Tours at Hawaiian piers? Maui, Honolulu, Kona, Hilo?

[hartskys]

Are there tours offered when you get off the ship at Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Kona, Hilo?

Does anyone have recommendations?  First time visiting Hawaii and struggling when researching to figure out what to do.  Definitely doing Pearl Harbor and found another snorkeling/whale watching tour in Maui we were interested in but the ship is coming in too late to catch the tour and it's over an hour away from the pier we are coming into. 

We have cruised to the Caribbean several times...Excited for Hawaii for sure! :)

Edited December 13, 2018 by hartskys

[CruiserBruce]

There will be some vendors at the pier, but not a huge number. Can't vouch for quality...the tourism business is huge in Hawaii, and sucks up a lot of resources. You got to wonder why that vendor at the pier doesn't have business already booked, if they are reputable.

[Beachiekeen]

Hawaii is not like the Caribbean where you can catch a taxi tour, walk around and shop, wing it when you get there, etc. Best  to do some research and have a plan for each port when you get there. You will want to get out of the port areas to  really see the islands.

[Silver Sweethearts]

19 hours ago, hartskys said:

Definitely doing Pearl Harbor and found another snorkeling/whale watching tour in Maui we were interested in but the ship is coming in too late to catch the tour and it's over an hour away from the pier we are coming into. 

 

 

The POA will be in Kahului for two days, and you should have ample time to catch a tour Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.  While Lahaina is about an hour away from the ship, Maalaea Harbor offers much the same thing and is only about half an hour away.

[boulders]

At Hilo, I'd recommend going to Volcanoes National Park. 

 

At Kona, there are several good tours. Mauna Kea, beaches, coffee farm, seahorse farm....

[Cyn874]

What is the Seahorse farm? I haven't seen anything like that in the Princess excursions list.

[Silver Sweethearts]

1 hour ago, Cyn874 said:

What is the Seahorse farm? I haven't seen anything like that in the Princess excursions list.

 

Try Seahorse.com for information about it.

[Budget Queen]

On 12/12/2018 at 8:40 PM, hartskys said:

Are there tours offered when you get off the ship at Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Kona, Hilo?

Does anyone have recommendations?  First time visiting Hawaii and struggling when researching to figure out what to do.  Definitely doing Pearl Harbor and found another snorkeling/whale watching tour in Maui we were interested in but the ship is coming in too late to catch the tour and it's over an hour away from the pier we are coming into. 

We have cruised to the Caribbean several times...Excited for Hawaii for sure! :)

What ship are you on?    Sounds.  like single day port visits,  a round trip from California?   You don't have 2 days in Maui?  

 

Frankly-  it's a big mistake to try and arrange tours when you get there from the dock.  What is preventing you from having plans in place prior?     Hawaii has nothing in common with the Caribbean.  :)  

 

Do your homework-  and figure out what you want to see and do in each port.   Get your plans,  reservations in place before you get there.  

 

 

[cb at sea]

A good guidebook on Hawaii might help you decide WHAT you would enjoy...and if you have a full day in each place, a rental car is the best way to do your own thing!

[cruislovin]

This is where we will be visiting on our cruise.  What tours are recommended as the highest priority?  We are experienced cruisers but have never been to Hawaii.  We enjoy beaches, national parks, sea life and nature, snorkeling, local cuisine.

 

Honolulu

Kailua-Kona

Maui (Lahaina)

[CruiserBruce]

Whatever excursion interests you the most is the highest priority. Limited capacity excursions, like helicopter rides, would probably also be a priority.

 

When you are going could be important. For Maui, whale watching is December into early April.

[hartskys]

Thanks everyone - we have tours booked on most of the islands so we don't have to waste time at the pier.  We will be on the Carnival Splendor in about a week. So excited!