Julia’s Journey’s Posted March 4, 2007 #51 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Thanks for all the wonderful info and links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCruiser Posted March 7, 2007 Author #52 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Bump! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCruiser Posted March 31, 2007 Author #53 Share Posted March 31, 2007 We will be leaving to board POAl in a week. Any more last minute suggestions? Thanks!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmel Posted April 2, 2007 #54 Share Posted April 2, 2007 A friend of mine told me to absolutely, positively do NOT waste your time at the polynesian cultural center.. that it was a ridiculously expensive, boring, staged, unauthentic going-through-the-rehearsed motions place. Really, she couldn't say enough bad things about it. She said if you are driving and see it, keep on going.... Just passing one person's opinion on.... I hate to stick my neck out here but I think I have to agree. My best friend's dad lived in Hawaii and we spent some time out there when I was in college. We went to PCC and found it quite boring. I don't think the performances were bad or that they were 'going through the motions'. It was a well run place but we were bored to tears. The entire place felt extremely fabricated to us. However, that's JMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloryb2god Posted April 7, 2007 #55 Share Posted April 7, 2007 I really don't want to step on anyone's toes here :o- but I hate to see this topic disappear. You all have been a great source of information to all of us. I created a rough cheat sheet from your answers in hopes that folks will continue it on and fill in some blanks. Here is what you all have said so far: Oahu: Climb Diamond Head Snorkel Hanauma Bay Surf lessons – perhaps with Hawaiian Fire Polynesian Cultural Center (mixed opinions) Watch the pros surf at Sunset Beach Pearl Harbor Memorial Tour -Arizona Memorial, Bowfin; Missouri; Pacific Aviation Museum. Call home in real time with a computer at the statue of Duke Kahanamoku on Waikiki Beach! Circle tour including north shore of Oahu Swim under the waterfall and gardens at Waimea Audubon Park Dole Plantation - fun for kids and has great frozen pineapple whip Walking around Waikiki and Chinatown Bishop Museum Drive the north shore for the waves in winter The scenery and snorkeling at Shark's Cove during non-winter seasons. Kailua Beach Park for swimming, sunning, and also windsurfing. Lanikai beach The blow hole is fun to watch when the seas are up. Ko'olina up the west coast is lovely and can be nice in winter when other areas are too rough. Sea Life Park has been completely renovated and is a good place for families with kids. Driving the east coast is beautiful with jagged cliffs and long waterfalls Waikiki Beach HHV has a fireworks display on Friday early evening, and there's plenty of nightlife. Iolani Palace tour is well worth the time and money. Eating: Cheeseburgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise Giovanni Shrimp Truck - between the PCC and Turtle Bay. Dole Plantation - fun for kids and has great frozen pineapple whip Shave Ice on North Shore at Matsamoto's or Aoki's! Waikiki Beach - there are numerous places to eat and drink (Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar, Duke's, and House Without a Key are three faves) Shopping: Shop at ABC stores Kauai: Helicopter over the Island with Blue Hawaiian see the Blowhole snorkel at Kaloa Beach Ke'e Beach Wailua Falls The North Shore - the views and snorkeling (We loved Anini Beach - quiet, safe (offshore barrier reef) and decent snorkeling.) The South Shore -Salt Pond Beach - quiet, mostly locals, watching the amazing wind surfers (and we saw a Monk Seal there!); Waimea Canyon - fantastic photo ops East Coast - Lydegate Park - best beach for small children (and they get to see fish!) Eating: on the way to North Shore - Duane's Ono Burger - the burgers are good and the internet is nearly free on the way to the South Shore, malasadas at a Portuguese/Hawaiian Bakery Shopping: Maui: Snorkel Molokini explore Lahaina whale watch golf at Kaanapali Iao Valley and Iao Needle Road to Hana journey to the summit of Haleakala Eating: luau at Royal Lahaina Resort or Old Lahaina Luau Food: Maui Tacos Shopping: Kona: Snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument – currently the only approach is from the sea. night dive with the Manta Rays Drink coffee. Place of Refuge (Puo'honaunau?) Eating: Shopping: Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - helicopter tour over Volcano National Park gives you the opportunity to see lava oozing on the ground and in calderas. Rainbow Falls Akaka Falls Peepee Falls Boiling Pots Banyan Drive Eating: Shopping: ABC Stores TIPS If you rent a car from Thrifty, they give you great Drive Guides that have a lot of very useful and relevant information, as well as some local coupons that are for places easy to find and simple to redeem. Save your ABC store receipts, they were doing a "free gift" for every hundred dollars you spent. We got a couple of nice coffee mugs for "free"! But, the ABC stores are great places to pick up almost anything you can think of, and a hundred dollars just doesn't look like it used to! This Week magazines are found on the major Islands in airports, hotels and along the streets of Waikiki. Here's their web site http://www.thisweek.com/ They have maps, coupons etc. Another coupon book for the Islands is the Spotlight series http://www.spotlighthawaii.com/ The drive guides given out at the car rental agencies are also available on line, price I think is $4 each, but at the rental agencies they are free. http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/ I'd also suggest if you want to learn about things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii Magazine has great info and articles on the Islands. Only published 6 times a year. http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/ There are not places to rent chairs on most beaches in Hawaii. Our first purchase is usually a beach mat! Any ABC store will have them. They are cheap and come in the roll-up or fold-up variety. Take your towel from the ship, get a mat, and voila! you're ready for any beach stop. We've been visiting Hawaii, our favorite place, for many years. Best reference books I've seen are the Revealed series - one paperback for each island. There is a website that keeps information updated. They are wonderful detailed guides. Check this website: www.wizardpub.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwcrnp Posted April 7, 2007 #56 Share Posted April 7, 2007 gloryb2god- Thanks for all that compiling! I love it!! We're trying to plan things out and this is a huge help.:) Kristi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket63 Posted April 8, 2007 #57 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Yes, thank you for everyones tips. There are so many things we want to do. Now just to deceide :confused: I have a question about luau's on the different Islands. Other than the ships shore excursions, did any of them pick up and drop off at the pier? Or do you have to find your own transprtation to/from them. Thanks for any input!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachchick Posted April 8, 2007 #58 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Yes, thank you for everyones tips. There are so many things we want to do. Now just to deceide :confused: I have a question about luau's on the different Islands. Other than the ships shore excursions, did any of them pick up and drop off at the pier? Or do you have to find your own transprtation to/from them. Thanks for any input!! As far as I know, you have to find your own transportation to/from. Unless you are overnight or in port very late, you won't be able to do a luau on an island. If you're on NCLA and overnight on Maui and Kauai, then you would have to find transportation for the luaus on Maui and on Kauai (unless the Kauai Marriott has a luau, which you could walk to from the pier). beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffys wife 1957 Posted April 8, 2007 #59 Share Posted April 8, 2007 GloryB2god..Thanks so much 4 the list... I have been compiling a list since we booked our trip.. This is so helpful. I will keep copying hints probably until we leave...This board have just been a wealth of information and thank you again to all of you veteran cruisers..Keep the information coming...:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy888 Posted April 8, 2007 #60 Share Posted April 8, 2007 gloryb2god - Thank you very very much to summarize the list. And thank you for everyone who has contributed. Keep this going. It helps a lot. Well, the following is my contribution from my research - (not been to them yet) Oahu - eat - malasada -leonard's bakery on 933 Kapahulu ave Hilo - shopping: Big Island Candies - 585 Hinano Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 http://www.bigislandcandies.com/ Kauai - thanks for MikeKaye's picture, and advices from Bob and other experts - pls add Kilauea Lighthouse for sightseeing. Kauai - Eat - from Tripadvisor.com - I found recommendation of shave ice - Jo Jo and Halo Halo Tips/ Links www.Tripadvisor.com is very helpful too Hope it helps. EL :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket63 Posted April 8, 2007 #61 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Thanks beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snausman Posted April 9, 2007 #62 Share Posted April 9, 2007 Gloryb2god thank you, the list you put together is wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet_Misery Posted April 10, 2007 #63 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Oahu: Diamond Head Hanauma Bay Polynesian Cultural Center (but not the luau) Pearl Harbor Dole Plantation Walking around Waikiki Bishop Museum The blow hole Waikiki Beach Paradise Cove Luau Punchbowl Crater International Marketplace in Waikiki North Shore Eating: Jamba Juice Kua'Aina (sandwiches and burgers are great) Old Spaghetti Factory at the Ward Warehouse Mall Dole Plantation Shopping: ABC stores Aloha Bowl Swap Meet Aloha Tower Marketplace Ala Moana Center Dole Cannery Hilo Hattie Kahala Mall Waikiki Beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jalakim Posted April 14, 2007 #64 Share Posted April 14, 2007 Great tips. Going in 12 days on the Radiance. Is there anything that hawaii has to offer ...shopping wise... that I should be on the look for? Thanks Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDAZ Posted April 14, 2007 #65 Share Posted April 14, 2007 You can get some decent prices on pearls, particularly fresh water pearls, and there are plenty of jewelry shops to help you! ;) Oh -- don't forget Kona coffee :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrotonCruisers Posted April 14, 2007 #66 Share Posted April 14, 2007 We just returned from Hawaii this past Tuesday and we miss it already - I would add my 2 cents that the Volcano National Park is a must see - we really enjoyed that. The Road to Hana was also beautiful - but take dramamine if you are prone to car sickness - the road is very curvy!! We can't wait to go back - so really appreciate reading about the many other "must see's and do's" Polly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebraDot Posted April 14, 2007 #67 Share Posted April 14, 2007 Kim~~~I found a clothing store with very classy, unique women's clothing in Lahaina called Serendipity. There is another store at the cannery mall down the street. I found things there I had never seen anywhere else - on the mainland or Hawaii - and I can't wait to go back. If they are out of your size at one place they will call the other and see if they have it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jalakim Posted April 14, 2007 #68 Share Posted April 14, 2007 Kim~~~I found a clothing store with very classy, unique women's clothing in Lahaina called Serendipity. There is another store at the cannery mall down the street. I found things there I had never seen anywhere else - on the mainland or Hawaii - and I can't wait to go back. If they are out of your size at one place they will call the other and see if they have it there. Ohhh...sounds good. Thanks for all the suggestions. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachchick Posted April 15, 2007 #69 Share Posted April 15, 2007 I love Serendipity. The clothes are so comfortable and pretty. They're pretty much out of my price range unless I find something on sale, but we go in there every trip just to see what new pretty things they have. beachchick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjt2890 Posted April 20, 2007 #70 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Here is some helpful car rental information from my upcoming trip to Hawaii. This is for NCL Pride of America's ports of call, I assume it's the same for the other ships. You use the airport locations for everything except Kona, which the airport is like 9 miles away from the port. - http://www.thrifty.com Location: HILO AIRPORT, HI, USA 1 GENERAL LYMAN FIELD HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HILO, HI 96720 UNITED STATES (877) 283-0898 map Pickup Date: May 13, 2007 at 09:30 AM Return Location: HILO AIRPORT, HI, USA 1 GENERAL LYMAN FIELD HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HILO, HI 96720 (877) 283-0898 Return Date: May 13, 2007 at 06:00 PM Pickup Location: KAHULUI AIRPORT, MAUI, HI, USA 740 KAONAWAI ST KAHULUI AIRPORT IN TERMINAL KAHULUI, HI 96732 UNITED STATES (877) 283-0898 map Pickup Date: May 14, 2007 at 09:30 AM Return Location: KAHULUI AIRPORT, MAUI, HI, USA 740 KAONAWAI ST KAHULUI AIRPORT IN TERMINAL KAHULUI, HI 96732 (877) 283-0898 Return Date: May 15, 2007 at 06:00 PM Pickup Location: Kona - King Kamameha Hotel (use for Cruise Ship Arrivals)-KOAN02/Hotel/KAILUA, HI Pickup Location Phone: 808-329-2745 Return Location: Kona - King Kamameha Hotel (use for Cruise Ship Arrivals)-KOAN02/Hotel/KAILUA, HI Pickup Date/Time: WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007 @ 8:30 AM Return Date/Time: WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007 @ 4:00 PM TIME & PLACE Pickup Location: LIHUE AIRPORT, KAUAI, HI, USA 3120 OIHANA STREET LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIHUE, HI 96766 UNITED STATES (877) 283-0898 map Pickup Date: May 17, 2007 at 09:30 AM Return Location: LIHUE AIRPORT, KAUAI, HI, USA 3120 OIHANA STREET LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIHUE, HI 96766 (877) 283-0898 Return Date: May 18, 2007 at 02:00 PM Hilo Map (backup link) Kahului (Maui) Map (backup link) Kona Map (backup link) Nawiliwili (Kauai) Map (backup link) The maps are in Microsoft XPS format, cause I don't have a PDF printer installed at work. Internet Explorer should open them. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCruiser Posted May 4, 2007 Author #71 Share Posted May 4, 2007 We came back from our 4/8 cruise and I already want to go back! There are still so many places we didn't go and so many things we didn't do. We did not have malasadas or Maui Tacos so we must go back! JoJo's Shave Ice in Kauai--yummy! On the way to Waimea Canyon, in our case, on our way back from Waimea Canyon. Got the Tropical Rainbow with Macademia nut ice cream at the bottom. Wow! If you are flying United, they play a game called "Half-way to Hawaii", guess what the time will be when the plane is half way to Hawaii. Make sure you save the coupon for Hilo Hattie for the coffee mugs (2 coffee mugs with purchases over $50.) I kept my coupon but totally forgot about it until we left Hawaii. Hilo Hattie in Kona was suppose to give free mugs to cruise ship customers (their people at the pier holding signs that says "Free shuttle and coffee mug"), but the people who worked there didn't know about it. When they finally figured it out, they only gave us one mug for our purchase of over $50. Pay for your items separately if you want more than one mugs. I know, it's just coffee mugs, I am cheap and I like mugs!:p I read on this thread about the receipts for ABC Stores and forgot about it. By the time the store clerk reminded me in Maui I have already threw most of them away. Kona was our shopping port. Free shuttle to Wal-Mart to get coffee and macadamia nuts (onion flavor and wasabi flavor) as gifts. Check out the prices at ABC Stores and the ship gift shop. It may be cheaper at the gift shop on board. For NCL Latitude members you have 10% discount on everything automatically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDAZ Posted May 4, 2007 #72 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Here is some helpful car rental information from my upcoming trip to Hawaii. This is for NCL Pride of America's ports of call, I assume it's the same for the other ships. You use the airport locations for everything except Kona, which the airport is like 9 miles away from the port. - http://www.thrifty.com The Thrifty locations in Maui (Kahului) and Kauai (Lihue) aren't at the airport terminal (despite what the reservations say -- mine said the same too) -- the Kahului one may be on airport grounds but it's not near the terminal or the other car rental sites. The Kauai site isn't at the airport -- it's also a stand-alone site. Just an FYI for when the shuttle doesn't take you to the airport... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadilay Posted May 4, 2007 #73 Share Posted May 4, 2007 What a great idea!!! Thank you ROCcrusier, this is just what we needed! We are going on NCL's POH 5-14-07 and can't wait! As soon as we get back I will see if I have anything to add to the cheat sheet. Thanks to everyone for great ideas!! Sadilay:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet_Misery Posted May 14, 2007 #74 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Maui: Big Beach Haleakala National Park Lahaina Front Street Pa'ia Royal Lahaina Luau Eating: BJ's Chicago Pizzeria Fred's Mexican Cafe Jamba Juice Shopping: ABC stores Kahului Swap Meet Lahaina Cannery Mall Lahaina Front Street Queen Kaahumanu Center Shops at Wailea Whalers Village Mall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusingici Posted October 2, 2007 #75 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Absolutely fabulous tips! just wanted to bump it up for others to see who may not have seen this wonderful post. Thank you all -- and others might want to add their ideas too....... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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