Hawaii islands cruise tips

[pahoachick]

We took our 1st Hawaii cruise before we'd decided to move here from the mainland. We did the 2nd cruise with some family members after we'd been here a few years. We love cruises so it was fun for us both times. The 2nd time, we rented a car on Kauai and on Oahu and did our own "shore excursions," and of course we used our own car when we docked in Hilo. We love snorkeling, so we signed up for snorkeling tours in Kona and on Maui, but we could easily have made our own arrangements. If we have mainland visitors again who want to do the cruise, I would go again - it makes a nice, low-pressure family reunion.

Just a note - I've cruised on NCL in the Caribbean and in the Mexican Riviera. The Hawaii cruise ship is less impressive and the staff doesn't seem to be as helpful as they were on the other cruises. If you want a luxurious cruise, you may be disappointed with the Hawaii itinerary. For me, though, it's relaxing just to be at sea so I was happy.

[coppercoin40]

Onshore excursions are expensive, rent a dent and take your own self guided excursion.

[pahoachick]

Yes, shore excursions are expensive. However, if you do a self-guided tour, you will be left behind if you don't make it back to the ship in time before it leaves for the next port. If you book an excursion through the ship, on the other hand, the ship will wait for you if the excursion runs late. That guarantee has saved me several times when a tour ran late due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Having said that, though, I usually do a self-guided tour at least half the ports.