Hawaiian Holiday 🎄🍾 LIVE from Koningsdam Dec 21-Jan 6: join me for my 1st solo cruise & 1st inside cabin!

[BetsyS.]

Thanks for the update!  I'm happy that you have full power and that you had dinner. 

Have a great day in Hawaii! 😊

[BermudaBound2014]

I'm such a dork. I looked at the map and thought....  "Well that is interesting, how is the ship docked on Keawe St between Ala Moana and Ilalo?". 

 

Then I realized it's just an arrow indicating you are docked at the cruise terminal just a bit farther down the way. That should be good for a chuckle.

 

I'm following along. Loving your review 🙂 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I'm such a dork. I looked at the map and thought....  "Well that is interesting, how is the ship docked on Keawe St between Ala Moana and Ilalo?". 

 

Then I realized it's just an arrow indicating you are docked at the cruise terminal just a bit farther down the way. That should be good for a chuckle.

 

I'm following along. Loving your review 🙂 

Thanks for coming along. Now, that would be a first - docking on dry land. I think they used to refer to that as "running aground. " 😉

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, BetsyS. said:

Thanks for the update!  I'm happy that you have full power and that you had dinner. 

Have a great day in Hawaii! 😊

Happy to report, no further incidents, so I think we're all good. 

Bow Cam says it's still dark, but we should be there in about half hour.

[Haljo1935]

We are waiting for clearance to go ashore. Trip to Shore Ex was not successful, says no openings on the other excursion, so I'm keeping what I had.

No wind as reported by the K'dam flag.

Views from Secret deck on 14.

[trishbk]

On 11/26/2023 at 2:42 PM, GTVCRUISER said:

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

We are waiting for clearance to go ashore. Trip to Shore Ex was not successful, says no openings on the other excursion, so I'm keeping what I had.

No wind as reported by the K'dam flag.

Views from Secret deck on 14.

Sorry to hear you are without an excursion. You might want to consider grabbing Uber to Waikiki. Here is a copy/paste of our upcoming Jan 30 Hawaii cruise info that I put together:

 

Ride city bus that stops directly in front of terminal. Bus 20 or 42.26 min bus ride to Halekulani Hotel. It is 1 hr 15 min to walk. Taxi is 7 min and approx. $15-$19.

 

Bus website: TheBus New , lots of buses go past the cruise ship terminal, which is called the Aloha Tower on the maps.

 

You can go up the Aloha Tower for free for a bird's eye view. From Aloha Tower you can catch free shuttle buses to Walmart and Hilo Hattie if you need anything.Also great inexpensive place to purchase souvenirs. 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by trishbk
Quoted wrong post

[Hogladyrider]

Enjoy your stay in Honolulu!

 

Curious to hear if there are taxi and/or other transportation waiting at the pier.  We will need transportation to Hilton Hawaiian Village Grand Islander Bus Depot to pu our ride to Kualoa Ranch for our UTV excursion.  Transportation departs Bus Depot at 10:30 so we want to arrive there by 10 am.

 

Thanks.

Susan

[Haljo1935]

Asked on another thread, I thought I would post answer here as well for anyone interested. 

Question was if the "secret" deck 14 is scooter friendly.  Yes, it is! There's a ramp and an eye to open the door, so no need to push the button.

[Desert Cruisers]

Would appreciate any info re free shuttles at other ports - Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, and Kahului. Have read conflicting comments. 

[highscar]

@Haljo1935thank you much.  👍🏻

[sunviking90]

46 minutes ago, Desert Cruisers said:

Would appreciate any info re free shuttles at other ports - Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, and Kahului. Have read conflicting comments. 

We just returned from Hawaii on the Volendam and I can tell you that there is a shuttle in Hilo to town, but we didn’t use it, so I’m not sure if it was free or not. If not, it was only a nominal fee. It only runs about every half hour, so there was a waiting area for it with a lot of people waiting. Our ship was only 1200 passengers too, so for Koningsdam, I’m sure there would be longer waits. We walked to town and it was about 40 minutes and an overall pleasant walk. There is NO Walmart or Hilo Hattie shuttle anymore. If you’ve not been before, I’d recommend either renting a car for the day, as the airport is close to the port or going to Volcano National Park. I believe there is a city bus that goes there too.

In Kona the tender drops you in the town and it’s a cute area to walk around. No shuttles available there, but once again city buses/uber/taxis if you want go farther afield.

In Kahului there were taxis available, but no shuttles, or just walk out of the port and you’re in an area of strip malls, Walmart, target, etc. There is a small beach close by, but not the best in Maui by far of course. If you are mobility challenged, be warned it is about a 5-10 minute walk out of the industrial type port area, to the Main Street, but taxis will be at the ship. We rented a car at an off airport Avis in a hotel nearby. It was a 15 minute walk away and cost us $35 for the day. We drove down to Wailea and Makena beaches and then over to Paia town for lunch. 
We talked to a number of first time Hawaii visitors from the ship who hadn’t made arrangements here and were disappointed that there wasn’t anything very “Hawaiian” near the port. I highly recommend making some type of plan here. 
In Kauai there are shuttles available that will take people to the Sonesta/Marriott hotel area. There is a nice little beach there and it is also a 10-15 minute walk from the ship if you’re mobile. The airport is close by the port if you opt to rent a car for the day. We had planned to do so, but the days forecast was for rain and flash flooding  so we decided to cancel. As it happened it was a beautiful day. 

Edited December 27, 2023 by sunviking90

[Desert Cruisers]

Thanks for update.  Have been to Hawaii many times - land and cruise vacations - so have done most things. When it comes to renting a car...we have done it in the past but not really interested this time around. Know what we want to do in most ports including Kahului but want to factor the availability or non-availability of shuttles.

[BetsyS.]

I hope you had a wonderful day and enjoyed your excursion.

         I'm sorry to tell you that the Stars lost to the Blues 2-1. ☹ Hopefully, they will do

better on Friday night against the Blackhawks.

          Have a great night.

 

        

[Haljo1935]

12 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

Enjoy your stay in Honolulu!

 

Curious to hear if there are taxi and/or other transportation waiting at the pier.  We will need transportation to Hilton Hawaiian Village Grand Islander Bus Depot to pu our ride to Kualoa Ranch for our UTV excursion.  Transportation departs Bus Depot at 10:30 so we want to arrive there by 10 am.

 

Thanks.

Susan

Yes there were taxis right when you get off the ship. And there was the Hilo Hattie shuttle right there as well, but it stopped running at 3.

[Haljo1935]

17 hours ago, borasue said:

 

I’ve followed along with you since your pre and post dry dock cruises on the Nieuw Statendam and now this journey.  (Actually, we sailed with you on the TA 🙂)  I applaud the way you just roll with whatever seems to be thrown your way and mark it all up to “firsts” and new experiences, stories to tell, and memories made!  Not only are your posts entertaining but they’re also informative and bring to light the “what ifs.”  Thank you!  

Thanks for your kind words and for coming along for the ride. No cruise is perfect and I think the less drama I can add to it, the better it will be. If I wanted to sweat the little things, I'd stay home and go to work, lol. I have zero interest in paying $$ for a bad time, so I should do my part to help ensure it goes well. But things do happen...more on that later.

How did you like the TA? That was also a first for me.

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
Additional comment

[Haljo1935]

Dailies to get us current

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
Remove pic

[Haljo1935]

ETA for Kahului Maui is 8am

All Aboard is 730pm; no Mama Mia! for me tonight as I have late dining

Oddly, the spa closes early tonight, so likely no 2nd visit today

Bow Cam view

 

Aft Cam view

[Haljo1935]

727am Captain is making an announcement the swell into the harbor (inside the port) is up to 35' making it too dangerous to get close to the north shore. Therefore today's stop in Maui is canceled. 

They have been able to secure an early stop into Hilo and make it an overnight. However, due to other ships in port, we cannot get in until 230pm. Shoreside security does not work all night, so we have to be onboard by 10pm; it will reopen 7am.

We're coming out of the land shelter within the next hour and expect seas to get rougher after that.

[Hogladyrider]

@Haljo1935..thank you for all your posts!

 

Interesting to read of the extra tax when in Hawaii waters; also interesting to read that the casino will remain closed until Saturday; we don't gamble anyway.

 

Sounds like a bit of rough water coming your way.  Guess I'd better pack some ginger or something just in case.

[0106]

Does the tax apply to drinks or specialty dinners included in the HIA packages?  Wow! 35 foot waves! Sorry you are missing Maui.  I’ve heard green apples and an outdoor view of the horizon assists in fending off mal de mar.  Thanks again for your wonderful thread.

 

Edited to say I have seabands, ginger and MotionEaze packed for my trip through the Drake passage.  I avoid the pharmaceuticals because I don’t want to be tired.

Edited December 28, 2023 by 0106

[Haljo1935]

21 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Haljo1935..thank you for all your posts!

 

Interesting to read of the extra tax when in Hawaii waters; also interesting to read that the casino will remain closed until Saturday; we don't gamble anyway.

 

Sounds like a bit of rough water coming your way.  Guess I'd better pack some ginger or something just in case.

Yes, pack the ginger or your med of choice, maybe even a variety in case 1st thing doesn't work, something else may.

GS will slso give you pills (no charge) if you do need something.  They recommend eating a green apple 🍏 along w/sea sick pills; DH didn't (on a previous cruise) but when he kept getting sick he tried it and felt better, so highly recommend keeping a couple in your cabin. You can get them from room service or grab from Lido.

When I saw how long the casino was going to be closed, I thought "oh, my" 🫣🙄 it has been strange walking through with it closed for so long. I wonder if they'll open it for a few hours today since port was canceled. 🤔

Edited December 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

Last night's dinner in MDR

 

The rhubarb tart was too "tart" but the raspberry mousse was awesome!

 

[Haljo1935]

Saw these snowmen hanging out at GS

 

[NCTribeFan]

35 foot seas?  Yikes.  I'd better stick with lower deck and midship for my cabin locations.

 

I'm a huge proponent of Ginger Root.  My first dozen or so sailings, I took only 4 or 5 nights because I couldn't handle the sea days.  The "old" style Dramamine made me a zombie.

 

I only read about Ginger Root after I discovered Cruise Critic.  Either it's cured me or I sailed often enough that my inner ear decided it had been over-reacting.  I start Ginger capsules 2 days before I sail and take 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. (with lots of water).  I will also often take 1/2 meclizine on the first evening.  Usually, I don't need any more after that.  I will take 1/2 as needed (because even this makes me a bit drowsy and as I drink more when I sail, I try to avoid it).  

 

I don't recall the casino being closed for long periods during my Hawaii cruise way back about 13 years ago on Zaandam.  But then again, there are a lot of things I don't remember from, oh, a week ago! 😁

[AroundWithMAPTravels]

1 hour ago, NCTribeFan said:

35 foot seas?  Yikes.  I'd better stick with lower deck and midship for my cabin locations.

 

I'm a huge proponent of Ginger Root.  My first dozen or so sailings, I took only 4 or 5 nights because I couldn't handle the sea days.  The "old" style Dramamine made me a zombie.

 

I only read about Ginger Root after I discovered Cruise Critic.  Either it's cured me or I sailed often enough that my inner ear decided it had been over-reacting.  I start Ginger capsules 2 days before I sail and take 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. (with lots of water).  I will also often take 1/2 meclizine on the first evening.  Usually, I don't need any more after that.  I will take 1/2 as needed (because even this makes me a bit drowsy and as I drink more when I sail, I try to avoid it).  

 

I don't recall the casino being closed for long periods during my Hawaii cruise way back about 13 years ago on Zaandam.  But then again, there are a lot of things I don't remember from, oh, a week ago! 😁

I have also found that 1/2 meclizine works wonders, when needed ( which luckily is not often, but will sometimes do it just in case if really rough stuff predicted,  usually that is all that’s needed).  With the half, get the benefit without the downside of drowsiness).  Yikes.  35 foot seas.  That is a bit daunting!