The Freestyle Daily editions for each day of the cruise. Click on the picture to bring it up to read.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Important papers from our cruise
Front and Back of the letter we received from the NCL Hospitality Desk at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This and our photo ID is all we needed to show to check in for the ship.
Our welcome letter left in the suite from the concierge explaining our suite benefits.
The list of restaurants to eat in onboard and their charge breakdown
The letter confirming that we'd be missing the Napali Coast sail by and would get $100 OBC.
First time I'd seen a letter cautioning that we could have to change our arrival and departure times based on weather. Also first time being asked for our cell phone numbers upon checking in so that they can reach us in port if the departure time did change.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Day 8 & 9 - Flights home
The airport is only a few minutes away from Pearl Harbor so we were pulling up to the first airline drop off by 3:20PM. When they let us off at Delta's entry, we ended up walking all the way past their check in counters because Adam and Amy soon noticed that we all should have been directed a few doors down to a x-ray machine conveyer belt station that was required for everyone to run their luggage through regardless of airline choice. This was a requirement to have our bags checked for any contraband like fruit, plants, or nuts being taken out of Hawaii. The line looped around from the machine up to street level and back down to the door on the other side by the time we reached it. We had thought to grab a rolling cart for our bags but it was tough to move it up the incline as we progressed through the line. By the time we were a few people from the machine, the guy manning it announced that we only needed to send our checked luggage through. Not sure how that helps prevent contraband but alrighty then. Unfortunately it meant having to unstack the bulk of our luggage since our heaviest checked bags were on the bottom of the rack. They went through with no issue and the guy affixed a green sticky label around our luggage handles.
This was the first time we were trying the newer Delta One seats which were not only first class seats but individual pod style seats that lie flat and have all the entertainment gadgets and such. Amy and Adam reached the first class/priority check in line shortly before we did so they went up to an agent on their own. The agent was a little confused because we all have the same last name but here only two of the four on his manifest were checking in. They pointed us out now waiting in line for the next agent and he seemed satisfied enough to finish checking them in. Adam confirmed we too had TSA precheck and they headed off toward security. We ended up with a different agent and she made sure to check that we had our little green labels. She asked if our luggage locks were TSA approved locks and we assured her they were. Dad was surprised as she was the first agent to ever ask that and she remarked "Well I do my job!"
One of the things we had been concerned about is whether or not we'd have to deal with our luggage for the flight from Atlanta (where we'd leave Adam and Amy) and fly back on to Baltimore a couple hours later. We elected to book that second flight separately saving about $100-$200 rather than booking it as a connecting flight. This agent arranged it so that the bags would be taken care of for us and we'd only have to worry about getting to the right gate. The one thing she couldn't do was check us in for that 2nd flight since this flight got us into Atlanta in the morning of the next day. Apparently that would be out of their computer system's ability since it at the time was a whole calendar day's away.
We asked for directions to Delta's lounge since purchasing Delta One seats gives you access to the lounge. The agent tells us we don't have access to the lounge. We explain about having Delta One seats and she says "That's only for international flights." Opting to just double check at the lounge rather than fight with her, we asked about TSA pre-check directions. She sent us to the pre-check area that was halfway across the airport from the lounge. We had caught back up with Adam and Amy just before going through security. My luck with TSA continues and the metal detector announced that I was selected for random screening. Adam and Amy moved through without any issue so they waited for Dad and I outside security. The TSA agent held up the regular line passing through the full body scanner so I could go through it next and of course the scanner highlights various body parts to be checked. I have no medical devices inside my body and I made a point of carrying nothing in my pockets yet they always have something show on the scan. A female TSA agent treated me to a pat down and then we moved on to having my hands swabbed for any chemical or explosive residue. An older couple saw me getting pulled aside and stopped to ask "What could this young lady possibly have done?" I sent them along so none of us would get into any further issue. The TSA agent asked me if we were all traveling together and I thought at first that she meant Adam and Amy so I said yes. She accepted that answer in a way that a parent might accept an excuse your child gives for a misbehavior. Only occurred to me afterward that she meant the older couple so wherever you are sir and ma'am, enjoy not earning your own extra check by the TSA. The hand swab was of course deemed all clear and I was allowed to proceed on. We reunited with Adam and Amy just long enough for them to decide they wanted to browse the airport shops for souvenirs and would meet us at the lounge.
It took quite a walk and asking 3 employees before we finally found Delta's lounge. They scanned our tickets as being in their lounge and happily welcomed us in with no issue. So much for that check in agent's claims. We had a laugh at the absurdity of her "I do my job" comment only to not know the correct answer about the lounge. The lounge was pretty full but we were able to grab a table and enjoy their small selection of hot foods. It was while we sat here waiting that I randomly reached into the outside pouch of our carry on luggage for something and what caught my eye but the rainbow colored keychain we use for our luggage lock keys and spare house keys! Turns out it had been buried in the bottom of the pouch and only came up toward the top because we'd had all our bags upended to stack on the rolling luggage cart!
It turned out to be quite the trek to reach our gate and only afterwards did we notice Adam had texted to let us know that they chose to head straight to the gate. They were already on board when we reached the gate as we had to join the longest priority boarding line I've ever encountered. I appreciated that these pods were arranged in an angled single file configuration unlike British Airways who has pods that are connected by 2's so you face the back and the person next to you faces forward like the old sweetheart chairs. I love window seats but it was always annoying to have to squeeze out from the corner to reach the aisle. Now all of these seats open out into the aisle for easy in and out. Only two downsides is that there is no way to close your area off from everyone else like the privacy screen feature British Airways has and they were narrower than BA so I pinched my hip when putting my seat flat to fit under the drink holding rim running along the side of my seat. I'm pretty sure I was one of the few people in first class to not request an alcoholic drink with my meals because the flight attendant found it cute and funny when I asked for a soda. Most of the time we only get to catch up on movies when they are part of the flight entertainment so I spent the time fighting the urge to fall asleep during Book Club and Tag before finishing off my breakfast with an episode of Chopped. One of the things I found interesting that I don't recall happening when we last flew regular Delta business/first class, the flight attendants and even the captain came out to the first class cabin and thanked us personally for choosing to fly with them. Umm, and thank you Delta for making this 8 hour flight a lot more tolerable by taking tons of our money.
It turned out to be quite the trek to reach our gate and only afterwards did we notice Adam had texted to let us know that they chose to head straight to the gate. They were already on board when we reached the gate as we had to join the longest priority boarding line I've ever encountered. I appreciated that these pods were arranged in an angled single file configuration unlike British Airways who has pods that are connected by 2's so you face the back and the person next to you faces forward like the old sweetheart chairs. I love window seats but it was always annoying to have to squeeze out from the corner to reach the aisle. Now all of these seats open out into the aisle for easy in and out. Only two downsides is that there is no way to close your area off from everyone else like the privacy screen feature British Airways has and they were narrower than BA so I pinched my hip when putting my seat flat to fit under the drink holding rim running along the side of my seat. I'm pretty sure I was one of the few people in first class to not request an alcoholic drink with my meals because the flight attendant found it cute and funny when I asked for a soda. Most of the time we only get to catch up on movies when they are part of the flight entertainment so I spent the time fighting the urge to fall asleep during Book Club and Tag before finishing off my breakfast with an episode of Chopped. One of the things I found interesting that I don't recall happening when we last flew regular Delta business/first class, the flight attendants and even the captain came out to the first class cabin and thanked us personally for choosing to fly with them. Umm, and thank you Delta for making this 8 hour flight a lot more tolerable by taking tons of our money.
Once back on solid ground in Atlanta, we bid goodbye to Adam and Amy so they could head home and we took the tram to the gate my Delta app told us would be our flight. Once we stepped off the tram, my app updated and sent us back to another gate. Another tram ride later that thankfully ended before the young lady standing nearby lost her breakfast from motion sickness and we found Atlanta's Delta lounge. They happily checked us in from their computer and after a little breakfast we fought a much stronger urge to fall asleep in the lounge before our flight. I'm not sure how we stayed awake long enough to reach our gate because as soon as we were in our seats on the plane, we passed out for nearly the entire 1-2 hour long flight back to Baltimore. Thankfully our luggage came quickly and after a short cab ride we made it home safely almost 24 hours after we first left Hawaii.
Thank you all for visiting my little corner of the blog universe whether you are a first time visitor or a repeat customer. I appreciate each and every reader and I hope I have served to inform as well as entertain you through my travels. Please feel free to comment with any questions and/or thoughts you may have. Stay tuned for where the next trip takes us!
Day 8 - Disembarkation & Pearl Harbor
Wow I can't believe I'm already writing up the last day of our trip! We've been fortunate enough to go on longer cruises so when our next booking is "only" 7 days, it seems so short. I do believe though that with some time before or after your cruise to experience Honolulu, the back to back port schedule of these 7 days is plenty to accomplish everything. You may not be able to do every tour or adventure you want time wise but it's a great mix whether you're into nature, history, or getting sand in unmentionable places while lounging at the beach all day.
We learned the day before that Cagney's would be open for breakfast this morning of debarkation but we opted not to have a big meal. Instead we spent the morning desperately searching the cabin because we couldn't find the house and luggage lock keys after locking and putting out our checked luggage the night before. Note to NCL - look into the luggage valet program that cruise lines like RCL and Celebrity offer. Made the flights home from those cruises so much nicer! In case anyone is missing a blue/green travel neck pillow, I discovered it under the bed while searching for our keys this morning. Coming up at a loss even after checking the obvious place of the outer pockets of our carry on bag, we resigned ourselves to the fact that we may have to cut off our TSA approved luggage locks and get my mom to let us back into the house.
I don't recall exactly what color luggage tags we'd been given but our "Oahu - Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour" booked through Roberts Hawaii required being pier side by 8:50AM. We decided to head down to the gangway around 8:30AM and ran into Spencer in the hallway. We asked him if anyone had turned in some keys to the lost and found and he went into the back to check. He came up empty and promised that if they did find them they would send them to our house. Since we were already there, Spencer essentially played Vanna and directed us to the line of people disembarking. There didn't seem to be any real organization or restriction about who could disembark when like most lines who call for passengers by certain decks or certain luggage tag colors. Other lines require those choosing to walk off with all their luggage to leave first, often before 7AM. Here, according to our disembark information, that group could leave anywhere from 7:15AM until 9AM which ran the span of the other group's reported times.
Since we never left the country on this trip, there was no having to weave our way through customs or have our passports checked. Thankfully there are usually separate suite lines as part of the priority disembarkation when you do have to go through that step. Here in Baltimore where the customs area is much smaller resulting in more people waiting outside until the lines go down, they instead have suite guests go around the line and stand to the side being directed to the next available agent.
It was relatively easy to find our luggage once off the gangway and Dad called over a porter to help us. By the time we came out of the main warehouse area into what looked more like a giant hotel lobby, the multiple companies were there waiting for people to check in for their arranged transfers etc. We checked in with the Roberts Hawaii employee and were directed to go wait in a specific corner of the lobby space. Their form of organization was to group everyone in different areas of this large open space based on what you booked. The more people came off the ship, the more the sectioned groups became simply a large crowd standing around. Adam and Amy had probably gotten off the ship as soon as possible anxious to be that much closer to the airport since they were sitting on the floor waiting as one of the first people in the Roberts Hawaii Pearl Harbor group. It soon became overheated in the room and loud making it tough to tell whether it was your group all those people in green shirts were calling. Finally, we heard our tour called and we were told to go to "the bus on the end." We followed the crowds outside to a long row of buses unsure which "end" we were supposed to go to. After a bit of trying to figure things out, I went over to the other end and asked the young lady if this was the bus going to Pearl Harbor. She confirmed it and I motioned for everyone to come join me. They loaded our luggage (we opted to hold onto our carry on bag) under the bus based on which airline we were using.
A little sprinkle dotted the windows as we sat on the bus waiting for them to finish loading the luggage. Thankfully the bus didn't fill up so Dad and I sat separately so we could use the 2nd seat to hold our carry on bags. Our driver gave some commentary as we headed to our first stop of the Alliolani Hale building aka the Hawaii Five-O headquarters. Across the street is the real Iolani Palace. Only about 2/3rds of the bus opted to get off and follow our driver up the road about a block to stand in front of the building. He explained the significance of the King Kamehameha statue in front with the laying of flowers and assured everyone that there is no real Hawaii Five-O task force.
Our next stop was a drive by past the Eternal Flame War Memorial.
Once we arrived at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, our driver let us off the bus to wait for our tickets. Once through the security bag check (people had backpacks and purses and as long as they were checked, they were allowed in), we were instructed to wait specifically "in a single file line" while he went and picked up our movie/boat ride tickets. We all found it a little odd that after arriving here around 10:30AM, we weren't given tickets for an earlier boat ride time. Instead we were given tickets for the 1:30PM slot, told where to line up to enter the movie theater by 1:20PM and then sent on our way to do whatever we pleased on the grounds. His final instructions were to meet back at the bus which now was off in the back parking lot by 3PM.
Adam and Amy opted to head over to the USS Missouri battleship to walk through it while Dad was more interested in seeing the newsreel movies as part of the museum displays. They reported later that since it was a working battleship, they had to move through confined spaces and crawl through small passageways. Definitely not an accessible attraction for anyone with disabilities.
Dad and I moved between the buildings checking out the exhibits and watching the footage. There was a small snack shop that was mobbed but was essentially our main means for sustenance so we joined the crowd picking out drinks and a bunch of carb filled snacks to sustain us. We joined the many other people who'd pulled up a bench outside the shop and did our best to avoid the birds who swarmed en masse in hopes of crumbs.
We passed on the varieties of seafood snack mix and taro chips:
Dad and I next moved to the water's edge to look out at the Arizona Memorial and check out the various quotes etched into concrete from the soldiers who were there that fateful day.
There were several interesting plaques along the water mapping out the geography of the harbor and the ships docked there that day. Dad used the map to show me where he'd worked by Hospital Point in Hickam Field when he and Mom had been transferred to Hawaii for his work shortly after they'd gotten married.
A quick pass through the gift shop (Dad was also hoping they'd have traveler items like new keys for TSA locks) and we spotted the desk where you could help yourself to stamping your National Park passport.
We next moved to sit in the shade nearby where the movie theater and boat dock were and soon reunited with Adam and Amy.
There was a former soldier manning the crowds filling the small overhang outside the theater and we listed to him routinely yell at the people to not be lining up too soon before their ticket time. When we did line up for our turn, his no nonsense comments and frankness made everyone laugh and kept us all in a good mood. He did make a point of letting anyone with strollers, little kids, or disabilities in first to get them settled before letting the crowd file in. He made a big speech before we went in about giving the movie our full attention and to not only silence our phones but to stay off them completely until the movie was over. He even promised to come in and check to make sure we were following his rule. Dad opted to choose seats near the back of the theater in hopes of getting out easier but once the movie was over, we were all directed to exit via the doors at the bottom of the theater on each side of the screen. The movie itself is played on a large screen and can get loud but is enthralling to watch.
Once outside, you essentially are right on the boat dock so it's a matter of funneling your way through the railings and onto the ferry boat. There are spaces on the ferry for those with wheelchairs and a small bench seat for your travel partner to sit next to you. Otherwise it's rows of bench seats you enter and exit from the center so unless you get to be the first one to enter your row, your view out the sides is going to be someone's head and then the Memorial.
The ferry boat was driven by two young navy sailors and a recording narration was played while they drove the boat out to the memorial, turned in a circle to give everyone a chance to see the Arizona Memorial specifically, and then back to the dock. The boat ride itself took all of 20 minutes if that.
Even though we had 30-40 minutes until we needed to meet back at the bus, Dad and I started to head back out to the parking lot. When Adam and Amy veered off to visit the same gift shop we'd perused earlier, we stopped to sit on a bench and wait for them. When they came out and announced that they'd found a sticker for their National Park passport (a goal they've long held for everywhere they visit) we asked if they'd also found the stamp. They had missed seeing the stamp set up so Dad and Adam went back in to get the passports stamped while Amy and I headed back to the bus. They soon joined us and all but one guy who'd been standing outside by the bus enjoying a smoke made it back to the bus by 3PM.
We learned the day before that Cagney's would be open for breakfast this morning of debarkation but we opted not to have a big meal. Instead we spent the morning desperately searching the cabin because we couldn't find the house and luggage lock keys after locking and putting out our checked luggage the night before. Note to NCL - look into the luggage valet program that cruise lines like RCL and Celebrity offer. Made the flights home from those cruises so much nicer! In case anyone is missing a blue/green travel neck pillow, I discovered it under the bed while searching for our keys this morning. Coming up at a loss even after checking the obvious place of the outer pockets of our carry on bag, we resigned ourselves to the fact that we may have to cut off our TSA approved luggage locks and get my mom to let us back into the house.
I don't recall exactly what color luggage tags we'd been given but our "Oahu - Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour" booked through Roberts Hawaii required being pier side by 8:50AM. We decided to head down to the gangway around 8:30AM and ran into Spencer in the hallway. We asked him if anyone had turned in some keys to the lost and found and he went into the back to check. He came up empty and promised that if they did find them they would send them to our house. Since we were already there, Spencer essentially played Vanna and directed us to the line of people disembarking. There didn't seem to be any real organization or restriction about who could disembark when like most lines who call for passengers by certain decks or certain luggage tag colors. Other lines require those choosing to walk off with all their luggage to leave first, often before 7AM. Here, according to our disembark information, that group could leave anywhere from 7:15AM until 9AM which ran the span of the other group's reported times.
Since we never left the country on this trip, there was no having to weave our way through customs or have our passports checked. Thankfully there are usually separate suite lines as part of the priority disembarkation when you do have to go through that step. Here in Baltimore where the customs area is much smaller resulting in more people waiting outside until the lines go down, they instead have suite guests go around the line and stand to the side being directed to the next available agent.
It was relatively easy to find our luggage once off the gangway and Dad called over a porter to help us. By the time we came out of the main warehouse area into what looked more like a giant hotel lobby, the multiple companies were there waiting for people to check in for their arranged transfers etc. We checked in with the Roberts Hawaii employee and were directed to go wait in a specific corner of the lobby space. Their form of organization was to group everyone in different areas of this large open space based on what you booked. The more people came off the ship, the more the sectioned groups became simply a large crowd standing around. Adam and Amy had probably gotten off the ship as soon as possible anxious to be that much closer to the airport since they were sitting on the floor waiting as one of the first people in the Roberts Hawaii Pearl Harbor group. It soon became overheated in the room and loud making it tough to tell whether it was your group all those people in green shirts were calling. Finally, we heard our tour called and we were told to go to "the bus on the end." We followed the crowds outside to a long row of buses unsure which "end" we were supposed to go to. After a bit of trying to figure things out, I went over to the other end and asked the young lady if this was the bus going to Pearl Harbor. She confirmed it and I motioned for everyone to come join me. They loaded our luggage (we opted to hold onto our carry on bag) under the bus based on which airline we were using.
A little sprinkle dotted the windows as we sat on the bus waiting for them to finish loading the luggage. Thankfully the bus didn't fill up so Dad and I sat separately so we could use the 2nd seat to hold our carry on bags. Our driver gave some commentary as we headed to our first stop of the Alliolani Hale building aka the Hawaii Five-O headquarters. Across the street is the real Iolani Palace. Only about 2/3rds of the bus opted to get off and follow our driver up the road about a block to stand in front of the building. He explained the significance of the King Kamehameha statue in front with the laying of flowers and assured everyone that there is no real Hawaii Five-O task force.
One last drive by took us to the Punchbowl National Cemetery:
Once we arrived at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, our driver let us off the bus to wait for our tickets. Once through the security bag check (people had backpacks and purses and as long as they were checked, they were allowed in), we were instructed to wait specifically "in a single file line" while he went and picked up our movie/boat ride tickets. We all found it a little odd that after arriving here around 10:30AM, we weren't given tickets for an earlier boat ride time. Instead we were given tickets for the 1:30PM slot, told where to line up to enter the movie theater by 1:20PM and then sent on our way to do whatever we pleased on the grounds. His final instructions were to meet back at the bus which now was off in the back parking lot by 3PM.
Adam and Amy opted to head over to the USS Missouri battleship to walk through it while Dad was more interested in seeing the newsreel movies as part of the museum displays. They reported later that since it was a working battleship, they had to move through confined spaces and crawl through small passageways. Definitely not an accessible attraction for anyone with disabilities.
Dad and I moved between the buildings checking out the exhibits and watching the footage. There was a small snack shop that was mobbed but was essentially our main means for sustenance so we joined the crowd picking out drinks and a bunch of carb filled snacks to sustain us. We joined the many other people who'd pulled up a bench outside the shop and did our best to avoid the birds who swarmed en masse in hopes of crumbs.
We passed on the varieties of seafood snack mix and taro chips:
Dad and I next moved to the water's edge to look out at the Arizona Memorial and check out the various quotes etched into concrete from the soldiers who were there that fateful day.
There were several interesting plaques along the water mapping out the geography of the harbor and the ships docked there that day. Dad used the map to show me where he'd worked by Hospital Point in Hickam Field when he and Mom had been transferred to Hawaii for his work shortly after they'd gotten married.
A quick pass through the gift shop (Dad was also hoping they'd have traveler items like new keys for TSA locks) and we spotted the desk where you could help yourself to stamping your National Park passport.
We next moved to sit in the shade nearby where the movie theater and boat dock were and soon reunited with Adam and Amy.
There was a former soldier manning the crowds filling the small overhang outside the theater and we listed to him routinely yell at the people to not be lining up too soon before their ticket time. When we did line up for our turn, his no nonsense comments and frankness made everyone laugh and kept us all in a good mood. He did make a point of letting anyone with strollers, little kids, or disabilities in first to get them settled before letting the crowd file in. He made a big speech before we went in about giving the movie our full attention and to not only silence our phones but to stay off them completely until the movie was over. He even promised to come in and check to make sure we were following his rule. Dad opted to choose seats near the back of the theater in hopes of getting out easier but once the movie was over, we were all directed to exit via the doors at the bottom of the theater on each side of the screen. The movie itself is played on a large screen and can get loud but is enthralling to watch.
Once outside, you essentially are right on the boat dock so it's a matter of funneling your way through the railings and onto the ferry boat. There are spaces on the ferry for those with wheelchairs and a small bench seat for your travel partner to sit next to you. Otherwise it's rows of bench seats you enter and exit from the center so unless you get to be the first one to enter your row, your view out the sides is going to be someone's head and then the Memorial.
The ferry boat was driven by two young navy sailors and a recording narration was played while they drove the boat out to the memorial, turned in a circle to give everyone a chance to see the Arizona Memorial specifically, and then back to the dock. The boat ride itself took all of 20 minutes if that.
Even though we had 30-40 minutes until we needed to meet back at the bus, Dad and I started to head back out to the parking lot. When Adam and Amy veered off to visit the same gift shop we'd perused earlier, we stopped to sit on a bench and wait for them. When they came out and announced that they'd found a sticker for their National Park passport (a goal they've long held for everywhere they visit) we asked if they'd also found the stamp. They had missed seeing the stamp set up so Dad and Adam went back in to get the passports stamped while Amy and I headed back to the bus. They soon joined us and all but one guy who'd been standing outside by the bus enjoying a smoke made it back to the bus by 3PM.
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