Golden to Hawaii

[smurf1635]

Please clarify for me the operations of the casino on a Hawaiian Cruise. I thought that the casino would not be open at all, but after reading a review from last spring, I wonder if I've got it wrong. During sea days, the casino IS open?

 

Also, please another final payment date question, if I may? I understand after the final payment date, there will be no price adjustments, but it is possible to request a category change if a higher category becomes available at the same or lower price than you paid?

 

I booked this past Monday for the November 23 sailing and was plesantly surprised to get my cabin assignment today. We booked the lowest category, gaurentee and we are on the Baja deck!

 

Thanks for your help.

[Princess Patches]

Please clarify for me the operations of the casino on a Hawaiian Cruise. I thought that the casino would not be open at all, but after reading a review from last spring, I wonder if I've got it wrong. During sea days, the casino IS open?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

The casino is open on sea days, but gambling is illegal in Hawaii including Hawaiian waters. I believe the casino will be closed for the entire 4 days you are in Hawaii even when travelling between the Hawaiian ports at night. I sailed on the Pride of America last year and there is no casino on that ship. I was told that gambling even in Hawaiian waters is illegal.

[Toto2Kansas]

I understand after the final payment date, there will be no price adjustments, but it is possible to request a category change if a higher category becomes available at the same or lower price than you paid?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

After final payment date, most price drops are in the form of flash promotions and are for new bookings only. It never hurts to check, but you usually will not be able to upgrade to a higher category, even if the price drops to the price you paid for your stateroom category, after final payment date. You can upgrade, but the price is usually quite a bit higher for those already booked. As said, it never hurts to call and check, but I would not count on it. ;)

You can though leave your booking marked 'will accept an upgrade' and there is a chance you will receive a complimentary upgrade, if the luck is with you and the stars are shinning in your direction. ;)

[insag]

We also booked Monday for the Golden for the Nov 23rd sailing we also got our room assigned today,, we are throwing it back into the pool to see what else might happen...

 

Heading over now to see who else is traveling and see if anybody is planing any get togethers

 

Tina and Mike

[Cruisin' Chick]

When we did this cruise in 2005, the casino closed as we entered Hawaiian waters and didn't reopen until we were on our way to the east.

 

In December, the casino opened one or two of the nights while we were in the islands, so maybe the ship was back in international waters those times -- according to the Patters.

[Princess Patches]

When we did this cruise in 2005' date=' the casino closed as we entered Hawaiian waters and didn't reopen until we were on our way to the east.

 

In December, the casino opened one or two of the nights while we were in the islands, so maybe the ship was back in international waters those times -- according to the Patters.[/quote']

 

Due to the close proximity of the islands, Princess may have time when sailing between some ports to get out of Hawaiian waters and into international waters for a few hours in the evening for the express purpose of opening the casino. I would not count on this happening on any particular cruise, it may be dependent on the weather and the particular course they are sailing between any two islands.

 

Gambling is still illegal in Hawaiian waters as far as I know.

[fairground11]

my wife and I did the 14 day LA to Hawaii and back cruise last November and the casino was open every night

[robtulipe]

We were on the Golden Pr. this past Feb. and the casino was closed the evenings after Hilo and Honolulu which were the first two port stops, open from 7 to 11 PM after Nawiliwili, Kauai, third port with departure at 5PM, open at 8PM after Lahaina, our fourth stop which had a 6PM departure and full casino at 8:30PM, slots all day for Ensenada, our last stop, which had an 8PM departure. In Hawaii it wasn't like most sailings we've experienced elsewhere where the casino opened just after the ship had left the port. So it appears that the ship must be a ways out in Hawaiian waters for the casino to be opened. What is interesting is the distance between Honolulu and Nawiliwili is about 100 miles and the casino was closed for that leg and the Hilo to Honolulu leg (about 215 miles) but open for the Nawiliwili to Lahaina leg which was around 200 miles.

I guess Princess must factor in the extra cost of a longer sailing to get out of the Hawaii territorial waters which is required for the casino to be open.

[Princess Patches]

my wife and I did the 14 day LA to Hawaii and back cruise last November and the casino was open every night

 

I am very doubtful Princess Cruises would defy Hawaiian law and open the casino in Hawaiian waters. The last proposal to allow shipboard gambling in Hawaiian waters died in the Hawaiian legislature in March of this year and was not passed.

 

If the casino is open at all during your four days in Hawaii, it would be for a few hours at night only. I imagine it won't be the night you stay late in Honolulu and it won't be the night you sail from Hilo to Honolulu (longest distance the ship travels at night). It might be open a few hours the night between Kauai and Maui (shorter distance and time to get into international waters). It will most certainly be open the night you leave Maui to return to California (as soon as you reach international waters). It will be open all sea days and nights coming and going from Hawaii.

[Working 2 Cruise]

We also booked Monday for the Golden for the Nov 23rd sailing we also got our room assigned today,, we are throwing it back into the pool to see what else might happen...

 

Heading over now to see who else is traveling and see if anybody is planing any get togethers

 

Tina and Mike

 

Looks like we will be together on this wonderful cruise... We are definitely planning a meet and greet, among other things..

 

As for the casino, if I remember correctly, the only night it was not opened was when we were in Honolulu.

[Woobstr112G]

Back in February (Golden) the casino was open for a very short time on one or maybe two of the nights we were cruising between the islands. Don't remember the exact dates and times but it was for a very short period.....

 

Bob

[LisaH]

The casino is open on sea days, but gambling is illegal in Hawaii including Hawaiian waters. I believe the casino will be closed for the entire 4 days you are in Hawaii even when travelling between the Hawaiian ports at night. I sailed on the Pride of America last year and there is no casino on that ship. I was told that gambling even in Hawaiian waters is illegal.

 

Casino was open whenever we were sailing at night - even between islands and then all the way back...

 

My husband won $2500 on the quarter slots..

[INeedAMaiTai]

I'm pretty sure there is a distance ruling. Something like the ship must be three miles out from shore to open the casino. At least that's what I was told, which could be total crap. HAH!