Experience Paradise on a Hawaiian Cruise
Hwaiian cruises provide visitors with an opportunity to traverse all the islands.
There's so much to see in Hawaii and a Hawaiian cruise can be the perfect way to do lots of exploring in the Hawaiian Islands while maintaining one home base…your beautiful cruise ship. Hawaiian cruises present a host of itineraries, but most provide a good opportunity to see a bit of everything.
Choosing a Cruise Line
Many of the world's most well-known cruise lines offer Hawaiian cruises. Several sail from Los Angeles or San Francisco and head towards the South Pacific. Some even begin further north. This means plenty of days at sea to enjoy the ship.
Different lines stop at different islands, but Hawaiian cruise passengers will probably visit Maui, Kauai, Oahu, The Big Island, and perhaps Molokai. Itineraries include opportunities to enjoy unique shore excursions where you might partake in activities like hiking volcanoes, horseback riding along the shore, or even paragliding.
Lines that offer Hawaiian cruises include Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and Norwegian. Radisson Seven Seas, a luxury cruise line, also includes Hawaii on their grand circle tour of the South Pacific.
If you have a particular island or activity in mind, browse the itineraries of the various companies to determine where they sail. Also, you can usually get a list of shore excursions before booking the cruise, giving you a good idea of what exciting activities you may be able to experience on your chosen cruise.
What You'll See
Even though you'll be busy enjoying shipboard activities, the real attraction on a Hawaiian cruise is the islands themselves. Most cruises offer a great line-up of shore excursions and, while doing them all might be a bit costly, you'll be sure to find some that are more than worth the dollars spent.
On Kauai, dubbed The Garden Isle, the number one shore excursion will probably involve a stop at Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. This stunning natural wonder is a place where you can hike, take a river raft trip, or just hang out and enjoy the scenery. Be sure to bring your camera!
In Maui, natural attractions are also popular. You may have the opportunity to bask in the sun on beautiful Ka'anapali Beach or, if you prefer an active excursion, you and your family can go for a hike at Haleakala Crater.
Oahu shore excursions provide a day of historic sightseeing, with visits to the USS Arizona and Missouri memorials and a chance to learn more about the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
Cruises that dock at the Hilo port on the Big Island will probably offer a trip to Volcanoes National Park. While you may not have the opportunity to see the whole park during a limited amount of time, you'll no doubt be mesmerized by the interesting landscape, the lava tubes, and other natural wonders. You'll also learn a lot about volcanoes, thanks to the knowledgeable guides.
If you're lucky enough to get to Molokai, you'll be treated to its incredible beaches, some which are only accessible via small watercraft.
When to Go
Those interested in a Hawaiian cruise can choose any month of the year for their trip of a lifetime. Hawaii is truly a paradise and the weather is great all year long!