Cam6959

If this is posted already I apologize. The boards are set up way different than they used to be and I am having a hard time negotiating them. We will be on a back to back from Australia to Hawaii then from Hawaii to Vancouver. I am looking for things to do in and around Honolulu, Lahaina, and Kona. We have been to Hawaii in the past and did the shore excursions to take us around we did love the circle island in Honolulu, and seeing Pearl Harbor and waking around down by the pier. All of that was great, but we will be there two days and looking for something without spending a ton of money. The cruise ship excursions are expensive and will probably be crowded. The last time we were in Lahaina we were supposed to go  on a whale watch and that got canceled so thinking try that again. Kona is another one I am wondering about. Last time we walked around town and met up with a coffee plantation owner and they took us to their coffee plantation. It was awesome. Don't think we will be that lucky again. :) I know there is tons to do but I am feeling a little overwhelmed with trying to plan. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks Sam - we decided it costs the same to change our flights and fly from Vancouver. We downgraded to Comfort Plus but otherwise we arrive home the same time.

Is the Naked Crab on the A1A any good?

Thanks martincath - I told my travel agent to look into getting us from Vancouver to Seattle. It might end up renting a car to SEA. She is supposed to call back tomorrow and tell us the best option.

Does Royal Caribbean have a shuttle that takes you to the Seattle Airport from Vancouver? Years ago they did and was wondering if still the case.

Thanks Globaliser will go do that right now.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2408049-serenade-of-seas-11-southern-caribbean-april-15-2019/

Several of us have lost this and some new members could not find. Was there a computer glitch and will we be able to get it back in our Managed Folloed Content?

Noro Virus is a gastrointestinal illness that anyone can get if someone comes aboard who does their duty and does not wash their hands. They then walk out into the ship touching handrails, walls, serving ladles in the buffet.It happens everywhere not just on the cruise ship. I have seen the ships crew trying valiantly to keep up with it by having their workers walking up and down the stairs constantly wiping down handrails and reminding people politely to wash their hands. When the disease starts RC will generally have servers ladling your food for you so they are the only ones holding the ladle that takes away from the other duties or their time off though. I have been in the public restrooms on the ship and have watched people do their duty and walk out the door grabbing the door handle. (Knock on wood) So far my husband and I have avoided this dreaded disease by constantly washing our hands, using hand sanitizer and using chlorox wipes as we go up and down the stairs. Don't forget to use the hand sanitizer before going into the restaurants. They are right in the entrances.RC gets more attention than the other cruise lines because it is generally the best maintained of the mass cruise lines. If you have ever had the general stomach bug then you probably had Noro virus. it is everywhere.

Something to think about is bringing fruit from the ship to a port. I saw someone bring a banana and eat it at the beach then throw the peeling away. They could have at least put it in a plastic bag. I was so irritated. Has anyone not heard of rot disease affecting bananas? Cost of bananas will be increasing and a whole strain of them will be gone.

That saying I bring pre-packaged cookies on shore with me due to diabetes, but they are still store wrapped and not a fruit or meat.

Yes royalcruz I asked for recommendations and they gave me two and only one of the two got back to me and they got back saying they could not help me. I think I found someone thank goodness and I have another company that gave me pricing also. I am looking them up with BBB to see how they are....wait I have my source right here. Silly me.

Ace Tours and Corporate Coaches. Has anyone heard good or bad about either one? Thanks for your help!

Thanks PR Cruisers I will look into them.

Thanks for the names. I was striking out with the regular shuttle services and decided to call bus charter services and am having much more luck. I appreciate your help. And yes they will be arriving on the same day but from all over the country. All staying at the same place for one night and getting on a cruise ship the next day. It has been an adventure!

I have a group of 120+ that will need shuttle service to and from airport to hotel, hotel to cruise port, and cruise port to airport. I am not in the business, just our company is having a meeting on a cruise ship. I am arranging it. I think I will get into the business after this though. :eek::rolleyes:

I have been researching and booking cruises and shore excursions for years and agree. They have now made the website - user hostile. grrrr.... I usually research cruises for friends to see if they want to join us and what their price will be. Very frustrating.

I am getting used to it but it is NOT user friendly. I thought upgrades were to help the consumer spend their money not frustrate them so they don't want to spend their money. I wish there was an easier way to look at the packages and shore excursions also. Frustrated is all. :) I keep telling myself, it will all work out.:eek::confused::mad:

Yay I am glad the patio restaurant is still there! It has been years since our tour with Bernard. We went by taxi to Orient Beach one year and went way down the beach to the left. Nice little cantina there also. Chairs with umbrella are not badly priced. I know the year we were there the sea was full of seaweed. I mean could not even take a step. But it was still enjoyable and I watched my husband skee do it!

If you do the beach tour at Orient there is a patio restaurant where anyone can sit as long as they order a drink or something to eat. I hope that is still there. Loved their burgers. At Maho they also have a bar there and seating on a patio. Bernards Tours were great to me when I lost my bag Bernard himself was leading our group and he gave me his camera to use and let me keep the sd chip as long as I sent him the group pictures so he could put on his website. He also felt partially responsible for my lost bag and refused my money. This is why I like Bernard's Tours. Great guy and will take care of you. My husband canceled because he was sick and Bernard said no problem no need to pay...then I lost my bag and he refused to take my money. Best of the best.

Was on the Quantum in January. Nice breakfast as was said earlier the omelets are made to order and delicious! Eggs benedict etc...The same breakfast really as a MDR on other ships.

I just got back from the Quantum cruise and for anyone wanting to do a day tour of NYC but don't want to pay the prices. Take a Path to the subway and take subways around or walk.

These are the choices I can make. This is not related to any one post just some suggestions.

These hotels are close by the Path that will take you to Harold's Square where you can then take the subway around NYC.

Hotels I recommend:

Marriott Courtyard in Jersey City

Hyatt Regency in Jersey City

Car Service that has been fantastic both times I have been in the area:

American Empire Limousine, LLC Phone: 973-917-3170

Thanks for the responses! I appreciate any info on the Quantum!:D

Does the wristband cost extra to get?

On our last cruise the Oasis we had a JS booked and two days before the cruise we got a call asking if we would pay $200pp to go from a JS to a Crown Loft Suite.....I told her...ummmm.... let me think about it.....okay! I think it was an upsell and not an upgrade but to me it was basically a free suite! And it was fantastic! So I am calling it an upgrade!:eek::cool::D

Everyone has their favorite line and itinerary.

Mine is Royal Caribbean. One thing is I did the Allure and Oasis and will not do them again, too many people, no matter what anyone says yes on the promenade and in Central Park and the Boardwalk it was crowded. But more crowded are the elevators. The rest of the ship I agree does not feel like there are that many people on board. :)

As most have said it all depends on time of year and length of cruise when it comes to children.

RCCL became my favorite cruise line when I went on my 2nd cruise with them 3rd cruise overall. I went on the Navigator of the Seas and after a horrific day trying to make the cruise due to bad weather the Captain of the Navigator had held the ship for us and others delayed. We were the last people on the ship and one of the officers grabbed my hand pulled me on board and said welcome aboard as the ramp was pulled away. The Captain then sent us a bottle of wine and on the card said Glad you could make it! Then when we were on board my husband had several crew members say his name and they remembered us from our first sailing on the Grandeur.

So everyone has a reason why that cruise line works for them and why it is a favorite. The crew on RCCL have always taken good care of my husband and I, so yes they are my favorite crew there are too many stories to tell why they are my favorite but I always look forward to going on a cruise and seeing the crew on RCCL ships.

He posted he used Independent driver - 888-816-0973 you can book by phone only 4-6 weeks ahead.

LOL Yes thank you I was confused on if it was an independent driver or a company called that. Thanks!:rolleyes:;):D

wolfcathorse - what driver did you use? I can't find my info from the last time I cruised out of Bayonne so I don't know who we used then. Thanks for any info.

I just wanted to say thank you for the help. I did book the Hyatt on the Hudson and asked them to arrange travel from the airport to the hotel, then from the hotel to the cruise port, and finally from the cruise port to the airport. We will be coming in on a Friday and am now going to see if there is a dinner cruise to see the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of NYC. Also will look into a broadway play for Saturday before our Quantum cruise!

:eek::D