Carnival to NCL for Hawaii

[7Flags]

We are repeat Carnival Cruisers wanting to go to Hawaii next summer with 2 other couples. Pride of America and the 7 day Hon-Hon round trip seems to be the way to do it rather than invest 5 days at sea and still have to fly to the west coast from Texas.

 

Agree?

 

Dis-agree?

[fiftyguy]

I think the POA is the way to go if you want to see Hawaii. This is a port intensive cruise so not much in the way of sea days, but multiple sea days from the west coast didn't make sense to me if you want to "see" Hawaii.

[QueenofEverything]

The POA is awesome. It is more like a floating hotel as you cruise more at night. The staff was mostly American as are the officers since it is an American flagged ship. It was a little different in that regard, but they were great and very friendly. The food was phenominal. We only ate in the MDR once as we were off the ship every day and it was easier doing the casual dining. Plus, we had an elderly family member with us and he was not really patient enough for the fancy dinners! We enjoyed the fact that whatever the special item in the mdr was (prime rib, etc), they also had it at the buffet.

If you get a balcony cabin, be sure to get it on the port side. When you do the NaPali coast sailby (unbelievable), the port side is definitely where you want to be. The ship goes in very close and goes very slowly. It turns to go back to Honolulu, but it is further out and goes at a faster speed. We highly recommend the POA!

[Pokeraddict]

We have done this twice now and are booked for a third in January 2012. We just love it!

 

Although we have never ran into any situations some pax say they have, lower your standards a bit to allow for American crew and y'll have a great holiday.

The food is fine but then we only eat in the pay restaurants and eat at the buffet for breakfast only as were usualy in a hurry to get off ship to tour the islands.

 

We have found the entertainment to be an after thought by NCL as it seems that the shows aren't well attended due to most people are too tired from a long day and probably have another long day ahead of them so pax seem to hit the sack early. But this too is ok by us.

 

This ship has no casino or bingo due to Hawaii State Law for us this cuts down on having to go through smokey area.

 

There are far more advantages for us to do NCL Hawaii than disadvantages. In fact we make this cruise a b2b due to cost of flights etc.

[CruisingGoddess]

We sailed Pride of America at the end of Nov/early Dec and loved it! It's been our only NCL cruise so far and we picked it because we didn't want to waste the vacation days at sea sailing from the mainland. We liked it so much that we are going again in 2 months!

 

I wrote a detailed review with photos of my Hawaii cruise:

http://moonprincess.com/travel/category/cruises/hawaii-2010/

 

Hopefully, it'll give you an idea of what you can expect!!

[NanaJulie]

I am going in Noverber. Can't wait!!!!!:D

[DAGVBSB]

May I also suggest that you do either a pre-cruise or post cruise stay in Honolulu. If you simply fly in, get on the ship, take the cruise, get off the ship and go to the airport, you won't have any time to see Oahu and Honolulu...the most populated of the islands.

 

Pre-cruise stays can help with jet lag but post cruise stays are nice too.

[Army/Police Vet]

May I suggest you fly in and do a land-based vacation? If you truly want to experience Hawaii a cruise ship really just gets in the way.

[Azure Moon]

We are repeat Carnival Cruisers wanting to go to Hawaii next summer with 2 other couples. Pride of America and the 7 day Hon-Hon round trip seems to be the way to do it rather than invest 5 days at sea and still have to fly to the west coast from Texas.

 

Agree?

 

Dis-agree?

I agree! We loved our NCLA cruise on Pride of Hawaii back in 2007. We've been wanting to go back and sail Pride of America.

 

 

May I also suggest that you do either a pre-cruise or post cruise stay in Honolulu. If you simply fly in, get on the ship, take the cruise, get off the ship and go to the airport, you won't have any time to see Oahu and Honolulu...the most populated of the islands.

 

Pre-cruise stays can help with jet lag but post cruise stays are nice too.

I also totally agree with everything DAGVBSB said! We got into Honolulu the day before the cruise and had to leave Honolulu the day of disembarking, so we were fighting time differences and trying to cram as much before and after cruise as we could.

 

[clearwatergirl]

Just got back from our cruise on POA. We spent a week pre cruise in Oahu then a week on the ship.

 

the cruise was picked specifically for itinerary. After all our research, this appeared to be the best way to see the islands for the least amount of money.

 

Our experience touring the islands was incredible. what a beautiful place to see. Each island is different. Favorite was Maui for the beaches.

 

We were somewhat disappointed with POA. MDR menu lame, food just OK. Would suggest that NCL wants you to dine in one of their several restuarants and pay the upcharge. Not impressed with desserts or pastry offered. Most staff was cordial but ran into a few "grumpies". Entertainment was excellent. Didn't see everything as we were in bed by 10 pm most nights.

 

IMHO, if you want to see the islands, do the cruise. If you want a relaxing vacation, choose another line that offers sea days.

 

Which ever you choose, have a great vacation. :)

[DAGVBSB]

May I suggest you fly in and do a land-based vacation? If you truly want to experience Hawaii a cruise ship really just gets in the way.

 

 

If you only want to see one or two islands, I agree but to see more, I disagree.

 

The main adavantage to a cruise is that you get to see more islands without having to pack, unpack, go through airport security, wait on your flight, wait on your luggage, etc.

 

On the POA, your "hotel room" goes with you...lol.

 

Let's say you are going to visit all the islands that the POA visits:

Fly into Honolulu. Take transportation to hotel. Unpack. Visit

 

Pack, take transportation to airport, go through check in and security gates, wait on flight to board, fly to next island, wait for luggage. Take transportation to hotel.

 

Visit Maui.

 

Pack, take transportation to airport, go through check in and security gates, wait on flight to board, fly to next island, wait for luggage. Take transportation to hotel.

 

Visit Hilo

 

Drive across island to visit Kona. (or do the above flight stuff again.)

 

Pack, take transportation to airport, go through check in and security gates, wait on flight to board, fly to next island, wait for luggage. Take transportation to hotel.

 

Visit Kauai

 

Pack, take transportation to airport, go through check in and security gates, wait on flight to board, fly to home, wait for luggage.

(and since very few mainland flights come out of Kauai or Hilo, you would probably have to fly back to Maui or Honolulu for your homeward flight. Unless one of those is your last visit.)

 

Now look at costs:

Land vacation:

Flight to Honolulu (or whereever you start)

Flight to Hilo

Flight to Maui

Flight to Kauai

Flight Home

Hotel costs for every night. (most hotels are easily $150+ for decent ones)

(considering 2-3 nights per island = 12 nights

Transportation to/from hotels & airports

All meals (very few hotels have free breakfasts I noticed)

Rental Cars or tour companies on the islands

 

Cruise:

Cost of Cruise (yes, this is the most expensive part)

Cost of airfare to/from Honolulu

Transportation from airport to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to airport (assuming you spend extra time in Honolulu)

Cost of hotel for 2-3 nights in Honolulu. (if you take this option)

Meals in Honolulu

Shore excursions, rental car or private tour operators.

 

 

All breakfasts and dinners (and even lunches if you want to go back to the ship) can be eaten on board at no cost. (unless you do the specialty restaurants.)

 

Overall, cruising has its advantages IF you want to see all of the islands in one trip.