Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

best cruise line for hawaii

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.

Night Hawaii Tahiti & MarquesasDetails

best cruise line for hawaii

Late fall and early winter in Hawaii bring a major influx of tourists over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's breaks. But the weeks in between are both great times to snag a deal on a Hawaii sailing — early November for a less-harried ambience and early December for lower cruise fares and airfares. Yes, December is Hawaii's rainiest month, but it doesn't rain every day and certainly not all day.

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THE 25 BEST Cruises to Kauai, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Kauai Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Kauai, HI 2024 (with Prices) - Kauai Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:36:08 GMT [source]

That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required. Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days). I grew up on Oahu, visit on business 5-8 times a year and take vacation days in Hawaii (usually Kauai and Oahu) at least once a year, sometimes twice.

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

I was surprised to discover that our cabin did not have a love seat for two people, all it had was a chair at the desk. When we ordered room service breakfast I would drag in a chair from the balcony. We LOVE sea days, hence we are booked on HAL balcony cabin 18-day to Hawaii with the Have It All Pkg and the price is comparable to what you shared NCL's price is just for the cruise.

With warm weather year-round, Hawaii is one of the U.S.'s sunniest states. The rainy season goes from November to March, but don't worry too much about the weather during these months; it isn't a constant monsoon — there's simply a greater chance of showers. Once you've decided how you want to cruise Hawaii, you can seek out the best cruise fares so you're ready to say "Aloha!" to an incredible vacation when the right deal pops up. Take a riverboat along the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto, or hop a tour bus to see where many of your favorite movies were filmed. It's also a good spot for a luau if your ship stays in port late enough.

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best cruise line for hawaii

Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70. If a post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas cruise in Hawaii sounds appealing, you're apt to encounter the arrival of the humpbacks during the first two weeks of December. The waves on Oahu's North Shore also begin to swell, making for dramatic photos. And seeing this palm-tree-studded paradise decked out in holiday decorations along with abundant tropical poinsettias in full seasonal bloom makes for a memorable travel experience. Traditionally, Japanese travelers have visited Hawaii in late April and early May during the so-called "Golden Week" when four Japanese holidays occur over a period of seven days.

A variety of cruise lines call on Hawaii -- Princess, Crystal, Holland America, Royal Caribbean -- but Norwegian Cruise Line has the only big ship based there, sailing from Honolulu. Expedition lines like UnCruise Adventures sail Hawaii's smaller islands. Find itineraries departing from all the major departure ports that sail to Hawaii.

Swimwear, sunblock, coverups, beach shoes, a sun hat, and proper footwear for hiking should all be on your list. On a Hawaii cruise, you’ll sail to a verdant, otherworldly setting of steaming volcanoes, dense rainforest, tropical blooms, and palm-fringed beaches. You’ll be welcomed by the gentle, friendly Hawaiian people into a world of deep spirituality, expressed through the Aloha spirit.

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The weather is also more than likely to be ideal, with just an inch of rain or less per month on Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii and about two inches on Kauai. It is worth repeating, however, that there really isn't a bad time to set sail in Hawaii. Starting at just $621, choose the perfect cruise from Honolulu that fits your traveling desires.

Expect larger crowds as well as higher cruise fares and hotel rates if you travel during these periods. Here are my top 10 Hawaii cruise tips to help you make the most of your sailing and your time in the islands. 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.

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam. If you do any reading around the board you will see the very common opinion that the "best" way to see Hawaii is on a land trip, not a cruise. Yes, because the NCL ship is US flagged (nothing to do with the Jones Act/PVSA), it is required to have a mostly US citizen crew.

It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising. 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. Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

In port like Honolulu, so you can also experience some of the fabulous nightlife. Whether you’re exploring the islands or on board a Princess ship, there are countless ways to experience the best of Hawaii and relax and rejuvenate. 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.

This itinerary includes a traditional evening feast in Molokai, something you won’t find on other Hawaiian cruise itineraries. This cruise on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam departs from San Diego and spends five days at sea. The ship arrives in Honolulu early, giving travelers all day to explore. Optional activities include a trip to Pearl Harbor, a whale-watching excursion, a road trip around Oahu, and a scenic drive along the Windward Coast. After an overnight sail to Kauai, the ship docks at Nawiliwili Harbor. Guests can take a Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto, a tour of a coffee plantation, or a trip to Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

If you opt to explore the North Shore of Oahu, a tasty lunchtime indulgence is locally farmed garlic shrimp served up by assorted "shrimp trucks" parked along the Kamehameha Highway. This variability is important to remember when packing for your Hawaii cruise. Alongside those multiple bathing suits, cover-ups and sun hats, be sure to stash a travel umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket. The latter will also do double duty as a protective layer should you venture to the summit of Haleakala, where winds can be fierce and the elevation often drops temperatures into the 50s and 60s. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own.

And there’s so much to do while you’re at sea, like enjoying live entertainment, world-class cuisine, island-inspired activities and endless ocean views — plus it's all included in your cruise fare! Early fall is another shoulder season that offers good weather (as noted above, Hawaii is generally not in the path of storms during the central Pacific hurricane season) and fewer crowds. Cruise tourism to Hawaii begins to pick up again as cruise lines reposition ships from Alaska, and it's possible to find good-value fares during this time by booking well in advance or even last-minute. Airfare and hotel rates for pre- or post-cruise stays should be lower, too.

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