Hawaii shore tour help needed

[thebeav]

What are the best shore tours to take on a Hawaiian cruise? This is my first time in Hawaii. We will be on the “Pride of Aloha” July 4th cruise. Our group totals 8, with ages 13-83. Please be specific. It can be anything from an all day tour to a small hole in the wall you stopped in for a cold drink.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Nanner]

Hey, Beav! You will find this board a great help. I just returned from our first Hawaii cruise and here's a couple of thoughts for you...

You can save big bucks by booking your own shore excursions. We sure did. Is it a requirement that you all do the same thing on every island?

Reason I'm asking is that the 83 year old may find a mild kayak/hike on Kauai too much, but the 13 year old would adore it. Anyone with the ability to row 2 easy miles (no waves) and walk a half mile can do the trip,and it was wonderful. We booked with Aloha Kayaks and for $78 each got a good lunch and a great tour and a chance to splash around and use a rope swing. There are other companies that do the same basic route.

I don't know if you have extra days anywhere, or really long ones. We enjoyed the Old Lahaina luau on Maui immensely, though I would plan on taking a taxi as it's a long walk from the pier (if your boat does Lahaina vs. the other side of the island).

You really should see Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, there is more to see and do than at Haleakala.

We had two days on Oahu, and spent one day doing a bus tour around the island. Getting out of Honolulu is a great idea if you have time. You see the island, not just another big city (albeit with palm trees). The Pali lookout is breathtaking. If you want to get in touch with nature, go to the Audubon-run Waimea Valley. Those who want to swim can take their suits and have a dip in the waterfall's pool, which is great fun. They did have golf carts to shuttle those with mobility issues.

Okay, now I'll let the locals give you some ideas, as well as other cruisers. Jsut thought you'd like another first-timers feedback.

Nancy D.
Next destination? Alaska!

[GottaLuvCruising]

With 8 people, I'd definitely rent a van (or two cars, if multiple interests) and make your way around the islands. We just returned from a Hawaiian cruise and rented cars in all but one port. My review gives details of each day if you'd like to read it:


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=844109981"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=844109981[/url]

[kmk24]

Nanner,
Where did book the excursions for the kayak/hike and the Pali lookout. The swim in the waterfall's pool sounds awesome. Can all of these be booked in advance? Any other ideas?

Terry
Pride of Aloha July 18,2004

[spleen93]

Renting a car and driving to the Pali lookout in Honolulu is easy to do (just go up Pali Highway and look for the signs). Otherwise, Roberts Hawaii is the big tour operator on Oahu ... ([url="http://www.roberts-hawaii.com/"]website[/url]). She'll have to help you with the kayak information though. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Spleen

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