Hawaii cruises allow passengers to experience the Hawaiian islands' beauty.
With white sand beaches against deep blue water, awe-inspiring canyons and edged cliffs, smoking volcanoes, flush green meadows and exotic flowers, Hawaii has it all. One of the best ways to explore this diverse state is by hopping its islands, best done via water. Conveniently, several of the major cruise lines offer trips to Hawaii.
Destination Hawaii
Located about 2,400 miles from San Francisco on the U.S. West Coast, the Hawaiian islands are the "crossroads of the Pacific." Year after year, the "Aloha State" serves as a favorite honeymoon spot and draws visitors from around the world.
Cruising Hawaii
Most Hawaii cruises depart from the capital, Honolulu. However, other cruises leave from the U.S. mainland and end in Honolulu, or the other way around. These longer cruises have several sea days; so if you only have a short vacation, you might opt to fly to Hawaii instead of leaving from the mainland.
Some cruises also combine Hawaii cruises with French Polynesian destinations.
Cruises usually take you to the six main Hawaiian islands: Hawaii's Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Oahu and Molokai.
The Islands
Kauai is the lush garden island with canyons, waterfalls and historical landmarks. Some of the most famous beaches can be found on Oahu. The capital of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor are both found on Oahu. Molokai, more tranquil than the other islands, has the largest population of Hawaiian native residents. With two championship golf courses, Lanai is a popular "getaway" spot. Sandy coves and golden beaches can be found on Maui, while Hawaii's Big Island offers beautiful starry night views atop Mauna Kea and breathtaking underwater scenery.
Advantages of Cruises
You can hop all of Hawaii's islands but only need to unpack your suitcase once. Instead of worrying about finding accommodations on each island, you already have a room with a view -- for your entire stay!
While other tourists fight traffic and find parking, you are there as soon as the ship docks. Not only do you save time, you will also be rested for land excursions.
Cruises are usually all-inclusive. Everything you need is on board so you do not need to worry about where to get your next meal or to bring a credit card when just going for a quick coffee on board. Another advantage is that the ships offer lots of entertainment for younger and older audiences.
Travel Seasons
With mild climate year-round, Hawaii is always a good destination. While the rainy season is from November to March, you can expect less precipitation between April and October. Winter (November to February) is generally a good time to see Humpback whales as they escape colder temperatures in other seas and come to Hawaii.
Packing Tips
Aside from the essential swim wear and beach towel, bring comfortable clothes and shoes for your time on board and also for land excursions. As rain showers can be expected any time of the year, bring a rain jacket or an umbrella. Also, wind might be an issue, on board and on land. Check with your cruise operator to see if formal wear is required for (certain) on-board dinners.
Activities on Land
Deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, golf, whale watching, wildlife viewing, sport fishing, cultural tours, surfing, strolling and shopping are all available on land.
Cruise lines offer various shore excursions, which can be booked on board or when you book your cruise. Usually, this includes transportation to and from the place of interest but not meals, unless otherwise noted.
You can also book land activities in advance directly through an operator. Another excursion-booking option is through sites like CruiseCheap.com, which do offer competitive prices on land trips and activities.
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