juneybugel

Hi juneybugel:

 

Did you get to take the helicopter trip with Mauna Loa? We were thinking of using them in November and wondering how it was?

Hi Mainecooncat, our cruise isn't until January 2016 so we're still waiting!

So you have to be there at 10:45 for your 11:30. Not sure when the new 10:00 port time change starts, but do follow this to see what time people actually get off.

 

My concern is that by 10:00 am, the entire ship is going to be ready and wanting to get off NOW as soon as the OK is given. You could be stuck in a very long line. This happened to us once in Alaska. Luckily we had priority escort off bypassing the lines, not that it did us any good, since other people on our tour were stuck in line and we had to wait nearly an hour for them to get off.

 

There are a couple shuttles which run continuously down to that same, I assume, shopping area. If your timing is right, you might luck out and catch one rather than walk. But 10 to 15 min sounds about right to walk it.

Yes, the new port time is not ideal. It's going to be a mess at the rental car agency I'm sure. I will definitely be watching for POA reviews to find out what time the ship actually docks and they start to let people off. We were told about the shuttle as well but definitely could walk if time is running short. Thanks for your help

Actually we rescheduled for 11:30 am tour, my apologies. We are going with Mauna Loa Helicopter tours and have to be there 45 mins prior to check-in. Supposedly it's a 10 min walk from the pier to the shopping mall to check in. We figure we will have our rental car and on the road by 1:30 pm.

I appreciate you pointing all of this out though as it's something I wouldn't have thought of. I'm assuming the 45 min check-in prior to tour is to do the weigh-in and paperwork, etc.

I'm really thinking now the 2nd day we will be on the road by 7am and up to the lighthouse and spend some time at Hanalei Bay. Looks like a nice place to check out and still have time to get back to the ship by 1:30 pm

Thanks everyone for your responses. I saw on cruise critic that our port time had changed for arrival in Kauai. We were originally scheduled for a 10 am helicopter ride but have now changed it to 12pm. We wanted to book the helicopter ride for the first day in case it was bad weather and we couldn't go we could always try to get a booking for the second morning.

Driving up to the lighthouse seems like a nice idea. Definitely going to look into that further.

I think driving up to the Napoli coast might be a little too ambitious and I'd worry about getting back on time.

We are sailing on the POA in January 2016. For the Kauai 2 day stop we are doing a helicopter tour the first morning we arrive. We are then renting a car around 12:30 pm and doing the drive up to Waimea Canyon with a hike or two along the way.

For the 2nd day we depart Kauai at 2 pm and will have the rental car back around 12:30 pm. Where would be best to go for the morning? I don't want to venture too far but would like to do something. We're not ones to lay on a beach but are more about exploring and appreciating beautiful scenery or whale watching (this trip is all about whale watching for me, much to my partner's chagrin!)

Is it worthwhile to spend some time around Poipu?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Rhonda

Hi all, we will be traveling on NCL POA starting Jan 23/16. We will be renting a car the first day in Maui but not the second day as we are going up to the volcano for sunrise with a tour and feel it would be a waste to have the car for only a couple of hours the 2nd day. Therefore, we will be returning the car rental to the airport likely after 8 pm the first night.

Does anyone know if the shuttle to the POA will still be running at that time or how I find out? We will likely be using Alamo as that seems to be the cheapest rate so far. If not, would taxis be readily available? Any idea of cost from Kahului airport to POA pier?

Also, anyone have any problems with Alamo car rentals?

Thanks in advance!

Rhonda

Hi Miicah,

Fellow Canadian here! Loved reading your review. I learned so much. Thank you for doing it. We've done 5 caribbean cruises and I've never felt this overwhelmed trying to plan. Your review was extremely helpful.

One question, what time did you leave the POA to start the Haleakala Sunrise Tour and what time did they bring you back to the boat? Looking into doing this and see that it's also offered by private companies and just trying to establish the difference.

Happy sailing and thanks again!

Rhonda

Hi Gambee! So excited to be reading another cruise review...love love loving the review and all the pictures! Thank you again for posting your reviews. They truly help many people. A colleague of mine decided to book a RCL cruise and it's her first time cruising. I have never been on RCL so of course I sent her to your website to read your review to get a great idea of what cruising is all about.

My heart was in my throat watching your Maho beach video. We went to Maho on our last cruise and spent about 3 hours there. It was the highlight of our trip. Took a gazillion pictures and a video of the Air France big one! (or so I thought). Got home and my husband realized he must've forgot to hit record. OMG. I was rubbing it in that Gambee went to Maho and got video so I'll have to watch that. Thankfully we are headed back in February on Celebrity eclipse..I will be asking him every 10 seconds if the video is recording :roll eyes:

Love to hear about the new camera you got. I've learned a lot about photography from you and the other people who post on your reviews. We love our Sony Nex 3N and I just bought the new olympus tough tg-3. It has absolutely amazing features and I can't wait to get on the cruise and see awesome results!

So glad mom is okay and absolutely loving your family. Your uncle is a riot and love that he is getting the most out of his cruising experience.

Can't wait to read the rest of your review and please keep on cruising and reviewing, it's so appreciated ;)

Rhonda

Greetings from Winnipeg, Canada Gambee! It feels like I've been waiting so long for this review since it was a while ago you announced you have booked this cruise. As you can see from my signature line we've only cruised Carnival and loved every minute of it. Couldn't wait to read your thoughts. Glad to see you enjoyed Carnival as much as we do.

We are venturing out to Celebrity Eclipse in Feb 2015 and we can't wait. It was a great deal we couldn't pass up.

Thank you again for all your hard work on this review. The pics and videos are amazing as always. Keep the reviews coming!

So sorry to hear about your grandmother. May her memories help to ease the pain when you are missing her most.

Rhonda

Hi Ian. I usually don't read reviews without pics, I'm a visual learner :o However, once I saw your username realized I had to check out a review from a fellow Pegger!

Your review was great. Thoroughly enjoyed reading a review from the eyes of a 1st time cruiser. We took our first cruise in 2009 and have been hooked since. Nothing is ever like the first one though.

We just booked our first celebrity cruise for 14 days aboard Eclipse for February 2015 and after this winter, can't wait! So jealous of people that live in the southern US and can drive to the ports. Sometimes we've paid higher airfare than the cruise itself! I"m too nervous to risk flying out of Grand Forks/Fargo in the winter to cut costs. Oh well.

Hope to see you cruising and reviewing again!

Rhonda

P.S. We have the classic drink package as the pick your perk. We're not big drinkers but I think you've convinced me to upgrade to premium once on board. Those martini and molecular drinks look just too good!

Great help everyone, thank you so much. That Mariott looks wonderful unfortunately the Mariott hotel chain not available with the air miles :o( Am taking all the suggestions into consideration.

Rhonda

I thought I'd come to the experts! Doing research for a Norwegian Pearl cruise out of Port of Miami in Feb 2015 (yes, I'm anxious!). We are going to be using air miles (it's Canadian) so don't need to worry about price. Would like to be close to the POM and close to transportation to south beach, i.e. public transit, etc. to avoid the $30 cab fare. We'd like a nice hotel within walking distance to reasonably priced restaurants. We're spending 2 days pre-cruise and 3 days post-cruise. Have thought about staying in 2 different hotels but still can't choose. I think I've narrowed it down to these 4:

Intercontinental Biscayne Bay

Doubletree Biscayne Bay

Hilton Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Miami Brickell

Can anyone help with choosing?!! Thanks.

Rhonda

Hi Gambee...thanks again for another fabulous review! I really enjoyed it. As we do not have children, Disney is a cruiseline I would likely never have considered but have now been able to have a sneak peak! Thanks for sharing with us and for all your hard work on these reviews.

Good timing that we were in need of a camera and being a Sony girl myself, just purchased the Sony NEX-3N. We're in Canada and all the NEX-F3's are sold out around these parts. I will be spending the next week taking pictures and playing around with the camera. Now we need a new underwater camera as well as we had waterproof casing with the old one. Hmmm..wonder what we'll buy?!! :D I'm sure it will be something black and red..heehee...that Olympus Tough gets pretty amazing reviews.

Looking forward to your next cruise (and Hi to Mom of course).

Rhonda

So sorry to hear about Milo Gambee. You gave Milo love and that is the most important thing. Take time to grieve. Milo was a part of your family and your life. You give so many people so much joy through your reviews and we all are here to support you. My heart is with you.