February 16th, 2024 - 15-Night South Pacific Cruise from Sydney to Honolulu (Noumea, Lautoka, Pago Pago, American Samoa, Kahului)

[Pixie Dust Believer]

What a great trip! We did the Hawaii to Vancouver cruise last year and it was wonderful... you will love it!!

This May we will be on the Dream for 23 nights in a row and we cannot wait!!!

Too funny. We were on the Hawaii to Vancouver last year and then we are on the same three cruises you are on in May. And now this one too! Excited for all the time onboard!

 

[readyplayer]

Hi All can't wait for the cruise quick??? my posts keep getting deleted is that happening to anyone else?

Nope

 

[JAM9842]

Too funny. We were on the Hawaii to Vancouver last year and then we are on the same three cruises you are on in May. And now this one too! Excited for all the time onboard!

Great minds think alike!

 

[MnkyGirl]

I know you said there are 2 Marriotts disney is using which one is closer and cheaper lol

So Disney is using the Marriott and the Hyatt. They're both about the same distance from the port, the Marriott is closer to the train and ferry stations. The Marriott is definitely going to be cheaper than the Hyatt, but I don't have quotes on the Hyatt because we had already decided on the Marriott. Disney quoted me $562 for one night at the Marriott, the hotel quoted me $405 (if you look it up online, remember that they are most likely quoting AUD not USD, so you have to do the exchange.) Just remember that if you book on your own with the hotel you may not be eligible for transfers. It seems DCL changes their mind on that frequently and it also depends on the city. lol
Generally we book a hotel on our own within walking distance of the port, but this time we are most likely going to stay with the Disney recommendation because it's one of the closest hotels to port (there really aren't any close to port in Sydney) and it's centrally located to everything we had planned to do.

 

[JAM9842]

I just received an email from DCL that we will be going to Suva, Fiji instead of Lautoka.

 

[MnkyGirl]

Just an FYI, someone on the main section of the boards is posting about their trip last year to the South Pacific, y'all might find some useful stuff! (sounds like they'll also be on our cruise!) https://www.disboards.com/threads/south-pacific-trip-planning-thread.3915683/

 

[carolsherman]

Is Fiji better?

 

[MnkyGirl]

Is Fiji better?

The cruise has always been scheduled to stop in Fiji (Lautoka was the original stop), we're just scheduled to port in the capital city (Suva) now on the opposite side of the island from Lautoka. The official word they sent in the email was "to provide a more enjoyable experience for guests"
I would guess it has something to do with excursion contracts lol

 

[carolsherman]

great I'm so excited to go somewhere I haven't been

 

[DisneyConvert]

I am so excited that DCL is going to SE Asia (and coming back!).
We will be jumping on the Wonder in Hawaii and coming back to VCVr, but will want to hear lots of news about how DCL CM's and passengers enjoyed Australia and the South Pacific.
.
The interesting contrast will be DCL Wonder vs the new (large, inherited?) ship that will be based in Singapore and possibly be aimed at a different market and offer different amenities. It's going to be fascinating.

 

[JAM9842]

I am so excited that DCL is going to SE Asia (and coming back!).
We will be jumping on the Wonder in Hawaii and coming back to VCVr, but will want to hear lots of news about how DCL CM's and passengers enjoyed Australia and the South Pacific.
.
The interesting contrast will be DCL Wonder vs the new (large, inherited?) ship that will be based in Singapore and possibly be aimed at a different market and offer different amenities. It's going to be fascinating.

We did HNL to VCN last year on the Wonder and it was amazing! You will love it!

 

[Disneypeach]

Hey all,
I called my TA yesterday to book DCL transportation from the ship to the airport in Honolulu at the end of this cruise and my TA was told by DCL that it hasn’t been arranged yet but they were certain it would be eventually. I figure I’ll give them a couple of months and check again.

 

[Penny4Linda]

I KNOW!!! LOL That's the problem with going on a cruise to places they haven't been yet hahahahaha You have to wait until last minute. But you CAN get an idea about what cruises usually offer by looking at other cruise lines.
We are excited because we are getting at least 3 (maybe 4!) National Park Stamps in our National Park passports. (Who woulda thought we could get so many in the middle of the Pacific???) I think there's a pretty good chance that Disney will offer excursions to the parks, but I'm working on planning day trips for them "just in case"

Oh! This is great info. Let me add my NP passport to my packing list!

 

[JAM9842]

I got our Australian Visa’s approved this week! One more thing to check off the list!

 

[readyplayer]

I got our Australian Visa’s approved this week! One more thing to check off the list!

Did you apply for the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) visa? If so, how long did it take and how much did they charge? TIA

 

[JAM9842]

Did you apply for the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) visa? If so, how long did it take and how much did they charge? TIA

Yes, it is completed through an app called iVisa. It cost $82 each and was approved within 24 hours.

 

[JAM9842]

I have been checking...and checking...and checking and today DCL has Port Adventures up for our cruise!!!!

 

[readyplayer]

I have been checking...and checking...and checking and today DCL has Port Adventures up for our cruise!!!!

Yea!!! https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/south-pacific/

 

[paulasillars]

Hi all, I'm on this cruise too. We hae done several Disney cruises but its been a while.

We are based in the Gold Coast, Queensland.

I've been to all the stops on the itinerary in the past (except Pago Pago) so if anyone wants any tips please let me know.

 

[JAM9842]

Hi all, I'm on this cruise too. We hae done several Disney cruises but its been a while.

We are based in the Gold Coast, Queensland.

I've been to all the stops on the itinerary in the past (except Pago Pago) so if anyone wants any tips please let me know.

Welcome!!!

What would you recommend doing in Fiji? That is the only port I have not found a good fit for us.