November 12, 2005....7 Night Eastern...Who Else?

[chip&dale&fun]

Oh this is sooo not fair....Hawaii is one of my favourite places,,,,we have been there 3 times.....all fly and drive...I'll try to sort out some incticing photos for you later....

As for 07, will not work for us, we are going to Alaska, I hope (now you are supposed to feels orry for us.....- insert pity violion smilie....)

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

OOOPS! Just realized that it is NCL, not NAL!

Ha! That is how dumb I am when it comes to the cruise industry!
Now, I get it! Norweigen Cruise Line!
Are they any good?

Do you really want me to go on a tail spin now and research for days and days on the Internet on what they have to offer?

They do Hawaii and that is a start.
Didn't we have one of their ships parked next to the Magic in St Maarten?
The Magic looked way better!

But, is it all really about looks?
Does size matter?
Is bigger really better?

Okay...I will stop and go drink my wine somewhere else besides at the keyboard.

OK......NCL (or NAL as some say ) is an interesting line. Well at least the Hawaii product is.... since it is American flagged, the workers are all American. Now - we know Americans are LAZIER than people from other countries. So some will say that when they sail on these ships that the service is not as good as some of the other lines. However, you have to understand that the purpose of this cruise is to see Hawaii. NCL is the only game in town offering such a great itinerary. Chances are, you will get on the ship to eat and sleep. Maybe catch a show 1 or 2 nights. But you are going to be so busy on the islands. The food is good on the ship and the rooms are clean. You just have to go into it knowing there are lazy americans on board.
That is my disclaimer..... if I am willing to fly across the country and over the ocean for 5 hours it can't be that bad! I just want to go to Hawaii! If you have any problems while on board (which you won't) you will have your super witch travel agent to deal with them for you!

OK - so I just found out I'm pregnant 2 days ago....we aren't telling any real people here - you are all pretend anyway . So think good thoughts for me if you don't mind. I would love to be dragging a 4 year old and 9 month old to Hawaii next year! I'm not scared!

 

[4campers]

CONGRAULATIONS JESSICA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just think of all the nanny's, butler's and advisers you will have while sailing the Hawaiian Islands!!!!

 

[awoltoday]

awol - you will be able to go - don't you know some other people who want to go too? If you get enough friends and family to go, the cruise line lets one go free.

Barkely - this cruise is round trip Honolulu - since it's only 7 nights, it can't depart from CA - it takes 5 days just to cross over there!
I can hold whatever kind of group space I want - they let me have anything.

It might be cheaper for me to pay for the cruise than to pay to have friends Anybody want to be my friend (for free)?

Chris- you can get from Pheonix to Honolulu CHEAPER than I can get it cause Pheonix is such a major hub......and they WANT YOU TO FLY TO HAWAII!

BTW, is it hot enough down there for you?
My folks will be driving up this way next week to spend the summer here. They have to leave their air conditioning on and humidifier so their furniture won't melt!

I don't know anybody who DOESN'T want me to go to Hawaii. Of course, I don't know anybody that is IN Hawaii.... Yes, at current prices it will only cost me a little under $2000.00 to get the whole family to Honolulu. I didn't find a fare, in my quick search, for Nov, though. And for me, that is pretty hefty premium. But, I'm thinking of opening a grapefruit juice stand to make some extra money (Yes, the juice is served with Citron & Salt). I might even make some new friends doing that - or I could end up drunk on the curb...

The weather is great here. It's about 70 degrees and I'm very comfortable (I'm inside).

 

[DIS NURSE]

I won't be at my email for another 4, possibly 7 days so the suspence is killing me, Jessica!

....I am taking time off work to "clean up" for my upcoming dance recital. Abby does tap, hip-hop and ballet......I do tap and hip hop. Gotta dance in front of 600 people on Sat and a differnt 600 people on Sunday....I am trying lose 5 pounds, stay tan and stay sane in the coming week.....this all occurs Father's Day weekend.

Congrats, Jessica! I hope all goes well and you are safe with us...... Who are we, really? We are cyber-cruisers.......with a cause.
Let us know how things evolve!

 

[DIS NURSE]

"A little under $2,000" to Honolulu is about right.....although I think you can get it cheaper if you search. That is a bargain to get to go tour the Hawaiin islands, I think! Do you even realize what lodging and car rental and food costs on any of those islands? All of that goes out the window if you are on a cruise ship touring you around!

Think about that! $$$$$$$$Saves lots of $$$$$$$$

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

"A little under $2,000" to Honolulu is about right.....although I think you can get it cheaper if you search. That is a bargain to get to go tour the Hawaiin islands, I think! Do you even realize what lodging and car rental and food costs on any of those islands? All of that goes out the window if you are on a cruise ship touring you around!

Think about that! $$$$$$$$Saves lots of $$$$$$$$

Allison,
Did you not get my email with the info?????? I'm sending it again just in case - because I really DID send it! HAve fun dancing - I wish I could see that video!

You people aren't real - you're figment of my imagination. I'm really only talking to myself....

 

[4campers]

one glass of grapefruit juice please

 

[DIS NURSE]

Nope.....I haven't received your email only because I am staying away from the hospital right now (that is a work email I gave you)....days off and actually trying to weasle my way out of working Monday and Tues of next week. It is slow.....not many sick babies/premies at the moment. That can change in a heartbeat, however, and i will probably be there at least once next week.

So.....until then, I will just have to wait and be curious!

We are going camping this weekend! Pretty early in the season but the weather is awesome.....clear blue sunny skies, 80 degrees , and a tent trailer that is all ready to go!.....I still "rough it" from time to time out in the dirt, cooking food on a campfire....mosquito bites and all.......but I REALLY have a passion for nice tropical vacations where the spoiled side of me glows with "aaaahhhhhh "

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

Be confused no more! I sent you a PM! All the details are there!

 

[awoltoday]

"A little under $2,000" to Honolulu is about right.....although I think you can get it cheaper if you search. That is a bargain to get to go tour the Hawaiin islands, I think! Do you even realize what lodging and car rental and food costs on any of those islands? All of that goes out the window if you are on a cruise ship touring you around!

Think about that! $$$$$$$$Saves lots of $$$$$$$$

LOL! That's quite a rationalization! But, the cruisin' of the islands does seem to have several advantages. I DID already have Hawaii on my short list for future vacations (along with Alaska). And I can't believe how ridiculously small the deposit is!!!

one glass of grapefruit juice please

I put it in the mail. That will be $5000, please

Actually, I ran out grapefruit juice for the year. I'll have to wait until next year before I have any more salty dogs Well, unless I use store bought (Ick)...

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

LOL! That's quite a rationalization! But, the cruisin' of the islands does seem to have several advantages. I DID already have Hawaii on my short list for future vacations (along with Alaska). And I can't believe how ridiculously small the deposit is!!!



I put it in the mail. That will be $5000, please

Actually, I ran out grapefruit juice for the year. I'll have to wait until next year before I have any more salty dogs Well, unless I use store bought (Ick)...

And that crazy deposit is fully refundable since you are all make believe anyway!

 

[4campers]

Ok, we did it!! We are going to Alaska. I'll have to start selling Avon, tuperware, and vaccum cleaners (if they still do that) to pay for it, but were going

Now, how will I pay for the Hawaii trip.... Oh, I think of something

Oh, and 3 cheers for agent who helped me She's the best

 

[DIS NURSE]

Cool......when are you going to Alaska?

Save your pennies for Hawaii!
We are going to the Hilton Waikoloa for 8 nights in March, 2007 (Big Island of Hawaii) This will be our third time to that island. We will be so ready to see more of the islands! Kona is awesome though! And I never have driven all the way on the other side to Hilo (the rainy side).....but I know they have incredible lush gardens!
Jessica.....thanks for that PM. I printed it off to show and discuss with DH when we are camping this weekend.....we are leaving in 45 minutes, says ring master Gary who is tethering the bikes on top of his car.

Sounds so great! I assume that when you stop at islands people either rent cars to get to places and explore or are excursions the big event? Are there lots of excursions offered through the cruise line to make transportation easier?

......love dreamin' of the next vacation.

Let me ask you this, the $25 is for all four of us? Then when is the rest due?
Do these ships fill up?
What is the size, say, compared to the Magic? Do they have shows at night?

And the all important question I always have....is there a water slide on the ship?

I can eat just basic food and be totally happy, but is the food good? As long as they have a kid menu we are set!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Did anyone ever get a copy of the pictures that Jaypd took at our Dis meet outside the theater?

Jaypd is/was supposedly rebooked for our upcoming Nov Double Dip but he has dropped off the radar.....sorta' like me.......those people scared me off!

 

[barkley]

ANNOUNCEMENT-being the kind and considerate folks we are, we have decided to put your needs before our own so come november...... we will conduct some in person research for the proposed '07 hawaii cruise (insert thunderous appreciative applause here ).

we will have to limit our critiques to the offerings of maui (and a side trip to pearl harbour)-but we will at least be able to comment on the weather, excursions and local munchies.

yes, we know that it will be difficult to drag ourselves away from the gloomy november weather and suffer through the calm tropical days-but we care so darn much for all of you we HAVE to do it!

seriously, you all got us itching to go somewhere BEFORE 11/07 so i found a great package deal with air, hotel, breakfasts and an suv for 7 nites at the awsome maui hyatt-the killer thing is i was able to book it for the week of vet's day so dh and the kids only have to miss 4 days from work/school.

disnurse (and princesshayley'smom) i found a cool site that has alot of the vendors for excursions and activites with the prices much lower than what they are offered for via the cruise lines (same vendors, and apparantly the hawaii cruises have not locked the providers into only letting thier passengers book through them-the site has instructions for passengers advising which of the activities to book on the different islands based on their ship's docking time-which they list for reference ). i know dh will do tons of scuba, and we want to do the day trip to pearl harbour. i also saw one (a bit pricey-but looked pretty cool) that had you take a helicopter tour and trip to hana and then motor back with a gormet picnic lunch, stops for waterfall swims, and some garden touring.

as usual-we won't be telling the kids until right before (i'm thinking maybe on the way to the airport) and since all we have to pack is shorts and personal items (gotta love those 5 for $10 t-shirt shops) there won't be any luggage to give us away.

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

ANNOUNCEMENT-being the kind and considerate folks we are, we have decided to put your needs before our own so come november...... we will conduct some in person research for the proposed '07 hawaii cruise (insert thunderous appreciative applause here ).

we will have to limit our critiques to the offerings of maui (and a side trip to pearl harbour)-but we will at least be able to comment on the weather, excursions and local munchies.

yes, we know that it will be difficult to drag ourselves away from the gloomy november weather and suffer through the calm tropical days-but we care so darn much for all of you we HAVE to do it!

seriously, you all got us itching to go somewhere BEFORE 11/07 so i found a great package deal with air, hotel, breakfasts and an suv for 7 nites at the awsome maui hyatt-the killer thing is i was able to book it for the week of vet's day so dh and the kids only have to miss 4 days from work/school.

disnurse (and princesshayley'smom) i found a cool site that has alot of the vendors for excursions and activites with the prices much lower than what they are offered for via the cruise lines (same vendors, and apparantly the hawaii cruises have not locked the providers into only letting thier passengers book through them-the site has instructions for passengers advising which of the activities to book on the different islands based on their ship's docking time-which they list for reference ). i know dh will do tons of scuba, and we want to do the day trip to pearl harbour. i also saw one (a bit pricey-but looked pretty cool) that had you take a helicopter tour and trip to hana and then motor back with a gormet picnic lunch, stops for waterfall swims, and some garden touring.

as usual-we won't be telling the kids until right before (i'm thinking maybe on the way to the airport) and since all we have to pack is shorts and personal items (gotta love those 5 for $10 t-shirt shops) there won't be any luggage to give us away.

Man...you really are taking one for the team aren't you!
I know it will be hard for you guys, but try to pull though your trip so you can tell us all about it. We'll be thinking of you as you are tortured on Maui.

I don't think doing the excusrions thru the cruise lines will be the most cost effective way to do them. There are so many independent companies that offer all sorts of excusrsions in Hawaii. We will most likely rent a car in Kauai and Maui since we will have so much time there. That way we can get in as much as we can!

And I asked the NCL rep 57 times - are you sure you only want $25 per cabin deposit and he insisted yes every single time. Another deposit of $475 per cabin will be due July 27, 2007 with final due on Sept. 1, 2007. Little payments along the way are fine - it takes the pain out of one big payment for some.

The food on the ship is good from what I hear. Several different types of restaurants with open seating. So if you get back on the ship at 9 one night you can still eat dinner if you want. Very flexible - and of course the kids mac n cheese, chicken fingers, burgers etc are all offered.

 

[4campers]

Let me get this straight...

We are going to Alaska 07', then Hawaii 07' and now are we are all going to Maui this year?

Oh, can I pleeeeeeease come with you!

Jessica, I think you'd better just add all of us to the happy camper's list and just sign us up on everything!! Maybe, we should just give you our CC and be done with it!

 

[barkley]

Let me get this straight...

We are going to Alaska 07', then Hawaii 07' and now are we are all going to Maui this year?

Oh, can I pleeeeeeease come with you!

Jessica, I think you'd better just add all of us to the happy camper's list and just sign us up on everything!! Maybe, we should just give you our CC and be done with it!

well, we're not doing alaska in '07 (loved it in '04 but hoping a better alternative to hal eventualy ends up available to dvc owners-cuz we hate paying actual (gasp) cash for cruising. and if anyone is interested in maui, i can point you to the same package i got (which even when i priced it out using my gov. discount on the same room (which was almost 40% less)-i could no way get the price of air travel to make it come out the same or lower).

jessica-i will email this week with our decision on stateroom-and get deposit info (how we do it) from you. dh's first words when i hit him up with the new trip was "does this exclude us from doing the diz group hawaii thing next november"-when i told him "no" he happily agreed. oh and i had to agree to at least one meal at the golf course restaurant in maui-no, we don't golf. when we went many years ago we had read about it being a hidden gem and went there for appetizers (as the guide book suggested)-dh fell in love with a stuffed grilled artichoke and has been longing for it once again.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Hi , back from camping....very tan and mosquito bitten, but here.

Let me get this staright....barkely's are going to Maui THIS November? If you are......can you check out the excursions and such?

DH and I discussed the possible DIS CRUISE to Hawaii for Nov 2007 and we are very serious about booking.....like Jessica says...... little bit of $$$ along the way and it doesn;t seem so painful!

I will also run this by my folks who are golf nuts! They would love to golf their hearts out at every stop and we'de meet up at the end of the day!
I would ask just one thing of them......can you please take the kids one day on Kuaui and Gary and I get to hike the Napali coast?

I did get on Cruise Critic and printed off a great detailed report of the Pride Of America and I will follow people's cruise reviews carefully. I take those reviews with a grain of salt, however........some people are pure primadonnas and want a differnt cruise experinece than what we will be happy with!