cruiser2015

Great start on your review. We're sailing in July.

Hate to jump the gun on you, but here's the "lobster question" that's all the buzz around here. Was any served on your cruise? (And I'm not interested in the specialty restaurant upgrade).

Hi

I have been checking out both catamaran sunset cruises and they are priced the same, so just wondering which you would suggest. Hubby can't swim and needs to feel safe and secure.

Thanks, Connie

We have a sunset catamaran cruise booked. Based on your comments, maybe it's something for you - much larger vessel - but no sails, motor powered.

If you want the wind sailing experience, fine. Otherwise, check this out:

http://www.atlantisadventures.com/navatek-cruises

One-Stop Shopping.That's my point. If only I could trust that the flights/seats and cabin would be acceptable.

But it is nice to have control over the flights so I may be better off booking everything independently.

Did not mention in my first comments, but you can try the Custom Air Option (don't recall for sure if that's what NCL calls it - if not, something similar). For about $50 extra per person they let you request parameters for your air. Last time I checked, you could not ask for specific flights, just what you like (times, non-stop, etc.) Then they tell you what the offering is and it's take it or leave it. Check with your TA or NCL as to exactly what your options are. Of course, they also decide how much the fare is - and may be a lot more than the standard fare quote where they choose the flights.

WE recently received an email offer from NCL :

Norwegian Hawaii Package – Pride of America 7 nights

Package Includes: balcony cabin, airfare from Pittsburgh,

2 nights at the Marriot Waikiki Beach Resort, & all transfers

Package Cost: $2949.00

Taxes: $209.88

Final Price (per person): $3158.88

Understand, we will have no control over the flights and

the balcony is "guaranteed".

Any opinions?

In my opinion, this might work if you want the convenience of one-stop shopping. Otherwise, you can probably do better on the pricing. As mentioned, you get full control over your flights. You can choose your hotel - the Marriott is fine, but a little pricey - even then you might get it for less if you book on your own. Transfers tend to be overpriced in general.

We are on POA in July and booked everything separately. Even the cruise was reduced relative to NCL through an online agency. Your choice.

Laundry special?

Never heard of that one before. Do they offer it on other itineraries?

Specifically, sailing on POA in July

To check what's available in a particular region, I suggest you go to an online cruise site where you can search all lines at once.

I did take a look (out of curiosity) and did not see anything like what you asked for.

I asked this question on the regular Norweigian forum but no one has answered. I got an upgrade to OV room 4108 from Inside cabin. Want to know if this deck is very noisy because restaurants are above and might have read somewhere that you can hear engines and anchor. Also, can anyone tell me if bed is under window or on the side with a couch. Both pictures were on the website.

I have not sailed on the POA (will be on in July). Just reviewed the deck plans. Your cabin seems to be below the edge of Jefferson's Bistro and the art gallery. The adjacent areas (not directly above you) are not marked - I would guess they might be galleys. If so, there might be noise early as they prep for breakfast.

I would expect you are close enough to the mechanicals that there could be some noise, but the cabin is almost mid-ship - I would expect more noise farther aft than your location from the engines. As far as anchors, the ship docks everywhere except Kona, so they should not use them but once. And, I've yet to see an anchor other than the bow of a ship - not even close to you.

So should I call and do a booking or does none of this make any difference?

Thanks in advance,

Patty

Hi Patty

In recent years, the lines have been doling out cabins in chunks. You used to be able to call the line and request a cabin - if it was available - you got it. Not any more. You could always try calling. Also, they will rotate the cabins shown in online booking - both at NCL or at other agency sites. So, if you try going out and back in (multiple times) you should probably see other cabins pop up - but not necessarily the one you want.

Three couples of us are going to Hawaii in August. Does anyone know of a nice, but reasonable $200. or less, hotel that either provides a shuttle to the pier or a shuttle from the airport? We're all coming in a day ahead but plan to just rest until boarding ship the next day, so don't want to rent a car. If no shuttles then what about taxi service and about how much would it be for both trips? Any suggestions would be so appreciated. Also we're planning on doing the Pearl Harbor tour after the cruise since we have all day before our flight leaves; any suggestions on different options we might have, that would be reasonable.

We are arriving in July 1 for the 7/5 sailing. My choices took me to more expensive properties than what you seek. But try the Holiday Inn - starts at 199 (+ tax) - close to your budget, centrally located, seems to be a decent place. There are places further back from the beach that might be a little less. Shop some online hotels search sites. As to shuttles - I have not seen any hotels providing those services. I discovered here on Cruise Critic an outfit called Hawaii23 (price for 2 from airport to Waikiki is $23). They get & each additional passenger, so $51 for the group - and it's not shared with anyone else - way better than using a shuttle service.

From what I've read, a regular taxi to the pier would probably run $15-25. I was going to see what Hawaii23 might do it for (we are only 2; but for you a flat rate van would be great - it's much shorter than the airport run, so it can't be more than that fee, hopefully less.

One caution - I've checked back on my own time frame, and I see space filling up (some categories no longer available). Don't wait to make your res.

You indicated a one week land stay. Have you considered doing that pre-cruise? We are sailing POA in July and arriving 4 days in advance. Then, going straight to the airporton rreturn to Honolulu. Doing your land stay first gives you plenty of lead time for the trip, plus no back and forth to a hotel for a second time during your vacation.

We had a mini suite on the Ruby Princess. I would consider it to be similar to balcony cabins on NCL or RCCL, only a little more spacious. We are sailing on POA in July in a balcony cabin on deck 9 aft. The POA does not have a cabin classified as a mini suite (NCL does on some of their other ships). Take a look at the B1 or B6 categories (large balcony) at about 230 square feet. These are about 30% larger than my cabin. I think that would come closest - unless you go for a suite.

If you have checked, they obviously have good review comments.

We tried last month to book Marylou for July, but they were not available. They recommended Big Island Aina, so we booked them for our Hilo stop.

Gil returned emails promptly and answered questions. Expecting this to be a good one.

Roberts Hawaii offers 2:

Pearl Harbor & Honolulu city or North Shore & Polynesian Cultural Center.

Don' t recall NCL's offers, but probably similar.

Try Roberts Hawaii. There is a very comprehensive all day tour as well as a shorter version.

I was at the PCC a long time ago (1978!). We will be on the POA in July. We are also staying in Honolulu 3 days pre-cruise. I am leaning towards avoiding the rental car hassle - particularly for multiple days - especially with the high cost of parking. Even if you are considering a one day rental, I don't know that an in town agency would be open when you return from PCC (after 10PM).

What I found that appeals to me is on the PCC website. They call it the Circle Island Tour. It's an all day affair, with hotel pick up that makes 10 stops starting around the Honolulu area, then across the island, around the north shore beaches and to the Center at 12:30. Then you have all afternoon there, followed by dinner (if chosen - you have assorted meal/show options). Then bus back to hotel. And they discount the price if booked in advance.

I agree with the comments indicating that local time is being used for your itinerary.

But why all the confusion - boards, agents?

Why not call Carnival directly and ask them?

Hawaiian Airlines has a non-stop from JFK to Honolulu. Scheduled time is approximately 11 hours or so. We recently took this flight and our actual flight time was a little less. It is a very nice flight and the time goes by quite quickly. They feed you twice and do several beverage services. The flight leaves JFK at 10am and arrives HNL mid afternoon.

Have the Hawaiian Air flight booked for July. Scheduled flight time is 10.5 hours.

Personally, I haven't used an agent in years. They can certainly be helpful if you lack information - or the time/energy to get it for yourself. First off, I book my own air so I don't have to pay an agent fee. Most of the time, agents will not beat the cruise lines' fares. They might throw you an on board token, as previously mentioned. Don't think the cruise line will do that (not when I booked directly with NCL or Royal Carrib.

But shopping can pay off. Some online agents do cut prices. Best available deal for my last two bookings (including NCL POA this July) came from SmartCrusier.com.