Hawaii Cruises Start Your Memorable Adventure

When in Honolulu, you can delve deeper into the islands' natural history with a visit to the Bishop Museum or head to Iolani Palace to see how Hawaiian royalty lived in the late 19th century before the U.S. annexed the islands. The Royal Hawaiian Center in the heart of Waikiki also offers free cultural programming that includes hula and ukulele lessons. Using sunscreen in the islands is key if you want to prevent severe sunburn, which can happen quickly, especially in the middle part of the day. Hawaii's location (it is about 1,300 miles from the equator) means the sun's rays are more intense than they are in much of the mainland U.S. You'll also be spending the majority of your time outdoors, so as added protection it's a smart idea to also pack an SPF-rated swim shirt or rash guard to wear while enjoying water-based activities.

Roundtrip Vancouver

Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. Sail aboard one of our contemporary ships from Vancouver, British Columbia or Honolulu, Hawaii and bask in the perfect combination of adventures and culture ashore and relaxing days at sea. Uncover the islands’ complex history, from the royal family to Pearl Harbor. Sample island-grown produce, bathe under waterfalls, and discover the dazzling reefs of the underwater world.

Experience the islands on board and ashore

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. 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. 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.

Oahu (Honolulu) Shore Excursions

You don't have to be a true cruiser to love UnCruise, but you do need a large budget, as intimate adventures don't come cheap. The best Hawaii itinerary in my opinion is Norwegian Cruise Line's seven-night round-trip Honolulu sailings on Pride of America. The U.S.-flagged ship is the only big ship able to sail interisland itineraries without calling on a foreign port. I probably don't need to convince anyone why Hawaii is an amazing vacation destination. It has everything — gorgeous beaches, fabulous snorkeling and diving spots, scenic hiking trails, fascinating local culture and history, delicious cuisine, renowned resorts and golf courses, and plentiful waterfalls and rainbows. However, it's not all paradise in the Hawaii cruise world because itineraries are limited.

Citizens also require a passport for entry into both the U.S. and Canada (and the countries visited on our transpacific cruises). It is your responsibility to check your government’s website for the latest information about entry and visa requirements. If you have chosen to visit Hawaii as part of a transpacific cruise, you’ll also need a passport. For Hawaii cruises that either begin or end in Vancouver, Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. The combination of coconut palms, ice-cold cocktails, gorgeous beaches, and the beauty of the underwater world offers the perfect escape for couples.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

The Seattle cruise port and Vancouver port also provide a number of different itineraries to Hawaii during the season. We add new itineraries every day so you'll find a variety of options when you find your next cruise to Hawaii with Cruise Critic. These unique itineraries allow you to explore two of the world’s most popular destinations, Hawaii and French Polynesia, in one vacation. Departing from Pape’ete or Honolulu, these itineraries have been designed to help you make the most out of your time in the region.

And in between, fill your days with endless onboard thrills like RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator, delicious dining options and top-notch entertainment. Hawaii offers a tropical twist on the hip travel hobby called "forest bathing." It's all the rage among spiritually minded travelers these days and a great way to see nature close. Hike to Rainbow Falls on the Big Island, or through the lush Hana Rainforest on Maui. The best Hawaii cruises allow you to trek through the lush Hana Rainforest, or enjoy a more volcanic experience on the Big Island. Marvel at the lava flows of Kilauea, or savor the coffee that grows in the soil made fertile by millions of years of eruptions. Explore more while spending less with Hawaii cruise deals onboard our best cruise ships.

Night Hawaii - OtherDetails

Spend a month cruising Alaska, Hawaii on new Holland America itinerary - USA TODAY

Spend a month cruising Alaska, Hawaii on new Holland America itinerary.

Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired. Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports. Our cruises to Hawaii operate one-way either to or from Honolulu and Vancouver (or Sydney, Australia in terms of transpacific voyages). So yes, if you pick a Honolulu to Vancouver departure, you can easily fly to Hawaii and spend a few days exploring before embarking on your Celebrity ship.

We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Plan some slower days during your trip to jibe with the leisure-loving locals. A guide to Hawaii vacations for couples including where to go, what to do and how to amp up the romance on a Hawaiian cruise to the islands. 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.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant. Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. During your days at sea, you’ll also be endlessly entertained, where fine dining, impeccable service, and unlimited entertainment options await. Savor delicious cuisine at our slate of global-inspired restaurants with dishes crafted by a Michelin-starred chef.

After cooking for hours over an open flame, this tender meat is plucked off the bone and plated, or sandwiched in a Hawaiian roll. 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. There are several varieties of poke, with modern versions substituting avocado and spicy mayo for classic accompaniments like seaweed and rice. Seafood is an important part of the Hawaiian diet, but there's so much more to enjoy. Visit Hawaii and prepare for a feast like no other, with nods to Polynesia, Japan and even the American heartland.

Admire the dramatic lava landscapes of the Volcanoes National Park shaped by the still-active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. In Honolulu, make time to visit Pearl Harbor, or stroll along the iconic Waikiki Beach. Each itinerary features one to two more “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans, an elegant dress top, or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. If you’re planning a vacation to the Pacific paradise of Hawaii, you may be wondering about the ins and outs of traveling there. After dark, enjoy glittering entertainment before dancing under the stars.

Spend one sea day cruising the Great Barrier Reef and the others treating yourself to spa days, meals with new friends, and drinks under the stars. The luxury cruise line Azamara plans to sail from San Diego to Hawaii, Bora Bora, and Tahiti in January 2025. You can visit Hawaii without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America and UnCruise's Safari Explorer, both U.S.-flagged vessels, are the only cruise ships based in Hawaii. Other lines and ships offer there-and-back Hawaii itineraries from ports like San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.