Thread: Lahaina, Maui

March 27 - Part I
Lahaina, Maui - we had 2 tours booked for here - Valley to Ocean Discovery in the morning and Drums of the Pacific Luau in the evening. This is a tendering port. It was raining when we arrived. All tours were to meet in the Wajang Theatre and those going ashore independently got their tender tickets in the Queen’s Lounge. We were told to report 10 minutes before our tour which was scheduled to leave at 8:15. We got there at 8 and the entire area was a ZOO!!. The first tour hadn’t even left yet and the place was jammed back. The 2 girls in charge didn’t seem to know what to do. As it turned out they would call one tour to report to the tender and then allow many independents to go on the tenders. We had only 3 tenders running. By allowing so many independents to get off the ship before the tours, the tours got further and further behind. Our tour was finally called at 8:50. We got to shore at 9:05 - waters were still calm but it was raining. When we finally got on the bus, the driver told us that we were 1 hour late and since he had another tour to do in the afternoon, he would have to cut our tour short (don’t worry - no one got anything back for a shortened tour). As we a result we got only 15 minutes at the Iao Needle - but we were there only 10 minutes when it really began to pour!! On the way out there our bus driver got a call on his cell phone - which he ignored - just let it kept ringing. Everyone dashed back to the bus. We were supposed to have stopped at the Botanical Gardens at the bottom of the hill but because we were running late - we just made a quick drive through - thank heavens we had been there before. Felt sorry for the people who had never seem them. While on our way to the Maui Ocean Center our driver’s cell phone rang - this time in the form of an SOS!! He answered this call.

March 27 - Part II
The dispatcher was making certain that we were out of the Iao Valley - heavy rains were causing flash flooding. We had 1 and ½ hours at the Maui Ocean Center. The Center is wonderful with lots of exhibits but wouldn’t you know it - it was loaded with about 500 screaming children who were just beginning spring break and since it was to raining to go to the beach, their parents brought them here! By the time we got back to Lahaina, the rains had stopped so we decided to walk around town and see what all had changed since the last time we were in this port in 1979. At 1:45 we decided to get a tender and return to the ship. The winds had kicked up quite a bit and we noticed that the ocean was really rough. After waiting 15 minutes 2 tenders came in - 1 was empty and the other one was full - had a lot of crew members who got some free time. The first tender that we got on - the one that had been empty had to be completely cleaned down from all the sea sick passengers on it. We left the pier at 2:05 and began a horrible ride back to the ship. The tender was packed with passengers and crew. They kept 3 of the canvas coverings for the doors closed. As we pitched from side to side with water crashing over the top of the tender and pouring into the only open “door”, many of us wondered if we would ever get back to the ship in one piece. I know that we have all been told that if the tender rolls over, it will right itself. But our biggest concern was - no one is trapped in - if the tender rolls over, we will all fall and many of us will have broken bones and hopefully no one will be killed.

March 27 - Part III
Our “driver” did an excellent job of keeping the tender upright and getting us back to the ship - no one on our tender got sick. The next challenge was getting off the tender with the waves crashing onto the ship and into the tender area. Nearly every other person got soaked getting off the tender - I was one of them - DH got one shoe and sock a little wet. We got back to the ship at 2:45. There were people waiting to get onto the tender to go ashore - many of us made a comment to them - “You are all crazy if you go ashore now”. While I was changing clothes and talking to DH about going back on the 4 o’clock tender for our luau an announcement was made canceling all tender service until further notice. We had pretty much made up our minds that we were not going back and would just eat the $129 per person tour. We had also learned that around 10 AM they had stopped tender operations for awhile because of rough seas. At 3:50 an announcement was made that this evening’s luau had been canceled - okay we didn’t lose any money there. Our assistant CD seem to be making all the announcements. He came back on at 4 and reminded everyone that their monies would be refunded. We learned that some of the crew members were on this ship when she was in the Falklands in 2005 and had the same kind of weather and tender operations had to cease and people had to spend the night on the island with the locals. We talked to some other people who got on the tenders at 3 and were told that they had to remain there until clearance was given for them to return to the ship. The sun finally came out between 3:30 and 4. At four two tenders with the majority of passengers and crew returned to the ship - it was still a long ride for them as the ship moved out to sea so that the waves wouldn’t be too bad for those getting off the tenders. It was announced around 5:30 that everyone was safe back on board.

March 27 - Part IV
We were supposed to have had a Hawaiian Local Show: Polynesian Production” but it was canceled. The group was at the pier and were ready to come out on a tender but it was feared that the seas might get rough again and that they wouldn’t be able to get back to shore. Tonight was Hawaiian night - BBQ out on the deck. Many of the men wore Hawaiian shirts. We chose to eat in the dining room. There weren’t many tables set up around the pool and some people “camped” out early - the BBQ began at 5:30 and was over at 8:30. So the YU-4 played music for several hours - not much Hawaiian music from what we were told. The movie “Walk The Mile” was scheduled to be shown just once in the Queen’s Lounge but since nothing really was going on, it was announced that there would be 2 showings. During the evening they kept one tender in the water - have no idea why since everyone was back on board - felt sorry for those guys. We were to stay here until 11 but we left at 10:45. The evening turned crystal clear so we got an after dinner drink and sat out on our verandah for a couple of hours watching the stars and the lights of Lahaina. Note: we talked to some people who did the tour to the Haleakula Crater - dress warmly if you take this tour - many people didn’t. Those who went there that the temperature at the top was in the low 30’s and it was sleeting. Tonight’s towel animal was a dog. These tours were canceled on the first day of the cruise: Adventure to said Hana, Crater Rainbow Helicopter, Circle Island Helicopter. There may have been others canceled - I didn’t keep track. Hilo Hattie has a free shuttle for those passengers who wish to go there.

Not just Lahaina........but some fun places in and around Lahaina, as well as other areas of Maui. I did this for Cruising Angel, who left for the islands this morning.

Sally............you lend great support to CLF! Thanks for all that you have done to promote the site...........and it is always great fun to read your postings!!

Have a safe flight to Hawaii...........enjoy Maui.........as they say "Maui no ka oi".....which in Hawaiian means ...............Maui is the best!!. Find the Gazabo for a breakfast................it's at the Napili Beach Club. Hit Kimos for a sunset drink, viist Roys in Kahana for a wonderful dinner..............even Chez Paul in Olowalu for a gourmet meal.

If you can find Flemings Beach..........it's the most peaceful white sand..........but you need to find it!!

Stop in at the Whales Tail...great view of both Molokai and Lanai.

If you are headed for Kahalui..............just outside in Paia used to be Rosies......now the Paia Fishmarket! Expensive but very good.

In Hana...........it's the Hotel Hana Maui!! I have an old friend that lives there.......but will remain nameless!!

Have a great trip!!

Rick

Originally Posted by rubrrick

Not just Lahaina........but some fun places in and around Lahaina, as well as other areas of Maui. I did this for Cruising Angel, who left for the islands this morning.

Sally............you lend great support to CLF! Thanks for all that you have done to promote the site...........and it is always great fun to read your postings!!

Have a safe flight to Hawaii...........enjoy Maui.........as they say "Maui no ka oi".....which in Hawaiian means ...............Maui is the best!!. Find the Gazabo for a breakfast................it's at the Napili Beach Club. Hit Kimos for a sunset drink, viist Roys in Kahana for a wonderful dinner..............even Chez Paul in Olowalu for a gourmet meal.

If you can find Flemings Beach..........it's the most peaceful white sand..........but you need to find it!!

Stop in at the Whales Tail...great view of both Molokai and Lanai.

If you are headed for Kahalui..............just outside in Paia used to be Rosies......now the Paia Fishmarket! Expensive but very good.

In Hana...........it's the Hotel Hana Maui!! I have an old friend that lives there.......but will remain nameless!!

Have a great trip!!

Rick

Ah memories. However, the Gazebo is at Napili Shores condo complex, not the Beach Club. Definitely a great place for breakfast or lunch. Also, in Hana, check out the Hana Ranch. It's up the road from the hotel, and is owned by the same people. Great burgers from their own beef.

Originally Posted by daWoods

Ah memories. However, the Gazebo is at Napili Shores condo complex, not the Beach Club. Definitely a great place for breakfast or lunch. Also, in Hana, check out the Hana Ranch. It's up the road from the hotel, and is owned by the same people. Great burgers from their own beef.

You're right..........the Gazebo is at Napili Shores. I used to live at Honokeana Cove back when...........and I guess that I need to revisit the islands again.

Rick