take the train, then stay near Paddington Station in London. National Express would be in the Victoria Station area (Central London).

Peggy, Thanks for the quick response! I would prefer a room that accommodates all three of us primarily to see if we could save money. We'd miss out on the pre-packaged transfers but may be able to work out something comparable on our own. I'm just beginning my research. Could you tell me where you stayed that offered a "family" room?

Also -- we'll be sailing out of Dover on the new Carnival Splendor. Can't wait to see London for the very first time!

Thanks again,

I'm traveling with two friends and the cruise line wants to book us into two separate rooms in their "official" pre-cruise hotel. I think it might be a better choice to find a hotel that also offers a additional sleeper sofa, rollaway, or suite-style accommodations. We're only staying for a couple of nights prior to our cruise next September. Any suggestions?

Thanks!