How different is the on board POA experience from a generic carribean cruise?

[trish1c]

We're seasoned NCL cruisers but always to the Caribbean. I realize Hawaii is very port intensive & we're taking this cruise as an overview of the various islands because this may be our only Hawaii trip.

 

We usually take advantage of on board amenities -- I hang by the pool & we party all night.

 

I don't think this trip will be like that. . . We want to be up & off the ship to see Hawaii. I'm viewing the ship as more of transportation, a bed/shower & place to grab a bite (rather than paying high food costs ashore)

 

Am I correct that there are no worries regarding bringing food on & off the ship since we never leave Hawaii?

 

What differences did you all notice between POA & Caribbean cruises in general? I don't care about trivia like the name of the restaurants or the color of the carpet.

Edited January 4, 2017 by trish1c

[pe4all]

We just got off the POA this past Sunday. This cruise was go,go,go!! We were planning on seeing all the shows on the ship - ended up not seeing any, as we were so pooped out by the end of dinner. POA still had the white hot party, etc., that is on all the NCL ships. It had more "cultural" activities - lei making, grass skirt making, etc. The cruise began with hula dancers and a Hawaiian "prayer" of safe travel. There is a naturalist on board, who does classes, and narrates as you go past the Napali coast. We saw a lava flow as we passed by Kona at night - that was the latest we managed to stay up! (9:45)

No unlimited beverage plan or casino on board - that is a major difference. Also, the dress code seemed even more casual than freestyle cruising usually is. We had no problem bringing snacks/drinks off the ship.

[BS Racing]

 

I don't think this trip will be like that. . . We want to be up & off the ship to see Hawaii. I'm viewing the ship as more of transportation, a bed/shower & place to grab a bite (rather than paying high food costs ashore)

This is the best thing just think of the POA as a floating hotel

More port focused than the Caribbean.

[dexddd]

The POA has come a long way since it was first introduced 10+ years ago. Back then service was horrible and it did feel quite a bit different than other ships we've been on. Vowed never to go on it again but reviews got better and we had the chance to do the post drydock trip back to Hawaii.

 

Service the 2nd time around felt very much like any other NCL ship. POA refurb was very nice. Very much felt like you could have been anywhere other than for the ports.

 

There are a few odd things like no bar set-ups, no UBP, no cell tower, etc.

 

The buffet offerings actually seemed nicer than what we had recently on the Gem. Plus the pizza in the buffet was great - they were making it fresh and had a wood fired type oven.

 

They pool area was nicely updated with new furniture, loungers, decking, etc.

 

POA looks very nice.

[tempus137]

 

, no cell tower

 

This isn't a big problem at all. While you're in port, your cell phone should work on your regular network (Verizon worked fine on our cruise). We were even able to use a cell phone as a hotspot for a laptop.

 

It's only while you're sailing from port to port that your phone won't work, and you should put the phone on airplane mode for that time.

[casofilia]

No Casino and no Booze Package.

[TSUmom]

The evenings were much quieter. Not much partying going on and of course no casino. It seemed everyone had the same idea, early to bed early to rise. The hot tubs were usually empty in the evenings also. My very 1st cruise was on POA, I loved it so much I went 2 more times...

[dexddd]

This isn't a big problem at all. While you're in port, your cell phone should work on your regular network (Verizon worked fine on our cruise). We were even able to use a cell phone as a hotspot for a laptop.

 

It's only while you're sailing from port to port that your phone won't work, and you should put the phone on airplane mode for that time.

 

It is if you are sailing from SFO to Hawaii with 3 sea days in our case. I called Verizon ahead of time who said they did offer coverage to find out POA has no cell tower. Verizon did refund the charges.

[mking8288]

Sailing between islands/ports on those non-overnight stops are typically night-time, with the 5 hours time zone difference vs. the East Coast, there's minimal need for internet access at sea. All of the major US carriers have cellular signal towers nearby whenever POA is docked.

 

Jet-lag will be a factor and it's often worst after flying home, eastbound ... the post-cruise blues. Many folks are wide awake at 5 or 6 AM as it's already 10 AM or 11 AM on "home" time - fastest way to get going is the buffet as the ship is often docking before 7 AM & ready for going ashore. The crew actually had sandwich bags available, DIY, making it easier for those who wanted to bring some PJ sandwiches & fruits along (bring a compact/folding, soft-side cooler bag & you are all set to sightsee ... non-perishable food are best as you could on land for the entire day.) It felt like an empty ship by 8 AM as the majority are already on land, some rolling in their tour buses already.

 

It's basically a floating hotel on the move for us, a place to shower, change, eat & sleep - barely time to look for activities onboard to do in the evening. We rented our own minivan and some nights, barely get back in time for dinner & rush off to the MDR or buffet.

[srlafleur]

The most noticeable difference is that there is no casino. However, with the ship stopping overnight on Maui and Kauai, and all the busy go-go-go all day, we didn't miss it at all, even though we often spend (too many) hours in the casino on other cruises.

 

Oh, and renting cars (or motorcycles as we did) and driving around on your own is easy-peasy. (It IS the U.S., after all) The rental car agencies even do shuttles from the dock.

Edited January 5, 2017 by srlafleur

[cb at sea]

If you have never been to Hawaii, it's best done as a land-vacation. You simply won't have the time to see and do everything on a ship's schedule!

[pe4all]

If you have never been to Hawaii, it's best done as a land-vacation. You simply won't have the time to see and do everything on a ship's schedule!

I agree - but if you have only a limited amount of time, POA is a great way to do Hawaii. When we honeymooned there 33 years ago, we spent 2 days in San Francisco, 4 days in Oahu, 3 in Maui, 3 in Kauai - but we took 2 weeks off to do it. I liked the pace of the POA itinerary. The overnighters on Maui and Kauai give you enough time to hit on some of the main attractions.

[trish1c]

We only have a limited time & this is likely to be the only trip to Hawaii. DH hates the beach. This gives at least a little overview. I didn't see a better way to get from island to island. I didn't want to waste all the TSA time in airports to go between islands.

[srlafleur]

DH hates the beach.

 

Our last POA trip (which was our second to Hawaii), neither the hubs nor I even brought our bathing suits. While we like seeing and admiring beautiful beaches, we really aren't "beach people". We'd rather hit the open road on a motorcycle and explore wherever it takes us, which is what we did at every stop. "Wonder where that road goes?" "Dunno, let's go find out!"

Edited January 6, 2017 by srlafleur

[punkincc]

We only have a limited time & this is likely to be the only trip to Hawaii. DH hates the beach. This gives at least a little overview. I didn't see a better way to get from island to island. I didn't want to waste all the TSA time in airports to go between islands.

 

I think you've made the right choice. We've done the land tour on three islands. Have done POA twice, and would now never do it any other way. And there is way more to Hawaii than beaches, beautiful as they are. There are volcanoes both active and dormant, "grand" canyons, cave tubing, whales watches, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and beautiful dramatic landscapes literally wherever you look, to name a few. Our last cruise, we spent 10 days in Hawaii and never hit a beach once except for strolling along the boardwalk in Waikiki.

 

As far as the "party all night". As I recall, there was some sort of themed party on most nights. We were always too wiped out to check it out, but I have a feeling you might find some like minded folks there if you are up to it. I think there are karaoke nights in one of the bars. If you can find where someone has posted some recent POA Freestyle Dailies for the week, that would give you a good idea of the shows, parties, activities and musical entertainment throughout the ship on any given week.

Edited January 6, 2017 by punkincc

[emeraldcity]

We only have a limited time & this is likely to be the only trip to Hawaii. DH hates the beach. This gives at least a little overview. I didn't see a better way to get from island to island. I didn't want to waste all the TSA time in airports to go between islands.

 

This is absolutely the best summation of the difference between land-based Hawaii vacations and the POA. My first trip to Hawaii involved 3 islands and we lost a half day both times we did an island hop due the logistics of transferring from hotel to airport to rental car to hotel. The POA takes you there during the evening while you're having a very nice dinner and seeing a show before heading off to bed. When the morning arrives, there is a new island floating toward you.

 

We took a collapsible cooler with us and packed a lunch every morning to take off the ship. Since we rented a car on every island, there was no guarantee we would be anywhere with a great option for lunch at a time when we were hungry (the day we drove up Haleakala comes to mind).

 

I've cruised a fair amount in the Caribbean, but only once in Hawaii. There is no comparison. Hawaii has a special magic to it. A wonderful spirit of Aloha. There are no pushy Caribbean vendors for one thing. There is a level of graciousness that we found on every island. And if you're lucky, you'll see lava pouring into the ocean ... can't remember the last time I ever heard someone note that one in a Caribbean trip review. And the mountains are unrivaled in their beauty. You can drive up 10,000 feet from sea level (the aforementioned trip up Haleakala) and then gaze down 10,000 feet to the ocean below. The great northwest has higher mountains, but the valley floor isn't 10,000 feet below.

[trish1c]

We took a collapsible cooler with us and packed a lunch every morning to take off the ship. .

 

Did you bring the cooler from home or buy a cheap on in Hawaii before sailing? I only have a lunch bag sized collapsible one. I saw my MIL had a great insulated tote. Maybe I should get one of those & use it as my plane carry on for the trip.

 

Can I correctly assume that on LAND my Verizon phone will work just like in every other state & I can use all my apps -- Waze, VZ navigator, open table & even google find me a restaurant? Although I'll probably snag some fruit etc. from the buffet for snacks, I'll feel less compelled to worry about carrying food with us.

[punkincc]

Did you bring the cooler from home or buy a cheap on in Hawaii before sailing? I only have a lunch bag sized collapsible one. I saw my MIL had a great insulated tote. Maybe I should get one of those & use it as my plane carry on for the trip.

 

Can I correctly assume that on LAND my Verizon phone will work just like in every other state & I can use all my apps -- Waze, VZ navigator, open table & even google find me a restaurant? Although I'll probably snag some fruit etc. from the buffet for snacks, I'll feel less compelled to worry about carrying food with us.

 

Yes, I don't recall ever losing our Verizion signal while in port or driving around. Driving is very straightforward, not many roads, so we didn't have much need for the maps or navigation apps, but they did work.

 

We took a collapsible soft sided cooler with us on one of our POA trips. It folds down more or less flat in the suitcase. Maybe 10 to 12 inches across. Got it at Walmart or similar. Very inexpensive. But honestly, we never really used it as we always seemed to find an interesting spot for lunch with lots of Hawaian vibe and great views.

[dexddd]

Did you bring the cooler from home or buy a cheap on in Hawaii before sailing? I only have a lunch bag sized collapsible one. I saw my MIL had a great insulated tote. Maybe I should get one of those & use it as my plane carry on for the trip.

 

Can I correctly assume that on LAND my Verizon phone will work just like in every other state & I can use all my apps -- Waze, VZ navigator, open table & even google find me a restaurant? Although I'll probably snag some fruit etc. from the buffet for snacks, I'll feel less compelled to worry about carrying food with us.

 

Yes, Verizon works well on all the islands. Maybe only one or two times it was low or no-go like in areas of Wiamea Canyon (driving on the road to the top areas). It even worked well while sailing off the coast of Wiamea Canyon.

[emeraldcity]

I had the collapsible cooler in the luggage (it was a freebie I won on an RCI cruise). It doesn't take up any room really, because you can stuff things into it that you would be putting in the suitcase anyway. It works like a packing cube. :)

 

 

As for the Verizon signal, there were a number of times we got the signal when we were out to sea, because you are often very close to the islands anyway.

[BirdTravels]

Can I correctly assume that on LAND my Verizon phone will work just like in every other state & I can use all my apps -- Waze, VZ navigator, open table & even google find me a restaurant? Although I'll probably snag some fruit etc. from the buffet for snacks, I'll feel less compelled to worry about carrying food with us.

 

Yes. You are in the United States (just like New Jersy) and you will have similar cell coverage to home.

[NCMtnBoys]

This is absolutely the best summation of the difference between land-based Hawaii vacations and the POA. My first trip to Hawaii involved 3 islands and we lost a half day both times we did an island hop due the logistics of transferring from hotel to airport to rental car to hotel. The POA takes you there during the evening while you're having a very nice dinner and seeing a show before heading off to bed. When the morning arrives, there is a new island floating toward you.

 

I've cruised a fair amount in the Caribbean, but only once in Hawaii. There is no comparison. Hawaii has a special magic to it. A wonderful spirit of Aloha. There are no pushy Caribbean vendors for one thing. There is a level of graciousness that we found on every island. And if you're lucky, you'll see lava pouring into the ocean ... can't remember the last time I ever heard someone note that one in a Caribbean trip review. And the mountains are unrivaled in their beauty. You can drive up 10,000 feet from sea level (the aforementioned trip up Haleakala) and then gaze down 10,000 feet to the ocean below. The great northwest has higher mountains, but the valley floor isn't 10,000 feet below.

 

Have to agree with you. A sense of magic. a level of graciousness. The spirit of aloha. We took our first trip to Hawaii in November over Thanksgiving, spent two nights in Waikiki and then the 7-night POA cruise. For us, this was the best decision to be able to see sights on multiple islands without having to spend the time and expense of flying between the islands, plus the added cost of food. POA was the perfect choice, logging nearly 100 hours of port time including two overnights. Loved having to only unpack once while getting to visit four islands. Loved seeing Mt Haleakala, Volcanoes National Park, Waimea Canyon, coffee plantations, the road to Hana, state parks, waterfalls, the Napali coast, attending a luau, etc. I just felt like we got a tremendous overview and value and would do it again on POA in a heartbeat.

[Dale's gal]

We programmed our GPS at home with all of the places we wanted to go to and brought it with us. No need to use data and it was ready to go as soon as we got in our rental car. We only saw one show on the ship. You're right...it's your floating hotel . Although we did eat dinner every night. And we were very satisfied with the buffet!

 

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