Hawaii Pride of America Luau Question

[Fairway Cruiser]

Sorry to post such a specific question on the big NCL board, but the POA and Hawaii boards get so little traffic.:( My question is, does anyone know the name of the luau that the ship offers as a shore excursion on Kauai for $99?

I know it is not the "Smith Family Luau", but I would like to research it, if I knew the name.

Also, what is in your opinion the best luau on either Maui, the Big island, or Kauai? Thanks! :)

[elpasomom]

I'm just off the pride of America as of yesterday. The luau is luau Kalamaku. My family did attend this luau and thought it was very well done. This was our first luau, so I cannot address whether it is the best luau available.

 

 

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[Fairway Cruiser]

Thank you, elpasomom!

[puddles99]

NCL's Luau option is on Kauai. Lots of folks go and the on board staff pushes it pretty heavily. We chose not to go with the herd and did Smith Family on Kauai and Germaine's pre-cruise on Oahu. With that said, I've not seen too many complaints other than the crush of people & waiting for transportation back with nearly a thousand other POA cruisers!

 

Enjoy your Hawaiian adventure - we sure did! :D

 

 

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[Fairway Cruiser]

Thanks, puddles99!

 

How many people were at the Smith Family luau? I have researched Smith's Family Luau, but the webpage seems to indicate it is not offered on the night we are in port on Kauai (thursday night, i believe)?

 

Did you attend on a Thursday night? We are on the Jan. 24 - 31 cruise.

[Silver Sweethearts]

Also, what is in your opinion the best luau on either Maui, the Big island, or Kauai? Thanks! :)

 

Aloha! If you can find transportation from and back to the ship at a reasonable charge, Old Lahaina Luau is something you should consider. Check their website and Trip Advisor, etc., though it may already be sold out during your visit because it is quite popular.

[Fairway Cruiser]

Thank you, Silver Sweethearts.

[js4rq]

My partner and I did the Smith's Family Luau with Robert's Hawaii for our POA cruise back in February & loved it. We thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, luau and dinner! One of the highlights of our cruise! :D

 

I had a look at the schedule for your sailing on their website and the luau is available, under Island's Best Luau - Kauai*. *A special luau will be used from November thru January (excluding Nov. 22, 2012). During this time Adults will be $109 each and Children (5-12) will be $62 each.

 

https://www.rhshorex.com/

 

Good luck and happy planning!! ;)

Edited December 29, 2014 by js4rq

[$hip$hape]

Thanks, puddles99!

 

How many people were at the Smith Family luau? I have researched Smith's Family Luau, but the webpage seems to indicate it is not offered on the night we are in port on Kauai (Thursday night, i believe)?

 

Did you attend on a Thursday night? We are on the Jan. 24 - 31 cruise.

Fairway Cruiser.... Thank you for your original post.

We are on the POA just after your sailing, and also are looking for more information.

 

We would be happy just to view a dance/performance (THURSDAY, February 5th), and skip the Luau.

There seems to be a Luau and show at the courtyard Marriott, but I'm not sure if you also have to pay for the Luau(food).

Anyone have information on attending just a dance show ?

[puddles99]

Thanks, puddles99!

 

 

 

How many people were at the Smith Family luau? I have researched Smith's Family Luau, but the webpage seems to indicate it is not offered on the night we are in port on Kauai (thursday night, i believe)?

 

 

 

Did you attend on a Thursday night? We are on the Jan. 24 - 31 cruise.

 

 

I don't recall the exact count (it's in the hundreds) but since folks are coming from all different directions, finding your bus back & exiting was pretty easy. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the seating for the actual show was terrible (hard, uncomfortable) but the food & show were excellent.

 

 

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[TSUmom]

We have done the Old Lahaina Luau 3 times and the ships luau once. That being said we preferred the Old Lahaina in Maui, it is a beach setting and the show was great and the food was fabulous. The ship luau was good too but we missed the beach front theme and sunset.

[KollaCruise]

We were just on this cruise 2 weeks ago and its a very busy itinarenary and a very pricy cruise in general. Not to discourage you from going to the laua, but the days are long, by the evening we were exhausted and normally in bed early.

 

Its true the ship does push their own laua often in ads and over the speaker phones. Plus you will be stuffed with ship food, so to me it did not make sense to pay for food as well when its available on the ship for free.

 

We got a very good Hawaiian experience on this cruise in general I thought if we had the energy to go out in the evening and if money was not an issue, I would have vaguely thought about going to a laua.

[moosec1]

We are signed up for Smith family luau on Feb. 5th, in February they start having Thursdays again. When I booked with them online it was $78 a person, and for $12 per person extra they will provide transportation from the ship.

[10XCruiser]

I too am on the fence about the luau. I am a picky eater and don't feel I will pleased with the food choices. I would love to just attend the show but I take that isn't available. We will be in Honolulu 2 days pre cruise so maybe we can find a show there? I am also concerned about being too tired to enjoy myself. I just don't want to feel like I missed something that I will not get a chance to do again. Any thoughts anyone?

[Silver Sweethearts]

I too am on the fence about the luau. I am a picky eater and don't feel I will pleased with the food choices. I would love to just attend the show but I take that isn't available. We will be in Honolulu 2 days pre cruise so maybe we can find a show there? I am also concerned about being too tired to enjoy myself. I just don't want to feel like I missed something that I will not get a chance to do again. Any thoughts anyone?

 

You might want to check out if Queen Kaahumanu Center (a shopping mall on Maui not far from where your ship docks - and who may still offer free shuttle service) is continuing their weekly hula show on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. They often present free shows at their "Queen's Stage" (in the center of the mall). This might better fit you schedule and appetite.

Edited December 29, 2014 by Silver Sweethearts

[Fairway Cruiser]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and great information. Any additional thoughts/ideas are still welcomed!:)

[$hip$hape]

You might want to check out if Queen Kaahumanu Center (a shopping mall on Maui not far from where your ship docks - and who may still offer free shuttle service) is continuing their weekly hula show on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. They often present free shows at their "Queen's Stage" (in the center of the mall). This might better fit you schedule and appetite.

 

Hula Show

Queen Kaahumanu Center

 

Date: January 5, 2015

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Queen's Stage

Contact: 877-4325

Enjoy our free hula show ever Monday by Te Tiare Patitifa.

[$hip$hape]

Hula Show

Queen Kaahumanu Center

 

Date: January 5, 2015

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Queen's Stage

Contact: 877-4325

 

Enjoy our free hula show ever Monday by Te Tiare Patitifa.

[jasbo49]

Another vote for Maui's Old Lahaina Luau. If you check the posts on TripAdvisor, I think you'll find it's considered the best luau in all the islands. But you would need to check for availability now. Late January is prime whale-watching season, and the island gets crowded.

 

Jim

Edited December 30, 2014 by jasbo49

[DaisyGoldberg]

If they still offer the "Manor" tour option, I highly recommend it. Yes, you go to the same show, but you arrive first and have your train ride in peace, then get first crack at the vendors. Then they escort you across the lawn to the manor house, where you are served at your individual tables in comfort, with live music (and nice restrooms!)

 

Then you're escorted to the front tables for a great view of the show, and when it's over, escorted back across the lawn by torchlight to your buses which take you back to the ship way ahead of the cattle call crowd.

 

We did it a couple of years ago and the price differential, something like 40 or 60 dollars, was well, well, worth it, in terms of not feeling like you were one of a thousand. More like one of 20!

[Silver Sweethearts]

If they still offer the "Manor" tour option, I highly recommend it. Yes, you go to the same show, but you arrive first and have your train ride in peace, then get first crack at the vendors. Then they escort you across the lawn to the manor house, where you are served at your individual tables in comfort, with live music (and nice restrooms!)

 

Then you're escorted to the front tables for a great view of the show, and when it's over, escorted back across the lawn by torchlight to your buses which take you back to the ship way ahead of the cattle call crowd.

 

We did it a couple of years ago and the price differential, something like 40 or 60 dollars, was well, well, worth it, in terms of not feeling like you were one of a thousand. More like one of 20!

 

We believe this option is offered on Kauai.

Edited December 30, 2014 by Silver Sweethearts

[TSUmom]

If they still offer the "Manor" tour option, I highly recommend it. Yes, you go to the same show, but you arrive first and have your train ride in peace, then get first crack at the vendors. Then they escort you across the lawn to the manor house, where you are served at your individual tables in comfort, with live music (and nice restrooms!)

 

Then you're escorted to the front tables for a great view of the show, and when it's over, escorted back across the lawn by torchlight to your buses which take you back to the ship way ahead of the cattle call crowd.

 

We did it a couple of years ago and the price differential, something like 40 or 60 dollars, was well, well, worth it, in terms of not feeling like you were one of a thousand. More like one of 20!

 

We also did the upgrade to the Manor house in 2012 and it was nice to be part of a smaller group. I still preferred the experience at the Old Lahaina Luau

[10XCruiser]

Thanks for the info on the Maui hula, Silver Sweetheart. That does seem to be better suited for us.

[Fairway Cruiser]

Okay....after much research, I'm strongly leaning towards the "Old Lahaina Luau" on Maui. Does anyone know if securing transportation (taxi, etc) to and from the ship will be and issue?

[CoolChange37]

Does anyone know what goes on on the ship the overnight in Maui. It's hard for me to pay for an outside meal and entertainment after spending what I spent to have it all included. The dilemma is do we do a Luau on Oahu before boarding the ship or is it really worth it to do the Old Lahaina Luau? Thanks!