Everything you need to know about inter-island travel in Hawaii
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For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific.
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Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu. Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall. Celebrity Cruises offers 10-night and 11-night departures out of Honolulu that visit Lahaina, Maui, Hilo and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Then the Celebrity Solstice heads east for Vancouver, British Columbia.
Princess Cruises
The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required. If you really want to get the most out of your Hawaiian vacation and have the time and budget to do so, consider taking a cruise. Cruise lines such as Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries that take you to the four major islands — some even include overnight stays. You'll see Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island without worrying about how to get around other than getting on and off the ship. With Norwegian, you can also combine a cruise around Hawaii with a trip to French Polynesia, which sounds most excellent to us. Forever immortalized on TV as the “Love Boat,” Princess Cruises also plies Hawaiian waters, though the cruises don’t usually originate in Honolulu.
Night Circle Hawaii & Pacific CoastalDetails
Five departures are scheduled throughout the day, every day of the week. Discounted rates are available for children, as well Hawaii residents who have a valid driver’s license. The ferry travels between the port of Lahaina on Maui and the ferry dock on the island of Lanai.
There is just no way to have any sense of immersion with the culture on a limited overnight visit. The spirit of Aloha is more than just a greeting, it is being in the present and connecting to the essence of life. It teaches us peace, compassion, respect and a responsibility. Dare I say that on island there is great significance to the passage of time (;-0). If any of this resonates with you, a longer stay in one island maybe a better choice.
Norwegian Cruise Line Hawaii 7-Night Hawaii Cruise Inter-Island from Honolulu
Recent competition spurred a $30 million overhaul of the ship, including the addition of new suites and cabins suitable for solo travelers. Cruises depart Honolulu and visit Maui, Kauai and both the Hilo and Kona sides of the Big Island. Swimming pools, hot tubs and a fitness center help you work off some of the calories from sampling Hawaiian, Pacific Rim and other international cuisines. Learn to hula, listen to authentic Hawaiian music and learn about the culture of the islands.
day trips hawaiian stylepopular tours below
However, not every airline charges the same number of miles for inter-islands flights on Hawaiian, so it pays to shop around with the miles you have available. And, of course, if you are flying on an inter-island route operated by Southwest, then you have yet another set of choices. Here's a rundown of some popular options, prices listed as one-way except where noted. To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. But while there are options, in most cases, you are probably boarding a flight before saying aloha to your next Hawaiian island destination.
Hits and Misses on a Hawaii Cruise on NCL's Pride of America - Cruise Critic
Hits and Misses on a Hawaii Cruise on NCL's Pride of America.
Posted: Sun, 17 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
But in 2012 cruise operators went to Congress and were successful in having Hawaii made an exception to both laws. The competition is heating up as well-known cruise brands vie for dock space and passengers in the Hawaiian Islands. Another way to see the islands from the water, or even travel among them, is to charter a vessel. Boat charters, whether for fishing, snorkeling or pleasure, are available from most of the marinas on the four major islands, as well as Lanai and Molokai.
The best time to cruise to Hawaii - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise to Hawaii.
Posted: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles
You can visit Hawaii without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America and UnCruise's Safari Explorer, both U.S.-flagged vessels, are the only cruise ships based in Hawaii. Other lines and ships offer there-and-back Hawaii itineraries from ports like San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Pride of America, owned by NCL, is the oldie but goodie in the Hawaiian cruise industry. As the only registered United States vessel of this size, it’s been offering seven-night cruises within the Hawaiian Islands for years.
You may not need to use airline miles for an inter-island trip in Hawaii if cash prices are low enough. We always recommend doing the math to make sure you are getting a decent value for your points. But if you are flying Southwest (fixed-value points), or when prices cross that $100 threshold, using miles become a deal worth considering. If you want to get a Hawaii island-hop in your larger booking "for free," book your trip to Hawaii using United miles.
When the sun sets, get ready for unforgettable stargazing well past midnight. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the culture, sights and local flavor of five unique ports including O`ahu, Maui, Hilo, Kona and Kaua`i. Discover the recently refurbished Norwegian Spirit as you witness the South Pacific’s untouched islands on a Hawaii and French Polynesia cruise.
On Oahu, visit Honolulu's Waikiki Beach and pay your respects at Pearl Harbor. View active volcanos on Hawaii, the Big Island, seek out water sports in laidback Maui and escape from it all in Kauai. Experience all this and more when you plan your next cruise to Hawaii. Prefer to spend some time at sea to heading back to the airport? It is possible to take a ferry between Maui and Lanai with the Expeditions Lanai Passenger Ferry.
With just eight miles separating some of the closest major Hawaiian Islands (such as Lanai and Maui), this Pacific archipelago is a tempting destination for island hopping. And it can be quick and easy to explore multiple Hawaiian islands — but you have to be strategic. Furthermore, to really enjoy Hawaii you don't want to constantly be on the move, so you need to stay on each island long enough to soak it all in before continuing onto the next. What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu.
This lightly inhabited island is 70-square miles in size and can (sometimes) be seen from Kauai's Waimea Canyon. Another pro to cruising is that you can visit multiple islands without unpacking or the hassle of commuter shuttles. This will give you a brief taste of the islands, but that maybe just enough for you to decide which island to return to for a land vacation. Should you decide you would like to do a land tour, there will be transportation between the various islands required. NCL's Pride of America is absolutely the best way to see Hawaii.
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