Hawaii Cruises
Island-hopping from Honolulu, or a Pacific crossing from the mainland.
Get Free U.S. Cruise QuotesHawaii can be cruised two ways: a seven-night island-hopping cruise that never leaves the state, or a longer voyage across the Pacific from the West Coast.
Inter-Island Cruises From Honolulu
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the large cruise ship that sails purely within Hawaii. Because it is U.S.-flagged, it can carry passengers between U.S. ports without calling at a foreign port, which foreign-flagged ships are not allowed to do. It sails seven-night round trips from Honolulu year-round, visiting Maui, the Big Island (Hilo and Kona) and Kauai, with overnights on Maui and Kauai and scenic cruising along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast when conditions allow.
The overnights are the big advantage: you can rent a car, drive the Road to Hana or watch sunrise at Haleakala without worrying about the ship leaving.
Longer Hawaii Voyages From the West Coast
Other cruise lines reach Hawaii on round trips of roughly two weeks from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver. Expect four or five sea days each way and four or five island ports. Because those ships are foreign-flagged, round trips from a U.S. port must include a foreign port, often Ensenada in Mexico. Some lines also call in Hawaii on spring and autumn repositioning voyages between Alaska and Asia or the South Pacific.
Whale season
Humpback whales spend the winter in Hawaiian waters, with the most sightings in the middle of the season, around January to March.
Maui
Kahului is the port for the Road to Hana, Haleakala and Maui’s upcountry towns.
Hawaii Planning Notes
- For Honolulu round trips, arrive at least a day early — flights from the mainland are long.
- Book rental cars for overnight ports early; they are limited on the neighbor islands.
- Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial are popular before or after the cruise; reservations are recommended.
- Several lines set a higher minimum age for infants on Hawaii itineraries because of the long sea crossings. Check the policy before booking.
- U.S. citizens on Honolulu inter-island cruises stay within the United States; a government-issued photo ID is needed to board.
Island by Island
| Island | Port | Popular on port days |
|---|---|---|
| Oahu | Honolulu | Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head and the North Shore |
| Maui | Kahului | Road to Hana, Haleakala National Park, snorkeling trips |
| Hawaii (Big Island) | Hilo and Kona | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from Hilo; snorkeling, coffee farms and manta ray trips from Kona |
| Kauai | Nawiliwili | Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast boat and helicopter tours, beaches |
Kona is usually a tender port, so allow extra time getting ashore. Volcanic activity changes what can be seen in the national park, so check conditions close to your visit.
Plan a Hawaii Cruise
Seven nights from Honolulu or two weeks from the West Coast? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will help you decide and send free quotes.
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