Planning an Hawaiian cruise

[spakman]

Just planning an Hawaiian cruise on Pride of America in May. We are thinking about spending the extra on a balcony cabin - I mean we are sailing in Hawaii, why wouldn't you! Can anyone share their experiences on outside vs balcony cabins on the POA?

[sailandcruise]

We had an aft balcony cabin on deck 9 recently. I would recommend these highly. The balconies are extra large and they have more privacy than the balconies on the sides of the ship. Don't get one on deck 10; it's right below the Aloha Cafe and can be noisy. You won't get the best view of the Na Pali coast or the lava flow, but these are only about an hour each and you can easily go to a public deck to see them. You will get more privacy in port and at sea and more space to relax.

[jgallow]

Go for the balcony for sure. Preferably one on the aft.....the window only cabins arn't worth the extra money over an inside. Enjoy hawaii you will LOVE IT.

[Giantfan13]

Sorry, I am of a different opinion here. A Hawaiian crusie is a lot different from any other crusie you have been on. In that the ship is really only cruising at night,and it is only going so far, that it really doesn't feel like you are out in open water, cruising alone. Two of the nights are overnights so you don't cruise at all. Yes, seeing the NaPali coast is awesome from your balcony, but it can also be seen just as well from any deck.

For the most part, when you cruise Hawaii, you are off the ship from the moment it docks until you have to re board before it leaves for the next port. If you were on the ship for lunch, it would be deserted (again, for the most part). Booking a balcony for this cruise is not worth the money IMVHO, and you can put that money to better use in other places.

Yes, balconies are always great, but on this particular cruise, you will have less time to enjoy your balcony and not much to see. If you must have a balcony,. go for it though.

[spakman]

Ok thanks people, interesting comments, especially that last one - does make some sense.

 

We are going to be very particular about the deck, avoiding being directly under or over any entertainment areas.

 

thanks again

 

Scott

[zqvol]

There is no way that I would spend extra for a balcony in Hawaii. Iit is a port intensive crusie, with most sailing at night. If you want a balcony while docked, it is perfect, but it is not worth the extra.

[spakman]

Just had a closer look at some deck plans. It seems that nearly all of the non-balcony cabins with a window/porthole are on deck 4 and 5 - a little too close to the water for the war department :)

[mbisson]

We wondered the same thing prior to our Hawaii cruise, but decided we would be off the ship so much during the day that we went with an inside cabin. Had a great time!

 

If we were to book it again, depending on how great the price difference would be on a particular sailing, I'd be open to inside, oceanview or a balcony

[spakman]

How big are the inside cabins? Are they claustrophobic at all?

[mbisson]

How big are the inside cabins? Are they claustrophobic at all?

 

Often the standard inside & standard oceanview are identical except for the window or lack of a window. I don't know if that is the case though on this ship. I'll wager that someone will know-that's what I like about the boards! :D

[Ocean Spirit]

We've sailed Hawaii twice. Once inside once outside and both times our friends had a balcony.

 

Basically we got off the ship by 8:00 and didn't return till dinner that evening. In the evening we got changed for dinner, took in the show and then crashed. If you are an early riser, you probably won't use your balcony for more than a few minutes.

 

We put our money in getting a really nice room at the Hawaiian Hilton for a few nights before the cruise.

 

Whether or not you get a balcony or not.... the Hawaiian cruises have been our favorites.

Have a great time on your cruise!!

[Umbarger]

I must agree with the others that getting a balcony stateroom on this cruise is a waste of money. This is a very, very, busy cruise. You are off the ship all day from morning till evening. Then you change for dinner and go to the show or take a nap. There is hardly any time to sit out on your balcony. We are glad we booked an inside cabin and saved our money for other things. Hawaii being so expensive you will need it.

[lynneamycruise]

I agree with those who think an inside if fine...we had one a couple years ago...hardly in it at all. Off the ship early...not back until late on the overnight ports. POA is a great ship...the back seating area was our favorite in the morning for breakfast...in Maui we saw whales as we ate.

Just did not spend much time on the ship...you are there for Hawaii.

I would spend the money:

Taking a catamaran to Molokini in Maui

Helicopter tour in Kauai

Boat tour/snorkeling trip of Na Pali coast

 

Rent a car in every port and treat the ship as your lovely floating hotel (with meals)...it's just great...just not a relax on the balcony type of cruise.

Have fun!

[spakman]

Some great feedback here - thanks all.

[cruisin' judi]

Some great feedback here - thanks all.

 

Just to put in my 2 cents for what it is worth!!!

 

We cruised Hawaii almost 2 years ago and there 6 of us; all with Balcony cabins. We enjoyed them.

 

We ate early, went to shows and then sat on the balcony at after shows. Remember there is no casino on the POA. We were on our balcony early in the morning as we were coming into port and in the evening before going to bed.

 

To me a balcony makes the room feel larger.

 

Judi

[MAMATAMA]

We were there last year and would not have gone with out a balcony, THere were four of us, when one is getting ready sitting on the balcony with a drink is the best....breakfast on the balcony ... nitghtcap...only way to go ifyou are able...

[pspercy]

nearly all of the non-balcony cabins with a window/porthole are on deck 4 and 5

 

On the other hand, the lower the deck the less the felt motion and Hawaiian waters can kick up in those channels.

[VegasCruiser01]

We loved our balcony on deck 11 in October! Like others have said, it provides you more room in the cabin.

 

We loved it when we got back from our excursions! We would stop at a bar to grab a cocktail and sit there to relax and remimise about the day! In the mornings it was great to have the sunshine coming into the room and to open the door and hear the waves at night.

 

We truely did enjoy the balcony even if it did cost a littel more. I guess our attitude was that we aren't coming back next year so we should just book the balcony!

[sue402001]

Does anyone know how big the bathroom is in a inside cabin? My hubby's a big guy. Thanks!

[vbmom87]

Go for the balcony for sure. Preferably one on the aft.....the window only cabins arn't worth the extra money over an inside. Enjoy hawaii you will LOVE IT.

 

Do you know big the windows are? We had three foot by three foot window on our HAL cruise and thought it was very adequate.

[pspercy]

I notice that no June 2011 dates are available for POA/Hawaii.

 

Anyone know why ?

[spakman]

nearly all of the non-balcony cabins with a window/porthole are on deck 4 and 5

 

On the other hand, the lower the deck the less the felt motion and Hawaiian waters can kick up in those channels.

 

Nothing like a good bit of motion :D

 

Should be booking later this week - looking at class JJ which will be inside on deck 9 I think

[spakman]

I notice that no June 2011 dates are available for POA/Hawaii.

 

Anyone know why ?

 

Refit maybe?

[Sunny AZ Girl]

I notice that no June 2011 dates are available for POA/Hawaii.

 

Anyone know why ?

I was checking prices for my May 2011 cruise and I noticed the same thing.....they were there a few days ago.:confused: The prices for each category are listed until you go to actually go through the booking process, then there is nothing. What is really confusing is that where the prices ARE listed suites are listed as less expensive than the balconies. I was very excited....until I hit a dead end!:p

[spakman]

Well we have booked, in a balcony no less. The itinerary for this cruise has a full day at sea on day 2 cruising the north coast of Molokai so we decided that the balcony would be worth it, deck 10. Now we just have to wait :(