Excursions taken from local individual ports

[gbcheetah]

We will be on Carnival Spirit in October with stops in Nawiliwili Kauai, Kona, Hilo and Kahului Maui. Not overly pleased with shore excursions seen on Carnivals site and pricing. On Caribbean cruises there are usually many people at the ports where the ship docks selling excursions, sometimes good ones sometimes not. Are there any local people like this selling excursions at any of these stops and additionally are these stops within walking distance to other activities such as shopping, etc.

[shemo]

You will have no problem getting a tour from a local operator on the pier.

 

If you decide to rent a car do so well in advance as cars can sell out. Most cars are at the airport and the companies will send a shuttle to the ship. You should double check on a dock shuttle when you rent the car just to make sure. Gas will cost about as much or more than the cost of the rental for one day.

 

If you decide to walk here's what's available.

Hilo- city bus (great, goes to downtown/flea market) and Hilo Hattie shuttle (I don't recommend because the store is in a big shopping area with nothing of interest nearby)

Kona- Hilo Hattie shuttle good. Walk on main street, cute with historic palace and church and shopping/restaurants/bars/small beach. Private, free shuttle to nice craft style shopping market (can't remember the name, but everyone knows it)

Lahaina- Hilo Hattie shuttle then walk back to dock. Lots of restaurants/bars/shopping/views.

Kahului- I always rent a car. Possibly some shuttles to shopping center.

Lihue- Nice little shopping center/craft center/fabulous beach side hotel w/in walking distance.