April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Inagural Wonder to Hawaii-Part 3

[Pixiegran]

We couldn't get a high tea that we really wanted...same on Alaska inaugural no openings. Did book a dinner on the 11th - early so we can still get involved in Pirates night

 

[cdndisneydaddy]

As soon as you get onboard go book Palo. You should not have a problem getting brunch. We have to do that also for our friends that are sailing with us. We are platinum and have ours booked, but could not get them with us.

Ah, I see. Good call! Copy that. Will be running up there to see if we can book!
Thanks!

 

[socababy]

Very bummed about there being no brunches available! I did get a Palo dinner and I did get the excursions I wanted. My friend and I will be...

...Ziplining in Hilo
...Tubing the Ditch in Kauai
...Exploring and tasting the North Shore in Oahu (Adult only)
...Doing a Rainforest and Waterfall Hike in Maui

 

[brendmar]

I have been trying to do online check in and it isn't letting me do it - keeps saying 1/30 check in etc. Bummer!

 

[padalyn]

Really? Can't you book at midnight eastern?

I think so - but I live in EST zone. I think those in Ca book at 9pm local. I finally was able to get into the site - been trying since Dec! I managed to book what I wanted (I am platinum) finally.

I am still thinking of canceling all of the DCL excursions, and just renting a car to drive to what I want to see - anyone interested in joining me?

Cayla

 

[valbob89]

I have a few excursions booked, but I most likely will be canceling the DCL ones. I have been looking into renting a car in each port and just going where I want. As of now, I am solo - Michael isn't sure what he is doing, and most likely will not be able to join me...so if anyone else is solo or a couple and wish to join me...PM me. The cars are less than 100 per port (for the tiny ones of course). I have a GPS and am pretty good a navigating. My AAA book is already looking worse for the wear and will most likely need replacing before we get there. Many places are low cost or free to see, and I would like to just explore. I tend to be adventurious and really like to see nature and the local culture. Oh, Lynn G will vouch this one, gotta buy jewelry! (LOT'S of jewelry!!! )

Cayla

Today I booked a car for all 4 islands too, through Enterprise on all the islands but Honolulu, there I had to go through Thrifty. We getting a full size vehicle and with all the tax and fees the most I am paying is $54.27 a day. All of them you pickup a shuttle at the port and it takes you to the rental lot.

 

[padalyn]

Today I booked a car for all 4 islands too, through Enterprise on all the islands but Honolulu, there I had to go through Thrifty. We getting a full size vehicle and with all the tax and fees the most I am paying is $54.27 a day. All of them you pickup a shuttle at the port and it takes you to the rental lot.

thank you...that answered a couple of my questions! I found all the big companies on all but one island. The cost of DCL is just way too much for me this year. Plus, I am in my own country...I figure I should be OK on my own

Michael isn't sure what he is doing, I know he almost never does excursions. He may or may not join me - so I am solo for this one most likely...any takers?

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Does anyone know the answer to this question...

If we rent a car, is there a shuttle taking us BACK to the ship too? Also, what is the time frame? I was thinking of renting a car and dropping it off 1-1/2 hours before all aboard just in case thinking that shuttles may only leave every hour back to the cruise ship terminal (if at all). I get worried about the ship leaving without me!

 

[MousseauMob]

Got Palo dinner (Hilo evening), no brunch or tea (of course) - I'll try onboard. Got all the excursions we were looking for except Haunted Tour. I can't figure out what we're doing in Oahu for 8.5 hours after we're done with Pearl Harbor? We are there so long, but there is a definite lack of afternoon and evening activities to choose from.

 

[Pixiegran]

Got Palo dinner (Hilo evening), no brunch or tea (of course) - I'll try onboard. Got all the excursions we were looking for except Haunted Tour. I can't figure out what we're doing in Oahu for 8.5 hours after we're done with Pearl Harbor? We are there so long, but there is a definite lack of afternoon and evening activities to choose from.

I decided that is where I am going to get some serious beach time. Last cruise to Hawaii (the only way we can get there) and only time I have been there we had so many excursions that I got to look at the beaches but never even got in the sand so that is my one thing I want to be sure and do.

I tried to get into online booking and it won't let me in??? Is there a secret?

 

[jdb in AZ]

I thought we had one more day before silver CC were able to book shore excursions. Thanks for the heads up! We got everything we wanted except brunch in Palo. Can't believe that many people have already booked that many brunches. What is the capacity of the restaurant? We'll try again onboard, like everybuddy else here.

We'll be renting a car and doing our own thing in Maui -- thanks for the info on a shuttle to the rental agencies. We've been there/done it before, but it's been awhile.

Glad I read (here) about the online bookings opening up about an hour ahead of time cuz it was a struggle to log onto the site. Eventually got my password e-mailed to me (again) -- totally different from what I thought it was. oops. Gotta love technology -- sometimes it's great, other times, not so much, especially when you gotta outsmart the website to get it to cooperate.

 

[SerbianPrincess]

I thought we had one more day before silver CC were able to book shore excursions. Thanks for the heads up! We got everything we wanted except brunch in Palo. Can't believe that many people have already booked that many brunches. What is the capacity of the restaurant? We'll try again onboard, like everybuddy else here.

We'll be renting a car and doing our own thing in Maui -- thanks for the info on a shuttle to the rental agencies. We've been there/done it before, but it's been awhile.

Glad I read (here) about the online bookings opening up about an hour ahead of time cuz it was a struggle to log onto the site. Eventually got my password e-mailed to me (again) -- totally different from what I thought it was. oops. Gotta love technology -- sometimes it's great, other times, not so much, especially when you gotta outsmart the website to get it to cooperate.

We got the two we wanted, Volcanos in Hilo and the Train Plantation in Kauai, we will rent a car in Honalulu and in Maui, we are doing private company for kids' zip-lining and a luau

Of course no Palo

But can look on line, not sure about spa time, maybe after we get on board I will decide

Congrats!!! To everyone

90 days until sailing

 

[castoff]

Got Palo dinner (Hilo evening), no brunch or tea (of course) - I'll try onboard. Got all the excursions we were looking for except Haunted Tour. I can't figure out what we're doing in Oahu for 8.5 hours after we're done with Pearl Harbor? We are there so long, but there is a definite lack of afternoon and evening activities to choose from.

I was thinking the same thing. I heard there is good bus transportation on Oahu. Are you taking a DCL tour for Pearl Harbor ? I was thinking instead of getting back on the tour bus for the ship we could maybe take the bus to Waikiki beach then maybe see the palace.

Hoping someone who has been before can let me know if they think this would work. Does anyone know har far Waikiki Beach is from Pearl Harbor ? Would it be easier to take a taxi ? TIA

 

[TDC Nala]

I may be cancelling the Haunted tour but that would open up only one spot.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I was thinking the same thing. I heard there is good bus transportation on Oahu. Are you taking a DCL tour for Pearl Harbor ? I was thinking instead of getting back on the tour bus for the ship we could maybe take the bus to Waikiki beach then maybe see the palace.

Hoping someone who has been before can let me know if they think this would work. Does anyone know har far Waikiki Beach is from Pearl Harbor ? Would it be easier to take a taxi ? TIA

Pearl Harbor is about 15 miles from Waikiki beach, but there's so many hotels, limos, taxis, and tourists that Honolulu traffic is very slow!

 

[MousseauMob]

I decided that is where I am going to get some serious beach time. Last cruise to Hawaii (the only way we can get there) and only time I have been there we had so many excursions that I got to look at the beaches but never even got in the sand so that is my one thing I want to be sure and do.

I tried to get into online booking and it won't let me in??? Is there a secret?

We are doing the beach in Kauai, but I guess I could switch things up - I just wish DCL was offering things. Does anyone know of a beach close enough to the pier that is nice (with kids) and maybe walking distance?

I believe online booking opens at a different time, I could be wrong, but I read on a post awhile back that it opens at 3am eastern unlike activities which is midnight. I did it this morning and got a 11:30 timeslot.

We got the two we wanted, Volcanos in Hilo and the Train Plantation in Kauai, we will rent a car in Honalulu and in Maui, we are doing private company for kids' zip-lining and a luau

Of course no Palo

But can look on line, not sure about spa time, maybe after we get on board I will decide

Congrats!!! To everyone

90 days until sailing

I'm hitting the spa in Ensenada since we're not getting off the ship.

I was thinking the same thing. I heard there is good bus transportation on Oahu. Are you taking a DCL tour for Pearl Harbor ? I was thinking instead of getting back on the tour bus for the ship we could maybe take the bus to Waikiki beach then maybe see the palace.

Hoping someone who has been before can let me know if they think this would work. Does anyone know har far Waikiki Beach is from Pearl Harbor ? Would it be easier to take a taxi ? TIA

Yes, we're doing DCL tour for Pearl Harbor. I think we'll come back to the pier first. I'm pretty sure the palace is within walking distance from the pier, but I can't recall what else.

I may be cancelling the Haunted tour but that would open up only one spot.

I need 3, DS really really wants to do this one. I told him I'd keep looking back and checking. Let me know if you cancel and I'll cross my fingers and check it out.

 

[castoff]

Pearl Harbor is about 15 miles from Waikiki beach, but there's so many hotels, limos, taxis, and tourists that Honolulu traffic is very slow!

Thanks, that helps with deciding what to do.

I'm hitting the spa in Ensenada since we're not getting off the ship.

Yes, we're doing DCL tour for Pearl Harbor. I think we'll come back to the pier first. I'm pretty sure the palace is within walking distance from the pier, but I can't recall what else.

I might be seeing you in the spa after I get my vanilla. I didn't book anything on line and I am hoping for some specials on board. Our Pearl Harbor tour ends at 3:15. I think I will talk my group into seeing the palace.
Is the palace easy to find or see from port ?

 

[gdaneowner]

Maybe someone can help me out with this. I have a 2 year old son, and all of the excursions that I am booking do not allow for me to select him as a participant. I am assuming that this is because he is under 3 and does not require admission to the excursions I am booking? Everything that I have booked shows that it is for all ages. So this is the best explanation I can come up with. Any thoughts?

 

[brendmar]

I was able to book all my excursions except the Haunted Tour Only 1 Palo dinner but I am happy I got at least one dinner in Palo. Will try for brunch when we get on board.

I know there was a discussion about someone nice enough to block out rooms at the Doubletree in San Pedro for us cruisers - can someone let me know who it is. We want to stay at Doubletree the night before so we can meet you all and party. Thanks.

 

[Lexa]

I was able to book all my excursions except the Haunted Tour Only 1 Palo dinner but I am happy I got at least one dinner in Palo. Will try for brunch when we get on board.

I know there was a discussion about someone nice enough to block out rooms at the Doubletree in San Pedro for us cruisers - can someone let me know who it is. We want to stay at Doubletree the night before so we can meet you all and party. Thanks.

mickeymom923 is the one who you want to contact about group rate rooms at DoubleTree in San Pedro.

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