Questions about Pride of America?

[stylez4o1]

Hey guys,

 

What is the check-in time and are we allowed to leave the ship after we check-in? We were interested in visiting the swap meet at the Aloha Stadium(which is 15-20 mins away from the harbor). Also, is outside non-alcoholic beverages allowed on board? Thanks!!!!!

[flashdog_1]

I do not remember the check in time, but have read that in any port you may come and go after having checked in (personally I'd hate to tackle those lines twice). I'm guessing that you have not received your onboard check in papers to do on line, because that time would be shown. There must be someone you can ask so you can go right back on. Surely!) I've gone back and forth several times at ports of call but not at embarkation port, but know it can be done. You would always have to go thru the security scan, however. Naturally, carry your ID and cruise card with you to re-board.

 

I checked two six packs of cokes straight thru to the cabin. I had taken packing tape with me for the occasion. I saw that in the box from the drug store I could only look down onto the pop tops, and thought I might get questioned (like, is that beer?) so pulled one can from each 6 pack up a little so the brand could be read. and it went right through.

[rockabutzer]

Hey guys,

 

What is the check-in time and are we allowed to leave the ship after we check-in? We were interested in visiting the swap meet at the Aloha Stadium(which is 15-20 mins away from the harbor). Also, is outside non-alcoholic beverages allowed on board? Thanks!!!!!

 

 

I've read soomewhere on this site that you could check in as early as 11 AM.

[DevCruise]

I've read soomewhere on this site that you could check in as early as 11 AM.

 

We were there at 11am and almost practically walked on the ship. They weren't quite ready to board yet, but we only waited like 15 mins. In some chairs after checking in. The only "line" we hit was right at the desk where they do your onboard account and we were only the third group back. Looked like there were maybe 30-40 people who did the process ahead of us as they were sitting in the chairs watching a hula show.

 

This was in January.

[cmego2]

The "official" check-in time is at Noon for Pride of America. While you are able to leave the ship on embarkation day, remember that the muster drill is at 4:30 . Also, you are able to bring soda and bottled water on board.

[TSUmom]

We checked in and then got off and walked over to the Aloha Tower to get some pictures. We got back on the ship at a different location and did not need to go through the check in lines again, just through a security check like when you are in port.

[Pokeraddict]

I agree with TSUmom. You can also drop your luggage off at the pier anytime after 10 am (make sure you've tagged it) and check in later in the day which we have done in order to go to China Town and visist sites in the area.

[mking8288]

We checked out of our hotel after a morning breakfast, drove our rental car over to the pier, parked a few steps outside at the metered parking spaces along the road, dropped off our luggages with the porter & checked in around 11:00 am - got our key cards, etc. - folks were already (early?) boarding the ship. We could've boarded for lunch on the ship & relax - the disembarkation from previous sailing was done by 10 am as the ship arrived by 7 am and was quickly cleared (no customs/immigration) - plenty of taxis available outside the pier.

 

There is an exit door to go back out toward the parking lot, as plenty of folks were doing that after doing the early bags drop-off & registration/checking in. Keeping our carry-on essentials, our Oahu relatives met up with us and we drove our cars over to Chinatown for a nice Vietnamese "Pho" lunch, did a bit of walking around & photo's in the afternoon - then I dropped off the rest of the "gang" back at the pier, to catch an afternoon nap (nice, huh.) Our relatives followed us to drop-off the rental car back at the off-airport location below the Freeway, a 15 minutes trip & drove me back to the ship as we chatted.

 

Boarding the ship was super easy, walk thru security & carry-on thru the x-ray, showed them my POA Key Card & up the gangway to find my cabin. By then, most of our luggages had been delivered, except 1 of my BIL's luggage was late - showed up a bit later. I even made it to the mandatory life boat drill, held in one of the lounges & without bring the life jacket.

 

Don't worry, plenty of pax hasn't arrived yet in time for the emergency drill, there was a huge make-up session the next morning for everyone that missed it. All abroad time was like 5 pm for the scheduled 7 pm sailing, but ... we didn't leave the Honolulu pier until 10:30 pm as a busload plus of NCL Cruise-Air pax were late on their incoming/connecting flights from the mainland, and they had to wait for them - Captain announced it over PA as we're enjoying our meals in the MDR, waiting for the ship to move away from the pier once they pull up the gangways, etc. The music & dancing up on the pool deck went on as scheduled for the evening and we watched the beautiful sunset as the night lights come on over Waikiki.

[mfinster007]

If you've ever been to the Swap Meet, then you need no guidance. If not, be cautious of your time as you could run into traffic either way and your 20 min drive could be a bit longer. Also, enjoy it!! you can do all your souvenir shopping before you begin your cruise and even buy an extra bag too, it's a lot of fun, have a great time :)

[stylez4o1]

Thanks for all the responses!!!!:)

 

Only thing I have to do is decide whether to check-in and leave or leave our bags and check in later. The swap meet is open from 8-3 and my plan was to take a taxi from the pier to the stadium and back.

[mcmomny]

We checked our bags at noon and took off sight seeing some more, dropped off our rental car about 4 pm and headed to the ship and had no lines what so ever to board.

 

Perfect!

[RobReitz]

We'll be on this cruise this Saturday (6/9/12)... looking forward to a great week and God knows it is much needed for both of us.

 

We're hoping it's smooth sailing and lives up to the reviews.

 

I'll surely write a thorough review of my own when we get back ;)

[amlop]

We just took this cruise from May 19th to the 26th. My husband dropped 5 of us off with the luggage at about 10:45 AM and then he went and parked in the small metered parking lot that is right before the security guard shack. Ask the security guard and he will tell you how to go out and get back to the metered parking.

 

We checked in all our luggage, filled out the health screen sheet, went through security and then checked in to get our key and all of that took about 20 minutes. My husband and I then left the port to go do some sightseeing. The other four family members stayed at the port and they were onboard about 11:30 or 11:45.

 

When my husband and I returned to the port about 2, the security line was long. When we first walked in the door, there was an employee standing to direct people to drop off luggage. When we showed her our cabin keycard, she escorted us to security where that had a special line

for people that were already checked in so we got right through and went right to our room. Our room was ready and our luggage was at our cabin before 3.

 

Have fun! It was a wonderful way to see the islands!

[stylez4o1]

We'll be on this cruise this Saturday (6/9/12)... looking forward to a great week and God knows it is much needed for both of us.

 

We're hoping it's smooth sailing and lives up to the reviews.

 

I'll surely write a thorough review of my own when we get back ;)

 

 

We'll be there in early September....Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!

[stylez4o1]

Thanks again guys!

[flashdog_1]

We just took this cruise from May 19th to the 26th. My husband dropped 5 of us off with the luggage at about 10:45 AM and then he went and parked in the small metered parking lot that is right before the security guard shack. Ask the security guard and he will tell you how to go out and get back to the metered parking.

 

How did you return the rental car? Surely you didn't leave it at the port for a week. But then again, maybe you did.

[amlop]

How did you return the rental car? Surely you didn't leave it at the port for a week. But then again, maybe you did.

 

After our initial check in, we went back to our rental to go see more of the area and then return the car to Thrifty. Thrift had a free shuttle back to the port.

[mking8288]

After our initial check in, we went back to our rental to go see more of the area and then return the car to Thrifty. Thrift had a free shuttle back to the port.[/quote

 

Thrifty & Dollar car rentals from HNL-off airport run a regular shuttle to the pier, it's about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the city's traffic (although they have few shuttles) whereas Hertz & Budget have more runs to/from - and as I recall, at least one of them do have a pickup/drop location in Waikiki (check their website/call to confirm.) There is a designated pickup/dropoff location inside the gated section of the pier, accessible to these shuttle services so that you do not need to walk far/go outside past the metered parking roadway (where the taxis are ...)

 

It's important when you arrived to pickup your rental to ask them for their local office's telephone # to call directly, as otherwise you will end up with the 800-toll free # and those CSR aren't as always helpful on the POA/pier arrangements.

[flashdog_1]

After our initial check in, we went back to our rental to go see more of the area and then return the car to Thrifty. Thrift had a free shuttle back to the port.[/quote

 

Thrifty & Dollar car rentals from HNL-off airport run a regular shuttle to the pier, it's about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the city's traffic (although they have few shuttles) whereas Hertz & Budget have more runs to/from - and as I recall, at least one of them do have a pickup/drop location in Waikiki (check their website/call to confirm.) There is a designated pickup/dropoff location inside the gated section of the pier, accessible to these shuttle services so that you do not need to walk far/go outside past the metered parking roadway (where the taxis are ...)

 

It's important when you arrived to pickup your rental to ask them for their local office's telephone # to call directly, as otherwise you will end up with the 800-toll free # and those CSR aren't as always helpful on the POA/pier arrangements.

 

Good to know in case we ever get back there. Thanks.