Cruising the Hawaiian Islands presents U.S. vacationers an immersive South Pacific escape with all of the comforts of residence. The Aloha State is, in some ways, the best cruise vacation spot. It has year-round sunny climate, 4 most important islands that includes diverse topographies — together with sandy seashores, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant inexperienced valleys — and a big selection of land- and water-based actions.
The primary caveat? Hawaii cruise choices are considerably restricted — only a fraction of what is obtainable within the Caribbean — and plenty of itineraries contain multiday crossings from the West Coast. Just one cruise line presents Hawaii itineraries all year long; most others go to throughout particular months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.
Searching for the Hawaiian Islands crusing that is best for you? Here is a have a look at the eight finest Hawaii cruises for each sort of traveler.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 7-night Inter-island Hawaii
For vacationers who need extra aloha time than the everyday eight-hour port name permits, Norwegian Cruise Line has an answer. Its 2,186-passenger Pleasure of America lets vacationers pattern 4 Hawaiian Islands over seven days, with overnights at Maui and Kauai, plus port calls at each Hilo and Kona on the Massive Island. In whole, this itinerary presents almost 100 hours of shore time.
Pleasure of America sails round-trip from Honolulu each Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it is the one massive vessel permitted to sail this fashion. Not solely do you skip the lengthy Pacific crossing that the majority cruise ships do to succeed in Hawaii, however passports usually are not required for U.S. residents, and you may tack on precruise or postcruise stays on Oahu.
The overnights on Maui and Kauai additionally imply it is doable to attempt a number of of Hawaii’s signature experiences that the majority port calls do not enable. Passengers can catch nightfall or daybreak from atop Maui’s huge 10,023-foot dormant volcano with dawn and sundown excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all evening on Kauai, company who need to get pleasure from conventional Hawaiian delicacies, music and hula performances can e book the Luau Kalamaku for a enjoyable night out.
Pleasure of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, would not have the onboard thrills (suppose: a racetrack, digital actuality gaming and waterslides) of Norwegian’s newer ships — however that is OK, as a result of the islands, not the ship, are your most important vacation spot. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant and, at occasions, kitschy approach, however a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public areas feeling refreshed.
A lot of Norwegian’s specialty eating venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, together with Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro (right here, it is Jefferson’s Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.
Who ought to go: This itinerary is right for anybody looking for a handy approach to island hop — and see quite a lot of Hawaii — because it makes the a lot of the beneficiant shore time with a mix of unbiased exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings appeal to {couples} ages 50 and older, though summer season and vacation sailings have loads of households on board.
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UnCruise Adventures’ 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes
Cruisers looking for a much less conventional, extra carefree Hawaii expertise can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures’ 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins both on Molokai or Hawaii Island, is an unconventional one designed for many who get pleasure from going off the crushed path in an intimate and extra genuine setting. U.S. passports aren’t required to sail.
UnCruise visits 4 islands — Maui and Lanai, plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not solely their putting landscapes and underwater magnificence but in addition the cultural traditions, delicacies and music of the Hawaiian individuals. On Molokai, the place there’s not a single site visitors mild and the life-style is slow-paced, passengers get an opportunity to “discuss story” with locals and luxuriate in a paina (feast) and night jam session. Lanai actions vary from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to all-terrain-vehicle adventures exploring the privately owned island’s dramatic sea cliffs, purple rock formations and huge fields as soon as stuffed with Dole pineapples.
Maui’s humpback whale season is usually from mid-January to March. In case your cruise falls inside that time-frame, you may catch sight of them whereas cruising off the coast of Maui. You may additionally catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A “Captain’s Selection” day is a wild card decided by the climate, marine life within the space and different components, whereas the ultimate two days are spent exploring the Massive Island through a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff experience alongside the rugged coast, amongst different actions.
Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with journey itineraries in thoughts (in summer season, the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its dimension permits it to navigate areas bigger ships cannot attain, which in Hawaii means bays and coves superb for snorkeling or water sports activities.
With such a small variety of passengers aboard, company get to know one another — and Safari Explorer’s pleasant and educated crew — fairly properly. Passengers come collectively over meals that includes domestically sourced substances, and as all UnCruise fares embody limitless wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can elevate a glass with out worrying about who’s shopping for a spherical. All of it lends itself to an unique but completely relaxed week of cruising.
Who ought to go: The ship’s laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based actions make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary superb for energetic vacationers looking for a nature-focused itinerary — though cruise fares (which begin round $5,900 per particular person) are among the many priciest for a Hawaii cruise.
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Holland America’s 17- and 18-night Circle Hawaii
Vacationers who’ve greater than two weeks to spare and like to reach in Hawaii through ship relatively than an airplane can accomplish that on Holland America’s 17- and 18-night Circle Hawaii itinerary, crusing round-trip from San Diego and Vancouver, British Columbia. The itinerary is obtainable in 2025 and 2026 on the two,650-passenger Koningsdam, 1,432-passenger Zaandam and a couple of,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam.
Cruisers who e book these sailings should love sea days as a result of crossing the Pacific to Hawaii and again requires 10 days. In between, passengers get pleasure from 5 or 6 days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Massive Island. Some itineraries keep in choose ports in a single day. Itineraries from San Diego embody a name on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports might be required.
Vacationers with extra time can even go to Hawaii as a part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Holland America presents a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary that mixes visits to 4 Hawaiian Islands with calls in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati — plus almost three weeks of sea days.
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Even longer itineraries can be found aboard Zaandam. Select between 51- and 56-night Tales of the South Pacific sailings that go to a number of islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia, together with ports within the Cook dinner Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.
Holland America is in style with cruisers ages 60 and older, a lot of them retired, who’ve time to get pleasure from longer itineraries on ships that supply good worth with a give attention to culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam’s hottest venues are its reside leisure space with three venues — B.B. King’s Blues Membership (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits performed by a reside pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a reside band enjoying basic rock) — and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree display used for each BBC Earth in Live performance and theatrical productions.
Onboard specialty eating choices (at an added price) embody Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for pan-Asian delicacies and Rudi’s Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.
Who ought to go: Mature vacationers preferring to not fly and luxuriate in a extra conventional cruise expertise will respect this itinerary. They need to additionally love sea days as a lot as (or much more than) port exploration.
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Princess Cruises’ 16-night Hawaiian Islands
Most sailings happen aboard the three,080-passenger Ruby Princess (from San Francisco) and three,080-passenger Emerald Princess (from Los Angeles).
Ships are in port for 9 to 11 hours when visiting Hawaii Island (Hilo), Kauai and Maui; they keep for 16 hours throughout Oahu port calls. Itineraries embody a cease in Ensenada, so passports are required, plus 9 or 10 sea days.
The ships characteristic a lot of Princess’ in style eating venues, together with Alfredo’s Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. They’ve loads of out of doors area for absorbing some solar — together with an adults-only sundeck — and a blinding piazza for having fun with cocktails, gelato and pop-up road performers.
Followers of Princess’ Films Below the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming may have ample time to get pleasure from these perks on a Hawaii crusing.
Who ought to go: These sailings will enchantment to {couples} or teams of buddies preferring to have a large alternative of crusing dates, can take the time to get pleasure from a leisurely Pacific crossing, and respect Princess’ give attention to high quality delicacies and a sundeck designed for leisure relatively than thrills.
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Superstar’s 8- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise
Vacationers looking for fashionable inside decor on a ship designed with {couples} in thoughts can go to Hawaii aboard Superstar Cruises’ 2,852-passenger Superstar Solstice or 2,918-passenger Superstar Edge on itineraries starting from eight to 12 nights — however provided that the timing is correct. That is as a result of the road solely presents two sailings per ship every year (in spring and fall) when the ships reposition between Alaska and locations within the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.
These cruises name on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii Island), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All embody 5 days in a row at sea. For the reason that itineraries both start or finish in Honolulu, there’s additionally an opportunity for some precruise or postcruise exploration.
Sea days supply alternatives to get pleasure from these ships’ stylish, grown-up atmosphere and facilities. Every vessel presents a number of complimentary and extra-fee specialty eating places. Superstar Solstice options Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for contemporary French delicacies; passengers aboard Superstar Edge can benefit from the worldwide Eden Restaurant and Wonderful Lower Steakhouse, amongst many different eating choices.
Superstar’s signature Martini Bar and plenty of different onboard watering holes maintain the grown-up vibe going day and evening. You possibly can both select cruise fares that embody alcohol and Wi-Fi or pay a decrease charge and pay on your drinks as you go.
Who ought to go: The marginally shorter one-way sailings and the ships’ up to date atmosphere make these itineraries superb for {couples} and teams of buddies looking for a soothing escape — particularly these of their 40s and 50s who’re a part of Era X and inside Superstar’s goal market.
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Carnival’s 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles
If a very good time is your cruise mantra, the “enjoyable ship” model Carnival Cruise Line presents a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Lengthy Seaside, California) aboard 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like different spherical journeys from the West Coast, these itineraries spend 4 days in Hawaii, providing eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on 4 islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii Island. Together with having fun with eight sea days, company may even name on Ensenada, so passports are required.
Carnival Radiance first sailed beneath that identify in 2021, however it’s not a brand new ship. Earlier than an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship options embody a lot of Carnival’s signature complimentary and extra-fee eating venues, corresponding to Man’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Specific.
Extra visitor favourite locations on board embody the RedFrog Pub, the Alchemy Bar and the WaterWorks aqua park. Anticipate high-voltage theater reveals from Playlist Productions at evening and poolside interactive contests by day.
Who ought to go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival’s emphasis on onboard enjoyable and might respect a colourful ship with a full of life atmosphere and many day and night actions will doubtless get pleasure from this itinerary.
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Royal Caribbean’s 8-night Hawaii Cruise
A megaship cruise expertise to Hawaii is on the market, too, on Royal Caribbean’s 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas in April 2025 and 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas in Might 2026.
Every ship will cease in Hawaii on its approach again from Australia, the place Quantum is spending winter 2024-25 and Anthem will take its place in winter 2025-26. These one-way cruises from Oahu to Vancouver embody a cease in Kona and a scenic cruise alongside the Napali Coast earlier than the ship crosses the Pacific. Since this itinerary ends in Vancouver, passports are required.
Sister ships Quantum and Anthem of the Seas characteristic a mixture of thrills for all ages. These embody RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated browsing, bumper automobile racing within the SeaPlex indoor exercise advanced and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 toes above the highest deck for 360-degree views.
The ships additionally supply greater than a dozen eating venues, together with the revolutionary Wonderland restaurant, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Canine Home. Bar choices embody Schooner Bar for piano tunes by request, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Leisure ranges from reside cowl bands within the Music Corridor to multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.
Who ought to go: This itinerary is for cruisers who love a giant ship with a big selection of eating selections, all types of night leisure and loads of thrilling actions to cross the time on sea days. Additionally, fares for these sailings begin from $776 per particular person (based mostly on double occupancy) for an inside cabin, making them inexpensive cruise choices — although you will need to tack on a number of nights in a resort to see extra of Hawaii earlier than you set sail.
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Silversea’s 10- to 13-night Hawaii cruises
For those who’d favor to cruise to Hawaii on an opulent small ship, Silversea Cruises presents one-way cruises between Hawaii and Vancouver on the 596-passenger Silver Moon and 392-passenger Silver Whisper.
Silver Whisper’s 10-night itineraries sail between Honolulu and Vancouver and go to Hawaiian ports in Maui, Kauai and the Massive Island (Kona and Hilo) with six days spent at sea. Silver Moon’s 13-night Hawaii cruise begins in Hilo then overnights in Kona, adopted by calls in Kauai, Maui and Oahu (with a second in a single day in Honolulu) earlier than its six-day Pacific crossing to Vancouver.
However who will thoughts every week at sea while you’re being handled to gourmand eating and free-flowing drinks (together with Champagne and caviar wherever and everytime you’d prefer it)? In your spacious suite (sure, everybody will get one), you will be spoiled by a butler who will draw you an aromatherapy bathtub, deliver you truffle popcorn to get pleasure from with an in-room film and even unpack and repack your baggage. You possibly can hunt down further pampering within the ship’s spa or make new buddies while you be a part of a aggressive afternoon trivia crew.
If you do set foot in Hawaii, you are entitled to at least one shore tour freed from cost day-after-day. You don’t have any excuse to not go off and discover.
Who ought to go: {Couples} preferring the delicate atmosphere of a small ship with few kids on board and who’re content material to spend sea days in quiet pursuits, corresponding to studying, attending visitor lectures or enjoying bridge with new buddies. Silversea’s all-inclusive cruise fares aren’t low cost — however should you discover worth in attentive service, refined facilities and included meals and beverage, the splurge might be worthwhile.
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