How soon after port arrival to rent a vehicle

[alwayssingin]

We are planning to rent a car in several ports during our cruise (Maui, Kauai, Hilo). How soon after our scheduled arrival in port should we plan on being able to pick up our car? Since we will probably use Thrifty, will it even matter?

[shellysmom]

We were among the first people off the ship in Hilo and the shuttle was already there waiting for us. We got off the ship a little later in the other two ports and the first shuttle had filled up and left so we had to wait for them to come back for us. We waited only about five minutes in Maui and 20 or so in Kauai. I was told the 20 minute wait was unusually long and they were extra busy that day.

[threecats]

Kauai and Hilo shouldn't be a problem to get off the ship right away, so you could schedule the car for arrival time. Maui is a tender port, so it might take a while before you get on shore, because ship excursions might be taking up the first few tenders. But I'd think you should be able to make a reservation for 1/2 to 1 hour after arrival.

 

Renting a car in Hawaii is wonderful. Just make sure that their cancellation policy states that you're not being charged, if you can't get there. It is always possible that a port is missed due to weather, especially tender ports like Maui.