Wonder--10-day Hawaii to Vancouver 9/17/2015

[2 princess 3 princes]

Due to a change in schedule, had to back out of this trip Hope everyone has a great experience! Hopefully
we'll get another chance one day! ALOHA!

 

[rngrblu9]

Due to a change in schedule, had to back out of this trip Hope everyone has a great experience! Hopefully
we'll get another chance one day! ALOHA!

:-( i'm so sorry

 

[OKW Lover]

Unfortunately, we have to cancel this cruise. Just too many other things going on this year and we can't make this work.

I'm sure this will be a wonderful cruise for everybody. We just spent two weeks in Hawaii and the islands are spectacular! I hope everybody plans on staying some extra time in the islands just so that they can really appreciate them.

 

[judydvc]

I am going on this cruise with my mother, sister & my adult niece. We are staying at Aulani for 2 nights before the cruise since I am a DVC member and booked Aulani on points. My sister plans to rent a car and they will do some sightseeing because they have never been to Hawaii. My mom and I have and we plan to relax at the resort. I am starting to get excited as the cruise gets closer and think about plans.

 

[DVCinderella]

hi all! does anyone know where the ship docks in oahu?

Pier 2 Cruise Terminal
521 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96813

 

[Kprovax]

Please do your research and see whether or not the convenience of booking with DCL works for you. For example, hiking Diamond Head literally costs $1 pp; $5 if you drive in a car. The Bus (yes, that is it's name haha) costs $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for kids. Under 5 are free. I do not see any reason to pay DCL $60 for ages 10+ and $50 for ages 5-9, when you could take a family of four (two adults, two kids) for $19. I am not up to date on statistics, but our bus system is very efficient and has been recognized nationally for it's excellence.

I am normally one to book with DCL in foreign ports for convenience and because I am a chicken and think I might get lost and end up in jail or something haha. But Hawaii is a totally different story. The prices for Arizona Memorial, DH, and Waikiki Beach, for example are all a joke. The beach is FREE, people! The bus ride is like 10 min. from the port, even with stops. Family of four would be $274 with DCL! OMG you could do it on your own for $15 (oh, but you would have to buy your own water haha).

You just became my best friend! OMG we have been to several excursions and have overpaid on the first cruise just to find out it was walking distance from the port for pennies. Prices at the door are usually really reasonable. I don't doubt someone needs to earn money but come on really. We need to talk!

 

[Kprovax]

OMG I typed out a whole thing last night (Wed is my Fri so I was finally able to take some time to make suggestions), and the DIS went to system maintenance and it ate my reply!!! Ugh.

So now I start over. More brief this time, but I will expand if you have questions.

Assuming you are staying on O'ahu for a couple of days prior to the cruise:

1) Hike Diamond Head. Super easy, cheap, and your kids can totally do it (paved and not strenuous). Sunrise is awesome, but if that is too early, just try to go early to avoid crowds and heat. Many other easy hikes on the island -- Makapu'u, Manoa, etc.

2) Pearl Harbor is a must. So much history.

3) Polynesian Cultural Center. Visit the villages, go to the luau, then the show. An excellent production. Disney caliber.

4) Eat shave ice at Waiola. Yum. The best on the island IMO.

5) If you want to learn how to surf, go to Canoes in Waikiki. If your kids want a more calm beach, go to Kaimana. Love it so much, it's my son's middle name. Great for little ones.

6) North shore is awesome, but far, and the waves will be on the rise. You may not be able to swim.

Maui:

1) Haleakala is just wow. Nothing like it. I think sunrise is the best, but other people have said sunset is great, too. Make sure you layer (it is freezing at the top). Long drive and takes a long time to get up the mountain.

2) I am not a fan of the Ka'anapali side, but many visitors enjoy it there. Lahaina is a very touristy town where there are places to buy souvenirs and yummy restaurants. I much prefer the south side beaches. Makena is my fave, but the current is for experienced swimmers. Wailea is calmer.

3) Road to Hana is super cool, but your kids will be bored. Super long drive on winding road with 50-something one lane bridges. The pot of gold at the end of that rainbow is beautiful waterfalls and pools. But not sure it's worth it with young kids.

Big Island:

1) You have to go see the volcanoes. There really isn't much else to do on the island, and it's a long drive so you might not have that much time.

2) I love Hapuna beach.

Kaua'i:

1) Waimea Canyon is spectacular. The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Far. Probably boring for your kids, but I would make mine go anyway.

2) I like the train ride at Kilohana Plantation. Your 8-year-old might think he/she is too old for it, but it will still be fun. You get to see native plants and fruits, and they stop so you can feed the animals.

Kaua'i is my favorite island. So green, lush, picturesque. But super boring. It's our version of "the country". Not much to do except the "touristy things".

Hope this helps.

Oh thank you so much! Question when you get a chance, my family could eat a plantation of pineapple so how is the plantation and can you get there by bus?

 

[Kprovax]

I am organizing the FE for this cruise as well as for the Sept 7 Hawaii cruise. If you would like to sign up please pm me with your room number, your name, the number of adults, the number of children and their gender and age(optional) and if you want what you are celebrating. I will add you to the list and post a final list on here closer to the PIF date. Thank you. I am also wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a secret Mickey exchange?

I was not able to PM you so here is the info, on the Sept 17 Hawaii to Vancouver
So excited! We have participated in some wonderful FEs. Our last one they actually placed on yahoo groups and was private but had the capabilities to add lists and it was very organized. So just a suggestion. Ok, so we have:

Husband:Wife
14 yo daughter
19 yo son
Room 7000

Any questions please let me know. Also an fyi you can upload any of your hard work and organization that you have already put together on the yahoo groups, so you don't have to recreate them also ask questions through the group. Last cruise We had to split our group into 2. So many people.

 

[skeegan]

Hi Everyone, My husband and I are booked on this cruise. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

[squirrel]

Does anyone go to WDW a lot and have an old Magic Band that they could give me on the cruise. I need one to unlock It's a Small World façade on my Disney Infinity game.

 

[rngrblu9]

Pier 2 Cruise Terminal
521 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96813

thank u!

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

Hi everyone! We just booked this cruise...it will be our first time to Hawaii! We are staying at Aulani using DVC points before the cruise. We know nothing about Hawaii so if anyone could give any good info about Aulani, Oahu, or any of the other islands that would be great! I am traveling with my DD and simply can't wait! Is anyone else staying at Aulani before the cruise?

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Hello,

Just booked this cruise for my DH and I super excited!!!

We are planning to fly to Honolulu on the 14th and stay either at Aulani or in Waikiki, then this cruise brings us home, easy peasy

 

[eganfire]

Just booked, very excited. Cruise #11 for me. Finally get to enjoy the Platinum benefits.... yeah!!

 

[squirrel]

Hello,

Just booked this cruise for my DH and I super excited!!!

We are planning to fly to Honolulu on the 14th and stay either at Aulani or in Waikiki, then this cruise brings us home, easy peasy

We are flying to Honolulu on the 13th and staying in Waikiki at Aqua Skyline at Island Colony. We booked through Flight Centre and paid in Canadian! We are flying out of Bellingham since we will get my dad to drive my mom and I and he will pick us up in Vancouver when we return.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

We are flying to Honolulu on the 13th and staying in Waikiki at Aqua Skyline at Island Colony. We booked through Flight Centre and paid in Canadian! We are flying out of Bellingham since we will get my dad to drive my mom and I and he will pick us up in Vancouver when we return.

We are flying direct from Vancouver with WestJet. While I would've liked a flight that arrived earlier than the WestJet flight, the Alaska flight via Seattle that arrives earlier was more than I wanted to pay. I found a rate I was happy with today and booked that, so the only thing left to book is the hotel. Pretty sure we will do Aulani, and then we will look at car rental options and activities.

I'm pretty sure I have a spare Magic Band kicking around somewhere that I can give you.

 

[squirrel]

We have a direct flight from Bellingham with Alaska Airlines. They did some changes a while back and now only have direct flights on certain days. I had that booked back in Oct or Nov.

Checked your flight and we arrive around the same time the night before.

Just checked for my flight and it's gone. I will have to phone in the am as I checked and it says to call them. Not happy as I booked a long time ago for a direct flight. Now it appears they have no direct flights. Also not happy that I didn't receive any information about the change.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

We have a direct flight from Bellingham with Alaska Airlines. They did some changes a while back and now only have direct flights on certain days. I had that booked back in Oct or Nov.

Checked your flight and we arrive around the same time the night before.

Just checked for my flight and it's gone. I will have to phone in the am as I checked and it says to call them. Not happy as I booked a long time ago for a direct flight. Now it appears they have no direct flights. Also not happy that I didn't receive any information about the change.

That sucks if your flight has changed and your agent didn't notify you. They did a huge over hall on their flight schedules a few months ago left a lot of people unhappy.

Looks like Aulani is out, I was hoping to rent points for the stay but there is no availability and I'm not paying 1200+USD for three nights. Will probably end up at the Aston at the Waikiki Banyan or something similar.

 

[squirrel]

Called and they transferred me already to other flights. It was a few months ago they did cancel some direct flights but last time I checked they were still doing Sun. Wed and Fri. (?). Not 100% sure it was Friday. I had booked Sunday, it was a toss up between that and Monday when I booked. Wed. would have left us no time to see Waikiki as the flight arrives in the evening.

They told me they didn't have to let me know until 45 days before the flight, when the last of the schedules are done. I said I was not pleased as I wanted a direct flight and now that it is so close to my trip it will cost a lot more.

I'm not sure I will ever fly with Alaska Airlines again after this. I even have their credit card. I have sent off a message to them telling them I'm not happy with their service.

 

[cmhand30]

I just booked this cruise for Hubby and I. Really excited. I'm currently trying to read all the previous post. I am wait listed for Aulani for five nights prior to the cruise. Lots of research to do.