Monday, April 1, 2024

Hawaii cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

cruise around hawaii islands

Oahu is the turn-around port for Pride of America, so travelers should consider a pre- or post-cruise stay to see the sights. You can plop down in the sand on beautifully manicured strands of white sand or find more rugged volcanic black sand beaches. Look for beach parks with sheltered swimming areas for families or find a secluded beach away from popular tourist areas. Some beaches can have strong currents or rough seas during certain times of the year, so always exercise caution when swimming. Whether you're looking for utter relaxation or an adrenaline rush, you'll find plenty of things to do in Hawaii. The islands have much to offer families, couples and friends of all ages.

Interisland cruises

It’s usually slower and more expensive than what you might be used to on land. The top beach to visit is Matira Beach, often mentioned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is a perfect place to relax alongside dreamy palm trees on island hopping Hawaii cruises. If you prefer to get active, hike out to Mount Otemau— a black-rugged mountain that reaches an upwards of 2,385 feet in elevation. Later, check out the Tahiti Pearl Market which boasts some of the most beautiful and precious pearls in the world.

My Trip

The island is packed with everything from fast-paced city life to more slow-speed surf towns. You’re sure to find loads of activities, magnificent restaurants and enough beautiful vistas to keep your interest the entire stay. Want to read about the one Hawaiian island you won’t get to visit?

Paradise in the Pacific

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. The islands of Hawaii only offer a few cruise ports for ships to visit. (UnCruise Adventures is the exception, calling in a few smaller places that the big ships can't go.) All of them are top-notch, so it's hard to say which one is the best overall. Certainly, some ports are better for different types of activities. The shorter, one-way sailings are a good compromise for travelers who don't want to take a full two weeks or can't imagine 10 days at sea on one vacation but do want some relaxing time on the ship. The longer one-off journeys are more for folks wanting to explore a wide swath of the Pacific, with Hawaii being a small part of that deep dive.

Cruise lines modify Hawaii itineraries and donate toward Maui relief efforts - Travel Weekly

Cruise lines modify Hawaii itineraries and donate toward Maui relief efforts.

Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you decide to cruise to Hawaii during the months of April through mid-June, you can expect temperatures ranging between the mid-70s at night and mid-80s during the day. Spring marks the beginning of Hawaii’s dry season, explaining why the majority of cruise lines operate island hopping Hawaii cruises during this time frame. The weather on Hawaii cruises differs by the time of year you are visiting. Therefore, you should cater what you pack and shore excursions based on your specific island hopping Hawaii cruise itinerary. Cruise lines typically visit Hawaii on sailings during two separate time frames, noted as the best time to visit Hawaii. You can frequently find the best island hopping Hawaii cruises during the September to mid-December and the mid-April to mid-June time frames.

The best Hawaii cruises for easy island hopping

I probably don't need to convince anyone why Hawaii is an amazing vacation destination. You can also take advantage of Princess transportation, hotel, and sightseeing packages to discover these cosmopolitan cities. Ahi tuna has become famous all over America, most commonly seared and added to Asian-style salads. The best way to sample this Hawaiian favorite, however, is in bowl form.

If you enjoy them, then you will love a round-trip Hawaiian cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line bases only one ship in the region; other lines only sail to the islands seasonally. Booking early will not only guarantee you get the cabin type you want on the sail date you prefer, but may also get you the lowest prices and promotional booking bonuses (i.e. free stuff). In addition, unless you live on the West Coast, a Hawaii cruise will require a long flight either to California or Honolulu, so you'll want plenty of time to find an airfare deal or available award seat. That's because the cruise lines offer comparatively few Hawaii sailings as compared to Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, for example. Must-sees on Maui include the extinct volcano Haleakala (for sunset or sunrise visits or bike rides down the steep slopes), the twisty road to Hana with its waterfall views and many gorgeous white-sand beaches.

Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

cruise around hawaii islands

Cruises typically offer a range of dining options from buffets and main dining rooms to specialty restaurants, cafes, and room service. Pack casual summer clothing, swimwear, sunblock, comfortable walking shoes, formal attire for special nights on the cruise, and lightweight jackets for cooler evenings. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling on a Hawaiian cruise that begins and ends in the U.S., you do not need a visa.

Norwegian Cruise Line Hawaii 7-Night Hawaii Cruise Inter-Island from Honolulu

Kauai is home to tropical rainforests, fantastic waterfalls, a network of crystal-clear rivers, fine-pointed mountain spires, and rocky cliffs carved by time and nature. Its terrain can make it difficult to access by land, so cruising Hawaiian islands like Kauai is the best way to get a close-up look. If you are good with long flights, then you can fly to and from Hawaii and board a ship there to cruise from island to island. You get to spend a day or two at each island and then fly back home.

Holland America is a great choice for round-trip sailings that explore deep into the South Pacific. The shorter options, such as 10- and 11-night Hawaii cruises offered by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, sail between Vancouver and Honolulu, leaving you to book a one-way flight to or from Hawaii. Longer one-way sailings from upscale brands, such as Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea, will traverse the Pacific Ocean between Tahiti (or another far-flung island) and Vancouver or Seattle.

Visitors to Hawaii, especially first-timers, will want to experience as much of the islands as possible, and a cruise is one way to accomplish that. You can embark from any of several ports on the West Coast (or within Hawaii itself), and the convenience of not worrying about hotel changes or local transportation is a plus. Dates, prices, amenities, and itineraries vary, so picking a cruise requires some planning and research.

Getting around Hawaii is simple, as our cruises offer a variety of transportation options. You’ll be able to explore by bus, boat, private car, helicopter, and in some cases, even horse! You can also make use of public transportation, which is available in the larger cities. As with all our concierge cruises, the best part of booking through AAA is that your trip will be overseen by an experienced host who knows your itinerary like the back of their hand. Your host will handle all the complexities of the trip for you so that you can focus on relaxing.

Royal Caribbean® returns to Hawaii with two revolutionary Quantum Class ships, Ovation of the Seas® and Quantum of the Seas®. Hawaii might look like a postcard, but it's more than just a pretty face. Your Hawaii cruise will let you counterbalance naps on Waikiki with a tour of the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor or a visit to Iolani Palace, the residence of Hawaii's royal family.

Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall. As the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, it rarely pops up as a stop for cruise excursions, but its size and gorgeous shoreline make it worth seeing from the ship’s deck as you cruise by. Cruising will be a better option if you want to see multiple islands but don’t like small planes. You cruise from island to island at night and enjoy each of them during the day. Spending multiple days on each island is more conducive to a land vacation that includes airfare from island to island.

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