MelissaHI

FYI: It's called Aloha Tower Sundries.

Since you mentioned it, though, I should tell you: The sundry store also sells alcohol, but many tourists buy it there and then think, "Oh, how nice! I'll just pop open my Heineken now and enjoy the ocean view right here on the pier." However, if you do that, security will have you dispose of your alcohol right away! It's illegal to consume alcohol on state land, much less outside of licensed establishments.

Tong

I had visited the cruisecritic web site. The comments on NCL and the Pride of Hawaii are very informational. However, quite amaze on how people from the same cruise can have totally oppose experience. Comments for the same itinerary can range from 0 to 10.

I should have all my cruise partners prepared for the worse, so nobody will get disappointed when things do go wrong.

I am so glad that I joined the fodor's forum. I am getting so much helpful information here that I have never even dream of. Now, I can plan my days and use those valuable hours more effectively.

offlady

Tong, when you return to your cruise ship after your land excursions, I've heard that security will not let you board with any open containers of food. Someone told me she had to finish off her can of macadamia nuts because they wouldn't let her board with open packages of food, and she didn't want to toss it in the trash. Just in case, wait until you back in your state room before opening any food purchases you made off the ship.

Tong

Thanks offlady. Especially for your posting on Dec 1, it gave me lot of sight-seeing ideas. However, I am still struggling in getting a place to stay for Dec 10.

As I told MelissaHI in the email - if there is only me and my husband, I would just forget all about the hotel, and just sit on the beach for the night and then board the cruise ship ASAP in the morning. However, I am treating my daughter and her boyfriend for their first cruise. They are so so so excited. Really don't want to tell them that they may have to sleep in the airport or to sit on the beach for the night.

Ever since I started this hotel hunting, it has been a nightmare. Now, I feel like I had gotten myself into a disaster, not a vacation.

offlady

Have you checked with the Executive Centre Hotel? It is managed through ResortQuest. It is located right in downtown Honolulu's business & financial district which also happens to be near where you embark on to your cruise ship. Check this hotel because it is not normally used by tourists and vacationers, and consequently there might be rooms available because the marathon visitors will be concentrated in Waikiki. This hotel is used primarily for business purposes (i.e., business travelers in town primarily for work). The only drawback is that there is nothing surrounding the hotel once the sun goes down, and it is not a very nice area to be wandering around outside at night. However, it is very close to the ship's dock, and the rates are not as expensive as resort hotels. I've never stayed here but I have visited an attorney friend who owns an office on one of the lower floors in the same building and it appeared to be a nice building.

Another possibility is the Honolulu Airport Hotel. This might have been a Holiday Inn at one time, and it is just that--a typical Holiday Inn type of hotel with no frills. But it is inexpensive and close to the airport and not too far of a drive to the ship's pier. If all you are looking for is a place to shower and sleep, this could work for you. I have stayed here once and it is aging and definitely not a four star hotel but it served its purpose.

Also, while on Maui, I failed to mention that the Queen Kaahumanu mall is only about 3 blocks from the Maui Mall. So if you are willing to do a little walking, you can walk to that mall too instead of going to Maui Mall and catching the bus to the Queen K mall (the main bus transfer point).

Good luck!

MelissaHI

Tong did not, but I did...Executive Center GM says they are sold out.