10 Best Hawaiian Island Cruises, From Adventurous Expeditions to Luxury Ships

27.08.2024 - 22:47 / cntraveler.com / Central America / Holland America / Pearl Harbor

The thing about Hawaii cruises is that there’s no bad time of year to take one. Thanks to its year-round sunshine and warm weather, Hawaii will be there for you whenever you’re ready to set sail.

Several major cruise lines, including Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Viking Cruises, call on ports in Hawaii, with many of them traveling to or from the United States or Canada. Norwegian Cruise Line is the only company that sails exclusively between Oahu and neighboring Hawaiian islands. The Pride of America, a United States-themed ship, makes stops in Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island before returning to Honolulu, a perfect home base for visiting Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

Sailing between the Hawaiian Islands is generally relatively calm, though there are occasional reports of rough patches on cruises that cross the Pacific Ocean. And while every month is a good month to cruise to Hawaii, peak whale-watching season in the region is between January and March. It can be rainy, so you’ll want to pack a rain jacket. But a little rain might just be worth it to avoid summer crowds in one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

Cruises are an ideal way to explore Hawaii, and there are plenty of options that fit a broad range of travel styles and tastes.

Norwegian - Pride of America

Norwegian Pride of America

Most Hawaii cruises require several days at sea, but not Norwegian’s Pride of America. The 2,186-passenger Pride of America is the only cruise ship that sails from Oahu to other Hawaiian islands, minimizing sea days to whisk travelers to four Hawaiian islands in a 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. It overnights in Maui and Kauai and makes two stops on the Big Island—in Hilo and Kona. Onboard the Pride of America, you’ll find a classic American diner, a Brazilian churrascaria, a steakhouse, sushi bar, and teppanyaki in addition to pools, an arcade, shops, and a spa. There are several bars, including a Napa-themed wine bar, a Mardi Gras style nightclub, and old-style Gold Rush Saloon.

Seven Seas Mariner

Regent Seven Seas isn’t just one of the most luxurious ships sailing in Hawaii, it also offers one of the most interesting itineraries. Sail from Miami to Honolulu on the Seven Seas Mariner by first crossing the iconic Panama Canal before sailing the western coast of Mexico and Central America toward Hawaii. The ship makes three Hawaiian stops on this 21-night itinerary, including an overnight stop in Honolulu. Level up your cruise experience by booking a penthouse suite, which includes access to a personal butler. All cruise fares include shore excursions, onboard