The best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip
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A guide to Hawaii vacations for couples including where to go, what to do and how to amp up the romance on a Hawaiian cruise to the islands. Hawaii is ideal to visit 365 days per year, whether you're looking to laze on a beach, explore the rainforest explorer or scale a volcano. However, prices and crowds increase when kids are out of school and during Christmas and New Year's. Quantum of the Seas® takes you on an epic adventure to the best of Hawaii. Then savor a fresh roast of coffee grown in the ancient lava fields of Kailua Kona the next.
Ancient Sanctuary
Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's 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. Using sunscreen in the islands is key if you want to prevent severe sunburn, which can happen quickly, especially in the middle part of the day.
Experience the islands on board and ashore
UnCruise offers a yacht-like experience on board the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. Sail from November through April on a seven-night itinerary that swaps touristy Oahu for Hawaii’s least developed island—Molokai. Because it’s so small, the Safari Explorer can access ports the big ships can’t and help travelers better connect with local communities. This itinerary includes a traditional evening feast in Molokai, something you won’t find on other Hawaiian cruise itineraries. Most cruises to Hawaii require several days at sea, but not Norwegian’s Pride of America.
DOH monitoring illness aboard Honolulu-bound cruise ship - Spectrum News
DOH monitoring illness aboard Honolulu-bound cruise ship.
Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii
Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit. Walkable downtown Kailua-Kona has many boutiques and galleries where you'll find unique jewelry, Hawaiian quilts, carved koa wood bowls and other unique and handcrafted items by Hawaii artisans. At the Kona Farmers Market (Wednesdays through Sundays), you can find macadamia nuts, local honeys and jams, Hawaiian crafts and Kona coffee.
Hawaii Cruises: Cruise to Hawaii with Princess
We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Embrace the culture of the islands by learning these Hawaiian words and sayings. Once the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty, great warrior King Kamehameha chose to make Maui's Lahaina his capital after uniting the Hawaiian islands.
Book a snorkeling tour and explore what's beneath the sea with your cruise to Honolulu. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.
Disney Cruise Line: 10-night Hawaiian Cruise from Vancouver Ending in Honolulu
You can also find modern takes on the traditional flavors and products with your Hawaii cruise, like wok-charred local ahi tuna with wasabi soy sauce or roasted lamb from nearby Kahua Ranch. Each itinerary features one to two more “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic. The best time of year to visit Hawaii is from March to September, when you can expect warm temperatures and less rain. Hawaii is, however, a year-round destination, with great snorkeling, hiking, and beach life at any time of year. The combination of coconut palms, ice-cold cocktails, gorgeous beaches, and the beauty of the underwater world offers the perfect escape for couples.
The most popular all-Hawaii cruise option is on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, which sails round-trip from Honolulu year-round, departing and returning every Saturday. You can plop down in the sand on beautifully manicured strands of white sand or find more rugged volcanic black sand beaches. Look for beach parks with sheltered swimming areas for families or find a secluded beach away from popular tourist areas.
Holland America: 17-day Circle Hawaii - Round Trip from San Diego
After four days at sea, the Koningsdam stops in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to San Diego. This trip aboard the 4,905-passenger Quantum of the Seas offers passengers much to do during days at sea, including a surf simulator, bumper cars, a skydiving simulator, and a 360-degree observation deck. After departing Vancouver, British Columbia, the ship spends four days at sea before it arrives in Lahaina, Maui, for a day of exploring. Options include strolling through the historic town, visiting Haleakala Crater, whale watching, and swimming at Kaanapali Beach. The final stop is Oahu, where passengers spend as much time as they want exploring Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, or the rest of the island before heading home.
The ship then sails on to Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can indulge in wine tastings, e-bike tours, and ATV adventures in the Guadalupe Valley. This cruise aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess departs San Francisco in the late afternoon. Swimming pools, hot tubs, miniature golf, Discovery at Sea programs, movies, dancing, and shows ensure plenty to do during the four days at sea on the way to Hawaii. Shipboard programs for youths, teens, and families provide something for everyone.
For a completely different interisland cruise, UnCruise Adventures offers a more off-the-beaten-path, adventure-focused sailing on the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The itinerary features two-day overnight visits to Maui and Kauai and stops in both Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, as well as scenic cruising along Kauai's famed Napali Coast. It's easy to book pre- or post-cruise stays in Honolulu to explore places like Waikiki Beach, Diamondhead Crater and Pearl Harbor. Here, we've gathered all the information you need to know to choose the perfect Aloha State sailing for your travel style, budget and allotted vacation time.
The 2,186-passenger Pride of America is the only cruise ship that sails from Oahu to neighboring Hawaiian islands, minimizing sea days while taking travelers to four Hawaiian islands in a single week. The ship departs from Honolulu every Saturday all year long, making it easy to tack on visits to Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and Waikiki Beach. The ship spends the night in Maui and Kauai, and makes two stops on the island of Hawaii—also known as the Big Island—in Hilo and Kona. Aboard the Pride of America, you’ll find a Miami-inspired pool, a Gold Rush Saloon, and restaurants for every palate. Spend a week exploring four of Hawaii's islands during this this cruise aboard the 2,186-passenger Pride of America, with onboard activities that include basketball, volleyball, video games, theater, hot tubs, spa, and shopping. Next is a day in Hilo on the Big Island where guests can see a volcano, rain forest, waterfalls, or a lush botanical garden.
The best Hawaii itinerary in my opinion is Norwegian Cruise Line's seven-night round-trip Honolulu sailings on Pride of America. The U.S.-flagged ship is the only big ship able to sail interisland itineraries without calling on a foreign port. If a Hawaii cruise sounds like the perfect getaway to you, you'll want to read up on which lines offer which types of itineraries, as well as which islands and ports you must visit.
In addition, unless you live on the West Coast, a Hawaii cruise will require a long flight either to California or Honolulu, so you'll want plenty of time to find an airfare deal or available award seat. That's because the cruise lines offer comparatively few Hawaii sailings as compared to Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, for example. UnCruise Adventures is the line for travelers who want to get off the beaten path on a small ship with a flexible itinerary. These sailings are perfect for active folks who want to get up close to nature. You don't have to be a true cruiser to love UnCruise, but you do need a large budget, as intimate adventures don't come cheap.
The small but mighty Kauai is one of the best Hawaii ports for outdoor, nature-based adventure. Get your cameras out for the rocky landscapes of the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Napali Coast. If you like hiking or kayaking, you've come to the right island, but you can also take it easy on any number of nearby beaches. From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Pride of America has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise.
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