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Dreaming of a vacation in the Aloha State? If so, you're among friends, in fact, millions of friends. Just the island of Oahu, where Honolulu and its famous Waikiki Beach are located, welcomes about a half-million visitors every month. The vast majority arrive by air, and they island-hop by air, too, in a bid to see as much of the islands as possible, but there is a better way to travel among Hawaii's tropical, romantic destinations, and that's by cruise ship.
It's the best way to avoid the small plane island-hopping routine, and there's no packing and unpacking and no time wasted checking in and out of various hotels. And those who worry that they won't get that total Hawaii experience should fear not since cruise ships offer a wide variety of excursions to Hawaii's iconic places. Moreover, cruisers can sit back and enjoy the spectacular views that come only with arriving and departing the islands by sea.
Multiple Cruise Lines Sail The Hawaiian Islands
Travelers have plenty of choices when it comes to selecting the best Hawaii cruise experience. Several lines offer Hawaii cruises from U.S. and Canadian embarkation ports along the West Coast.
Princess Cruises, for example, offers 15- and 16-day cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, and once among the islands calls at Kona, on the island of Hawaii, Lahaina, on Maui, and Honolulu. However, like most other cruise lines, several days of the cruise are spent at sea while the ships ply the Pacific between the West Coast cities and the islands. It means that just five days are actually spent on the islands.
Holland America Line offers a similar arrangement, selling 16- to 18-day Hawaii cruises from San Diego and Vancouver. It also has a 35-day cruise that adds Tahiti to a Hawaii cruise. Royal Caribbean has a one-way cruise offer, meaning a traveler can fly to Hawaii and board the ship in Honolulu, spend a few days in the islands and then spend five days at sea before reaching Vancouver. Rates for all Hawaii cruises vary based on season, cabin choice, and cruise length.
There is only one cruise ship that sails among the islands, roundtrip from Honolulu, all year long, and that is the Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America.
Pride Of America Cruise Departs Honolulu Every Saturday
The cruise ship Pride of America is a 20-year-old ship, but it was refurbished in 2016. Smaller than the new mega-ships coming out of the shipyards today, it carries just 2,200 guests and 927 crew. The ship has several dining venues and specialty dining rooms and seven bars and nightclubs. Its accommodations range from suites to balcony cabins, oceanview cabins, inside staterooms, and studio staterooms.
Its inter-island cruise takes travelers to four Hawaiian islands and five ports during the seven-day sailing. Departing every Saturday from Honolulu, Oahu, the ship calls at Kahului, Maui; Hilo and Kona, Hawaii; and Nāwiliwili, on Kauai.
An impressive slate of island excursions allows visitors to experience Hawaii in the same ways that a non-cruise vacation would offer. Water sport and wildlife enthusiasts, for instance, can book the ship's three-hour Captain Zodiac Raft and Snorkel Adventure. The excursion is offered while the ship calls at the island of Hawaii and uses Zodiac Hurricane vessels. The high-speed vessels make their way to the Kealakekua Bay marine preserve, and on the way, it's likely that participants will see dolphins, whales, and other marine life. The preserve is known for its abundance of coral and tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling.
A 4.5-hour trip to Volcanoes National Park, on the island of Hawaii and home to the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, showcases the dramatic craters, volcanoes, and steam vents that mesmerize visitors. Transported by motorcoach, cruisers will visit the Kilauea Visitors Center to learn about the park and the recent volcanic activity there.
Other iconic Hawaiian experiences can be enjoyed through cruise line excursions, such as a traditional luau. Pride of America guests also can opt for a cruise-tour vacation, which provides a seven-day cruise and a land component.
How To Be Mindful Of Local Hawaiian Customs
Regardless of how one gets to Hawaii, by air or by sea, there are local customs that visitors should keep in mind, including these seven guidelines, from the state tourism authority:
- Acknowledge the semantics of the Hawaiian language by only referring to things as “Hawaiian” if you’re talking about the indigenous culture and people of Hawaii.
- A flower tucked above your left ear (the same side as your heart) means that you have a significant other, while a flower tucked above your right ear lets others know that you’re available.
- Avoid using a car horn while driving in Hawaii (unless it's meant as a friendly gesture).
- Don't remove rocks or sand from a beach or lava rocks from a volcano.
- Remove shoes before entering someone’s house since virtually all households in Hawaii follow the practice.
- A lei is considered an appropriate gift for many occasions.
- Practice humility; things like flashy clothes and name-dropping in Hawaii are typically thought to be arrogant.