April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Wonder to Hawaii- who is with me?

[birkner]

Fingers crossed Noel finds a roomie! We need her shore excursion planning skills



What a nice thing to say!! Than you!
Aha yes we have been there too - we have toured Oahu fairly extensively on a couple of trips and also done a 10 day NCL cruise around the islands. We love Hawaii! Its Robert's first trip but Mum and I have been a few times.

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I did the same trip but have gone to Hawaii many times when I was younger. Often took kids for the "weekend".

 

[Kailua's Belle]

Hope everyone has a great time on this cruise. I live on Oahu, so I plan on visiting the ship while it's here!

For a hotel the night before you leave LA, try bidding on Priceline. I got the Crowne Plaza for $65 a night. The whole hotel is non-smoking, so don't let that worry you!

If anyone wants any info/advice for what to do on Oahu or Kauai, feel free to send me a PM. You guys have an active thread here, so I don't think I'll keep up!!

 

[UKANGEL]

As many here will attest, I love to organize tours. If I am successful in getting a SR, I will be happy to organize some private tours!!

You've done it now Noel!!

I am so glad that I have found this thread!
Hoping to join the CG also! Love my Moet!!!!

Welcome! You will fit right in!




.

 

[UKANGEL]

Hope everyone has a great time on this cruise. I live on Oahu, so I plan on visiting the ship while it's here!

For a hotel the night before you leave LA, try bidding on Priceline. I got the Crowne Plaza for $65 a night. The whole hotel is non-smoking, so don't let that worry you!

If anyone wants any info/advice for what to do on Oahu or Kauai, feel free to send me a PM. You guys have an active thread here, so I don't think I'll keep up!!

Thank you!



.

 

[UKANGEL]

Right, I really should be getting read for work! have a good day everyone...... And happy planning!




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[UKANGEL]

Right, I really should be getting read for work! have a good day everyone...... And happy planning!




.

 

[granmaz]

I've only been to Oahu, but can give my 2 cents worth on that island

Pearl Harbor is amazing....so moving...and of course the Arizona is a must see.

The luau I did was at Paradise Cove, next to where Aulani is now, I believe. I think a luau is more than just the food, but an insite into the culture too.

The 1 thing that Disney is really missing out on (or having us miss out on), is 1 late departure from 1 of the islands so that we could do a luau. Just think- they could do a shore excursion w/ a luau at Aulani & can you imagine how many people would sign up for that???

We do have 1 year before this cruise...hopefully DCL will be able to shift 1 port to allow a luau.

Perhaps we should do a big email campaign to ask for this!!

OH Marilyn, you don't know how happy this makes me!! YEAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Now we will definitely have to have a Triton's lunch with Angie and Dennis and Jan and Tom and you two and me and John. I'm so happy that ALL my favorite people are on this cruise.

Sounds like fun to me!!

Sounds good to me!!!

I don't like the nuts unless they are covered in chocolate.

I can eat just about anything if it is covered in chocolate. Well not Hersheys, but any other chocolate that is!

I think I will have to bring just Muumuus to wear on this trip!!

Sounds like a plan, Muumuus, sarongs and after 15 days onboard, maybe a tent!

Oh yes, a tent!!!

 

[aan1701]

I agree, Surely Disney will organise an excursion with a Luau, It is Hawaii for goodness sake, Of course we want to go to a Luau! Well most of us Alan.

Even if I did not object to paying for a meal while on a cruise, for some reason I can't figure out a luau is one of the last thing in Hawaii I want to do, I think the beach is the last thing I want to do.

 

[granmaz]

Well I guess there will be loads of excursion opportunities without being forced to go on one you don't want to be on.

I have lots of investigations to be doing me thinks.

 

[aan1701]

I have lots of investigations to be doing me thinks.

I can't agree more. I think I will use Princess as a guide to get an idea of what maybe offered in Hawaii. I have no plans on leaving the ship in Ensenada.

 

[mickeymom923]

Aloha everyone. I'm leaving for work in a couple of minutes. Since so many people are interested in staying at the Hyatt, I contacted them for a group rate with and without breakfast and they will be getting back to me later today. So for those interested, please PM me and I'll get back to each of you later today.

Have a great day.

Bev

 

[dolphingirl47]

Have been getting PMs and adding everyone today. I already found some cute things when surfing web, I might have to have something for all 15 days LOL of course dont think hubby would be too happy with that when were lugging the luggage around. I made our FE gifts for the first time for the upcoming b2b and hope everyone likes it. I do think its nice to get something personalized or made but I know everyone cant do that. I still have my dry erase board from wbpc on fridge



How many people would be interested in doing a vow renewal? I would love to do one on hawaiin beach but know people want to do excursions and thats busy time so thinking the ship would be better. If we brought our own decorations and secretly took over deck 7 and did our own thing would they say anything? We need a minister though, or do we since technically were married? Geez too much thinking for almost 5 am

I have started to give some thought to the Fish Extender gifts. I make jewellery as a hobby and therefore make my own Fish Extender gifts. I have made cell phone charms, keychains, zip pulls, bracelets, wine charms and necklaces in the past. I have one or two ideas on what I can do for this cruise, but much depends on how many people I will be making gifts for.

I know that there have been people who have tried to have a vow renewal on the sly on the Magic and were swiftly moved on. I also know of people who pulled it off, but they did it on their own veranda or in their room. I think trying to do a DIY vow renewal in a public space on the Wonder is asking for trouble.

As to needing a minister, this is not required. At a vow renewal, anybody can officiate. If you do a vow renewal through DCL, then one of the officers (usually the Captain) will officiate.

Finger crossed please for me that I will find a roomie for this cruise (thanks to Monica) and you will see me aboard!!

I keep my fingers crossed for you.

I'm going to Hawaii! Tons of familiar faces! This will be my first time in Hawaii! Can't wait!

Welcome on board. It will be great to see you again.

I scored a cabin last night about 1 am but am having a problem with DCL using my OBC that I had booked on the PC they can't do it until more catg 9 cabins open up. We did a r/t Hawaii on RCI. Rent a car in ports will save you tons of $. From port to volcano is about 30 min and costs about $10 to get in per car load.

Welcome on board.

I just let our reservation go. With our son graduating next year, and other trips planned, it just wasn't in the cards this time.

I am sorry that you won't be able to join us.

I am so glad that I have found this thread!

After reading a thread earlier today about newbies vs gold/platinum's, I was getting a little nervous, especially considering the amount of previous cruiser's that will be onboard!

But you all seem so nice and inviting!!!

I will be with my son (4) and we are hoping to stay near the port the night before we leave...would love to do DL, but I'm not sure if time and money will allow it! If anyone is doing a block of rooms the night before, keep me posted!

Hoping to join the CG also! Love my Moet!!!!

Welcome on board.

I just booked for DH and me today. I called my TA and was told they only had some Deck 2 rooms left. I was wanting 9A or above. I asked to just be wait listed and within 15 minutes I got a call back. He was able to set me up with either a 9A or 7A (navigator's veranda). We chose the veranda since the price was within $500 of each other.

Long story short, we're in 5136! I see lots of familiar names and faces from our 2010 EBTA cruise.

I got tired of reading to try to catch up so I'm just going forward from here on this thread.

Lori

Welcome on board

Corinna

 

[adedward]

Good morning everyone! Great fun following the conversations and checking the cruise line web site to see what categoried have opened and how much prices change. Can't get Hawaii off my mind.

 

[aan1701]

Good morning everyone! Great fun following the conversations and checking the cruise line web site to see what categoried have opened and how much prices change. Can't get Hawaii off my mind.

I can't get my mind off Hawaii either. A friend of mine at work, at midnight eastern, snagged one if the newly open rooms. I hope he will pay the remaining deposit and go. He transferred his Fantasy cruise next Thanksgiving to this one.

 

[granmaz]

I can't agree more. I think I will use Princess as a guide to get an idea of what maybe offered in Hawaii. I have no plans on leaving the ship in Ensenada.

I don't think we will leave the ship there either, though I haven't looked up the place yet. Good idea to look at other cruiselines' itineraries etc.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I don't think we will leave the ship there either, though I haven't looked up the place yet. Good idea to look at other cruiselines' itineraries etc.

My first reaction was that I would stay on the ship and make this my 10th sea day. However, the more I read about this, the more I am inclined to get off the ship. There is a world class bird reserve near Ensenada and also some interesting marine wildlife. I suppose I have to check out excursion options nearer the time.

Corinna

 

[castoff]

Good Morning Everyone !

 

[granmaz]

One important point for anyone from countries that require an ESTA to gain admittance to the US. Please make a copy of your ESTA and take it with you. I know on the ESTA website they say you don't need to but....!

Though you will already have been through immigration to actually get into the US in the first place, they could very well demand to see them again when you arrive back at LA after the cruise. If so, DCL will demand to see your print out at check in and if you don't have it will make you go to a designated laptop to bring it up and print it out. Best to take them with you and avoid this annoyance!!! Hopefully we won't need it. DCL do send a card telling you this, but we didn't get it until we had actually already left home!!!

We had to do this for the TA which was reasonably understandable as Port Canaveral was our port of entry, but we were all surprised to have to do it again for the PC cruise after we had already been granted admittance.

Perhaps something to put on Page 1??

 

[castoff]

They are not inexpensive trips. Volcano by Helicopter

I guess I read it to quick and clicked on the link. I thought you said it was a good inexpensive trip.

Whoa doggy.... I've been trying to catch up for like a day or two now... catch up some and never get to the end before I have to quit- then come back and find even more pages! Finally -winally caught up... for the moment! LOL

Don't you mean " Ketchup " ?

I think I will have to bring just Muumuus to wear on this trip!!

Are you familar with this tour ?
http://www.roadtohanatour.com/

Is there enough time time to do a tour like this ? I know we don't even get to port till 7:30 ?

We have used the Doubletree too, but for a park & fly.

Two weeks of parking, breakfast, & one night stay for $199. It's too early to book it now, but planning to do that again.

The Crown Plaza is supposed to do a park & fly too, for anyone who may be interested, but I haven't gotten a quote on that one. They do have a free shuttle to the port too -- both are right there in San Pedro.

It's good if you want to stay near the port.

I know it probably is a bit early but if anyone is trying to organize some private van tours in the islands, my husband and I would be interested in joining you. He has a little trouble walking long distances and we figure this would be a lot less unnecessary walking for him because the vans could get closer to the sights than the big tour buses and they usually personalize the tours for you. PM me if you have any info- thanks

I am interested in this also. What kinds of things are you interested in doing ? It may be early to book anything but not early to plan.

 

[castoff]

As many here will attest, I love to organize tours. If I am successful in getting a SR, I will be happy to organize some private tours!!

I am so glad that I have found this thread!

After reading a thread earlier today about newbies vs gold/platinum's, I was getting a little nervous, especially considering the amount of previous cruiser's that will be onboard!

But you all seem so nice and inviting!!!

I will be with my son (4) and we are hoping to stay near the port the night before we leave...would love to do DL, but I'm not sure if time and money will allow it! If anyone is doing a block of rooms the night before, keep me posted!

Hoping to join the CG also! Love my Moet!!!!

Welcome Aboard !
I only know a couple of people on this cruise. Yes everyone here is real nice.

I just booked for DH and me today. I called my TA and was told they only had some Deck 2 rooms left. I was wanting 9A or above. I asked to just be wait listed and within 15 minutes I got a call back. He was able to set me up with either a 9A or 7A (navigator's veranda). We chose the veranda since the price was within $500 of each other.

Long story short, we're in 5136! I see lots of familiar names and faces from our 2010 EBTA cruise.

I got tired of reading to try to catch up so I'm just going forward from here on this thread.

Lori

Welcome Aboard !!

I was surprised to see another person from our town! That's pretty cool.
I have lived here forever (39 years). My husband moved here from Charleston right out of high school. What area are you in? We live in Socastee.

Can you say small world afterall ? I am literally up the road. Gydell on this cruise lives in Atlanta and visits Myrtle Beach every June. We are having a mini-meet Sat. June 11th at Dick's Last Resort. I have never been but heard lots about it. we could tell them to tone down for kids or maybe just pick a new place. It's fun to meet new people and talk about the cruise.

What's taken you so long?



I'm not sure what was more entertaining - the driver's shock at how much luggage we had despite them being told we had heaps of luggage or the getting completely lost going to the port...


I think we may stay at the Double Tree so if anyone is getting a group rate...

The volcano is on the Big Island of Hawaii - its main attraction is the Volcanoes National Park so it will be well advertised.

Typically called the "big island" instead of Hawaii to stop people confusing the state name with the island name.

It took so long because I found out 2 days later that I would be on this cruise.

Yes you can laugh now but I remember people not so much while we were waiting for the disappeared group to appear. Not sure where I will be staying but I know Bev could check that out. It depends on if I am going to Disney and where my Roomies will be.