I am considering going on a Pride of Aloha cruise next year. I know
that I can choose to embark either at Honolulu (on Sunday) or at Maui
(on Friday). Which do you recommend? I was told that there are 2
advantages to Maui: it would eliminate the need to get a hotel the
night before since the ship would not leave until Saturday, and it
would allow me to spend a full day in Maui and a full day in Honolulu.
At what time would I have to embark the ship at Maui on Friday? If I
arrive on Friday, and my flight is delayed or cancelled, would I be
able to embark late on Friday, or on Saturday? If not, then I'd need
to arrive the day prior regardless of which port I arrive at. Also,
with that option, I'd have only 1 full day in Maui. Is it better to
have 1 full day in Maui and one full day in Honolulu? Since my
girlfriend and I both have limited vacation time, eliminating the need
to arrive the day prior would be good for us. But it would not be
practical if I'd still have to embark early on Friday and if they'd
refuse to allow me to embark later Friday or Saturday if the flight is
delayed or cancelled.
How would I get to the cruise terminal from the airport at either Maui
or Honolulu? Does NCL have ground transfers available?
I have also heard that if you debark at Honolulu, there are shore
excursions that take you to the airport at the end. Does Maui also
have these?
I also know that if you embark at Honolulu, your stateroom will be on
the starboard side, and if you embark at Maui, your stateroom will be
on the port side. Is one side better than the other? Is this a
consideration for choosing which port to embark at?
Also, we'd likely be cruising in late April. Is this a good time? Or
is it too rainy that time of year? If our trip includes May 1 (a
Tuesday, which is the 2nd day at Kuai), which is May Day (I think they
call it Lei Day in Hawaii), would it be a problem with either large
crowds or cancelled excurions?
Are there taxis easily available at each port?
Also, I'm confused about the stateroom categories. For example, for
balcony staterooms, there are categories BA, BB, BC, BD, and BE. What
are the diffences between these categories? The descriptions all sound
the same. Also, I see that BD and BE never seem to be available. Does
that mean that they are sold out a year in advance, or is there some
other reason? What stateroom category do you recommend?
Is there a list anywhere that lists all of the noisy staterooms that
should be avoided? If not, are there any general areas that should be
avoided? Do all of the rooms have good views, or are some of them
obstructed?
Thank you very much. I know this is a lot of questions. If this is
not the best place to answer them, then can someone direct me to
somewhere? Thank you very much.
|