The "Big Island"

Our first port was Hilo. The town is on the island of Hawaii. It is called the "Big Island." I believe it is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined.

We booked a shore excursion. Our first stop on this excursion was the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. This was primarily a stop at their gift shop where we had free samples and purchased some good quality Macadamia Nut products.

We booked our excursions through the cruise line. This is not the cheapest option. You can wait until you get to port and book an excursion on your own. You can book an excursion in advance with a tour operator on your own. Some people, on this cruise, rented a car for the day at each port and went places on their own.

There are advantages to booking the excursion through the cruise line. The staff on the ship know where you are. If there is a problem, such as a vehicle breakdown, the ship will not leave without you. The ship does not sail until all excursions booked through the cruise line return.

You also know ahead of time what you are doing in each port. You are not standing on the dock trying to decide what to do. If you book an excursion in port on your own, you may not get the best possible tour. All the excursions offered by the cruise line are with tour operators who are insured, reputable and fully licensed.

If you book a tour with the cruise line, and the ship's itinerary is changed for any reason (which happened on this cruise), you do not pay for any cancelled excursions made with the cruise line. If required, they will attempt to reschedule excursions based upon the change in itinerary.

I am not saying that booking excursions with the cruise line is the best way. It is one option. It is a personal choice. Just understand the advantages and risks involved with each option.