Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Hawaii Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Cruises to Hawaii

best cruise line for hawaii

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.

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best cruise line for hawaii

Marvel at the lava flows of Kilauea, or savor the coffee that grows in the soil made fertile by millions of years of eruptions. 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.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT Hawaii Cruises

After three years of COVID-19-related vaccination and testing requirements were lifted in mid-2022, Hawaii expects to see a surge in Japanese tourism for Golden Week 2023, so plan accordingly to avoid the crowds. It's also important to note that each of the four major islands typically visited on a cruise — Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii — have what are called windward and leeward sides. The windward sides, which are lusher and greener, get more rainfall, while the leeward sides are generally sunnier and warmer. Popular amongst many cruise lines including Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Carnival Cruise Line offers Hawaii cruises from the West Coast on ships like Carnival Legend, Miracle, Radiance, and Spirit which are some of their smallest ships. You will have a lot of flexibility in choosing dining times, entertainment, and experiences.

Night South PacificDetails

Why cruise only to Hawaii when you could cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, and Fiji? Holland America includes several Hawaiian stops on longer itineraries, including the 51-day Tales of the South Pacific and the 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyages. Each of those itineraries departs from and returns to San Diego, crosses the Equator and international dateline, and stops in Kiribati and French Polynesia. In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

If you’re planning a vacation to the Pacific paradise of Hawaii, you may be wondering about the ins and outs of traveling there. Hawaii boasts a unique cuisine, with influences from Polynesia, Japan, and America. Taste fresh tuna poke bowls, sweet pineapple, and juicy strawberry papaya. Try lomi lomi, salted salmon with tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers. Experience everything from delicate sushi and sashimi to moco loco.

With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian islands combined, the Big Island (Hilo and Kona) is a paradise of black-sand beaches, tropical rainforests, and even snow-capped peaks at the soaring Mauna Kea summit. Feel the spiritual "mana" on a shore excursion in Waipi'o Valley, once the meeting place for Hawaiian kings and fabled to contain an otherworldly gate. At the famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, behold extraordinary lava landscapes and two of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Holland America is a great choice for round-trip sailings that explore deep into the South Pacific. It also visits Maui and the island of Hawaii, as well as the smaller islands of Lanai and Molokai. Expect lots of water sports and nature-based outings, and daily plans that can change due to the weather or a whale sighting. The itinerary features two-day overnight visits to Maui and Kauai and stops in both Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, as well as scenic cruising along Kauai's famed Napali Coast. It's easy to book pre- or post-cruise stays in Honolulu to explore places like Waikiki Beach, Diamondhead Crater and Pearl Harbor. If a Hawaii cruise sounds like the perfect getaway to you, you'll want to read up on which lines offer which types of itineraries, as well as which islands and ports you must visit.

Here's a look at what you can expect when taking a cruise during each seasonal travel period in Hawaii. Knowing the general weather outlook and what natural phenomena or special events will be taking place can help you pick the right time to cruise for your travel group. The weather in Hawaii is generally at its most pleasant in April, May, September and October, but if you prefer it hot and dry, the best time to cruise Hawaii is from June to August. The best times to see whales are the winter months (January through March), but you'll likely experience some rain. The best times to cruise for low prices and great value are early November and early December. These cruises often feature transpacific journeys that combine visits to the Hawaiian Islands with other Pacific locations.

GO CHASING WATERFALLS

That means you'll have a greater selection of cruise dates and itineraries in certain months, generally October through April. Travelers on a longer Hawaii sailing on a line like Princess will want to bring nicer clothes for dinners on board, as well as plenty of activities for all those sea days. That could include books or an e-reader, a packable board game, a knitting project or a journal. UnCruise passengers should pack hiking boots, moisture-wicking athletic clothing, plenty of swimsuits and waterproof bags to protect their gear. 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.

THE BEST Cruises from Seattle to Hawaii (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE BEST Cruises from Seattle to Hawaii (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 20:18:30 GMT [source]

In addition, you get a convenient home base to leave your stuff, enjoy evening entertainment without a drive and linger over dinner without worrying how much the bill will come to. Cruises are an ideal way to explore Hawaii, and there are plenty of options that fit a broad range of travel styles and tastes. Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages.

Kayak out to sea or along Kauai's Wailua River, or try your hand at kite-surfing or stand-up paddleboarding. For a more chill afternoon out on the waves, consider a whale-watching cruise, sunset sail or scenic boat ride along the Napali Coast. These Hawaii cruises are best for retirees, who have the time to enjoy leisurely ocean crossings on either end of the trip. Why should you cruise instead of booking a hotel or resort stay on land? The thing about Hawaii cruises is that there’s no bad time of year to take one.

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. For fewer sea days, sail from Honolulu to Vancouver on the 462-passenger Seabourn Odyssey. Seabourn’s 11-day Hawaiian itinerary includes stops in Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island and requires just six sea days, plenty of time for playing cards, lounging by the pool, and relaxing at the spa. 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.

The ship departs from Honolulu every Saturday all year long, making it easy to tack on visits to Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and Waikiki Beach. The ship spends the night in Maui and Kauai, and makes two stops on the island of Hawaii—also known as the Big Island—in Hilo and Kona. Aboard the Pride of America, you’ll find a Miami-inspired pool, a Gold Rush Saloon, and restaurants for every palate.

This journey includes 10 sea days and stops in Hilo, where you can see Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s largest volcano, and in Kauai, where you can take in the breathtaking sight of Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Check the ship’s daily schedule for expert lectures, and make time to experience the spa’s snow room while getting acquainted with Nordic bathing rituals. You can visit Hawaii without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port).

That's because the cruise lines offer comparatively few Hawaii sailings as compared to Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, for example. 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.

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