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.
Cruise To Hawaii From Honolulu
In Hawaii, the cocktails are always filled with fresh fruit, the sun is always awake and ready to greet you as you sip on your morning cup of Kona coffee, and the warm, tropical sea is always chasing the shore line waiting for you to come out and play. Theres no better way to see it for yourself than on a Hawaiian cruise. Its your turn to learn to surf or swim with the dolphins, to hike volcanoes and run your hands through the black sand of Hawaiis sexy shoreline. Cruises to Hawaii that depart from Honolulu are the best, all inclusive way to get a sun tan and rock that Hawaiian shirt youve had buried in the back of your closet since Memorial Day.Norwegian Cruise Line offers year-round cruises right from Honolulu on the Pride of America. The staff at HawaiiCruises.travel strongly recommend the NCL Hawaiian itinerary as passengers will have the best opportunity to explore all of the major islands of Hawaii. HawaiiCruises.travel offers highly competitive rates on Hawaiian cruises departing from Honolulu. Our customer service staff is Hawaii-savvy and helpful. Theyre ready to help you organize the perfect Hawaiian cruise vacation. Book online or call us at 1-877-721-8085 for discounted rates plus free onboard credits.
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Why Cruise To Hawaii
Cruises take travelers to four major Hawaiian islands â 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 wonât have to book your own boat tour in Kauai.
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Six Ways To Cruise Hawaii
Despite Hawaii being one of the top west coast cruise destinations for decades, many folks we talk with still don’t 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. Let’s 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. That’s 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.
Cruise Destinations From Honolulu
If youre looking for the best way to explore Hawaii, Honolulu is the perfect choice for you! With an extensive selection of round trip cruises from Honolulu, you can typically visit must-see destinations in the region such as Lahaina, Kahului, and Hilo. Norwegian Cruise Line namely has an exceptional choice of seven day Hawaiian cruises from Honolulu on Pride of America that depart on a weekly basis. Those looking for cruises from Honolulu to Australia can book one of the numerous Transpacific cruises or South Pacific cruises which island hop through not only Hawaii but other locales in the region such as Papeete, Bora Bora, and Auckland.
Want similar Hawaii cruises but from an alternate departure port? Check out our cruises from Los Angeles, cruises from San Francisco, and cruises from San Diego. For all you need to book a perfect cruise holiday, head straight to Cruise Guru!
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Day : Hilo Hawaii Island
Watch the sunrise as the ship approaches Hilo Bay on the Island of Hawaii. After a caffeine hit hop off the ship for a full-day discovering Hilo, Hawaiis second-largest town. Skip the free shuttles to Target and Walmart and opt for the US$20 Hoppa-On Hoppa-Off Hilo Tour Bus. Its a convenient way to see Hilos attractions, including Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Downtown Hilo, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hilo Farms Market, the King Kamehameha Statue, Richardson Black Sand Beach and Big Island Candies.
Another favoured tour from Hilo is a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. As a volcanic landscape, park conditions always change. Check nps.gov/havo for updates.
Tonight is a good night for Teppanyaki. Its a Japanese cooking experience where meals are creatively grilled on an iron plate in front of patrons. Wander over to the Waikiki Bar for a Lava Flow cocktail, followed by The Wonders! A Magical Experience.
Where Masks Do Not Need To Be Worn
Despite the extension of the policy, masks are not required to be worn continuously on Royal Caribbean vessels. According to the lines website, masks are not necessary when:
- In open-air areas of the ship, unless in a crowded setting
- In the pool or any activity where masks may become wet
- In staterooms when with the same traveling party
- While visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay unless in a crowded setting
Guests should note that mask requirements can vary in different ports of call, and all visitors are required to abide by local regulations and restrictions at all times.
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First Port Agreements With Carnival Cruise Line And Norwegian Cruise Line
One of the most popular cruise destinations worldwide, Hawaii, is a step closer to allowing cruise ships to its shores. The Hawaiian Department of Transportation announced it had finalized port agreements with Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.
These Port Agreements are a part of the CDCs Conditional Sail Order and must be in place for any cruise ship carrying more than 250 people, including an overnight stay in an area.
The agreements outline the medical evacuation and debark of passengers and crew needing medical attention, where crew and passengers will be housed in case quarantine is necessary and cannot be done aboard the vessels, and a detailed look at both local public health response resources and onboard vaccination strategies.
Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay: We appreciate everyone, including the cruise line representatives, coming together to finalize the required agreements to fulfil the CDC Conditional Sailing Order.
According to the Department of Transportation, both Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have agreed on sailing fully vaccinated. Although this would make little difference for Norwegian Cruise Line, as the company already has a vaccine mandate onboard, for Carnival Cruise Line it would mean there would be no more space for the vaccine-exemption policy the company has in other areas of the United States.
Mask Policy To Continue
In an email sent to booked guests and travel agent partners, Royal Caribbean International is extending its current health and safety protocol requiring masks to be worn indoors onboard its ships on all sailings departing on or before January 31, 2022. This policy applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated venues.
The statement reads: With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking.
Actively eating or drinking is typically defined as being seated at a dining venue with food or drinks available and being utilized. Guests will be expected to wear masks when entering dining rooms and being seated, as well as if their food or drinks have not yet arrived or if they are conversing but not in the process of eating or drinking.
The statement continues:Lastly, in alignment with the updated mask policy, smoking will also not be permitted in the casino for all cruises departing on or before January 31, 2022.
Royal Caribbean first tightened its mask policy on December 17, 2021, in response to increased COVID-19 cases worldwide and the spread of the Omicron variant. Prior to that change, masks were not required in fully-vaccinated venues, even indoors.
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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.
What Is The Closest Cruise Ship Port To Me
Many cruisers start our search based on closest port. In an ideal world, our cruise would depart from one of the U.S. cruise port within driving distance.
Once we get out of range, we have to start planning flights, ubers, and hotels. That adds a whole level of complexity and additional costs that we’d prefer to avoid.
Check out the map and list below to find your closest cruise port.
Make sure to pin that list to your “Cruise Search” board for easy reference!
Here’s a complete list below by state. Also provided are links to find more detail on each departure port as well as links to shore excursions for each.
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Hawaii Cruises From Honolulu Hawaii
Thought about a vacation of island-hopping without having to pay for individual lodging and dining expenses in each location? Because travelers are looking for a comprehensive yet affordable vacation of the Hawaiian islands, cruises departing directly from Honolulu have seen a surge over the past decade, starting with Norwegian Cruise Linesâ Pride of America.
While the Pride of America itself stays within the islands alone, offering round-trip itineraries, other cruise lines have taken advantage of this interest. The result is multiple contemporary and luxury companies starting their trips from the Hawaiian capital, traveling around the islands, and then heading off to North America, Asia, or Australia.
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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Departure Ports Of Cruises To Hawaiian Islands
There are 7 departure ports for cruises to Hawaii: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, New Zealand, San Diego, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, and Vancouver.
Honolulu: Cruises around the Hawaiian islands depart from Honolulu all year round.
China: One cruise line offers a cruise to Hawaii from Hong Kong.
Los Angeles: Princess offers many round-trip cruises from LA to Hawaii. Carnival also has cruises.
New York: Cruise all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Hawaiian Islands.
New Zealand: One-way and round-trip cruises across the Pacific.
Papeete: Cruise from Tahiti to Hawaii directly or as a stop on a longer journey.
San Diego: Holland America Line has long round-trip cruises from San Diego to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
San Francisco: Round-trip cruises to Hawaii on Princess and Carnival.
Sydney: Princess offers three long round-trip cruises from Australia to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
Tokyo: A long cruise from Japan to Hawaii, Alaska and the South Pacific.
Vancouver: Five cruise lines offer cruises from Canada to Hawaii.
Hawaii Cruises That Departs From California
This is the most common way that people cruise to Hawaii and it is a fine option. Unfortuantely, because of the distance from the mainland, this adds several sea days to your voyage. For example, for cruises from San Diego this would add FOUR sea days to your trip. On a round trip Holland America Line Zuiderdam “Hawaii Circle Cruise” that turns a cruise with five days in Hawaii to a 17-day cruise that includes a stop in Ensenda, Mexico to satisfy regulations regarding the PVSA. Of course, if you want something special and have plenty of time, Zuiderdam also hosts a 45-day Tales Of The South Pacific scheduled for October next year that leaves and returns to San Diego but explores Hawaii and the South Pacific for a starting price of only $7,000 vs the 17-day Hawaii Circle Cruise for $1,899.
For folks with lots of time, this is a great option since it generally isn’t that much more expensive than booking an inside cabin on Norwegian’s Pride of America cruise ship. For example, both of them are about the same price for Hawaii cruises in the spring of 2022 at a starting price for an inside cabin coming in about $2,000 per person. Certainly that’s a lot of extra value for the Holland America Line option.
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Cruise Lines To Hawaii
Choose from six Hawaii cruise lines. Sail across the Pacific Ocean and explore beauty of volcanic proportions in the Hawaiian Islands. With ports of call on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, you’ll be captivated by some of the world’s best beaches and left breathless by Hawaii’s many natural wonders on any one of these cruises to Hawaii.
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.
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California To Hawaii Round
Round-trip cruises from California ports to Hawaii start at 14 days in duration, which allows for nine or 10 full days at sea as bookends to four or more days of island hopping. Cruise ports in the islands include Honolulu on Oahu, Lahaina on Maui, Nawiliwili on Kauai, and the ports of Hilo and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. An example of a round-trip cruise is Holland America’s 18-day Circle Hawaii trip, which takes you from San Diego to Hilo, then Kona, Honolulu, Lahaina and Nawiliwili before returning to San Diego.
Other Cruise Lines And Masks
The initial tightening of mask requirements aboard Royal Caribbean vessels occurred the same day that Norwegian Cruise Line, which had been sailing fully-vaccinated, mask-free cruises, added a mask requirement to its ships.
Carnival Cruise Line also requires masks as part of its Have Fun. Be Safe. safety protocols, with guidelines almost identical to Royal Caribbeans policy. Carnivals policy is also required through January 31, with masks then only strongly encouraged in all indoor venues from February 1 through March 31, 2022.
After February 1, Carnival will still require masks for all guests ages 2 and older in elevators and in designated indoor venues, all retail shops, in the casino, and at any indoor activity with children under 12 years, including prior to being seated at dining venues. At that time, it is possible that some indoor venues where social distancing can be maintained may no longer require masks, though the policy can always be adjusted as needed.
Princess Cruises also requires guests to wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, on all cruises through March 31. According to Princess Cruises updated CruiseHealth FAQ, Exceptions are made while guests are eating or drinking, receiving spa treatments relating to the face, during high-intensity exercise, in pools, whirlpools or sauna, as well as in their stateroom.
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