Role call for Hawaii

[ashes]

Ok so who's coming to Hawaii??? Let's start our role call!!

[Jan V]

Ok so who's coming to Hawaii??? Let's start our role call!!

Jan, Frankie and Becca!

[creativesoul1]

Deb, Anne-Marie, Christopher, and Alicia are going to Hawaii

[RandnMichael]

We are going to Hawaii, Our 6th R Family Cruise!

[creativesoul1]

Let's Get This Party Up And Running. On. A Little Over Two Months And We Will Be Sailing............................

[Jan V]

Let's Get This Party Up And Running. On. A Little Over Two Months And We Will Be Sailing............................

Woo Hoo! See you there!

[hoop31]

We won't be on the boat because we live here.....but if anyone needs help with anything don't hesitate to ask!!!

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

We won't be on the boat because we live here.....but if anyone needs help with anything don't hesitate to ask!!!
can you get me directions I will start paddling now .!!!!!

[hoop31]

can you get me directions I will start paddling now .!!!!!

Start running due west. :) When you hit the ocean, paddle southwest and you will eventually get here. :)

[GroundControl]

We won't be on the boat because we live here.....but if anyone needs help with anything don't hesitate to ask!!!

I sent you a pm with questions.

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

Start running due west. :) When you hit the ocean, paddle southwest and you will eventually get here. :)
Okay I am going to Central Park tomorrow to collect vines and sticks and wood to start building my raft!
CCC
OOPs did you say run. Npw that might be a bit of an obstacle.:(

[GroundControl]

Yep, I believe this is our 6th cruise with rfamily as well!
~Meg and Heidi from N.J.~

[Jan V]

Start running due west. :) When you hit the ocean, paddle southwest and you will eventually get here. :)

Buy a GPS device with a long battery life and use it!

[Jan V]

We won't be on the boat because we live here.....but if anyone needs help with anything don't hesitate to ask!!!

Which island?

[candue]

Start running due west. :) When you hit the ocean, paddle southwest and you will eventually get here. :)

I live in Vermont and I tell my sister who lives in the Chicago area it is left, left and a right.

[kpal1123]

Karla and Kelly from Ohio will be there! We are so excited. It will be our first time to Hawaii. Where's the countdown clock?

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

Karla and Kelly from Ohio will be there! We are so excited. It will be our first time to Hawaii. Where's the countdown clock?
See If I can Get Kelsey to put one up!

[hoop31]

We are on Oahu, about 20 minutes from the terminal....

[hoop31]

We are super jealous of you all!!! This is our first year not going on an Rfamily cruise and I am going through withdrawals already. :)
We really don't mind helping people out who are flying in or if you have questions....send me a pm and I will answer everything to the best I can.
There are a few other couples from Hawaii that are on the boards that I am sure will answer your questions too.

[kpal1123]

So Hawaii cruisers... staying at the Marriott? Flying in early or staying after? What are your transportation plans from airport-hotel, hotel-ship, ship-hotel and hotel-airport?

I am getting SO EXCITED!

[GroundControl]

Heidi and I are staying at The Sheraton Waikiki, right on the beach, from Tuesday through Saturday. We signed up for a shuttle from the airport to hotel but haven't figured out the hotel to the ship yet. Probably will hang out a little bit on Saturday post-cruise, since our flight doesn't leave until 4:00. Not sure how long it takes to get to the airport on a Saturday afternoon but I guess we will look for another shuttle or a cab. Apparently there is also an airport bus, but you can only take on one piece of luggage that will fit on your lap. I guess that would work if you did the NCL bag forwarding deal where they take your suitcases from your cabin right to the airport for you.

[hoop31]

The airport is maybe 10 minutes from the ship terminal. There is not alot to do in the immediate area of the terminal because it is in Honolulu which is almost dead on weekends. There is a small shopping center with some restaurants in it next to the terminal. Waikiki is about 5 minutes from the terminal in the opposite direction of the airport.
It is a viable option to take your stuff to the airport when you get in and check in, then take a shuttle or taxi back to town.
or you can all come to my house and tell me about the cruise. :( I am so super jealous!!!

[kpal1123]

Sounds good. Karla and I are staying at the Marriott Wed-sat before and Sat-mon after. We still haven't picked our transportation.

Anyone heard anything about the 'specific' R Family entertainment? I also heard about a pre-cruise mixer, possible Luau and excursions for us, anyone know anything?

Any special plans for ports? Excursions or on your own? Seems like if you want to go on your own ya need to rent a car everywhere!

[GroundControl]

Excursions or on your own? Seems like if you want to go on your own ya need to rent a car everywhere!
I don't want to rent a car in Waikiki because parking seems to be very problematic. I'll use the bus system and taxi while there. But yes, it appears that on most other islands you need to rent a car to do anything (unless you are going on the ship's excursions, which I rarely do because you can do things on your own for less $ and with less crowds).

I haven't heard anything yet from rfamily regarding 'their' excursions or meet ups.

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

I don't want to rent a car in Waikiki because parking seems to be very problematic. I'll use the bus system and taxi while there. But yes, it appears that on most other islands you need to rent a car to do anything (unless you are going on the ship's excursions, which I rarely do because you can do things on your own for less $ and with less crowds).

I haven't heard anything yet from rfamily regarding 'their' excursions or meet ups.
I heard from the RAINBOW DOVE and the info should be forth coming soon.
CCC

[Jan V]

I've started collecting info on the ports from Cruise Critic, websites for some of the attractions (Honolulu Zoo, Pearl Harbor) and capturing in a MS Word doc by port. If anyone wants a copy, let me know in a PM with your e-mail address.

[kpal1123]

I love cruise critic. It's such a great place to start for any trip.
I really wish that Rfamily planned out stuff earlier. It's kind of hard to plan and book things and then hear from them different ideas later. We are booked for one of the BEST luau's in Maui and now I hear about a group sunset cruise they are offering. Bummer, there is only 1 night possible to do the luau.
Just a couple bits of info for anyone that wants...
Maui Ocean Center has lots of fun stuff for kids. Even an awesome tunnel that you walk through with fish swimming all around you. Also there is Sea Life Park on Ohau. They have dolphin, ray and sea lion encounters.
Go to Hawaiidiscount.com for discounts on loads of activities. They have Sea life park discounts and click on the rental car links for good discounts.
Lastly Honolulu Family Festival will be going on from 3/25-3/28. They have rides, food, entertainment and games. Honolulufamilyfestival.com
We are getting SO VERY EXCITED!

[Nightowls]

Don't forget to check the NCL excursions offered. I am sure there will be some events just for RFamily folks but it seems most of it will be NCL since they are the primary group in charge of the overall cruise, unlike the past cruises when RFamily was pretty much in charge for the week. SO wish it was our break and we could go but our break is the week before...just like it has been on every single spring cruise. East and West coast breaks are not the same and neither are beginning of the year start times. The Epic is the first week of school here so again, we can't go. Rats!!!
Patty

[GroundControl]

OK, so where is everybody???? There are so few posts to this board. :(

[Jan V]

Anyone going on these excursions? If so, introduce yourself.

Volcanoes National Park - 12:30

Glass bottom boat at Kona - 10:30

[creativesoul1]

We will be staying at the Marriott before and after. We might do the glass bottom boat but not sure yet. We have also wondered where everyone is. By the way we were able to get an incredible rate at the Marriott with our AAA rate. Good Luck and we are looking forward to seeing everyone soon.:cool:

[kpal1123]

It looks like just a few of us are going to Hawaii. Although RFamily said in January that they had around a hundred. Well a hundred family members will be better than traveling alone.

We are Kelly & Karla. Together 12 years. We live in Ohio with our puppy. We will be doing most excursions on our own. We found good rates on cars and some activities at http://www.hawaiidiscount.com/. We are doing the glass bottom boat, sealife park, some farm tours, National botanical gardens and the Old lahaina luau. Plus wherever we decide to go with the cars.

Is anyone doing the Old Lahaina Luau while in Maui? It's suppose to be one of the best.

Let's go people....GET EXCITED! We CAN"T WAIT!

[Nightowls]

I have been to that luau in Maui and it was fun. I don't have anything to compare it to so far as saying its better and one or another but it was a fun evening.

[kpal1123]

Is everyone ready for Hawaii? We CAN'T WAIT! The packing has begun! See you soon!;)

[Jan V]

Yes, I am packing for real today! Swimsuits - check, sunscreen - check, shorts and t-shirst - check, sandals - check! My daughter Becca has currently lined up enough clothes for three weeks. We will do some sorting and purging tonight. I can't wait for the cruise!

Who is staying at the Marriott? We are there Thursday and Friday night before the cruise and Saturday night after the cruise.

[kpal1123]

Karla and I are staying at the Marriott from wed-sat before and sat-mon after.

I'm packing tomorrow. I've been working for 7 days straight and finally have 2 off. It's all relaxation an packation!

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

Yes, I am packing for real today! Swimsuits - check, sunscreen - check, shorts and t-shirst - check, sandals - check! My daughter Becca has currently lined up enough clothes for three weeks. We will do some sorting and purging tonight. I can't wait for the cruise!

Who is staying at the Marriott? We are there Thursday and Friday night before the cruise and Saturday night after the cruise.
]Hey Jan Frankie and Becca,
I am heartbroken. For the first time there will be an R Family Cruise without me. You guys have a great time and please take lots of Pics for me.How is Frankie health holding up?
Our big girl Becca? You all have a great time. LOVE you,
CCC

[Jan V]

]Hey Jan Frankie and Becca,
I am heartbroken. For the first time there will be an R Family Cruise without me. You guys have a great time and please take lots of Pics for me.How is Frankie health holding up?
Our big girl Becca? You all have a great time. LOVE you,
CCC

We are almost done packing. Frankie had a medical appointment two weeks ago and she is doing pretty well. Becca is doing well. We had to buy her lots of new clothes because she has grown a bit over the winter.

We will miss you, too. I will take lots of pictures!

[Nightowls]

Will be thinking of you all on the Hawaii cruise and wishing we were there with you! Sadly, our spring break ended this morning so the time just didn't work. Can't wait to hear all about it!!
Patty