Cruise next fall to India, Sri Lanka, Phuket, and Malaysia
 

We will be taking a Celebrity Cruise next fall with the following ports: Goa, Cochin, Sri Lanka (Colombo and Hambantota), Phuket, Penang Malaysia (2 days) and Port Klang Malaysia. We have never been to any of these locations. We aren't fans of cruiseline port excursions as they spend a lot of time shopping and you wind up waiting for everyone to reconvene. Also my husband has a hard time hearing in a crowd. So the question is are any of these ports easy to get around and see sights by ourselves by walking or taking a taxi from the port? Would we be better hiring a car and a driver in the different locations and if so does anyone have recommendations? Thanks for your help!