NYCruiser243

The PoA is the only American flagged cruise ship. It is the only ship that can go directly from U.S. port to U.S. port. The other ships if leaving from Vancouver can go to a por tin Hawaii. If leaving from California they usually stop in Ensenada, Mexico before heading to Hawaii.

The PoA leaves from Honolulu on Saturday, then Kahului, Maui Sunday overnight to Monday evening. The Hilo< Hawaii (the Big Island) on Tuesday. Then Kona, Hawaii (the Big Island) on Wednesday. (Kona is the only tender port.) Then Lihue, Kauai on Thursday overnight to Friday.

The ship serves as your hotel. You can see and do a lot at each stop.

We did the PoA in October, 2016 folowed by 9 days in Oahu. It was wonderful.

Another consideration is how many ports do the other ships stop at? Often it is only one. Some ships stop at Kona (tender port) and occasionally Lahaina on Maui (a tender port). All of the ports where ships can dock at a pier are commercial ports. There are no ‘fancy’, open piers like you see in the Caribbean or passenger ship terminals. Remember nearly everything must be imported into Hawaii. If you grow or produce something on one island it must be shipped via a cargo ship to another island. I had no problem with the piers, terminals but some people have whined about the ‘lack of a fancy’ passenger ship terminal.

I feel that our trip was wonderful. We got to see 3 of the major islands from the ship without having to get on and off multiple planes and pack and unpack. Then we spent a wonderful 9 days on Oahu touring, relaxing and enjoying it.

The best vacation ever and I want to repeat it!:cool:

The current status (except for the closure of all national parks in Hawaii due to the hurricane) is that the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is closed to all visitors due to a problem with the dock supports at the memorial. The boats are taking visitors on a trip past the memorial taking time to allow visitors to take pictures. They do make several passes. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Maonument (which the U.S.S. Arizona is only a small part of) is open and worth a visit. There is a museum, the movie that you watch before your boat trip, the U.S.S. Missouri (where Japan signed the surrender), the U.S.S. Bowfin ( a WW II submarine) and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

We spent 5 hours there and did not see everything. But we did get to meet 2 Pearl Harbor survivors outside the bookstore. The survivors are volunteers who meet visitors there. It was wonderful! Don’t miss it.

Ordinarily when you actually visit the U.S.S. Arizona you watch the movie about the attack, take the boat to the memorial and disembark onto the memorial. When th enext boat comes in about 15 minutes later you are asked to line up and board the boat back to the visitors center.

Please don’t skip a visit because the U.S.S. Arizona is not open to visitors.

Check http://www.nps.gov for the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument for updates.

We used Marylou’s for both Hilo and Kona in 2016. We had Mary Lou the first day from Hilo and she was wonderful. When Ken met us in KOna he told us that my friend and I were the only 2 who had booked that day. Another small group had contacted him but not confirmed. We saw a couple who we had met on the ship and invited them along. We had another spectacular day! Both Mary Lou and Ken are friendly, professional and knowledgeable.

I found them thanks to the folks on this board and can recommend them to anyone visiting the BIg Island!

We used MaryLou’s for both Hilo and Kona in 2016. in Hilo we had Marylou and there were 4 gentlemen in addition to my friend and I. We had a great day. The next day in Kona we had her husband Ken. When he met us we were the only 2 who had booked the day. Another family had emailed but never confirmed. We saw a couple who we had met on the ship and asked if they wanted to join us. We had a blast. Becuase there were only 4 of us we often conferred about places to stop. We did hit the highlights including the Cook Monument (from across the bay) and we stopped at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Monument and had a greta lunch. Both Marylou and Ken are very knowledgeable and will give you a great tour!:cool:

There is a bag check at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Visitors Center. You must check all bags before you can enter. As per others they can accommodate luggage. There is a $5.00 per bag fee. You may carry in a camera. cellphone, wallet in your pocket but no bags.

I believe that there are docents/volunteers on the Mighty Mo who answer questions. While we were at the visitors center we saw ‘guided tours’ that seemed to be hurried along. How much time does Princess allow for these tours? We spent about 4 1/2-5 hours at the visitors center including a trip to the U.S.S. Arizona. There is so much to see. When at the visitors center you will have to board a bus to get to the Mighty Mo and the PAcific Aviation Museum which are both on Ford Island and part of the active Joint Base Pearl Harbor. You can get to the aorld War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument by public transportation, taxi/Uber etc.

Two weeks ago NCl canceled the stops at Hilo and Kona. Last week they reinstated Kona and did stop there. :)Yesterday they canceled the stop at Kona for today based on the reports of very poor air quality in Kona. :(Lots of vog with alerts for the eldery, very young and people with respiratory issues.

Check the USGS volcanoes website (volcanoes.usgs.gov) and click on HVO for the latest updates. They also post those updates on their FB page-USGS Volcanoes. The Hawaii Tracker page on FB is run by locals and gives excellent informaiton as well.

NJ 1952 and dominicr,

So far it seems that NCL is notifying passengers by email the day before the cruise is scheduled to leave. So if they keep to the current notification timeline they will notify you on Friday, the day before scheduled departure.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hosted a live update video on their Facebook page at 1:00 PM today, Saturday, May 19. The recording is avaiable now on that FB page. One glitch is the poor quality of the audio. Using earbuds/headphones makes it audible.

Excellent information and a question and answer session.

BigIslandCruiser, Glad to hear that you are okay. I have heard the same from some friends on the island. The big problem is the diversion of cruise ships and the visitors canceling plans on the island.:)

The USGS, HVNP and associate groups gave a live update on Facebook at 1:00 PM today (Saturday) that is excellent. (You can find it on the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Facebook page. Use headphones or earbuds to listen because the audio is very low.) The NPS rangers fron HVNP are in Hilo at the marine discovery center giving talks and answering questions. There are a few areas of the HVNP away from Kiluaea that are open, as well as the national historical parks on the west side of the island. We need to get the word out that the Big Island is open for business! (y)

NCL’s PoA is staying overnight in Honolulu tonight then to Kahului, Maui on Monday (overnight) then anchoring at Lahaina the next day then as usual to Kauai.

Here is the latest staus report from the USGS HVO posted at Thursday, May 17 6:33 AM HST:

Here is the latest staus report from USGS HVO Thursday, May 17 6:33AM HST:

Just now hearing about the explosive eruption this morning at Kilauea. :eek:

Stay safe.

Just getting notices about explosive eruption at Kilauea this morning. :eek:

Stay safe!

jione, I have been following the Hawaii Tracker page on FB as well as the USGS Volcanoes FB page and the NPS HVNP FB page too. All have great info. And I subscribed to the HVO volcano alerts on teh USGS website.;)

The USGS FB page has links to their YouTube videos with great info.

I think that I am geeking out with all of this information!;)

There are 2 types of masks being recommended. For ash the recommended mask is the N95 (For those of us in healthcare that is the one we are ‘fit tested’ for each year and is used in healthcare with patients on respiratory precautions for certain diseases.) This mask is good for filtering particulate matter such as volcanic ash but not gases.

The second type of mask filters gases. They are designed for short term use-working or going into an area with ash or gases for a short period and leaving.

Is anyone here on the Big Island now? How are you faring with the ash cloud and gases?

Stay safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cruisin Chills:

Yes this is what all the cruise lines did last fall after the 2 hurricanes devastated the islands in the Caribbean (St. Thomas, St, Croix, Puerto Rico, etc.). They notified passengers week by week of the itinerary changes. The same thing happened to us in 2004 (the year that 5 hurricanes hit Florida) when we sailed on the Disney Magic. The cruise 2 weeks before ours was extended (as were all the ships in the Caribbean) because there were no ports open in Florida due to several storms. The next cruise was shortened to get the ship back on schedule. When we checked in we were given a notice that said our ‘Western” itinerary was being changed to an ‘Eastern” due to a storm heading to the Western Caribbean. We were now heading to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. When we returned to the ship after our day in Puerto Rico we received another notice that we were now heading to Nassau because another storm was heading toward St. Thomas!

And I had friends on the PoA in August, 2016 who were rerouted because of a hurricane.

I hope that this is the post that I was talking about. It is on a thread on this board -Ports Of Call>Hawaii entitled “Eruption news?”

(https://boards.cruisecritic.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=56074157

Jlat, Sorry, I can not locate the original post about the itinerary changs for this week.

I believe that it was on Facebook and was from a press release that was in local (Hawaiian) newspapers.

)I searched all the possible FB posts on groups that I follow.)

PA Kathy,

Yes, NCL posted a notice about the change in itinerary. I am certain that they will see to it that you have a good time. Be sure not to miss the programs that are about Hawaiian culture including lei making!

That being said the Big Island is big! Most of the island is not affected by the lava. The closure of HVNP is disappointing but necessary for safety. There is so much more to see and do than just the volcano! We visited a coffee plantation, the macadamia nut factory, an orchid farm, Rainbow Falls on the same day as visiting HVNP. The second day we visited the Captain Cook Monument, the farmers market, Pu’honua O Honaunau National Historical Park (aka the place of refuge), a bee farm and more.

All of these places plus many more are hurting because of the ship not visiting. Many small local businesses depend on those visits for their livelihood.

Wharf rat,

Yes that is sad. I head the same from a friend on the Big Island. All those small businesses and their employees. So many depend on the cruise ship passengers for their livelihood.:(

PA Kathy, What ship are you sailing on? NCL’s PoA skipped Hilo last week. They had a sea day instead. The ship did stop at Kona. According to a friend they will not be stopping at Hilo or Kona this week. They are adding another day on Maui in Lahaina plus a sea day instead.

The sad part is the folks who run tours, have small shops, restaurants, stalls at the farmers market etc. are all losing money because of the ship not stopping. :( There are so many other places to visit besides HVNP. It is a shame that passenges from the ship can’t visit other places on the island.

When we were on the PoA in October, 2016 we wanted to visit the Iao Valley but it was closed for 5-6 months because of damage from a hurricane the previous summer. Yes we were disappointed but had a wonderful time on another tour.

Here is the latest update from the USGS HVO Monday, May 14 8:36 AM:

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Monday, May 14, 2018, 8:36 AM HST (Monday, May 14, 2018, 18:36 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)

19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary:

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts)

This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630 am the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132.

Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday is weakly active.

A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers.

For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area.

The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly.

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

KILAUEA SUMMIT

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area.

This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

REMARKS

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

MORE INFORMATION

Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.

Here is the latest update from teh USGS HVO Monday, May 14 8:36 AM HST:

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE

U.S. Geological Survey

Monday, May 14, 2018, 8:36 AM HST (Monday, May 14, 2018, 18:36 UTC)

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)

19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Summary:

LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE

Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts)

This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630 am the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132.

Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday is weakly active.

A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow.

Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers.

For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area.

The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly.

Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts).

KILAUEA SUMMIT

Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area.

This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences.

Current webcam views are here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

REMARKS

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity.

Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. https://vog.ivhhn.org/

Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

MORE INFORMATION

Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Webcam images: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html

Photos/Video: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html

Lava Flow Maps: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

Definitions of terms used in update: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf

Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf

Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf

Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list):

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes:

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.