Drive The Road To Hana From Kahului Maui
The winding road to Hana Bay is legendary, and for good reason! En route youll stop at tropical waterfalls, black sand beaches and breathtaking lookouts including Hookipa, where you can watch some of the worlds best windsurfers. This is a full day excursion best enjoyed before an overnight stay in Kahului.
How Long Is A Cruise To Hawaii
Hawaii cruises range from seven nights to 18 nights or longer, depending on the itinerary. A cruise only within the Hawaiian Islands sailing round trip Honolulu is the shortest seven night option, while any cruise from California to Hawaii will take at least 15 nights due to the islands remote location. Round trip sailings are available from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, but be prepared to spend at least eight days of that cruise at sea getting to and from Hawaii. Choose your ship wisely as youll be spending a lot of time on it!
Many ships alternate between Hawaii or Polynesia in the Winter and Alaska in the Summer so youll often find repositioning cruises to and from Hawaii in May and September as ships make their way across the Pacific. 10-night cruises from Vancouver, BC to Hawaii are a common repositioning itinerary.
The Best Hawaii Cruises
- One Comment
Hawaii has hundreds of beautiful natural sites. Waterfalls, volcanos, beaches, and rainforests are only some of the myriad of reasons to visit, and what better way to see it all than a sweeping cruise of Hawaii?
Cruises are a popular vacation option in Hawaii, as Hawaii is made up of a cluster of distinct islands that are all relatively close to each other. Going on a cruise around Hawaii can easily take you to popular ports of Hawaii and give you plenty of time to enjoy the unique excursions and activities that are special to each location.
In this article, well take a look at all the upcoming cruises that will be going to Hawaii in 2021 and 2022. Well compare the pros and cons, and also go over the commonalities of all Hawaii cruise trips to help you make your decision. After reading this article, you should have all the basic information that you need to know about going on a cruise to Hawaii.
Don’t Miss: Cruise To Nowhere Norfolk Va
Wishing You A Happy Cruise
Hopefully, youre even more pumped for your upcoming trip for a Hawaii cruise after reading this.
As cruise lines re-open with much excitement and demand from travelers, Hawaii has some great options that are both comprehensive and safely adjusted to COVID-19 Cruise Ship safety guidelines.
Remember that its always smart to take a COVID-19 test after returning from travel abroad, including the State of Hawaii. Cruise ships, airports, and crowded tourist hotspots like marketplaces and nightclubs are common locations for spreading viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. Get a COVID test at one of CityHealths testing locations, or order a RapidReturn Kit before you leave and test whenever you want!
If you have any experiences with some of the Hawaii cruise lines mentioned, leave a comment below and share your experience, wed love to hear your recommendations! Mahalo and bon voyage!
Tags
The 10 Best Hawaiian Cruises For People Over 50
A trip to the tropical paradise of Hawaii is on many peoples bucket lists. Whether you have extended vacation time or youve retired and have a flexible schedule, the Aloha State is likely on your mind.
The 50th state comprises six main islands and several smaller islands. All have beaches, waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, and unique culture. If you want to see more than one island on your bucket-list trip, the easiest way to do so is to take a cruise. But which cruise should you choose? Lets take a look at the possibilities.
Several popular cruise lines visit Hawaii, including Princess, Crystal, Celebrity, Norwegian, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean. Norwegian has a large ship based in Hawaii that sails from Honolulu and visits the other islands. If you are an adventurous type, expedition lines like UnCruise Adventures sail to Hawaiis smaller, less-visited islands. Theres a lot of variety when it comes to Hawaiian cruises, and youve got options when it comes to size of ship, ports to visit, type of excursions, length of itinerary, and more. One things for sure: Theres a cruise out there thats right for you.
As I evaluated the following cruises, I looked at the following criteria:
If youre looking to cruise to, from, or around Hawaii, here are some great cruises to consider.
Slavik Krassovsky / Shutterstock
You May Like: Do Cruise Ships Go Through The Panama Canal
Special Events And Activities In Hawaii
If you plan to go parasailing, then you will want to hold off on your Hawaiian cruise from mid-December through the beginning of May. Since the humpback whales are migrating during these months, Maui authorities do not permit parasailing.
If you would like to experience traditional Hawaiian festivals, then plan to visit the islands from early to mid-March. The Cherry Blossom Festival features a variety of special cultural events. It takes place during March. The Honolulu Festival, which regularly attracts more than 80,000 visitors a year, also takes place during March. This festival honors the Pacific, Hawaiian, and Asian cultures with dances and various events held in downtown Waikiki.
Discover why Norwegian Cruise Line was voted the Best Hawaii Itinerary for 13 years in a row by Porthole Cruise Magazine. Go ahead: Book your Hawaiian cruise vacation today.
You May Like: How Much Are 7 Day Cruises
Attend A Service At Kawaiahao Church
Visit the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii. Kawaiahao Church located in downtown Honolulu was the national church of Hawaii back in the days. The church was also the royal familys chapel.
This Christian churchis one of the oldest churches in Hawaii and services are still partly held inHawaiian. The church was commissioned by Queen Kaahumanu, King Kamehameha 1s favoritewife in 1836.
Today you canvisit the church during your historic walk of Honolulu. You can attend a serviceor a music concert here. And explore the history of the Royal family which isstill visible in the church through portraits and tombs.
The second floorof the church bears portraits of the Hawaiian royal family while the groundshost King Lunalilos tomb.
Recommended Reading: Cruises Leaving Out Of Norfolk Va
Night Fly Stay & Cruise Holiday With $4000 Bonus Value Including Onboard Beverages Specialty Dining Shore Excursion Credit Wi
Deal Code: MC-87822
Your 12 Night Fly, Stay & Cruise Holiday Includes
FlightsReturn economy flights to Honolulu including checked luggage, meals & entertainment
Your Honolulu City stayBonus 5 Nights accommodation in Waikiki at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Your 7 Night Norwegian Cruise 7 Night Hawaiian Islands cruise onboard Pride of America in an Interior cabinAll onboard meals in complimentary dining venues & selected non-alcoholic beveragesA wide range of onboard activities & entertainmentAll port taxes & charges includedBonus Prepaid Gratuities onboardBonus Choice of Cabin Location
Highlight: Enjoy overnight stays on board in Maui & Kauai
Bonus My Cruises Holiday SavingsBonus Low Deposit from $199 pp*
General Sail Date InformationSet sail on 19 November 2022
Alternative sail dates in 2022 & 2023 available. Please see below for applicable surcharges for 2022 or click HERE to view our 2023 dates.
Additional Sail Dates*
*Surcharges may apply Additional costs may apply to upgrade your stateroom
Day 1: Honolulu / Oahu, Hawaii
Welcome to Oahu, the most populated island of Hawaii, known as The Gathering Place. There is so much to do on Oahu, from the shops, restaurants and fantastic nightlife of Waikiki, to the historical sights of Pearl Harbour and the natural wonders of the North Shore. Jump on board the Pride of America today and get ready to set sail!
Day 2-3: Kahului / Maui, Hawaii
Day 4: Hilo, Big Island
Day 5: Kona, Big Island
Day 6-7: Nawiliwili, Kauai
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.
Don’t Miss: Cruises With Best Food
Snorkel At Kealakekua Bay From Kailua Kona Big Island
This marine sanctuary famous for its Captain Cook monument boasts some of the best snorkelling in Hawaii. Your zodiac will help you avoid the hour-long hike in by land and will deliver you to the best areas of the bay to explore. Youll find turtles, sea caves and maybe even a pod of spinner dolphins who call the bay home.
Also Check: Aqua Class Celebrity Summit
When Is The Best Time To See Hawaiis Flora
Summer is the season with the most sunny days in Hawaii. However, during the summer it can also get quite hot and dry, and Hawaiis typical lush vegetation may suffer from drought.
Avoid running into an arid landscape and instead cruise to Hawaii during shoulder season, when youll get to see plenty of sunshine with pockets of rain that wont hinder your trip, but will keep the scenery fresh and vibrant.
May is the best month to witness the lush Hawaiian scenery covered in pops of vibrant colors, as its typically the season when the islands gorgeous tropical flowers are in bloom.
Be mindful that the weather can change drastically depending on which island youre visiting and your location. The leeward sides of the islands tend to be calmer and sunnier than the windward sides, where youll often find cooler weather and more rain.
Whether its a family-focused vacation or a romantic couples getaway, its always a good idea to cruise to Hawaii. Start planning your next cruise by browsing our itineraries.
Don’t Miss: Cruise Leaving Mobile Al
Hawaiian Island Shores On Crystals Serenity
This 16-night luxury round-trip cruise from Los Angeles features stops in five Hawaiian ports and an overnight in Honolulu.
Crystals Serenity excels in entertainment and service. Refurbished in 2018, the Serenity combines the best of big-ship cruising and luxury travel to give passengers an upscale experience on a smaller ship.
The ships public areas are spacious and provide more than enough room for a wide range of activities on sea days. And when it comes to entertainment, the Serenity cant be beat. On any given evening, multiple live performances, a movie, several live music shows, and talks are offered.
The onboard food venues function like restaurants. There are no large dining rooms with assigned seating.
Most passengers are empty-nester Americans who have time for longer vacations.
Excursion Highlight: No visit to Hawaii would be complete without a luau. The Polynesian Cultural Center Luau Island Buffet Package excursion features an award-winning dining experience including a luau buffet dinner, live show, and a scenic drive to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Youll only need to bring your appetite and your camera.
Princess Cruises Delays Restart For Two Ships In The Us
Princess Cruises delays the restarts for two ships that are based in the U.S. to enable further staggering of its return to service.
Princess Cruises informs guests and travel agents that two vessels will not be returning to service as scheduled. The restarts for Crown Princess and Island Princess in the U.S. will be delayed, with a total of 19 sailings cancelled.
Read Also: Single Senior Cruises 2021
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.
Dont Miss: How Much Does An Alaskan Cruise Cost
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!
You May Like: Royal Caribbean Mobile Alabama
Read Also: Best Time For Bahamas Cruise
Visit The Waikiki Aquarium
Visit the United States second oldest Aquarium. Waikiki Aquarium is 115 years old and features 500 species of marine life.
Located on theshoreline of Waikiki Beach in KapiolaniPark. Waikiki Aquarium is anice place to see a diverse collection of pacific fish. The most interestingmarine life at the aquarium, however, is the jellyfish and sea horses.
Waikiki Aquarium charges$12 for adults, $8 for military, $5 for seniors, ABD, and kids 4-12 years old. You can get to the aquarium via bus 14, 19, 20, or 22 and on the green Waikiki Trolley line. There is limited outside parking.
You May Like: How To Find Last Minute Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line Cancels Sailing To Hawaii From Long Beach
With Hawaii not yet ready to welcome back cruise ships, Carnival Cruise Line cancels its sailing to Hawaii from Long Beach in 2021.
Carnival Cruise Line informs booked guests that Carnival Miracles scheduled sailing to Hawaii from Long Beach, California, is cancelled. It comes as no cruise ships have yet been allowed to begin guest operations from the Islands until 2022.
Also Check: Marriott Points For Cruises
Six Ways To Cruise Hawaii
Despite Hawaii being one of the top west coast cruise destinations for decades, many folks we talk with still dont realize that you can take a cruise to Hawaii. Even fewer understand just how amazing of a way it is to explore the culture, food, history, and natural beauty offered by this magical destination. Lets take a look at some of the ways that you can explore Hawaii on a cruise.
One of the biggest challenges with Hawaiian cruises is that unlike other itineraries such as going to Alaska, California Coastal, or Mexican Riviera there are no international ports anywhere close to Hawaii. As a result, cruise options are relatively limited compared to others. It also means that these cruises are generally more expensive, smaller ships, or longer than your typical cruise.
However, we firmly believe that the tradeoff is worth it. While we enjoy visiting Hawaii while staying in a land-based resort, a cruise allows you to fully undersatand the diversity of the islands. For example, most mainlanders probably think of Hawaii as a monolithic place where what you find on the Big Island is the same as what you will find on Maui, Honolulu, or Kuai. Thats simply not true and the diversity manifests itself though the landscape, food, dances, story telling, and many other ways too. While we often look at land as being generally the same age, the Hawaiian islands are actually a series of volcanos that rose out of the sea and then almost immediately began eroding.
State Continues To Ban Cruise Ship Passengers Until End Of The Year
HONOLULU The state Department of Transportation said no cruise ship passengers will be arriving in Hawaii this year despite lifted travel restrictions.
DOT said it will not approve any port calls, but said plans are in the works to allow ships to dock in early 2022.
Cruise ships carrying passengers to Hawaii have been halted since the start of the pandemic following concerns of COVID outbreaks occurring on board.
Meanwhile, under a conditional sail order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all cruise ships require an agreement with most ports in order to dock.
The order is set to expire on Jan. 15, but it could be extended.
Most Read
You May Like: Dialysis At Sea Cruises
Further Hawaii Sailings Remain Scheduled
Guests who are booked on the sailing are being notified about the cancellations and their compensation options. Carnival is offering a future cruise credit so that an alternative booking can be made with some savings.
Carnival Cruise Line has already changed the voyage and split up those 14 days. The ship will be departing on November 28 on a four-day Mexican Riviera cruise. The itinerary includes a call at Catalina Island and Ensenda, returning to Long Beach on December 2, 2021.
Carnival Miracle is still scheduled to operate its next cruise to Hawaii that departs on January 9, 2022. The ship will sail a 14-day voyage to Hawaii as part of its Carnival Journeys program. The program allows for more time in port and for guests to experience the cultures the ship visits. Theres also a cruise to Hawaii an additional three times in 2022 and even more in 2023.
Currently, there are no guests operations from Hawaii, with only ships visiting to take on fuel and supplies. Celebrity Solstice will be the next ship to make a supply stop with no guests at Honolulu on November 11. The first cruise ships are set to restart in Hawaii in early 2022.
Carnival Miracle became the fourth ship in the fleet to resume passenger operations on July 27 from Seattle, Washington. The ship kickstarted what remained of the Alaska cruise season. More recently, the ship was redeployed to operate Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Long Beach in California in September 2021.