Thread: Suggestions for tours/excursions not booked with the cruiseline

Hey everyone!

I have been wondering if I should book my excursions through Princess when they are available or if people know of a company that is good to work with/lower cost than paying the markup of the cruiseline for excursions in Hawaii.

When going to the caribbean and mexico, I stuck with excursions booked through the cruise line, but, when we did stop in Key West on one occasion, I booked the parasailing myself for a much lower cost; I figured the company was governed by United States standards, which is what we will encounter in Hawaii as well (obviously).

I was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction on where to look up different excursions. We will be in:

6Hilo, Hawaii11:00 AM6:00 PM7Kona, Hawaii8:00 AM6:00 PM8Honolulu, Hawaii7:00 AM11:00 PM9Kauai (Nawiliiwili), Hawaii8:00 AM5:00 PM10Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii8:00 AM6:00 PM

Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are not exactly sure what we are looking for, so we are completely open to anything that is a "must see" while there.

Thanks in advance

CT

Go to this site and look around for things in the areas you'll visit. There are many private companies which offer excursions, and they all know cruise ship passengers have to be back by a certain time.

Hawaii's Official Tourism Site -- Travel info for your Hawaii vacation

In Hilo, look up KapohoKine Adventures.

Group Adventure Tours Hawaii - Hawaii Volcano Excursion - Big Island Tour Deals - Hilo Hawaii Volcano Hiking Tour

We did their Secrets of Puna tour, which was fabulous. We booked through the ship, but I think they do independent tours and small groups also.

I think a must see is the helicopter tour over the volcano on the big island. We've driven to it and flown over it. Both ways of seeing it are great, but I have to say that helicopter ride is really the best. Flying over red hot flowing lava...seeing places where the lava nearly covered a town...seeing the vast expanse of the lava flows that you just can't appreciate from a car or on foot...memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life!

Thanks everyone!! You've given me some great starting points! I appreciate the links!!

p.s. Do they give valium out before those helicopter tours texashorselady? lol; not sure if I could do the helicopter ride, I'm a big chicken when it comes to heights. I was actually looking at a couple, because it sure seems like the way to see it all, I just don't know if I could handle it once I was up there, and I wouldn't want to ruin my hubby's experience. Maybe I should send him up with the video camera and I can sit on the beach and learn to surf from a tan guy that is able to skip quarters off his abs (well, it IS a dream vacation after all, lol)

Thanks all!!

CT

Originally Posted by PursuingPhD

Thanks everyone!! You've given me some great starting points! I appreciate the links!!

p.s. Do they give valium out before those helicopter tours texashorselady? lol; not sure if I could do the helicopter ride, I'm a big chicken when it comes to heights. I was actually looking at a couple, because it sure seems like the way to see it all, I just don't know if I could handle it once I was up there, and I wouldn't want to ruin my hubby's experience. Maybe I should send him up with the video camera and I can sit on the beach and learn to surf from a tan guy that is able to skip quarters off his abs (well, it IS a dream vacation after all, lol)

Thanks all!!

CT

LOL...wow...you do dream big!! You just need to have a few margaritas or mai tais and get up the courage and go get on that helicopter. It's awesome and it's worth it. On our flight, we were with a couple that was very nervous, but after a couple of minutes their fascination overcame their fear.

Speaking of videos, you can buy a video of yourselves in the helicopter and the scenery...a really great souvenier to share with friends and family. Hey, just think how they'll all be so impressed with your bravery!

If you aren't afraid of depths, you can go on the submarine ride. It sounds cheezy, but it was actually fun...just going down in a submarine was cool...and we saw a lot of sealife. This was off the coast of Maui.

Looking out the window of our submarine....this was 133 feet down.

The Peal Harbor visit was wonderful...if you have time I highly recommend it. If you go, be sure to see both the museum AND the USS Ariziona.

How's this for making you want to cruise Hawaii? This is our cruise ship taken from our sunset sailboat excursion...