Trave OK

As the header says, while in the ports in Hawaii, should we rent a car on
each island and tour around or use a ships canned tour? We are only in port
for 10 hours at each place.

I have found several websites that offer the same tours (or better) than the
ship for less money. Upside to driving is you probably see more because you
are not crammed into the back of a bus and herded around. Downside is you
have to pay attention to the road and can't relax too much.

Does anyone out there have any experiences (good/bad) in renting a car while
in port?

Neb.

On Kauai and Maui we did ship's tours as we were doing snorkeling and
whale watching and this worked out very well for us.  On the big island
we did a volcano national park tour with a ship tour and it was awful.
We spent most of the time at the Mauna Loa visitor center being
encouraged to buy things and very little time visiting the volcano and
we were very disappointed in the quality of the tour.  So the next day
at our next stop on the big island we rented a car and it was fun, easy,
and a big relief.  If (when!) we cruise Hawaii again I would rent a car
at both stops on the big island.

Margaret

--
Margaret Fine

how long does it take to drive from honolulu to lihue
........>
lol
--

We just came back from Hawaii and I would recommend renting a car on
every island except at Honolulu (Oahu). We were a party of five and
rented a mini-van and had a ball. Cost per day was very reasonable.

Alamo had a van to take us to the rental office at every port, except
Honolulu, as did Avis and a couple others. We did our "What to See"
research on line and through the Guide Books. "Hawaii for Dummies" is
fresh and a good read.  Driving was easy and we got to some places the
buses would never reach: the literal end of the road a couple of times.

Honolulu was a really different situation; no shuttles to the car rental
office, no parking near the ship, lots of traffic. We used a free
shuttle supplied by one of the jewelry shops and got everywhere we
wanted to go.

A word of caution! Don't leave valuables in the car when you get out to
look at the beach, surf, blowholes, etc. We saw lots of glass from side
car windows in the parking lots along the beaches and viewpoints. Rental
car people said just leave the windows down and take your stuff with
you. Also, since we were in a mini-van there was no problem regarding
the trunk - there wasn't any.

Shipboard tours are convenient but you pay big bucks for the service.
You can get to where you want to see on your own schedule and you don't
have to wait while 40 other people buy their goodies!

Enjoy,
        John

I found very accomodating limo drivers in Maui (lahaina).. a viietnamese
(female) limo driver for about $50.00 for 2-3 hours.. and saw sights i never
would have seen in a canned tour... she actually took us to the Grand Waleia
Hotel.. a sight ill remember for the rest of my life.. she also took us to
black volcanic beach not far from a "hidden *** beach"  so to speak..  it
was very enjoyable.. i also did the canned trips to IO valley,  Moana Lai
and the fern grotto..  so theres good to both..

I absolutely agree, John.  You would think that at least ONE rental company
would have an office at the pier in Honolulu.

It may just be that with parking there already at a premium they just cannot
afford to keep cars there.

The first time there we rented a car at the airport, which required us to
cab there to pick up the car, and then cab back at night after we returned
it.

On trip #2 we had to cab downtown to get the car, and then, strangers in
town, try to find out how to return the car, and then cab back to the ship.
AND, we had to pay for parking the car every time we came back to the pier.

Honolulu is NOT rental friendly.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

Hi Nebula,

Renting a car at Hawaiian ports is probably the best way to go for most
passengers who have a bit of confidence and who act responsibly in
getting back to the ship on time. (I can tell you all about the pitfalls
of enjoying the drive and forgetting about the time.)

In Honolulu, Budget (808-921-5813) in Waikiki will arrange to have your
vehicle for you at Aloha Tower if you request a pier pickup when you
reserve the vehicle. There is no charge for this extra service and you
can rendezvous with the driver at the information booth located at the
pier.

Aloha

Thank you for the information, Mark.  I wish you had been here in 1999, or
if you were, I wish I had asked.

Since the only thing that we are interested in in Honolulu this time is the
Arizona tour we probably won't rent a car since we are only two people.

But anyone who rents a car in Honolulu really should know that unless you
have a day planned which does not require returning to the ship for a change
of clothes, or a nap before dinner, that there are no "in and out"
privileges, and that will end up costing you time and money.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

Quote:> Hi Nebula,

> Renting a car at Hawaiian ports is probably the best way to go for most
> passengers who have a bit of confidence and who act responsibly in
> getting back to the ship on time. (I can tell you all about the pitfalls
> of enjoying the drive and forgetting about the time.)

> In Honolulu, Budget (808-921-5813) in Waikiki will arrange to have your
> vehicle for you at Aloha Tower if you request a pier pickup when you
> reserve the vehicle. There is no charge for this extra service and you
> can rendezvous with the driver at the information booth located at the
> pier.

> Aloha

We did it both ways. The first time we took ship tours at each island and
noticed several folks had rented cars. We wised up on our 2nd Hawaiian
cruise and made car rental reservations in advance for most ports. If you
are staying in Honolulu either pre or post cruise, cars can be rented easily
near the Hyatt in Waikiki or if you stay at the Kahala Mandarin there is a
National car rental desk right in the lobby. I wouldn't recommend a car for
Oahu unless you want to see the island like we did. Parking and traffic is
horrible in and around Honolulu. No problem mon.

Quote:> As the header says, while in the ports in Hawaii, should we rent a car on
> each island and tour around or use a ships canned tour? We are only in
port
> for 10 hours at each place.

> I have found several websites that offer the same tours (or better) than
the
> ship for less money. Upside to driving is you probably see more because
you
> are not crammed into the back of a bus and herded around. Downside is you
> have to pay attention to the road and can't relax too much.

> Does anyone out there have any experiences (good/bad) in renting a car
while
> in port?

> Neb.