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As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. On Oahu, visit Honolulu's Waikiki Beach and pay your respects at Pearl Harbor. View active volcanos on Hawaii, the Big Island, seek out water sports in laidback Maui and escape from it all in Kauai.
Lahaina or Kahului, Maui
Historic Hilo is also famous as the gateway to magnificent falls and verdant rainforest. 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. Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers.
No One Does Hawai`i Like Norwegian.
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. For a completely different interisland cruise, UnCruise Adventures offers a more off-the-beaten-path, adventure-focused sailing on the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. 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.
Best Hawaii cruise ports
Most commonly, cruises from Honolulu go to exciting destinations such as Hawaii, World Cruise, South Pacific, Transpacific, and Pacific Coastal. Carnival Cruise Line is known for its value, offering affordable pricing without compromising on service quality. Princess Cruises offers enriching programs and scenic cruising, ideal for those interested in cultural and natural explorations. Royal Caribbean International is known for its innovative ships and diverse activities, it’s perfect for families and adventure-seekers.
Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu. I love sea days, which NCL Pride of America does not have any, but I can get sea days on any other cruise. My purpose for the Hawaiin cruise is to see Hawaii and NCL will allow me the most time on the islands.
The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025
You need to make sure your cruise ship and itinerary help you reach your vacation goals — not hinder them. The main ports of call in Hawaii are Honolulu, from where our cruises start or finish, and Hilo and Kona, both on the Big Island. 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.
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Some lines offer just a few round trips while others offer months of Hawaii cruises. The best time to cruise Hawaii is the season or month that best suits your schedule, interests and/or budget. If you're looking to escape the cold and want to see whales, big waves and tropical Hawaii at its most lush (and don't mind a bit of rain), opt for winter, when most major cruise lines sail the islands.
Princess Cruises: 16-day Hawaiian Islands - Round Trip from San Francisco
Spring break in March is also a popular time for family vacations in Hawaii, so crowds can be expected. Winter is also the season to experience two of Hawaii's most incredible phenomena. One is the annual migration of more than 10,000 humpback whales to the waters around Maui, where females give birth to their young. Although hurricane season in the central Pacific runs from June through November, storms making a direct hit on the Hawaiian Islands are pretty rare. Just five hurricanes or tropical storms have caused major damage since 1950 — the most notable of which, Hurricane Iniki, devastated the island of Kauai in early September 1992. Hawaii is known for its abundant sunshine and lush, tropical vegetation — and the latter needs rain.
THE 25 BEST July 2025 Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST July 2025 Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:07:49 GMT [source]
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On a much smaller scale, UnCruise Adventures offers inter-island sailings on the 36-guest Safari Explorer from November to April. The focus is on exploring the natural wonders of Hawaii via active, small-group land and water excursions, and itineraries include lesser-cruised islands such as Lanai and Molokai. We are deeply saddened to hear about the wildfires currently impacting the town of Lahaina in Maui. We have a very special relationship with the people and islands of Hawaii, as we sail to the beautiful state year-round. 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).
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. Cruises to Hawaii will leave you enchanted, whatever your interests. The second cruise port on the island of Hawaii, Kona is one of the best ports for visiting a coffee plantation and sampling local Hawaiian coffee.
The combination of coconut palms, ice-cold cocktails, gorgeous beaches, and the beauty of the underwater world offers the perfect escape for couples. Embrace the culture of the islands by learning these Hawaiian words and sayings. Quantum of the Seas® takes you on an epic adventure to the best of Hawaii. Then savor a fresh roast of coffee grown in the ancient lava fields of Kailua Kona the next.
For travelers more interested in ancient Polynesian history, the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the site of an old city of refuge, is a fascinating place to visit. Otherwise, Kona offers plenty of beaches, snorkeling opportunities and boat and submarine tours. 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. The best cruise for you depends on how much vacation time you have, how many islands you want to visit, whether you're looking for overnight port stays and how you feel about multiple sea days in a row. Viking’s 17-day roundtrip Hawaiian Islands Sojourn from Los Angeles happens on board the Viking Star, which carries a maximum of 930 passengers.
After four days at sea, passengers get a day to explore Ensenada, Mexico, on the Baja California peninsula, before the Crown Princess sails back to San Francisco. Winter is peak season for tourism in Hawaii — even though it is also the rainiest period in the islands — so airfares and hotel room rates are apt to be high and popular attractions are likely to be crowded. Still, a chance to escape the cold blanketing much of the mainland U.S. from January to March means it's among the most-desired times to enjoy a visit to the Aloha State. You'll find the most cruise options during these months and by booking well in advance (at least six months) you can likely snag a good-value cruise fare.
King Kamehameha Day (June 11) is a popular annual holiday in Hawaii. Spring also marks the tail end of humpback season; cruisers on April and even early May sailings may be able to spot a few of these mammoth creatures hanging around before beginning their long journey up to Alaska. Sea turtles can be spotted on all the islands in spring, but especially around Maui and Lanai as the waters warm with the approach of summer.
Following the factors that I’ve mentioned above, I’ve created a list of the top 5 cruise lines. It’s considered a premium destination because it offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. On Maui, you can step back in time with a visit to the artsy Upcountry town of Makawao in what's known as paniolo (cowboy) country. And on the island of Hawaii, it's possible to visit the Puʻuhonua National Historical Park, also known as the Place of Refuge, an ancient spiritual sanctuary for defeated warriors who would be protected from death there.
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