Cruise Lines Traveling To Hawaii
There are several ways to book your Hawaiian cruise. You can book through any of the online travel companies or you can book with a travel agent locally.
You may want to consider booking directly with the cruise line that will take you from place to place. Shopping each of these services can help you to save money, too. Plus, not all cruises are the same. Find out what activities, port calls and overall experiences you can expect.
Popular options to cruise around Hawaii include these cruise lines.
- Princess Cruises offers a range of great Hawaiian cruises. They often leave from Los Angeles, California, but other port options may be available. A popular option is the 14-night cruise from Los Angeles on the Golden Princess cruise ship.
- Carnival Cruise Line provides Hawaiian cruises, too. This large company offers a number of different cruises, including those coming from Hawaii to the States. Twelve night cruises are popular, leaving from Ensenada or Honolulu.
- Norwegian Cruise Line also offers Hawaiian cruises from Honolulu and from Los Angeles. The Pride of America ship is one of the most popular for the Hawaiian cruises.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises offers several cruises throughout the year to Hawaii and the other Islands. They offer departures from Vancouver, specifically on the Rhapsody of the Seas.
There are many other cruise lines to choose from, too. Your goal should be to find the one that fits your needs the very best.
Current Situation In Hawaii
- We’ve moved the Hawaii Daily COVID-19 numbers to our Hawaii News page where we’ll update with the latest figures daily.
- To help mitigate the spread of the virus, residents and visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines regarding hygiene, social distancing, and avoiding gatherings with multiple people.
Visitors should know that Hawaiis visitor industry continues to maintain the highest standards for sanitation and has taken additional steps to enhance its efforts at hotels, attractions, restaurants, and other public spaces across the Hawaiian Islands to prevent the spread of infectious diseases amongst residents and visitors.
The industry is also taking proactive steps to educate its workforce to continue practicing good hygiene at home and on the job. Visit the official GoHawaii.com website for more details on this event here.
Can You Travel Between Hawaiian Islands By Sea
Though you cant get to most islands by ferry, Lanai is the exception. You can make the short sea voyage to this unspoiled piece of paradise from Maui.
If you’re determined to travel by boat, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines offer itineraries that start and end in Hawaii, stopping at different islands on seven-night itineraries.
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Earn Miles Or Points For Your Travel
If youre flying Southwest, you can earn valuable Rapid Rewards points redeemable for travel anywhere Southwest flies just by signing up for the loyalty program.
If you island hop on Hawaiian, you should sign up for the HawaiianMiles loyalty program, even if you dont plan to return to Hawaii. You can easily convert any leftover miles into Hilton Honors points: 10,000 HawaiianMiles will get you 15,000 points, which you can use for hotel stays almost anywhere in the world.
Further, members of the Points program can exchange HawaiianMiles for points in other loyalty programs in their Points Loyalty Wallet.
Which Is The Best Place To Stay In Hawaii
Read on to see the other 18 best resorts in Hawaii, including Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, the newcomer that captured the top spot. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Big Island. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kauai. Travaasa Hana, Maui. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui.
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Are Cruise Ships Still Going To Australia
Australias cruise ship ban is set to expire but it wont all be smooth sailing. On 17 December, the Australian governments ban on cruise ships is set to expire. Since the Ruby Princess debacle, which resulted in 28 deaths and at least 854 passengers contracting Covid-19, cruises have been halted in Australia .
Use A Hotel Credit Card
If you plan to stay in chain hotels, get a credit card that pays bonus points for your stay. Almost every major hotel program has properties in Hawaii, including , Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, Wyndham Rewards and IHG Rewards.
Start picking out your preferred hotels early to know which credit card to get. For example, if the historic Moana Surfrider on Oahu is calling to you, be sure to pay with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card like the . Youll earn up to 17x bonus points for every qualifying dollar you charge with the hotel. If economy brands are more your style, Wyndham Rewards members can earn points at the conveniently located Ramada Plaza Waikiki.
» Learn more: Find the best hotel credit card for you
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Should You Island Hop In Hawaii
If you dont have at least eight or nine days to spend in Hawaii, dont island hop. Youll have a better time taking full advantage of your first-choice island. But if you have more time or you just cant resist, you can get between the major islands by air.
Take advantage of savings opportunities, like Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles neighbor island checked bag discount, and use co-branded credit cards to maximize your rewards at every hotel you hop to.
Things To Know About Planning A Hawaii Cruise
Perched in the North Pacific surrounded by crystal blue waters, the Hawaiian archipelago seems like a destination made for cruising. But planning a Hawaii cruise is more complicated than one might imagine. Its remote locale and protective regulations mean surprisingly few cruises are offered to this Polynesian paradise.
Among the many perks of a Hawaii cruise is the ability to see four islands within the span of a weeka logistical feat only accomplished through several flights for land vacationers. Cruising is also a highly economical way to see Hawaii, a notoriously expensive vacation destination.
Last but certainly not least, the wonders contained within the islands themselves are what bring in over nine million visitors each year. Cascading waterfalls, revered volcanoes, abundant marine life, postcard-perfect beacheseach of Hawaiis islands offer unique and memorable experiences for guests to enjoy.
Here are the five most common questions answered about planning a Hawaii cruise.
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Ports Of Call: Cruise Around Hawaii
For individuals who want to spend at least some of their time cruising around the Hawaiian Islands, you have several ports of call to enjoy.
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Nawiliwili, Kauai
- Kahului, Maui
Each port city is quite unique. Hawaii may be known as a single destination, but each of the state’s 137 islands is individually special. You can expect to find a variety of things to do at each port. To find out which ports you will visit, check your cruise itinerary.
- Find out if there are any sports activities to enjoy such as water skiing, snorkeling, swimming and sailing.
- Learn about the historical areas to see at the port and beyond. Many of the Hawaiian Islands have storied histories worth learning.
- Find out if there is shopping, museums, recreational facilities, restaurants and other activities available at the port city.
Plan in advance for any of these trips into port. A cruise around Hawaii has to be one of the things you truly put your heart into, so be sure to do as much planning as possible for it!
Regent Elements Of The Pacific Cruise
For some, even a few weeks is too short for a cruise. If you are one of those who are ready for a significant long-term adventure, try the Elements of the Pacific cruise offered by Regent. This cruise runs for a full 120 nights and is a round trip.
After leaving San Francisco, exploring Hawaii is just the beginning of your long voyage. After visiting there, youll experience the excitement of traveling to distant places like:
- French Polynesia
- Hong Kong
- Japan
Believe it or not, that long list doesnt cover all of the great destinations on this cruise. And each destination includes multiple ports of call. By the time you have finished, you will have effectively encircled the entire Pacific Ocean. This shows the Elements of the Pacific cruise as a great way to see a large part of the world.
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What Are The Best Hawaii Shore Excursions
Unlike Caribbean islands, youll find that the main points of interest on a Hawaii cruise require travelling away from the pier, either with your own rental car or through a planned excursion. For this reason, Hawaii shore excursions are extremely popular and should be booked well in advance! Here are a few of the best.
Hawaii Cruise And Tour Packages
Enjoy the simplicity, convenience and bundled rates of Hawaii cruise and tour packages. Take the headache out of searching for hotels and transportation and forget about coordinating a multi-destination vacation. Hawaii cruises offer all the fun, romance and entertainment of ocean cruises along with the sightseeing and experiential adventures of land tours.
With over 50 years in the Hawaii tour business, YMT Vacations offers an expert inter-island cruise and tour itinerary of the Hawaiian Islands. The tour is 12 days, with 7 nights aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines Pride of American cruise ship and 4 nights on the island of Oahu. The cruise portion originates on Oahu and includes port stops on Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai. Explore Iao Valley or Lahaina on Maui. Visit Volcanoes National Park or go snorkeling in Kona on Hawaii Island. On Kauai, cruise along the otherworldly Na Pali Coast. Upon return to Oahu, a Polynesian Tour Director escorts guests through a tour of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. The final two days are unscheduled, allowing for leisure time.
Apart from YMT Vacations cruise and tour itinerary, there are classic cruise packages available. Choose from six cruise lines that sail in Hawaii, some with multiple cruise ships. Browse Hawaiian cruises below or to search using your own parameters.
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When Should You Not Go To Hawaii
Hawaiis Weather When its raining on one side of an island in Hawaii, though, the sun is usually shining on another, a short drive away. However, if the priority is to avoid heavy downpours in traditionally fun-in-the-sun locations such as Waikiki, Poipu, Kona and Kihei, the worst time to go is November through April.
Traveling To Hawaii With A Pre
Quarantine Bypass Permitted
- Travelers who, upon entry into the state, provide written confirmation from a state-approved COVID-19 testing facility of a negative test result from a test administered to the traveler within 72 hours from the final leg of departure, will be able to bypass Hawaiis mandatory quarantine order.
- More information about state-approved testing and the current approved & trusted testing partners can be found on our new page Hawaii Covid Testing and Procedures
- To reiterate, the test result must be done prior to arrival and the traveler must present evidence of this test upon arrival.
- As of , all travelers vaccinated in the U.S. are now able to travel via trans-Pacific routes without a pre-travel test. As of July 8th, travelers entering the state who have been vaccinated in the U.S. may bypass the quarantine without a pre-travel test. Proof of vaccination will be required. See our Hawaii Health Passport page for more information.
- All Hawaii Travel Restrictions may be dropped once the state of Hawaii reaches a 70% statewide vaccination rate, using local state data, not national data .
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Overview Of Hawaii Cruising
Cruising in the Hawaiian Islands … an industry that has a rich heritage dating back to the days when airline travel from the West Coast of the USA to the Hawaiian Islands wasn’t yet possible. Times have changed! While there are many different internationally-flagged cruise ships that pass through Hawaiian waters to and from the mainland, the vast majority of cruise ship passengers who enjoy a Hawaii vacation are not using the ship as a means of transportation to get to the islands. They are flying to and from Hawaii, and taking the NCL Pride of America, a US flagged ship that does weekly itineraries around the Hawaiian Islands that starts and ends in Honolulu. Because it is a US flagged ship it doesn’t require a two-day detour to Fanning Island or a stop somewhere in Mexico at the beginning or ending of the cruise.
We have mixed feelings about some cruise vacations to Hawaii. You hop from island to island and get to see and do it all while you are here, right? Well, not exactly. Some cruise ship itineraries are so bad that you barely have a chance to see anything at all. The time in port can be so limited that your only choice for optional tours is to get on one of the cruise line’s busses when you hit port and ride around with 70 other cruisers looking out the window. We don’t call that”Getting to see and do it all.”
Read this sentence over and over and let it sink in. Ready???
What Is The Fastest Way To Get From Seattle To Hawaii
The easiest and most popular way to get to all parts of Hawaii is by plane, simply because you dont have to budget two weeks of time to do it. With an approximately six-hour flight, you can be in paradise. Leaving from Seattle, youll be flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is just 10 minutes south of the city. Several airlines offer nonstop flights between Seattle and Honolulu, Kahului, Kauai, and Kona including Alaska Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian, and American Airlines. All the airlines also offer connecting flights. The cost can vary greatly depending on the time of year and which island you are going to but most one-way tickets start in the $300 range.
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Weather Isn’t Always Postcard
We know you know that it rains in Hawaii after all, you can’t get that lush green look and the nickname of the Rainbow State without some decent precipitation. But it’s worth repeating that even in postcard-perfect Hawaii, weather can get in the way of your plans.
Rain and clouds can obscure your view during your scenic cruise along the Napali Coast or sunrise/sunset trek up Haleakala on Maui. It doesn’t always rain all day, so you should take advantage of sunny hours to hit the beach or move outdoor plans a few hours later if you wake up to showers.
Also, water sports and boat fans should be aware that sea conditions can impact water-based activities for example, the waters around Kauai get rough during the winter months, making snorkeling difficult and causing cancellations of scenic cruises. In addition, it’s not always hot in the islands, and if you trek above sea level , the temperature can drop substantially, necessitating warm clothing.
When Is The Best Time To Take A Hawaiian Cruise
In reality, theres never a bad time to cruise to the islands of Hawaii. However, various times of the year have their own advantages to consider when planning a Hawaiian cruise.
Late spring is usually considered the best time to take a Hawaiian cruise. Spring cruises see better weather as this is the first part of the dry season. Being one of two shoulder seasons means a drop in fares, and the cruise ships are typically less crowded.
The winter months are the most popular time for tourists to visit Hawaii, as many hope to escape the cold winter weather or travel for the holidays. However, this is also the rainy season on the islands . Cruises at this time are often crowded during these peak travel periods and prices may be higher because of this. Travelers considering a one-way cruise with a flight versus a roundtrip Hawaiian cruise package should remember that flights are also at their peak prices due to popular demand.
Many families look to travel in the summer while school on the mainland is out. The weather is ideal as this period is the driest part of the dry season for the islands. Because of this, cruises can be crowded, and prices may spike because of the demand. Only certain cruise lines offer standard and interisland cruises at that time, so options may be more limited than other times of year.
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Re: Fly To Hawaii And Then Cruise Advice
04-08-201811:20 PM – edited 04-08-201811:29 PM
The first time we went to Hawaii, we flew there then cruised the islands. It was nice to get a taste, but there was not enough time to really see or do all we wanted to. The ship pulled into port every morning and left around 6-7 at night to travel to the next Island. We stayed two nights each on two islands.
We went back a few months later and toured two islands on our own…Maui and Oahu.
i have been there many times since and if I was to cruise again,I would not do any cruise excursions. I would rent a car and drive myself. It is much less expensive and you can see more when you are on your own time especially if you stay overnight in the port.
A few couples on the cruise got together and rented a van as a group. I wish we would have done that, but I didnt know how easy it was.
Everything in Hawaii is expensive. I did the cruise thing once, but I feel that if I had to do it all over again, I would fly to Oahu and stay a few days, then fly to another island…either Maui or the Big Island and spend a few more days. It would be less expensive and I could spend more time there, or I would spend a week on only one island. There are all kinds of price points in hotels and condos…we always do the condo with a washer and dryer so we can pack light.
it really is easy to find your way around there. No matter what you decide, youll love it. Take plenty of money, you will need it.