When Will Cruises Return
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The Pride of America cruise ship in Hilo port.
Several cruise lines announced their intentions last week to resume vacation cruises this summer to ports in Alaska, Florida or Texas but it doesnt appear Hawaii will be on any port of call itineraries anytime soon.
Id be surprised if we have any cruises in Hawaii before the end of the year, a source close to the industry who requested anonymity said Friday.
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Congress has approved a bill to allow large foreign-flagged cruise ships to sail directly from Washington state to Alaska, bypassing the Passenger Vessel Services Act, an 1886 federal law barring foreign-flagged ships from carrying passengers between two U.S. ports without a stop in another country. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the measure into law.
In addition, on May 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated cruise ship passengers, another step toward getting the dry-docked cruise industry back in business in the U.S. Vaccinated travelers and those who contracted COVID-19 within the past 90 days and recovered also arent required to get tested onboard if they come into contact with an infected individual, as long as theyre asymptomatic.
Theyre all leveraged to the hilt, Arnott said. Theyve lost any semblance of positive financing; theyre all mortgaged. Theyre all like $600 million, $700 million, $800 million ships.
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?
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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Whats The Best Season To Cruise To Hawaii
Shoulder season, or the period of time right before or after a destinations high tourist season, is one of the best times to cruise to Hawaii. During summer, kids are out of school and families flock to Hawaii, which leads to higher prices and larger crowds.
Hawaiis shoulder season, which includes the months of May and September, also boasts some of the best weather, making it a prime time to enjoy a vacation there.
Where Do Hawaii Cruises Depart From
Honolulu is the main departure port in the islands. Norwegian Cruise Line sails roundtrip from that port, but most big ships sailing to Hawaii depart from mainland North American ports, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, sailing one-way to Honolulu. Smaller ships can depart from Molokai and Kailua-Kona.
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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.
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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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!
The Best Month To Cruise Hawaii
A Hawaii cruise is an increasingly popular way to take in Hawaii’s dramatic landscapes, great weather and varied activities, sights and lifestyles. Cruise travelers can choose from weeklong round trip Honolulu cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line; longer cruises sailing round trip from the U.S. West Coast; and less-common, one-way sailings on ships heading to or from the South Pacific, Australia or Asia.
There’s another important choice to make, and that’s when to go. The good news is that no time of year is bad to take a Hawaiian cruise. Nevertheless, there are differences in weather, cruise availability, price and other factors from season to season. Here’s what you need to know about which months are best to cruise Hawaii.
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Hawaii Island Hopping By Small Ship
With tens of millions visiting the Aloha state each year, take a Hawaii island hopping cruise for an entirely new, off-the-beaten-path travel experience. Maybe you have been to Hawaii before, but never like this. While day cruises are common, overnight Hawaiian Island cruises are few and far between. Staying aboard a small ship offers unique opportunities to travel in an efficient and effortless way while never missing a sunset. Leave airport travel and hotel bag-packing behind to island hop in style and ease.
Our Hawaii interisland cruise options reach ports and locations that are off-the-beaten path and away from the typical Hawaii destinations. These relaxed, intimate and active Hawaii small ship cruises may just offer the new spin on Aloha luxury youve been searching for. Your itinerary is flexible and not available to larger ships, making this small boat cruise Hawaii experience uncrowded, unrushed and full of active adventure exploring remote locales by foot, kayak, sailboat, paddleboard and motor launch.
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When Should I Go To Hawaii To See Whales
Humpback whales go to Hawaii in search of warmer water to conceive and birth their calves. Planning a Hawaii cruise earlier in May will increase your chances of seeing them before they migrate to cooler waters for the summer.
If whales are on your must-see list, arrange a whale-watching shore excursion during one of your days in port.
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Hawaii Cruises To Kauai
This lush garden isle has unbeatable panoramic views and some dramatic attractions, such as Waimea Canyon and a 50-feet water spouting geyser. For an unforgettable view of this, take the Heaven and Earth helicopter tour from Nawiliwili. Kauai is also known to have some of the best food in Hawaii, so don’t miss out on the chance to try traditional dishes including Poke and Lomi Lomi salmon.
Cruise Lines And Itineraries
At the time of publication, at least 10 major cruise lines offer voyages to Hawaii, among them the big-ship lines Holland America, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean, and luxury lines with mid-size yachts, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas. Round-trips from the west coast ports of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver are available, as are one-way trips ending in Hawaii and one-way trips to Hawaii and the South Pacific, some of which terminate in Australia or New Zealand. Hawaiian cruises are affected by a passenger shipping law that forbids entirely-U.S. itineraries; as a result, cruises from the west coast to Hawaii either make a call at Ensenada, Mexico, or use Vancouver as a start or end point.
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Royal Caribbean Runs Repositioning Cruises On Quantum
Known for its bigger-is-better, embrace-all-the-bells-and-whistles ethos, Royal Caribbean offers a select number of Hawaiian sailings each year, as part of its repositioning routes. Its trio of Quantum-class ships are among the biggest, boldest, and newest of the amenity-packed cruise lines 26-ship fleet. But two of those threeQuantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seashave been serving the Asian and Australian markets since their debut, with only the New Jerseybased Anthem of the Seas targeting U.S.-based travelers.
That changes this year when the 4,180-passeger Ovation of the Seas repositions from Sydney to Alaska for the summer 2019 season. En route, cruisers can sign up for an 11-night voyage from Honolulu to Vancouver; embarking May 2, 2019, it includes an overnight stay in both Oahu and Maui, scenic cruising past the active Mount Kilauea volcano, and a call in Victoria, British Columbia. Several sea days afford ample time to explore the mega-ship, with its FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord by iFly indoor skydiving experience, and SeaPlex entertainment center .
The Ovation runs a similar return route from Vancouver to Honolulu, embarking September 20, 2019, with repeat Hawaii-inclusive repositioning voyages scheduled in May and September of 2020, too. Rates from $840/person; royalcaribbean.com
Uncruise Adventures Sails Hawaii On Intimate Yacht
Small-ship adventure line UnCruise Adventures kicks off its first-ever summer sailing season in the Hawaiian Islands, in July and August 2019, building on the companys already-established Hawaii presence, which normally operates between November and April. Sign up for one of six weeklong summer itineraries, cruising round-trip from the island of Molokai with stops in Lanai, the Big Island, and Maui. Cruises embark on the 36-guest, upscale-yet-laid-back Safari Explorer yacht, making it the most intimate voyage option in the region.
The four-island itineraries include less commonly visited ports and come chockful of active adventures like hiking to a waterfall in the Halawa Valley or snorkeling alongside green sea turtles off of west Maui. A complementary cultural heritage component includes hosted visits inside a local familys home and a traditional paina feast, accompanied by traditional music and dance. Rates from $5,195, including excursions, ground transfers, and alcoholic beverages; uncruise.com
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What Are Tips To Find Cruise Deals To Hawaii
Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to Hawaii. If you book a guaranteed cabin , a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to Hawaii. Last minute cruises deals to Hawaii appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually 1-2 weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to Hawaii in the shoulder season can also be a great way to find a cruise deal.
Hawaii Cruises To Oahu
Honolulu is the gem of Oahu, in the Hawaiian archipelago, with a beautiful setting backed by cliffs and the extinct volcanoes of Punchbowl. While you’re here, popular excursions include getting up close and personal with the wildlife by swimming with dolphins or whale watching. If you’d rather stay on dry land, the Polynesian Cultural Centre provides an interesting insight into life in Hawaii, as well as the culture and history of the islands.
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Whens The Best Time For Couples To Visit Hawaii
With the kids back in school in September, this is a great month for parents to go on a couples cruise to Hawaii. Its the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, or simply spend quality time together resting and reconnecting.
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Cruises in September visit multiple Hawaiian destinations such as Hilo, Kailua Kona, and Lahaina.
Tahiti Cruises Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Tahiti Ocean Cruise?
A Tahiti ocean cruise in French Polynesia is typically a momentary stopover on a longer cruise. Most cruises will stop on the island for a few days before moving onto a nearby destination such as Moorea or other French Polynesian islands.
- What is included on a Tahiti Ocean Cruise?
Typically cruise packages will include room, board, entertainment, WiFi, an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages package, and other amenities that vary based on the package that you pick.
- Whats the Best Cruise for a Tahiti Ocean Cruise?
There are typically several options, you will usually find a multiple destination cruise to Tahiti that will take you to other locations throughout the world. The best option will depend on your goals, if you want to stay in Tahiti longer, consider a cruise that will stopover for more than a few days. If you don’t mind a quick visit which is typically all you need to see most of the top attractions, most cruises to Tahiti will work.
- How Much Does a Tahiti Ocean Cruise Cost?
A Tahiti ocean cruise will vary significantly depending on the package that you purchase and other factors, the cost can range around $3,000 to $5,000 USD for a shorter cruise with multiple amenities up to $15,000 to $40,000 or more for a worldwide or multiple destination cruise with luxury amenities from a cruise provider like Princess or Viking.
Learn More About Tahiti Cruises
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Hawaii Cruises To Maui
Maui has the perfect combination of active pursuits, laid-back activities and culture to suit every cruiser. Whale watching from Maui is a real highlight, while for the more active, a wave surfing lesson is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A visit to Kahului on the north shore of Maui is also highly recommended. The home to Hawaiian Kings and Queens, you can explore this charming old town and visit the town square dominated by the phenomenal Bayan Tree.
Ships For Group Travel & Private Yacht Charter In Hawaii
Weve vetted the small boat options in Hawaii to offer everything from a small Hawaii yacht to an expedition ship offering luxury Hawaii cruises. These cruise ships sail around Hawaii staffed with expert naturalist guides to interpret the destinations unique environment and wildlife. Enjoy up-close exploration on guided shore excursions, swimming, snorkeling and sea kayakingjust to name a few activities included aboard. From luxury Hawaii cruises to finding a private yacht charter in Hawaii, our small ships can give you the experience you seek. The hallmark of small ship cruising is inclusivity, and as much time off the ship as possible. Consider these ships as a floating basecamp to see Hawaii as few do.
This luxury motor yacht embodies an ambiance of refinement and relaxation, with just 36 guests. The Safari Explorer cruises the Hawaiian Islands and Alaska’s Inside Passage.
The luxury 200- to 264-guest Le Soleal offers a cruise experience with a French touch. Enjoy sleek and stylish decor, welcoming and attentive service, cutting-edge technology, 5-star cuisine and fascinating itineraries in remote regions.
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