AtSeaForever

Princess charges US$56 for Vietnam visas for passengers with US and Canadian passports. They explained that the US$56 includes a US$25 processing fee, so added to the US$33 "visa fee" gives us the US$56 fee per person. Strictly comparing "apples to apples", this is gouging as other popular cruise lines like RCL and Celebrity only charge US$5 to US$6 pp. Granted, us getting a Vietnam visa ourselves before embarkation will cost more (US$75 in Canada), but I think that is besides the point. Cruise lines get a lower visa fee. I can understand why there would be variations in prices for other services because one can always say there are differences in the service you get etc etc etc, but with the visa fee, I don't see how there could be any difference in the service provided that would support Princess gouging its passengers by charging 10 times more! Ignoring the US$25 processing fee, and assuming Princess is merely passing on the US$33 visa fee charged by Vietnam to their passengers, for the sake of their passengers, Princess should figure out how to be more competitive by inquiring into how other cruise lines are only having to charge their passengers US$5 or US$6 for their Vietnam visa. Most passengers don't mind paying more and certainly, the extra US$50 per person won't break the bank, but as a matter of principle, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The least Princess can do is explain why they are charging their passengers 10 times what their competitors are charging for such a "standard" service as this.

Someone on our upcoming Princess cruise did finally hear back from Princess. Apparently, the US$56 Vietnam visa fee includes a US$25 processing fee charged by Princess. I still don't understand why Princess is charging US$56 for a visa that is identical to other visas obtained onboard from other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity (for which they only charge US$5 or US$6). I'd rather they bill me an extra US$50 for the cruise, than for a visa that should be no different from cruise line to cruise line. It certainly does not give a good impression of the company ...

Please refer to this thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2590332. It looks like Princess is charging US$56 for the Vietnam visa, whereas its competitors are only charging US$5-US$6.

I read a post that Princess may be changing their $56 fee to $6, although when I called them today, they still said it was $56, even though I told them a friend of mine recently cruised with RCL and was only charged $6. Ridiculous!

Hello,

I understand our tender will drop us off near Front Street. If we only have 6 hours, what are some suggested things to do/see by public transportation? We are planning to spend a few hours in Lahaina to explore the shops etc, and hope to go to a beach.

1. Would Kaanapali be the best option for a beach closeby and do the buses run frequently between Kaanapali and Lahaina?

2. We plan to stay at Lahaina in the morning, then head out to the beach in the afternoon. Would this be do-able in 6 hours?

3. I've read that Kaanapali is good for snorkeling, but is it also good for surfing (late September/early October)? If not, where can we do some surfing close to Front Street? Would this be at the Puamana Beach County Park and Lahaina Harbor? If yes, can we get to the surfing areas by foot, but if not, which bus route would take us there?

4. Are there equipment rentals (snorkel gear, surfboard etc) at Kaanapali, or do we have to rent at Front Street and bring it with us to Kaanapali?

5. Aside from Lahaina and a beach, are there any other suggested places that we can visit by public transportation that would not take a lot of travel time to and from Front Street?

Thank you!

Hello,

I am travelling with an elderly couple and planning to rent a car to drive from the cruiseport to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (VNP). To plan for delays, including due to unfamiliarity with the area, I am thinking we should not be out for more than 5 hours.

1. Once you get to VNP, will one be able to see the park without having to walk far from the car? Or do we need to park the car then walk a distance (if yes, how long and how strenuous) before we see the sights? If some walking/hiking is required, would there be a waiting area for the elderly couple to sit and wait?

2. Since my elderly companions would not be able to walk much, are there parts of the VNP visit that would be more suitable to them than others? I understand there are two possible routes to take, the Crater Rim Drive and the Chain of Craters Road. Which one would be more scenic and which one would be more suitable for the elderly (e.g. views can be seen without having to walk much)?

3. I am sure we can stay much longer, but what would be a reasonable amount of time to spend at the VNP? Would one hour be too rushed?

4. In addition to the VNP, we were hoping to visit the Akaka Falls and Banyan Drive, and maybe the Boiling Pots, plus downtown Hilo. I have read that combining VNP with Akaka Falls may be too far of a drive. Would this be an ambitious itinerary if we are planing to be on the road for around 5 to 5-1/2 hours in total?

5. Any other places to visit on the way to/from the VNP that you can recommend?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello,

I am travelling with an elderly couple and planning to rent a car to drive from the cruiseport to Waimea Canyon. To plan for delays, including due to unfamiliarity with the area, I am thinking we should not be out for more than 5 hours.

1. I've read various comments about the driving time, ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours each way. Can someone please confirm how long it would take to drive from the cruiseport to Waimea Canyon each way?

2. I also heard that the roads are two-lanes and quite windy, but that they are easy to manage. Is this correct?

3. Once you get to Waimea Canyon, will one be able to see the canyon without having to walk far from the car? Or do we need to park the car then walk a distance (if yes, how long and how strenuous) before we see the sights depicted in the beautiful pictures posted online of Waimea Canyon? If some walking/hiking is required, would there be a waiting area for the elderly couple to sit and wait?

4. I am sure we can stay much longer, but what would be a reasonable amount of time to spend at the canyon? Would one hour be too rushed?

5. From the cruiseport, is there a suggested route to take? I read a post suggesting we take Waimea Canyon Drive, rather than following the signs posted on the roads. Someone suggested going west on Route 50, past Waimea and up the westernmost road, Route 550 from Kekaha, and on the way down, to take the left fork down Wamiea Canyon Drive which ends in Waimea Town.

6. Any other places to visit on the way to/from Waimea Canyon Park that you can recommend?

7. We have booked a car rental with a company at the Lihue Airport, as we couldn't find any car rental agencies in Kauai or Nawiliwili itself. Is this the correct place to rent a car from once docked in Kauai?

Thank you in advance for your help.