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

Table Of Content

• Catch the Aloha Spirit the moment you come aboard a Hawaii cruise
• Cruises from California to Hawaii
• Unforgettable Hawaii Cruises, Including a Tiny 36-Passenger Sailing and a Disney Ship
• Hawaii Cruises: Cruise to Hawaii with Princess
• The best Hawaii cruises for travelers who love sea days
• Things to do in Kona, Hawaii

That's because the cruise lines offer comparatively few Hawaii sailings as compared to Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, for example. Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania offer upscale accommodations, fine dining and multiple fare inclusions for travelers looking to journey in style across the Pacific Ocean, stopping in Hawaii along the way. Seabourn and Silversea feature smaller ships, more fare inclusions and higher prices than Oceania.

Catch the Aloha Spirit the moment you come aboard a Hawaii cruise

Explore more while spending less with Hawaii cruise deals onboard our best cruise ships. 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. Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Cruises from California to Hawaii

Her Hawaiian heritage shines through in her writing, infusing it with the Aloha spirit and local flavor. Booking a Hawaii cruise early, ideally 4-6 months in advance, gives you access to the widest selection of cabin categories and locations on the ship (CruiseTimetables). Hawaii’s rainy season brings more frequent rain, choppy seas, and even the rare storm. Some key highlights may include exploring the vibrant city of Honolulu, hiking the scenic Na Pali Coast, witnessing lava flows on the Big Island, road tripping along Maui’s gorgeous coastline, and more. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us.

Unforgettable Hawaii Cruises, Including a Tiny 36-Passenger Sailing and a Disney Ship

You’re constantly aware of the power of nature in Hawaii, where the lush scenery is like something out of another world. Jagged cliffs, beaches of glittering black sand, ribbon-like waterfalls cascading from emerald escarpments, and smoldering volcanoes catch your eye at every turn. You’ll see pounding surf, limpid lagoons, and sometimes a snowy cap on the highest mountains. Disney plans to cruise to Hawaii in 2023 and 2024, giving you a chance to merge your Disney dreams with your Hawaii volcano and beach dreams. The Disney Wonder is scheduled to sail this itinerary, and it’s sure to quickly win over anyone who’s a Marvel fan or grew up on Disney movies. The ship’s Oceaneer Club gives kids the chance to step in Andy's Room from Toy Story or to connect with their inner superhero in a Marvel-themed room.

Hawaii Cruises: Cruise to Hawaii with Princess

The rest must sail long cruises at least one-way, if not round trip, from the west coast of North America. For travelers who want to experience Hawaii’s top ports with added destinations, day cruises are a great choice. These extended Island-hopping journeys combine visits across Hawaii while also adding ports in Mexico, California or on South Pacific islands.

The best Hawaii cruises for travelers who love sea days

Princess Cruises Changes Port Visit Due to Wildfires - Cruise Hive

Princess Cruises Changes Port Visit Due to Wildfires.

Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If boarding a ship with thousands of strangers isn’t your idea of a vacation, UnCruise Adventures may be the cruise line for you. UnCruise itineraries are all about connecting with nature and local culture. UnCruise offers a yacht-like experience on board the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. Sail from November through April on a seven-night itinerary that swaps touristy Oahu for Hawaii’s least developed island—Molokai. Because it’s so small, the Safari Explorer can access ports the big ships can’t and help travelers better connect with local communities.

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. Relax in Bora Bora, explore the ocean’s depths in Tahiti, or simply sit back and take in the stunning views in Raiatea.

On some itineraries, you’ll also enjoy scenic cruising along the Napali Coast on Kauai, a sacred landscape of emerald cliffs, pristine beaches, and jagged mountain ridges. Some cruises also visit Astoria in Oregon before the Pacific crossing to Hawaii. They sail roundtrip to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Lanai is the next island, where guests can paddleboard or kayak past 1,000-foot-high sea cliffs, go snorkeling, or visit the quaint Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. On Molokai, guests can learn how taro is cultivated and turned into poi, or they can hike to a spectacular waterfall in Halawa Valley. At the Molokai Museum, a lesson on the island's history is followed by a pa'ina (feast), complete with traditional music. Passengers disembark the next morning at Kaunakakai, where they can either transfer to Molokai Airport or extend their stay.

The small but mighty Kauai is one of the best Hawaii ports for outdoor, nature-based adventure. Get your cameras out for the rocky landscapes of the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Napali Coast. If you like hiking or kayaking, you've come to the right island, but you can also take it easy on any number of nearby beaches. Attend a luau where you can feast on Hawaiian cuisine and enjoy music, dancing and fire play. Some take place on plantations where you can discover more about local agriculture. Or, stop by historic attractions, such as Honolulu's Iolani Palace or the Big Island's city of refuge, to learn about the ancient Polynesian culture or the Kingdom of Hawaii.

And like all Disney experiences, there’s a good chance you may run into your favorite characters on board. Sailing between the Hawaiian Islands is generally relatively calm, though there are occasional reports of rough patches on cruises that cross the Pacific Ocean. And while every month is a good month to cruise to Hawaii, peak whale-watching season in the region is between January and March.

The area is also home to numerous waterfalls you can visit, such as Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls, as well as black-sand beaches. Kayak or snorkel in Hilo Bay, or — for something different — visit the Volcano Winery to sample vintages made both with grapes and local fruits. Learn about Hawaiian history at the Mauna 'Ala royal mausoleum and the Iolani Palace, or Hawaiian culture at a luau or the Polynesian Cultural Center. Oahu is the turn-around port for Pride of America, so travelers should consider a pre- or post-cruise stay to see the sights.

Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports. Below Honolulu's crystal-clear waters lies a coral reef that's home to thousands of species of colorful and tropical marine life. Book a snorkeling tour and explore what's beneath the sea with your cruise to Honolulu. We know the destinations you'll be visiting and what there is to see, do and experience.