Star now docking at Kahului

#1 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2002, 11:48 PM

It is utterly frustrating - we leave next Sunday, and I just found out that
NCL has again changed their itinery on Maui and is back to docking at
Kahului. We had planned to do the Old Lahaina Luau, since I had
heard it was the best, but now if we want to do a luau it will have to be
the ship one so that we can guarantee we get back to the ship before it
sails.

Does anyone have any information on how long the trip from Kahului
to Lahaina is? I understand they have continuous shuttles going. How
about helicopter rides in the area? Is it worth trying in the afternoon, or
does the weather preclude you seeing much?

Stargazerm31 · #2 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2002, 08:41 AM

35 minutes if the traffic cooperates and there is no road construction.

Howard · #3 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 11:58 PM

Just took cruise 5/12....The bus trip takes 45 minutes from start to end, plus any time waiting to board at dock, since they run every 30 minutes or so.

charles · #4 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2002, 12:14 AM

You are so lucky that they are now docking at Kahului. Tendering into Lahaina is a nightmare - especially with suitcases in tow. After wasting 45 minutes each way on the tender, you then need to get a bus or taxi to Kahului where just about every type of shore excursion begins. The only exception being the Luau.
But don't get me started on the Luau......................One of the biggest tourist rip-offs going.
Generally mediocre food, so-so entertainment, people herded like cattle, and at high prices. Heaven forbid it should rain - in which case you are herded into a really ugly hotel function room and experience something like a really bad wedding reception.

#5 (**permalink**) June 11th, 2002, 04:04 PM

hi bob...me again....you are so fortunate they have changed the docking...tendering is for the birds....take the shuttle to Laihana....many did, we drove...roughly 30-40 mins....and think you would have time for the luau although my experience with luaus is that you will feel ripped off...but need to experience once..we did years ago and it was a rip off even then....

if you want a helicopter ride, do it on Kauai....that is where it is fantastic...see the coastline you can't see any other way....we did it here several years ago and it was great! Maui I don't know...most times the crater is socked in, if they go that high....

we went back to Kauai after the cruise for a week...it is our favorite island...you'll see why...Max