Hawaii-Pride of America cruise-Suggestions

[kp3184]

Sailing on the Pride Of America in April and looking for suggestions/recommendations for hotel for night prior to the cruise and also for car rentals in each port...thanks in advance

[casofilia]

We used:-

 

Best Western The Plaza Hotel  

Address: 3253 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA

Phone: +1 808-836-3636

 

Pick up from the airport.

Restaurant on site

Taxi to port about $30.

Bus from outside to Waikiki

 

Look at https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-details.12008.html?iata=00171880&ssob=BLBWI0004G&cid=BLBWI0004G:google:gmb:12008

[Iwant2BatC]

Just a suggestion on your car rentals- some companies have more than one location. It is good to clarify you have the one that has a shuttle that picks you up at the ship.

 

 

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[hannibal54]

What ever car rental co. that you use, join their loyalty program now. When you go to pick up your rental there may be a line of people waiting for their car. The rental place normally has a short line for loyalty members. We used either Budget or Hertz at the different ports.

[pe4all]

We were very pleased with the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber. Across the street from the beach, tons of stores/restaurants, great views of Diamond Head, ocean. Very reasonably priced. $30 taxi to port, Pearl Harbor, etc.

[punkincc]

This is Hawaii, so rates are going to be way more expensive than they are elsewhere, but hey, it's Hawaii so why not splurge? Choose a hotel in the Waikiki Beach area. There are some reasonable rates if you get a few blocks back. Everything is very walkable, beach, restaurants, shopping, and transportation. I wouldn't rent a car in Waikiki if only staying one night.

 

For rental in the ports, look at the Discount Hawaii Car Rental website. This site makes it super easy to rent cars. Free second driver, and you can indicate you are a cruiser for port shuttle services. Call them if you are confused. We used Thrifty through them. No money at booking. You pay at the car rental counter. You can cancel and rebook if rates drop prior to the cruise.

[pjules]

Ilikai (it's worth the upgrade to an ocean view) or The Modern. Both are next door to each other. I'd recommend booking the Ilikai directly through the hotel so you actually get a hotel room. Both are situated close to the cruise port.

 

 

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[mking8288]

Aloha, on tips & advice specific to POA, the ship - I suggest reading some of the recent reviews posted here - easy to search. For port, airport, hotel, car rental, sights to see, parking, etc. - I suggest going to the Hawaii subforum, help from kama’aina - local resident's expertise and insider's info, etc. You can find a hotel for $100 USD a night but can go for a 1,200 sf 2 BR suite, full service @ $500 including parking & in-room laundry, evening services ... or, go AirBnB or B&B, first - narrow down your budget & preference ... the "backside" or canal away from the beach is just an easy 3 or 4 blocks of walking.

 

Renting a car (minivan ... in our case, with 6 cruisers) is best DIY way, almost all attractions are free (aside from park entrance fees and/or parking ... except in Waikiki/Honolulu - traffic jams catching up to LAX, SFO & NYC at rush hours) but plan for overnight parking near the overnight port stop, as some options are gone - return to the airport and/or park @ the nearby hotel lot/car rental desk before going back to the ship. Do the feast of luau & dance/performance of poi, kalua pig, poke, etc. on land and you have more time to see other places island-hopping from the ship - prices include free hotel pickup/dropoff & you can drink whatever ... without worrying about the clock.

 

Plan for jetlag & adjustment depending on home airport/time zone - to best enjoy the ship if boarding the next day - if time/vacation days are on your side ... going early by another day can sometimes save $$$ on airfares & pay for that extra hotel night, so much to see & see on the island, meals are a bit more expensive - but, don't eat at McD if you can or Pizza Hut.

 

Mahalo :cool:

Edited January 8, 2017 by mking8288

[punkincc]

Aloha, on tips & advice specific to POA, the ship - I suggest reading some of the recent reviews posted here - easy to search. For port, airport, hotel, car rental, sights to see, parking, etc. - I suggest going to the Hawaii subforum, help from kama’aina - local resident's expertise and insider's info, etc. You can find a hotel for $100 USD a night but can go for a 1,200 sf 2 BR suite, full service @ $500 including parking & in-room laundry, evening services ... or, go AirBnB or B&B, first - narrow down your budget & preference ... the "backside" or canal away from the beach is just an easy 3 or 4 blocks of walking.

 

Renting a car (minivan ... in our case, with 6 cruisers) is best DIY way, almost all attractions are free (aside from park entrance fees and/or parking ... except in Waikiki/Honolulu - traffic jams catching up to LAX, SFO & NYC at rush hours) but plan for overnight parking near the overnight port stop, as some options are gone - return to the airport and/or park @ the nearby hotel lot/car rental desk before going back to the ship. Do the feast of luau & dance/performance of poi, kalua pig, poke, etc. on land and you have more time to see other places island-hopping from the ship - prices include free hotel pickup/dropoff & you can drink whatever ... without worrying about the clock.

 

Plan for jetlag & adjustment depending on home airport/time zone - to best enjoy the ship if boarding the next day - if time/vacation days are on your side ... going early by another day can sometimes save $$$ on airfares & pay for that extra hotel night, so much to see & see on the island, meals are a bit more expensive - but, don't eat at McD if you can or Pizza Hut.

 

Mahalo :cool:

 

Speaking of food, yes, definitely get a taste of Hawaii cuisine ( Kahlua pork, anyone?). You can eat at Mickey D's at home. We are light eaters, and one very economical tip is to hit the Happy Hours mid to late afternoon. Nice restaurants like Dukes will have a barefoot bar facing the beach which offer "pupus" and often live Hawaiian entertainment in the afternoons which are quite inexpensive, very tasty and offer great views. This often suffices for dinner for us, or maybe just a slice of Hula Pie later on.

[dexddd]

Just a suggestion on your car rentals- some companies have more than one location. It is good to clarify you have the one that has a shuttle that picks you up at the ship.

 

 

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That's great advice. In Kona we went to the airport for Hertz not knowing they had recently opened a location within walking distance from the port. We were able to return to the port location so that worked out. We had relied on some "old" trip reports and how people picked up cars at various locations.

[dexddd]

If you are a Costco member, go there for lower priced gifts. They had a macadamia nut bundle about 1/3 cheaper than any of the other stores. Nice t-shirts as well.

[Imalismom]

We used the New Otami Beach Hotel

Address: 2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

 

 

Booked directly with them and got a very good deal - it is NOT in the midst of all the beach hotels... it is more by Diamond Point, but RIGHT on the water (we walked out our room right onto the beach). Rooms were very nice and clean, AND the have an open air restaurant that we enjoyed eating at. We actually stayed 4 days prior to the cruise, and were glad we were a little away from all the tourist area (but within a 10 minute walk)

 

We used JohnnyCab to pick us up from airport to hotel, hotel to port, and then port to airport. He was awesome and very reasonable in price.

 

Uber is also very big there - we used uber several times and had great drivers.

Edited January 8, 2017 by Imalismom

[BirdTravels]

NCL Uses the Marriott Waikiki Beach. They have a desk if you need help or information.

[Dale's gal]

We took this cruise in Sept and used Dollar at each port for car rentals. Never had a problem getting a car or getting to the rental place. Even got an upgrade in Kauai.

 

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[Firstin87]

We are also cruising to Hawaii on POA in April. Our package through NCL includes the pre-night at no extra charge and we are staying at the Ashton Waikiki. NCL provides transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship on Sat.

 

Here's a link to the Ashton in case you're interested - http://www.astonwaikikibeach.com/

[Action Dave]

I am considering a Hawaii cruise on POA. We will be traveling from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Does any one have any tips on getting to hawaii. I have seen a Direct flight from NY mentioned. Any other options???

 

Thanks

actiondave:)

[honeymooner16]

I am considering a Hawaii cruise on POA. We will be traveling from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Does any one have any tips on getting to hawaii. I have seen a Direct flight from NY mentioned. Any other options???

 

Thanks

actiondave:)

 

 

We are flying from Tampa in May. We go Tampa to Dallas, Dallas to HNL. Its a long day, but it was the shortest duration. On the way home we are stopping in PHX for an overnight hotel room then coming the rest of the way the next day.

 

Check out Google Flights. Their recommended flights were normally the best and they search most airlines for you.

[Action Dave]

Thank you all for posting. I appreciate the feedback. We will be traveling after attending a wedding in NC. Most likely November or December.:)

[punkincc]

We are flying from Tampa in May. We go Tampa to Dallas, Dallas to HNL. Its a long day, but it was the shortest duration. On the way home we are stopping in PHX for an overnight hotel room then coming the rest of the way the next day.

 

Check out Google Flights. Their recommended flights were normally the best and they search most airlines for you.

 

We have used PHX as the point we pick up the direct flight to HNL as well. Rather than an extremely long day with layovers, we fly to PHX out of Chicago, spend the night, and fly to HNL the next am and arrive by 11:30 am. We have found the best deals to HNL on Hawaiian airlines. For our trip this fall, we will fly into SFO and spend the night and then fly to HNL the next am. One way tx was only $219 pp. For Hawaii, you generally need to book as far out as possible for best prices.

[Imalismom]

I am considering a Hawaii cruise on POA. We will be traveling from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Does any one have any tips on getting to hawaii. I have seen a Direct flight from NY mentioned. Any other options???

 

Thanks

actiondave:)

At the time, we were living right outside of Houston, Texas. We flew Southwest very cheaply to Los Angeles (took the 5AM flight), and because it was so cheap, we were able to go United first class to Hawaii from LA for a lot less than what economy was round trip form Houston, Texas. Purchased some United club tickets from EBAY for dirt cheap, and relaxed and fueled up before our second leg of the trip.

[Imalismom]

I am considering a Hawaii cruise on POA. We will be traveling from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Does any one have any tips on getting to hawaii. I have seen a Direct flight from NY mentioned. Any other options???

 

Thanks

actiondave:)

At the time, we were living right outside of Houston, Texas. We flew Southwest very cheaply to Los Angeles (took the 5AM flight), and because it was so cheap, we were able to go United first class to Hawaii from LA for a lot less than what economy was round trip from Houston, Texas. Purchased some United club tickets from EBAY for dirt cheap, and relaxed and fueled up before our second leg of the trip.