Maverick!

There is also the Turo option - we had the car delivered to us at the port, which we took to Eleele and used to tour around after the boat tour. Then we conveniently dropped the car off at the port on our return.

We dove with Kostas at GoDive Mykonos 2 years ago while we were in port on Celebrity Reflection. We appreciated the pickup/return drop off back to the ship, as well as that they could accomodate snorkelers in the same party on the boat dive out. The dive shop was also situated on a nice beach if others preferred to stay close to shore during the dive. Instructors were terrific, rental gear top notch, they took GoPro pictures to send out afterwards, different coral than in the Caribbean but we enjoyed our day very much.

Take a quick ferry to Les Trois Ilets could be a nice option.

Antilles Power Boats with Capt Phil and Rose hands down.

We took an unforgettable private Road to Hana tour this past July with Unique Maui Tours spending the day with our incomparable guide, Wendy. Our family of 4 were on the POA and wanted to see it all over the 2-day stop but wanted to avoid the big bus tours and crowds coming off the cruise that day. We elected to do the Road o Hana by the backway including the hike through the Pipiwai Trail and bamboo forest, which is a beautiful trail, very doable for even the recreational/infrequent hiker located on the backside (South-East Side) of Haleakalā National Park, we saw the Oheo Gulch bridge (aka 7 Sacred Pools), and visited the Black Sand Beach. We had incredible views, more waterfalls than can count up close (even swimming in Pua’a Ka’a Rolling Pig Waterfalls on the way back having it all to ourselves), seeing the dry/wet side of the R2H, and had lunch at the Hana Food Trucks. Wendy shared photos of our day with us and followed up after our great day - i was impressed with her personalized service; it was like being picked up and shown around by an old friend you haven't seen in ages. We will not soon forget her anecdotes, fun facts, cultural stories, songs (!) and the incredible memories of our first time in Maui. Wendy picked us up at the port (at the Maui Mall (right between Whole Foods and Longs Pharmacy, about 5-10 min walk from the gangway, through the port exit, across the street). Most Turo rentals, private tours will pick up there in the parking lot. Very easy. Unique Maui Tours has other formats to offer - custom adventures and sightseeing tour: West Maui, Haleakala, Upcountry as well, assuming you have a full day to do it. Setting up the tour was seamless, they are responsive and provided information and options to tailor your time in Maui to have the best experience. I highly recommend UMT and Wendy (as you can tell) and when we come back, we'll definitely ask for her to see the volcano.

You can contact her (Patricia - Patou Excursions Gwada) on Whatsapp at 590 690 85 71 42 or patou-excursions@orange.fr. Her website www.patouexcursionsbateaux.com i believe can toggle translation to English.

We just came back from a New Year's cruise and it was our 2nd time in Guadeloupe. It's hard not to fall in love with the island - there is much to do, most needing a staycation for the time it takes to see it all. You may have read that our day-sail organized with Patou to the Natural Marine Reserve in the Sainte Rose northwest part of the island from the ship in Point a Pitre, with a terrific group from our rollcall, was a hit. The natural sandbar islands in that area and snorkel stops, along with the sail up the Salt River Mangroves were one of the highlights of our trip. This time around, our fam of four cabbed it over to the west side of the island to Bouillante / Malendure Beach over the renowned Mamelles peaks in the Guadeloupe National Park to swim in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve and we scuba'd at the Pigeon Islands (where underneath are walls of coral and lots of marine life to observe - saw moray eels and array of lobster-like crustaceans, and fish of course). AT the port, we appreciated the beautiful graffiti artwork and didnt find it rundown or suspect at all. I would also recommend a short cab ride to Le Gosier for beach experience for those who dont want to stray to far from Pointe a Pitre. We brought EUROs to spend (as we would visiting Europe) and worked out great. The people above all were welcoming, friendly and easy to approach. We cant wait to go back!

This was the cost to charter the boat for the group, which included drinks, a full delicious 3 course hot lunch (ceviche appetizers, grilled chicken, lobster) , use of snorkel gear, SUP, and captain/free diver snorkel guide :)!

Depends what you enjoy.... We loved our speedboat tour up the Rivière Salée (Salt River) through the mangroves into the Grand Cul de Sac Marin Nature Reserve where we stopped at a snorkeling spot in the middle of the ocean, at a beautiful sandbar (Ilet Caret) and enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch cooked by our captain on a private island. We're thinking of heading to Jacques Cousteau marine reserve on our next visit. There are other tours 4x4 through Basse Terre to visit scenic waterfalls and La Soufriere (active volcano), Death in Paradise tours, beach visit to LeGosier or Sainte Anne beaches, Castle Point, black and white (Morne à l'Eau) cemetery, culinary tours/rum distillery visit, Botanical garden in Deshaies area...lots to see and do in Guadeloupe and so little time when docked for a day.

In Martinique and Guadeloupe, we've always brought Euros. Others in the tour group had to exchange the $.for the tour. Restos and small merchants in the market took Euros. Maybe market merchants may be open to strike a deal on $ but likely at a exchange in their favor.

Why would you be "skeptical" of Guadeloupe ? It is also a lovely place, with much to do, beautiful places to explore and friendly people. Perhaps not speaking French may present a small challenge for some visitors but I hope that doesn't prevent folks from appreciating the wonderful experiences this island has to offer. We are heading back a second time on a December sailing and looking forward to seeing more of the island.

I see you enjoy the Caribbean Princess ! 🙂 We are on the Dec 27 sailing.

We were a group of 10, including our fam of 4 and others from our Roll Call. For a full day with pickup/drop off at the marina right next to the gangway (about a quick 5 minute walk) delicious lunch with open bar and appetizers, it was about EUR1140 for the amazing outing to the Ile Caret sandbar, snorkel stop (saw lobsters, sea urchins) and private island.

On Oahu, we dove in Shark's Cove on the North Shore (with Banzai Divers Hawaii) - saw white-tipped sharks in the lava tubes, octopus, and turtles. Fairly shallow with rich coral, sea life, good visibility.

Sounds like you are on the NYE cruise Caribbean Princess ? If so, my family of 4, we are as well. I am newly certified and looking for a dive in Guadeloupe, along with a uncertified dive for my husband and son. There is the Jacques Cousteau reserve on the leeward side of the island that could be potentially interesting, especially if you would do a joint transport. If you find another, please let me know in our roll call. Thanks!

We stayed at the Outrigger Beachcomber in July post-cruise and loved it. After disembarkation off the POA early that morning, we arrived, stored our luggage until our room was ready. In the meantime, we had breakfast at the in-hotel cafe (French toast, eggs benedict, smoothies, all very yummy), wandered into the International Marketplace right next door (they even have an indoor dinner Luau) and the Waikiki strip outside has lots to peruse and take in, especially if you didn't have a chance to walkabout Waikiki pre-cruise. Tons of lunch and dining options. If those options don't interest, there is Waikiki Beach just across the street (or beachfront if you are at Outrigger Beach Resort). We visited Pearl Harbor on our own with pre-purchased tickets to the Arizona Memorial ($1 pp), did the pre-Memorial film and VR experience and caught the site tours, Captain's/Engineer Tour at the Mighty Mo'. Car rentals were easily accessible at the airport or we saw a rental location in the Waikiki Marriott Hotel not too far down the strip towards Diamond Head (about 9 mins walk).

Do you mean the medallion or rather, the phone App ? We've made reservations in advance of sail date via the App (no medallions required) with no issues so far.

If could be helpful, there is also a consolidator site <icigo.com > (with Englilsh language option at top right corner) that provides overview of all of the different land and water tours and activities available across the island as well as to the other smaller islands, like Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, La Desirade. Granted, most of the group packages, given the distances to west/east coast from Pointe-a-Pitre and early start times, are for those staying pre-cruise (e.g. MSC sailings) or for mostly French travellers doing land vacations. But it does give a good idea of how much the island has to offer and the tour operators are slowly starting to organize outings specific to cruise port calls and offer options to "privatize" the excursions for cruisers to customize own itineraries.

Maybe have a look on TripAdvisor for this one...One Day Boat Trip in the Grand Cul de Sac Marin. This tour has a similar itinerary to the one we did...

We're on the Caribbean Princess.

And the return ride by taxi to the cruiseport is included in the entrance to Boatyard. A snorkel ride out by boat to swim with turtles (or a ray if lucky) is also included.

The hours was an issue for us as well - but we managed to put a great group together from our roll call to make the private charter possible. We are going back to Guadeloupe this December so if we were on your sailing we'd definitely do it again 😜

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g147304-d2462218-Reviews-Patou_Excursions-Saint_Francois_Grande_Terre_Island_Guadeloupe.html WhatsApp +590 690 85 71 42 Patou-excursions@orange.fr

In addition to the Prince (which is less central but close to Ala Moana & the port) where we stayed 3 nights pre-cruise, we also stayed 3 nights post-cruise @ Outrigger Beachcomber in Waikiki- should be considered for its fantastic location, their cafe serves superb breakfast options and all around clean, comfortable, classy digs. A hop across the street to the beach, next door to International Market Place, and walking distance to many fine dining options. Roy Yamaguchi's Eating House was amazing!

To do Road to Hana and back to Kahului, and hike the Pipiwai Trail would take the whole day. The speed limit on the Road considering the narrow turns was on average 10-20 mph. We enjoyed every minute - the beauty of the landscape, waterfalls, forest, black sand beach, lava tube, is worth the effort. We are saddened to follow the devastation and chaos unfolding on Maui.