Volcano National Park

[beachchick]

When are you cruising and on what ship? I know we can get taxis in Oahu. Will go to the Arizona. Kaui I would like to go to the Iao needle so need pricing. The other day there we will see the local sights and go to the beach Kaanapali. Hilo National Park for sure. Kona we will do the shuttle.

Hard to plan. Just waiting to hear from people about the prices of taxis or tours at the wharf. We never had any problems in Soth America or on the Panama cruises. Always lots of people waiting at the docks.

I really don't want to do the ships tours

Sherrill

 

Aloha. You are on the Summit, so you will almost certainly be tendered at Lahaina in Maui. A taxi to and from Iao Valley/Needle will cost well over $100, probably closer to $150. To get to Ka'anapali from Lahaina, the cheapest and easiest thing to do is take the shuttle. One of the stops is at Wharf Cinema Center, which is right across Front St. from the tender pier area. If you want to have an escorted island tour and then beach stop at Ka'anapali, you really need to find a tour company and book the day you want in advance. It is not likely to be cheap--others have mentioned private tours as being often $100 p/p or more, but I have no knowledge or experience with those. If you wanted a boat excursion, there are many different types of boats right there at the Lahaina harbor. Also, there are excursion consolidators along Front St., but be aware that the super cheap prices you see require you to attend a time-share presentation (no thank you!). Most also offer slightly discounted activities with no time share. Maui's bus system has recently been expanded, but I don't know if Iao is on the routes (I kind of doubt it, but you never know).

 

Taxi from the pier in Honlulu to Pearl Harbor wouldn't be too cost-prohibitive (maybe $50 total or a bit more r/t).

 

The beach shuttle in Kona goes down Ali'i Dr. to Kahalu'u Beach Park (with at least one other beach stop). It doesn't go anywhere else (at least it hasn't in the past to my knowledge). There are probably shuttles to Hilo Hatties and maybe Wal-Mart (or similar). There are also activity consolidators along Ali'i in Kona.

 

Hilo is pretty much the only port where there will be tour vendors with vans lined up at the pier to take you to VNP and/or other local places. I have no idea about prices, but I think I remember overhearing a mom and daughter discussing it (while we waited for our rental car shuttle) and the price that sticks in my head is $40 p/p.

 

Other than that, there are not bunches of tour vendors or taxis lined up at the pier (as you've experienced on past cruises). There will be taxis, but they are regular taxis which charge regular fares. There will be shuttles to places like Hilo Hatties (for shopping), which is sometimes near other popular things to do.

 

You might want to check the websites "101thingstodo" and "go-hawaii" as they may have links or recommendations for private excursion companies.

 

Hope that helps you plan.

 

beachchick

[Ontario Cruiser]

Thanks Beachchick

You were a wealth of information. I have taken note of everything you said. Might do one ship's excursion in Maui and the rest on our own. It was good to know that we could pick up some type of excursion when we arrive in Hilo

Sherrill:)