Pickles61

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Thank you so much for posting these

I was looking for these as well. Hopefully someone will post them 

Thanks for following along. I would imagine most fine my reviews way to long winded. But I enjoy reliving it as I post and I know when I'm researching a future trip I like as much detail as possible. So I home some find it helpful.

Hi

Thank you for this review. I now know more of what to expect when I go the end of the month. Long winded, not at all, the more info the better

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Hi

Looking forward to reading your review also. I'll be leaving 4 weeks from tomorrow for this cruise [emoji4]

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The beaches will extend from Kihei through Wailea to Makena. South Kihei Road will change names as it goes into Wailea and then Makena, but just drive until you see what you want. Parking is usually easier in Kihei than in Wailea. For chair rentals, Snorkel Bob has multiple locations around the island and has been in business for years. The two Kihei locations are 1279 South Kihei Road, #310 and 2411 South Kihei Road #A2. One is in Azeka Plaza, which you could probably find with your gps. Do note Azeka Plaza is on both sides of the street. While we have never had need for his stuff, his places seem reputable. Hope this helps!

Thank you. We will be heading to the beaches you suggested

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Kihei and Wailea would be your best bet. If you drive the length of South Kihei Road from its beginning to Wailea, you will pass a number of beaches. Take your choice and enjoy. If you want lunch, South Kihei Road has almost everything. If you want directions from the ship, let us know and we'll write tonight so you will be good to go tomorrow.

Hi

Thank you. If you can give me directions or an address (I can gps it) that would be great. Thank you so much. Can you rent chairs at any of these beaches? I'll be in the water but my friend likes to stay on dry land [emoji4]

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My plans changed for tomorrow at Maui. I'll have a car and would like to go to a nice beach closer to the ship with snorkeling if possible. Any suggestions? I'm sound the sunrise tour in the morning so I won't get the car till around 10.

Thanks

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Thanks for reading the review! Also thank you for encouraging travel with a child! We have big plans for travel as a crew and so many people in real life have been discouraging saying things like "it will be a long time before you go on another trip." Haters ;). I am so encouraged that so many people on here continued to pursue their love of travel and pass it on to their young children!

 

 

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Hi

I have 2 kids (17 & 23) they were both on planes and on vacation at 3 months old and we haven't stopped vacationing. My 17 year has been on 15 cruises starting 1 years old. I've been a single mom a long time and still went on vacation with them. The type of vacation my change but you can still go away and have fun. Btw, I think cruise are great to go on with kids. Congrats.

I'm going on POA next week and this time it is without the kids [emoji4]

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I would book as soon as you know you want to take the tour so you can get the time you want. You can always cancel later on. Just make sure to check their cancellation policy when you book it

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I checked UBER estimate and from the car rental location to the port was much cheaper then from the airport to the port. Check UBER estimate to see the price that might help

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Thanks! I already called NCL Shore excursions and spoke to a few people and they don't think they will be adding any more spots unless someone cancels. I did find the tour company that NCL uses and spoke to the owner, I did get the reservations I wanted. BTW - I'm from NJ too....are you by any chance going with Louise?

Hi

I am going with a group and yes it might be the same Louise that is organizing it. I'm going as a guest

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I'm sailing on NCL POA May 6th and wanted to purchase the Road to Hana Deluxe tour for the second Maui day but only one spot is opened and I need two. I checked a few other shore excursion sites and they only offer RTH on the first day. The tour starts at 7am on day two and I would much rather do that day than day one. Thanks!

Hi

I'll be on the POA that week as well. They should open more spots on the tour once onboard and you can book it then. I would book it as soon as you get on

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Here's my personally tested 2015 best of Kona list, compiled with a cruise ship's arrival and departure schedule in mind:

 

Best places to walk from the pier and eat/drink with the ship in plain view:

 

Splashers (local beer, tropical drinks, great burgers, fish tacos)

Kona Canoe Club (local beer, excellent Mai Tais, the best calamari)

Daylight Mind Coffee Company (farm to table, foodies, relaxed, elegant)

Huggo's on the Rocks (beach bar with pupus and music)

 

Best walkable place for breakfast hands down for those in the first tender ashore:

 

Island Lava Java Bistro

 

Best place to walk off the tender and rent a paddle board, kayak, etc:

 

Kona Boys Beach Shack in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel

 

Best large catamaran snorkel cruise:

 

Body Glove (right at the tender pier)

Fair Wind II (10 min taxi ride to Keauhou)

 

Best small catamaran:

 

Kamanu... Usually only 12-15 guests and they snorkel Pawi Bay (excellent!), 10 min away, leaves from Honokohau small boat harbor.

 

Best fresh off the boat fish:

 

Bite Me Grill and Bar at Honokohau. Bite Me also has a fleet of fishing boats if you like to catch your own. This harbor is where you will find numerous excellent sport fishing boat trips.

 

Best snorkeling if you're on a budget:

 

Kahalu'u Bay... Take the Kona trolley ($2) that runs up and down Ali'i Drive and rent gear at the beach. Showers and snack wagon, lifeguards, this is a very family friendly beach. You can also take surf lessons or rent a surf board.

 

Best helicopter tours to the volcano:

 

Paradise Helicopters - leaves from Kona Airport (much closer to ship than other companies) and flies luxurious Bell 407 helicopters. Not cheap. Unforgettable experience.

 

Please feel free to ask me for current, local info. If I don't know the answer, I will ask around!

 

Aloha,

 

Coy

Hi Coy,

Just checking to see if there are any updates to this list.

I'll be in Kona on POA on May 10th and trying to figure out what to do there. In Hilo I'm doing MARYLOU'S BIG ISLAND GUIDED TOURS so I’ll get to VNP on that tour.

In Kona I’m thinking of either the Hop-on-hop off bus or renting a car.

If I rent a car which way should I go north or south? I’d like to stop a some beaches and do some snorkeling (the person I’m with does not snorkel so snorkeling boat tours for us :() and I’ve read about A Place of Refuge should I head towards that way?

Hi

I will be on the POA and a arriving in Kauai on May 11 and renting a car.

On Day 1 I plan on going to Waimea & Na Pali using the Shaka driving guide

On day 2 do I have enough time to do the North Shore also using the Shaka driving guide

This is my 1st time going to Hawaii so I'm trying to see the "top" spots. Any other suggestions?

The drive to Wailea takes about half the time as it takes to get to Lahaina.

 

If you're seeking great beaches and some shopping & restaurants primarily at the Shops at Wailea, then South Maui is a closer option & has 2 parallel roads to get there. One of the beaches is a spot that snorkeling tour boats call Turtle Town & every time I've taken visiting friends there we always see turtles snorkeling for free from the beach. :D

 

A rental car is still the best option because the limited public bus system would take too much time.

 

There's a good aquarium located in Ma'alaea...Maui Ocean Center...and being nearly all indoors it's a nice break from the heat.

 

I don't think that shuttles such as SpeediShuttle would transport you from the pier leaving only taxi services which as I recall may also include Uber or Lyft.

HI,

Spending the day at the beach sounds really nice. Is there a specific spot at Turtle Town to stay at? If I snorkel off the beach would I be close to the turtles or are they further out?

Thanks for your help

I tried asking Roberts if they will do the tour on the day we get back from the cruise but so far no answer. We have transfers included with the pre cruise stay, but the ncl tour won't be dropping us off at our hotel post tour

 

 

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Hi

I had been looking into the same thing, what to do on the Sat we get back from the cruise, I decided to rent a car in the morning, drop my luggage off at the airport, and do the Island Circle tour. Before I decided I did see that Roberts has 3 tours you can do when you get back from the cruise - go to their website they are listed, or I was thinking of doing the tour from NCL. There are also some companies you can pay by the hour to take you around but it was more expensive and I would have gotten to the airport way too early.

Renting a car seems the way to go, you can reserve a car now (you don't have to pay until you get the car) and then always decide later on what you want to do.

There is a limited Maui County bus service for $2 per ride:

 

http://www.mauicounty.gov/605/Bus-Service-Information

 

It would take 1.5 hours one-way (2.5 hours if missing the transfer) with a transfer in Lahaina to arrive at Whalers Village in Ka'anapali Beach. You'd have to walk a mile from the Kahului cruise ship pier to the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center & routes only run hourly. That link has the option to view schedules & to Ka'anapali it's Lahaina Islander #20 to Ka'anapali Islander #25.

 

While the bus would be cheaper, I think a rental car would be a better option to enjoy Maui & is a minimum 45 minute drive to Lahaina. And road closures along the 2 lane road from Ma'alaea to Kapalua can happen at anytime & are impossible to predict. On average it happens a couple of times per month but that wouldn't keep me from enjoying West Maui. And as said, there are inter-island flights to get you to the ship's next port on your POA cruise. On Princess after Lahaina the next port is Ensenada on the way back to LA & would result in an expensive flight to LA & a hefty fine for violating the PVSA because of missing a foreign port.

 

What to do in West Maui (Lahaina/Ka'anapali/Napili/Kapalua) is often discussed in detail on this forum & you could search for those threads. Lahaina is an easily walkable old whaling village that at one time was the Hawaii monarchy's capital. Ka'anapali is a resort with large hotels on sandy beaches with good snorkeling at Black Rock (check conditions) adjacent to the Sheraton.

 

If you're just looking for beaches, you might consider the string of South Maui beaches from Wailea to Makena. There are developed beaches with bathrooms & outdoor showers and also easily accessible undeveloped beaches. If you're interested in this option I could provide additional information about these South Maui beaches which to me are better than those in Maui. Years ago we spent most of our time in West Maui but now prefer South Maui.

Hi, the bus in not an option, we have limited time on the island and the last thing I want to do is spend time on a bus, but thank you for the info. I trying to do/see as much as I can in the limited time I'll be there.

What time do you return to the ship after your Haleakala tour? You'd probably need to head straight to the shuttles for car pick up. I believe it's a 45 min drive or so to Lahaina.

 

I'm not sure what the frequency of the road getting blocked is. I'm sure it has happened, but what are the odds? Worst case scenario, you get a hotel room in the Kaanapali area next to Lahaina and spend a wonderful night there. Flights to Hilo probably leave hourly all day and take about 30 minutes. You won't miss the rest of your cruise.

Thanks Brenda,

We should get back to the ship around 9:30am. That's good to know about the flight from Hilo. Any other suggestions on how to sped the 2nd day in Maui - maybe a beach?

The second day in Maui I will be going on a Haleakala Sunrise Tour (not from NCL) which will leave me with the rest of the day free. I'd like to go to Lahaina when I get back from that tour, and it seems my only option is to drive there. I heard if there is an accident then it can take hours to get back and I don't want to miss the boat (OK being stuck in Maui wouldn't be the worse thing that happened but then I'd miss the other islands:D)

If I decide to drive, do I need to worry about not getting back to the ship and what time should I leave from Lahaina to get back?

Any other suggestions on what to do that day (on Sunday I will be doing the Road to Hana tour)

I'll be there in May if that make a difference

I reserved cars at the different ports in Hawaii and have checked to see if I the rates went down, they didn't go down but have gone up in some cases more then doubled. I booked for this May all thru discount Hawaii car rental and they can all be cancelled

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Check on UBER there are some places where you can make advanced reservations. I've done it to the airport so maybe they will have that option for pier pickup

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Hi. You should book now and you can allows keep checking to see if prices go down. You don't have to prepay for the car. I used discount hawaii car rental they had the best prices. I'm leaving in may and the prices are going up on car rentals.

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Great topic. I too am trying to find something to do in Kona, looking forward to reading all the suggestions.

The hop-on-hop-off bus seems like a good idea, I was also looking at the NCL sponsored - Kona by Land & Sea tour. I tend not to use the ship sponsored tours but there wasn't much else available in Kona that did not include snorkeling (my friend does not want to snorkel)

Not sure which I should do, any suggestions?

I will be there on 5/10

I have obc from my TA that I will not be using. I was told I can get it back in cash the day before we disembark. I'm on the Anthem

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