Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown
Set on a busy road lined with restaurants and office buildings, this upmarket hotel in Downtown is a 4-minute walk from a SkyTrain station, and 2 km from the waterfront Stanley Park and sports events at the Rogers Arena
Relaxed rooms, most with city views, offer flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi , plus tea and coffeemakers. Club-level rooms have access to a lounge with free continental breakfast and evening snacks, while suites provide separate living areas. Room service is available 24/7.
There’s a hip international restaurant with a bar and big-screen sports.
Set on a busy road lined with restaurants and office buildings, this upmarket hotel in Downtown is a 4-minute walk from a SkyTrain station, and 2 km from the waterfront Stanley Park and sports events at the Rogers Arena
Relaxed rooms, most with city views, offer flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi , plus tea and coffeemakers. Club-level rooms have access to a lounge with free continental breakfast and evening snacks, while suites provide separate living areas. Room service is available 24/7.
There’s a hip international restaurant with a bar and big-screen sports. Additional amenities include an indoor pool and a whirlpool, plus a sauna and a gym.
- Distance/ Airport: 10 miles
How Do I Plan A Hawaii Island Cruise
If you have never been on a cruise before, you may have some questions about cruise logistics and how to plan a cruise.
First, you will want to get an idea of what your must-see attractions are. Most island hopping Hawaii cruises follow the popular itineraries of either departing from a California port, Hawaii-only, South Pacific Islands, and Repositioning cruises.
After you determine the itinerary you would like, then you need to focus on a specific cruise line for the best Hawaii cruise ever. Each cruise line offers a unique experience for every type of cruiser. Then, you can select a date with that perfect cruise line and itinerary to book and mark in your calendar!
I highly recommend booking a balcony or higher stateroom on your cruise ship as you will not regret waking up to the breathtaking Hawaii cruise landscape from your own private balcony. Also, make sure to avoid the loudest staterooms onboard to completely relax on your Hawaii cruise.
Once booked, you will receive access to more booking options like onboard packages, shore excursions, and stateroom upgrades. I highly suggest taking advantage of these pre-travel opportunities to have your vacation planned out before you leave on your Hawaii island cruise!
Return Of Cruise Ships Still Up In The Air
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Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald Rocks are seen under the water near the Port of Hilo on Friday.
Exactly 33,400 trans-Pacific passengers arrived Thursday by air at Hawaiis major airports, but the question of when the Aloha State will once again welcome cruise ship passengers at its ports remains unanswered.
There are no formally scheduled bookings for any cruises, at any commercial harbor, at this time, said Shelly Kunishige, spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Transportation in an email. Resumption of cruise activity continues to be conditional on operators meeting the conditions of the CDC order.
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Kunishige is referring to a conditional sail order by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which requires cruise operators to show 95% of crew and passengers are vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, or to hold test cruises with volunteer passengers to prove they can mitigate coronavirus risks.
There were numerous outbreaks of COVID-19 aboard cruise ships early in the pandemic, and the CDC dry-docked the industry in the U.S. with a no-sail order on March 14, 2020.
Previous optimism by tourism officials about a possible return of cruise ships to Hawaiis harbors later this year has been dashed, or at least dampened, by the Delta variant strain of the novel coronavirus that has resulted in a surge of new COVID-19 cases in the islands.
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When Is The Season For Hawaiian Island Cruises
Hawaiian island cruises typically visit Hawaii on sailings in two separate time frames. You can frequently find the best island hopping Hawaii cruises during the and the mid-April to mid-June time frames.
These time frames offer the best weather on Hawaii cruises and tend to be the busier months of Hawaii tourism in general. This means that it can be fairly difficult to narrow down your cruise choices as many of these cruise lines have dozens of island hopping Hawaii cruises operating every month!
With so many must-see spots throughout the Hawaiian islands, the most popular months to cruise to Hawaii is during the months of . Hawaiian cruises from mid-December through March can be pricier and more crowded and should be avoided if possible.
The best time of the year for humpback whale-watching in Hawaii is from , but this can also be the rainiest and more expensive months for flights. The best time to find Hawaii cruise deals is between Thanksgiving and mid-December.
There are a couple sailings running Hawaiian cruises during the majority of the summer from mid-June to mid-December as well, but these are far and few between.
Wild Side Specialty Tours
With Wild Side Specialty Tours , passengers can embark on an island-hopping cruise. Cruise charters may be booked privately, or passengers may sail in groups of six. Wild Side Tours requires at least one overnight trip, but the cruise may be designed for multiple nights to visit all of the Hawaiian Islands. You will cruise aboard a 50-foot yacht, and all overnight accommodations, meals and activities are included in the price. Available excursions include snorkeling, diving and whale watching.
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Uncruise Adventures: Hawaiian Seascapes
This eight-day small yacht cruise includes stops at four islands aboard the 36-guest Safari Explorer, with embarkation and captain’s welcome in Molokai. The next day features time to explore the secluded island and the Hawaiian culture with a visit to the Molokai Museum. Lanai is the next port, where guests can snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, and explore by skiff, seeing sea cliffs along the shore and the quaint Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. On Maui, stroll through historic Lahaina, snorkel among coral and a sea turtle habitat, or kayak in a marine sanctuary. With a stop on the Kona coast, guests can explore the rugged shore, snorkel among tropical fish, or visit a national park. At Puu Waawaa State Wildlife Sanctuary, there’s a naturalist guided hike, visit to a coffee plantation, and a captain’s dinner in the evening. The ship docks in Kawaihae Harbor for transfer to Kona Airport or additional time on the Big Island.
Popular Ports For Hawaiian Cruises
No matter which cruise line and itinerary you ultimately decide on, you will likely visit a mix of these fantastic island hopping Hawaii cruise ports.
Many cruises to Hawaii and the surrounding area offer trips to these popular ports of call that are consistent with most itineraries. Like mainstream Caribbean cruise ports, these ports cater to the tropicalcruise market. If you are looking for more than touristy attractions and activities, make sure to get out of the main port area and explore.
Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu serves as the main cruise port serving out of Hawaii for island hopping Hawaii cruises. As the beautiful capital of Hawaii, Honolulu boasts brilliant sand, bright blue skies, and tasty Hawaiian drinks.
The top outdoor attraction in Honolulu is Manoa Falls. There are plenty of cruise shore excursions that will bring Hawaiian cruise passengers to this massive, 150-foot tall waterfall that empties into a majestic, glimmering rock pool. To learn about Hawaiis royal past, head over Iolani Palace, known as the Kingdom of Hawaii.
If you would like to swim with wildlife during your time in Honolulu, head over to Dolphin Quest Oahu where you can swim with dolphins!
Lahaina, Maui
To discover some of Hawaiis exquisite natural wonders, make sure that Lahaina, Maui is on your Hawaiian cruise itinerary. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Lahaina now welcomes over two million people annually.
Kahului, Hawaii
Nwiliwili, Kauai
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Why Cruise To Hawaii
Cruises take travelers to four major Hawaiian islands the perfect way to see it all without having to coordinate interisland flights and multiple hotel stays. As restaurant prices can be high on the remote islands, a cruise can also be an affordable way to explore since you can eat your meals on the ship. Some ships even offer sailing along the Napali Coast, so you wont have to book your own boat tour in Kauai.
When Is A Good Time To Cruise To Hawaii
You can cruise to Hawaii year-round, thanks to Norwegian Cruise Lines Honolulu-based ship. High season is the winter summer is also popular due to honeymoon season and school breaks. Early fall can see an uptick in cruise ships, as cruise lines route ships to the islands on their way from Alaska to a warmer destination.
The slow travel season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the best times for deals. Summer and fall see the least amount of rain, but seas can be rough in August. If youre looking for whales, January through March are the peak months for sightings.
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Day : Returning Honolulu Oahu
Everything about checking out of the cruise is easy. Its bittersweet to return to Honolulu, but cruising the Hawaiian Islands creates memories that last a lifetime.
This article is written by Ashlee Galea, an Aussie living in Hawaii who enjoys sharing Hawaii insider knowledge and travel advice on her blog Hawaii Admirer. Ashlee was a guest onboard NCL Pride of America thanks to MyCruises.com.au.
Top Hawaii Cruise Destinations And Shore Excursions
Whether you want to ride on horseback through secret valleys, climb volcanoes in the National Park, learn to scuba dive or surf, simply stroll along the sun-drenched sands, indulge in a little retail therapy or take a relaxing swim in the tropical lagoons, a Hawaii cruise is the ideal holiday destination for you. Each of the stunning Islands has something different to offer you, so why not maximise your Pacific experience by taking superb shore excursions to discover their hidden gems?
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Holland America Cruises Round
Holland America has a handful of 16- to 18-night voyages in 2019/2020 that run round-trip from sunny San Diego, aboard the 1,964-passenger Oosterdam or 2,104-passenger Eurodam. Itineraries vary slightly but typically incorporate stops in Oahu , Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, along with scenic cruising past the Kilauea volcano and a dip into Ensenada, Mexico.
Excursion highlights include a farm-to-fork, Food & Wine magazinebranded culinary tour of the Big Island, or a visit to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific at Kauais 2,857-foot-deep Waimea Canyon. Note that these lengthier voyages include up to 10 days at sea: Pass some of that time in the ships numerous music venues, including BB Kings Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage , and dueling-piano venue Billboard Onboard. Rates from $1,699/person hollandamerica.com
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Crystal Cruises: Hawaiian Island Shores 16
Guests boardCrystal Serenity in Los Angeles and spend four days at sea enjoying the entertainment, dining, fitness center, enrichment opportunities, spa, and sports activities. The ship arrives in Honolulu for a day and a half of exploring the bustling city and island of Oahu. Cruising overnight to the next port on Kauai, the ship spends all day, giving guests the chance to enjoy the Garden Isle’s waterfalls, lush gardens, beaches, and culture. Lahaina on the island of Maui is the next stop, with a full day and evening to visit Maui’s beaches, upcountry farms, and the historic whaling town of Lahaina. In Kailua-Kona, there’s an opportunity to see miles of black lava as well as Volcanoes National Park. On the other side of the island in Hilo, the next day shows the contrast with lush gardens, waterfalls, rainforest, and rocky shores. Four days at sea on the way to Ensenada gives guests time for the casino, a new restaurant, spa treatment, pool, or movie. After a full day in the Mexican port, the ship returns to Los Angeles.
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Cruises To The Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii cruises are relaxing and unforgettable adventures that introduce you to the spirit of aloha and allow you to experience the islands as they were meant to be experienced by sea.
The Hawaiian islands have become universal symbols of relaxation, and AAAs concierge cruises amplify the rejuvenation by treating you to a host of benefits, including exclusive parties, gifts, and excursions.
AAA concierge Hawaiian cruises also offer priority boarding and complimentary specialty dining, and are coordinated by an experienced AAA host who will help you with all your travel needs so that you can focus on being refreshed by the Hawaiian islands.
Continue reading to learn more about our cruises to Hawaii or contact your AAA agent today to begin making plans.
How Is The Weather On Island Hopping Hawaii Cruises
The weather on Hawaii cruises differs by the time of year you are visiting. Therefore, you should cater what you pack and shore excursions based on your specific island hopping Hawaii cruise itinerary.
Hawaii’s wet season typically falls between November and March, with an upwards of 4 inches of rain per month. Therefore, if you are cruising to Hawaii during these popular months, make sure to fully prepare with a rain jacket and umbrella to fully enjoy your Hawaii island cruise.
The sea conditions between mid-December and March include large waves along the north shores of all the Hawaiian islands, especially in the months of December and January. During this time you can see waves topping 40 feet, so if you are inclined to motion sickness, make sure to avoid this time frame or pack some extra Dramamine for during your time on one of the best island hopping Hawaii cruises.
If you decide to cruise to Hawaii during the months of April through mid-June, you can expect temperatures ranging between the mid-70s at night and mid-80s during the day. Spring marks the beginning of Hawaii’s dry season, explaining why the majority of cruise lines operate island hopping Hawaii cruises during this time frame.
Planning your Hawaii cruise between the months of April and May is a great time for surfers and those looking to get into the water. This is because the weather is excellent, wave heights are manageable, and water temperatures begin to rise.
Mid-June to August
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Longer Hawaii Cruises & Cruisetours
If you are looking for longer itineraries, you also have options for 12-day 2022 Hawaii cruises that also sail to French Polynesia. There is also a 16-day itinerary that combines Hawaii and Alaska in one cruise. If you want a vacation beyond the seven-day cruise, but want to stick to Hawaii only, you can also extend your Hawaii cruise vacation with Norwegians Cruisetours. These Cruisetours are a land and cruise vacation that add four days and three nights in Honolulu before you embark on your seven-day Hawaii cruise.
Our 11-day Oahu Explorer Cruisetour takes you on tours of Pearl Harbor, Oahus North Shore and South Shore, Waikiki, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Kualoa Ranch, before you transfer to the port of Honolulu.
If youre up for more adventure, learn how to surf while on Maui. You can take a surfing lesson with an expert who will show you the basics while on dry land, and then youre off for some practice time in the water.
Do You Need A Passport To Take A Cruise To Hawaii
You can visit Hawaii without a passport on a closed-loop sailing . Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America and UnCruise’s Safari Explorer, both U.S.-flagged vessels, are the only cruise ships based in Hawaii. Other lines and ships offer there-and-back Hawaii itineraries from ports like San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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Norwegian Cruise Lines 7
For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger ship, Pride of America, lets its passengers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.
Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, its the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.
The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean its possible to try several of Hawaiis signature experiences that most port calls dont allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Mauis 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.
Many of Norwegians specialty dining venues are on board, including Cagneys Steakhouse, Le Bistro , Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki, although several are closed through late 2022 due to staffing and capacity limitations.
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