Tour Details
Hawaiian Cruise | January 23 - February 2, 2025
Group Flight Information
Thursday, January 23, 2025
- United Airlines #253 – Depart Houston Bush Airport @ 9:30AM/Arrive Honolulu @ 2:28PM
Saturday, February 1, 2025
- United Airlines #252 – Depart Honolulu @ 8:20PM/Arrive Houston Bush @ 7:53AM (February 2)
You will not be able to check in ahead of time for your flight
On Thursday, January 23, plan to arrive to the Houston Bush airport, Terminal C by 7:30AM and meet a representative from Prelude Tours at the United Airlines ticket kiosks. Upon arrival, you can begin the check in process by presenting your driver’s license or passport to the ticket agent (or use a kiosk) to receive your boarding pass. If applicable, verify your TSA number and\or your United Mileage number with an agent to be sure it is linked to your ticket. Also, it is recommended to inquire about your seats for the flights. The airlines assign seats with groups and it is not always what was requested. Once you have tagged and dropped your checked bag and have seen the Prelude Tours representative, you are free to proceed through security to the gate.
Passport or State certified birth certificate needed for boarding the cruise
You will need either of these documents to board the cruise ship. A state certified birth certificate can be ordered from the State Health Department. It must be notarized by the state and cannot be a copy of the original.
Time and weather in January/February
Average temperatures range from 65-80 degrees. The region is on HST (Hawaiian Standard Time) – 4 hours behind central standard time.
Luggage/Weight Restrictions
Each person is allowed one checked bag (up to 50lbs), one carry-on bag, and one personal item. Checked bag fees are not included in the tour cost. Be sure your checked bag is tagged with your name and contact number. It is recommended to have a change of clothes, valuables and medication in your carry on in case of lost luggage. You will be required to manage your luggage during the tour.
Recommended Dress
Comfortable casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the cruise. Raincoats and light jackets may be necessary. Attire for dinners on the cruise ship is also casual but is a personal choice if you prefer to dress up for the evenings.
Medications
Medications do not need to be carried in their original bottles. We do suggest that you have a list of your medication in your wallet or emailed to you in case of lost medication or an emergency.
Cruise Gratuities
Cruise gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour and will be added to your ship billing account upon check out.
Cameras\iPad\Laptops
You are encouraged to take photos throughout the tour to share with your friends and post to social media. We do not recommend packing valuable electronics in your checked baggage but rather in your carryon bag.
Emergency contact number while traveling
The Prelude Tours office number 281.667.1057 will be forwarded to a cell phone and will be answered 24 hours a day while on tour in case of emergencies. The Prelude Tours email address, preludetours@gmail.com, will also be checked frequently during the tour.
Hairdryers
All hotels and cruise cabins will provide hairdryers in the room. It is recommended to locate the hairdryer upon checking into your room and request one if it is not there.
Travel Insurance
If you have purchased travel insurance, it will be helpful to have your policy number accessible in case of emergency. If you have not purchased travel insurance, you can purchase up to 24 hours before departure. Travel insurance not only protects your tour in case of cancellation or interruption but also offers coverage for medical and dental expenses while traveling as well as lost and\or delayed bag coverage. Information for travel insurance can be found at www.preludetours.com/travel-insurance/.
Brief overview of itinerary: (subject to change based on Norwegian Cruise Line schedule)
- Thursday, Jan 23 – arrive Honolulu, transfer to Embassy Suites, Waikiki Beach (201 Beach Walk, Honolulu) for 2 nights
- Friday Jan 24 – Group tour of Pearl Harbor or Island Tour of Oahu – evening free
- Saturday, Jan 25 – morning at leisure, depart hotel @ 1:00PM for cruise port – sail @ 7:00PM
- Sunday, Jan 26 – Arrive Maui @ 7:00AM for 2 nights
- Monday, Jan 27 – Depart Maui @ 6:00PM
- Tuesday, Jan 28 – Arrive Hilo @ 8:00AM – Depart @ 6:00PM
- Wednesday, Jan 29 – Arrive Kona (tender boat service) @ 7:00AM – depart @ 5:30PM
- Thursday Jan 30 – arrive Kauai @ 8:00AM for 2 nights
- Thursday, Jan 30 – Group Luau (included in tour cost)
- Friday, Jan 31 – Depart Kauai @ 5:30PM
- Saturday, Feb 1 – Disembark @ 8:00AM for group island tour of Oahu or Pearl Harbor visit
Depart for airport @ 4:00PM – flight departs @ 6:44PM - Sunday, Feb 2 – Arrive Houston Bush Airport @ 7:53AM
Shore excursions/spa services/specialty dining reservations
These services can be booked though the app prior to boarding the ship. It is recommended to pre book shore excursions to be guaranteed a reservation as some excursions do sell out prior to boarding.
Amenities included for each cabin
- $50 Shore excursion Credit
- $100 onboard credit – can be used for any onboard purchases
- 150 minutes of wi-fi
- 10 free photos
Before You Sail...
An email was sent to each passenger on September 27, 2024 with your reservation number and cabin number. This email contained specific instructions regarding downloading the Norwegian Cruise line app to your phone or tablet. You will need to access your reservation on the app or at www.ncl.com to print your cruise boarding pass before sailing.
Online check in via the app or ncl.com by each guest is required to board the ship – You will not be able to check in until 21 days prior to sailing (Jan 4)
If you are not able to use the online check in feature, you will need to ask for assistance from a family member or friend to help with this process and print the required documents. Prelude Tours will not be able to provide your boarding documents because it is under each individual name. The documents do not have to be printed so long as you can access it on your phone.
