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Skip the Shore Excursion? Rent a Car Instead
Published 11 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,
One of my favorite parts of traveling is exploring at my own pace.
Earlier this year, we sailed around Hawaii on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. Since we'd visited all of the islands before, we decided to skip most of the traditional shore excursions and rent our own transportation instead.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made on the trip.
During the cruise, we rented:
A car in Maui
A car in Kauai
A street-legal buggy on the Big Island in Kona
A car in Oahu after leaving the ship
Having our own transportation gave us the freedom to stop wherever we wanted, stay as long as we liked, and discover places that many organized tours simply drive past. We also found it was often less expensive than booking cruise excursions for two people.
If you enjoy exploring on your own, I'd definitely recommend considering a rental car in the right ports.
Maui
We rented an Enterprise car that was an easy walk from the cruise port and spent the day visiting waterfalls, scenic overlooks, beaches, and a few of our favorite spots around the island.
Kauai is one of my favorite Hawaiian islands to explore by car. We were able to create our own itinerary, stop whenever we wanted for photos, and enjoy the island without feeling rushed.
After our cruise ended in Honolulu, we picked up a rental car at the airport before our flight home. It gave us one more full day to explore Oahu instead of heading straight to the airport.
Sometimes adding just one extra day can make a vacation even better.
My husband in our Maui rental car. We had no luggage, so a sports car worked!
Travel Tip
When a Rental Car Makes More Sense Than a Shore Excursion
Renting a car isn't the best choice in every cruise port, but it can be an excellent option when:
The rental car office is close to the port or offers an easy shuttle.
You're comfortable driving in the destination.
You want the flexibility to choose your own schedule.
You're traveling with family or friends and can split the cost.
A rental car costs less than purchasing multiple shore excursions.
A few tips we've learned over the years:
Reserve your rental car as early as possible. Cars often sell out on cruise ship days.
Join a few Facebook groups for your cruise several months before sailing. They're a great place to ask questions and learn which rental companies other cruisers recommend.
Download offline maps before leaving the ship in case cell service is limited.
Leave yourself plenty of time to return the vehicle before all aboard. We usually plan to be back at least an hour early so we aren't stressed.
A little planning can give you a lot more freedom during your port day.
Travel App of the Week
Shaka Guide
If you're planning to explore Hawaii on your own, I highly recommend Shaka Guide.
The app uses GPS to provide driving directions, stories about the island, local history, and suggestions for scenic stops along the way. It's like having a personal tour guide riding in the car with you.
A couple of tips from our experience:
Download your tour before arriving on the island. Cell service can be spotty in some areas, especially along scenic coastal roads and in the mountains.
Bring a charging cable for the car. GPS navigation and audio tours can drain your phone's battery faster than you might expect.
We always travel with this 6-in-1 charging cable because it has USB-A, USB-C, and Lightning connectors. Both of our iPhones can plug into it, making it easy to stay charged without packing multiple cables.
Have you ever rented a car from a cruise port instead of taking a shore excursion? Hit reply and let me know where. I always enjoy hearing your travel tips and experiences.
P.P.S. Some links may be affiliate links, which means if you click and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Travel Must Do's.
Join Travel Must Do’s email list to get expert travel tips and unique destination ideas that'll make your next trip extraordinary. It’s the easiest way to access exclusive travel insights and inspiring stories that can’t be found anywhere else.
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