Hawaii Cruises

The Best Time to Cruise

The obvious time for a Hawaii cruise holiday is summer. Both cities and beaches will be bustling with activity as visitors from all over the world flood the islands at high season. Although busy, Hawaii prepares for a summer rush well.

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, the months of February and September have low rainfall and a comfortable temperature in the mid 20s.

Exploring Hawaii on foot is as important as relaxing on one of the islands’ pristine beaches, so we recommend you pack these essentials:

• Hiking shoes
• Bathers

Top Cruise Lines

Hawaii is one of the most popular cruise destinations on the planet. Its no wonder that all of the best cruise lines offer itineraries that include the paradise-like islands. Departing from a home port near you is made easy with the following companies:

• Princess cruises to Hawaii
• Holland America cruises to Hawaii
• Royal Caribbean cruises to Hawaii

Top Ports

Kauai

Experience a different kind of paradise and escape to Kauai, the Aloha State’s oldest and northernmost island. This beautiful island landscape holds an abundance of lush emerald rainforests and sweeping rivers and is often nicknamed “The Garden Isle”.

An unspoken rule amongst the Kauai locals state that no building can exceed the height of a coconut tree, allowing the skyline to be dominated by swaying green palms and majestic mountains, often under a brilliant rainbow.

A wide variety of outdoor activities is available:

• Snorkelling with turtles
• Hiking along one of Kauai’s many extensive trails
• A vintage Biplane tour of the entire island
• The island’s golden sand beaches: the Secret Beach or the Hanalei Bay

Honolulu

For a unique cosmopolitan experience, look no further than Honolulu, a city on the island of Oahu bursting with a dynamic culture and vibrancy.

• Discover the Waikiki Aquarium with its colourful array of exotic local marine life, plus meet the exuberant Hawaiian monk seals
• Waikiki’s famous beaches are the perfect spot for surfing and canoeing
• Manoa Falls make for a fantastic dense forest hike
• Travel to Pearl Harbour and remember the devastating events of the WWII

Maui

Maui is the second-largest island in the group, often referred to as the “Valley Isle” as a result of the vastness and sheer beauty of the Iao Valley.

• Take a guided tour through the stunning rainforest of the valley
• Surf
• Snorkel
• Swim
• Sunbathe – there are plenty of private spots as well as beaches with lifeguards and picnic areas
• Take a hike to the summit of Haleakala, it is well worth a visit for the incredible sunset view

Highlights

Volcanoes

The islands came to life millions of years ago with the help of volcanoes. Some of Hawaii’s most remarkable landscapes were formed by volcanoes:

• Hawaii Volcano National Park is located on the biggest island, Hawaii. The park offers a unique experience of coming face-to-face with an active volcano – something you will never forget.
• Kilauea and Maunaloa are the world’s most active volcanoes and are also located on the island of Hawaii. Both have quite recently erupted, Maunaloa in 1984 and Kilauea in 1983-2018.
• The smaller active volcanoes around the islands include Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kohala.

History & Culture

Hawaii is not just a pretty face, there is so much fascinating history if you look behind the pristine beach scene, so many life lessons that can be learnt and so much spectacular culture.

• Visit the Iolani Palace, the former residence of the Kamehameha dynasty, the long-ruling royal family. You will learn all about the Polynesian heritage.
• Pay your respects to the Pearl Harbor victims while on the island of Oahu.

Charming Countryside

This Pacific gem is a splendid mix of ancient tradition and enchanting beauty, in harmony with its serenity and island ambience. As well as some picturesque beaches, the islands of Hawaii are covered in thousands of acres of crops such as:

• Cacao
• Coffee
• Macadamia nuts

Farm tours are quite popular as they offer incredible views and stop at a few secret waterfalls along the way.