reallymauigirly

I have searched the boards and do not see specifics. I am wondering how late it is open in the evenings....does anyone know, please?

I thought this cabin sounded familiar! :) I went back and checked our old boarding passes and lo & behold that was our exact stateroom for May 2015 Baltic.

No complaints at all. Granted, it was a cold weather cruise, so we were not on the balcony much. It was quiet. The bed was forward facing, if that matters to you. We liked being on Lido deck close to the pizza, burgers, and buffet. We also liked that we could pop up one deck to hot tubs. This was a very port intensive cruise, so we didn't spend much time on board, and when we were on board we were exhausted.

There was not a self service laundry on that deck which could be a bit of a bummer.

Other than that, nothing really specific stands out in my memory about this state room -- certainly no complaints. It was comfortable. I can give it a thumbs up from my experience.

I live on Maui! :) I have to agree, if Lahaina is your only stop on Maui, it may be best to stay on the West side. There is indeed only one road between West Maui & the rest of the island, and if there is a wreck on the highway you could get stuck on the wrong side. Summer is the dry season and more the time for fires, but that could also get you stuck if they have to close the road.

There should be good whale watching at New Years. The best time is late January to early February, but New Years should be good as well. It is tradition for my family to go out on a whale watch every Christmas day.... and we always see whales then!

Pacific Whale Foundation (office right in Lahaina town, across the Banyan Tree) has a variety of boats. They will have a naturalist on board to talk about the whales, and they often put a microphone in the water to hear their song. They communicate among their fleet to go where the whales are spotted, so almost guaranteed you'll see some action. If you do a snorkel tour to Molokini you will likely see whales on the way out there. Captain Steve's zodiac whale watches are fun and adventurous ~~ you're in a much smaller boat than with Pacific Whale Foundation. Some years you can watch the whales jumping from shore and don't even need to go out...but you never can tell what the season's going to be like.

Front Street in Lahaina is fun to walk (touristy shops) and the Banyan Tree park is nice. There is Baldwin Home museum right in town, and the old prison a block off Front Street has a museum I beleive. Lots of good places to eat -- I recommend Cool Cats. If you get over to Kaanapali (still on West Side, but not walking distance from the port), there is a museum at the Whalers Village Shops that exhibits things about Maui's whaling days. It's closed right now for renovations; I'd check the internet for re-opening.

IF you are also docking at Kahului, then there are all kinds of things to do on over on this side. The summit of Haleakala, the Pineapple Tour, Paia town, Makawao, the winery in Ulupalakua.

Don't know where you'll be on the actual night of New Year's, but I can tell you, the locals LOVE fireworks at New Years!!! :)

Aloha nui loa!