Luau - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

glecar695 · 02-24-2009, 01:34 PM

Can anyone share information on the "Drums of the Pacific" Luau n Maui.

The price on the ship for the luau is more than booking online.

Is public tranportation available from ship to hyatt where luau is located.

We sail in 2 weeks..May have waited too long to search this out.

Prompt replies would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to any and all replies. THANKS, Glen

canarymoon · 02-24-2009, 03:13 PM

One of our stewards did a luau in Hawaii... don't know if it is the same one or not.
she is out of town right now, tending to an elderly relative, but she may check in tonight, and if so, I'll send her this way.

cruisin' chick · 02-25-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glecar695

Can anyone share information on the "Drums of the Pacific" Luau n Maui.

The price on the ship for the luau is more than booking online.

Is public tranportation available from ship to hyatt where luau is located.

We sail in 2 weeks..May have waited too long to search this out.

Prompt replies would be greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to any and all replies. THANKS, Glen

I'm guessing you're talking about a ship-sponsored one. In that case, you might want to list which ship, as it could be unique to your cruiseline. Not sure why it would be different in price between booking it on the cruiseline's website or when on board. But you do run the risk of a popular excursion being sold out before the cruise begins.

If you're talking about a luau that you can book independently or through the cruiseline, you might want to check with the company to see if they provide transportation from the pier. Or if there's a shuttle (many stores such as Hilo Hattie's, Walmart, ABC stores will provide a shuttle to their store from the pier in order to get customers into their stores).

Are you going to be docking in Maui? If the port is Lahaina, that's a tender port, which means the ship anchors away from the pier. Passengers take tenders, which are boats, to get to and from the pier. Most cruiselines give priority for any early morning tenders to those on ship-sponsored excursions and those in suites. But if the luau is much later, that shouldn't be a problem.

Just remember that there is a deadline for returning onboard. If sailaway is 5pm, you usually need to be back onboard by 4:30pm. If it's a tender port, you need to factor in waiting time to catch a tender back. You won't want to be missing the boat, so to speak, on Hawaiian cruises as then you can be violation of a law called the Passenger Vessels Services Act, and may risk a fine, in addition to the hassle of trying to catch the ship at the next port. So if you're not on a ship-sponsored excursion, be extra careful about the time and bring a copy of the ship's newsletter for that day which will have vital info about getting back on board. (if you're on a ship-sponsored activity, the driver or guide will inform the ship of any problems with vehicles, so that the ship will wait for you)

Char · 02-25-2009, 08:21 AM

Thanks for the detailed info Patty!

There are several different luaus avaiable in this port, so if this particular one is booked up, try a different one.

Bear in mind that the ones booked thru the cruiseline also include transportation to and from the luau, so factor that in when you are comparing the cost.