Hawaii cruise on infinity

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colonel

Guest
I am going on the Sept. 26th sailing and have a question about the islands. Can any one tell me if one can visit the islands alone without going on a tour and still have things available to see and do( Museums, historical sights, volcanos, memorials, shopping etc.). We are not fond of organized tours but would like to be able to see the sights on our own. Is this relatively easy to accomplish. Any suggestions for "Must see: or "must do" from the ship on HILO, Kailua, Maui, Nawiliwili, and honolulu. Thanks for any insight you can give me.
 
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trailhiker

Guest
We are on the same cruise. Over the years we have grown more confident and do a lot of tours on our own. For instance, the best luau in Hawaii (so everyone says) is the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui. We booked it independently through Tom Barefoot Tours. It cost about the same as the ships luau tour, but is close enough to the ship to get to easily. We overnight there so no chance of missing the ship. We can stay out as late as we want.
We did a ships tour in Honolulu on disembarcation day as our flight isn't until 5:00 pm and who wants to wait around the airport all day or to risk not getting there in time. This way we will get off ship early and kill a few hours with a nice tour. We also booked the Volcanoes National Park tour through the ship. On Kauai we are meeting an old friend who is taking us all over the place and on the other days we will play it by ear. If worse comes to worse, we'll visit a local beach. We are probably going to hop on and off the bus in Honolulu on the first day there and since there is no risk of missing the ship as it stays there all night that plan should be fun.
We can hardly wait!!
 
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Shari2

Guest
Hi Colonel:

My husband and I cruised Hawaii a few years back on the Constitution. We did take a few ships' tours, but in Maui we just stepped off of the ship and there were many people offering to take us on specialized tours. We went with one young man, Phillip, who was wonderful. He took us anyplace we wanted to go, and he knew all the places we should see, and he also gave us a lot of information about the islands. We just agreed on a set price before we left. It turned out to be the best tour we've ever had and without the crowds.

You could also rent a car. You would have to check with the car rental places ahead of time, and check with the tourist department in Hawaii for maps and places you would want to go to. You might be able to do this on the net. Maybe someone else here will have some experience with car rental and booking tours from the net.

I recommend you not miss Voyagers National Park on Hilo(the volcano), and Waimea Canyon on Kauai(the grand canyon of the Pacific). It's beautiful!! Also, my husband did take a helicopter tour in Kauai to see quite a bit of Kauai from the air, and also along the Na Pali coast. He loved it! I also wouldn't miss the Arizona Memorial on Oahu, and we loved the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. Don't do the luau there, though, people say it's pretty bad. The show there, put on by students from all over the world is fabulous. Or at least it was when we were there. On Kona, we just walked around the port area and did some shopping. We were also within walking distance of Hilo Hatti's.

We also went to the Iao Valley Rain forest on Maui, and that was a beautiful area to see. Hope some of this helps. I also, was on the Infinity, but it was for a Panama Canal cruise. It's a beautiful ship! Have a fabulous cruise!

Shari



Post Edited (08-13-03 21:50)
 
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paulfredo

Guest
Hawaii is one of the places that is easy to do on your own. We have been there 10 times with number 11 planned for January 04, but only one while cruising. You can easily rent cars and see as much, more, and better, than booking through the ship. Tom Barefoots www.barefoothawaii.com is mentioned above, and we have been using them for years for our tours in Hawaii. They are very reliable, and will help you if you contact them, and they will reply email or phone.

paul
 
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johndeere

Guest
Yes i think you can do alot on your own. We have been to Hawaii several timesand i will give you my opinion,take it for what it is worth. Hilo..... One of the prettiest places on earth. we would rent a car and spent plenty of time seeing it. The small black sand beaches we found were wonderful. Kaui......Also gorgeous. the only way you can see the whole island is on a helicopter and well worth the cost. Maui.... more to see and do than you can possibly do.Great snorkeling etc. Old Lahina Luau Been to 5 or 6 it is the one we enjoyed the least. Have a great time......
 
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johndeere

Guest
hi again, If you have any specific questions i would be glad to answer them best I can. Sorry but wont be on the ship with you we are going on dec 2004 round trip from San diego Have a great time..
 
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trailhiker

Guest
Maybe you could sign up for the Cruise Connections get together through the Cruise Critics forum. Then we can all meet. Better wear a name tag! We are on the list already.
 
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CruiseAholic

Guest
Did Hawaii on the Summit in May 2002 and on the Dawn Princess in May 2003. There is alot you can do or arrange on your own.

Search the net and the local tourism sites and get the names of some tour opeators. We saw lots of people with rental cars or other tour operators.

If you are in Mauai overnight, arrange for a rental car and you'll be able to explore on your own.

In Kauai, make sure you get to Waimea Canyon, it is beautiful.

In Hilo, the Volcano crater (we were on a tour thru the ship) and get to the volcano flow, our tour didn't. I hear it is excellent.

Have a great time, it is a great way to see the islands !
 
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elaine B

Guest
Glad to hear you are visiting our islands on the Infinity. since we love that ship. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for fifteen years I can agree with all those who have already responded to you saying you can tour the islands yourselves. But a word of warning. On the Hilo side ot this island especially you will need to be careful if you have a rental car and stop at the tourist sites. Lock your car, hide everything you can in your trunk and take precautions against theft. Sadly the drug problem here has caused an increase in thefts and tourists are prime targets. Beach parking lots are susceptible on both sides of the island.. A little prevention can keep a fabulous trip from being ruined.
 
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