Hawaii Cruise Travel Guide
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Multiple islands, no island-hopping flights, great price, lots of time for shore excursions, what isn’t there to love about a Hawaii cruise? Let’s see if cruising Hawaii is right for your Hawaii vacation!
Hawaii has always been a swoon-worthy destination for travelers. It’s also a popular destination for cruise ships, allowing passengers to hop between islands without ever setting foot on a plane.
If you’re interested in cruising to the Hawaiian islands, then there are certain things to keep in mind for your trip. Cruises can be tricky to plan, especially considering the short days on land and the busy nights back on board.
But we’re here to help! This article (and our Cruising Hawaii Guide) will make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for your voyage!
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.
Hawaii Cruise Facts
Before you head out to sea, there are a few important facts to keep in mind about your Hawaii cruise.
- According to the Passenger Vessel Service ACT (PVSA), foreign-flagged ships navigating between two US ports are required to stop at a foreign port like Canada or Mexico. You may also see this law come up as the Jones Act, but that only applies to cargo vessels and not passenger vessels like cruise ships.
- Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the only major cruise ship that qualifies for the PSVA, which is why it can embark and disembark in Hawaii without going to a foreign port.
- A Hawaiian shirt is very different from an Aloha shirt! While Hawaiian shirts are brightly colored with unique patterns and prints, Aloha shirts feature a fish, Kapa, or floral pattern and the print is continuous with the chest pocket. They have a collar, button-up, and are worn untucked. Locals prefer muted colors.
- Gambling is illegal in Hawaii (they don’t even have a state lottery!), so don’t expect to find a casino on the islands. For this reason, cruise ship casinos do not operate while they are docked in Hawaii. And if you’re traveling on NCL’s Pride of America, you won’t find a casino on board at all!
What to Pack for a Hawaii Cruise
Packing for a Hawaii cruise isn’t exceptionally different than packing for a Hawaiian vacation on land. But in addition to your clothes and accessories, there are some specific things that you should consider bringing.
- Mineral sunscreen: To help protect the reefs, Maui and the Big Island have banned chemical sunscreens, so make sure to pack mineral sunscreen. While the rule isn’t enforced on the other islands, it’s always a good idea to use mineral sunscreen and sun-protective clothing to protect the environment!
- Daypack or bag: Your time on land can be as long as 10-12 hours a day. We recommend a durable backpack or day bag to hold your towels, sunscreen, water, wallet, etc. If you forget something, you can always visit one of the many ABC stores (convenience stores) on the islands.
- Rainjacket: Tropical downpours can happen on any of the islands. Bring one on board, and don’t forget it during your shore excursions.
- Cash: Although Hawaii is mostly cashless, some businesses, like some food trucks, are cash-only.
- Extra money: To make the most of your time on land, we recommend booking shore excursions (luaus, helicopter tours, circle island tours, etc.). However, these things can be expensive, so make sure you budget for these activities. We also have some tips to save money on shore excursions, which we’ll discuss a bit later.
- Hawaii cruise attire: Get into the aloha spirit with some festive gear, like an aloha shirt. You can find high-quality ones at Kahala or Reyn Spooner.
As you can see, this is just a short list of things you will want to bring with you. You can find a full list of packing essentials on our What to Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation list.
Hawaii Cruise Ports
Hawaiian cruise ships can travel and dock at four islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Here is a list of the ports that may be included in your itinerary:
- Honolulu Pier 2 Cruise Terminal on Oahu (minutes from Waikiki Beach)
- Port of Hilo on the Big Island (Hilo, East Hawaii)
- Kailua Pier (tender port) in downtown Kailua-Kona, Big Island
- Kahului Harbor in north-central Maui
- Lahaina Harbor (tender port) in West Maui (currently not operational)
- Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai’s East Side, near Lihue Town (see our Lihue Things to Do + near the harbor)
Get everything you need to know about all of Hawaii’s cruise ports.
You’ll find that most ship itineraries either embark or disembark on the mainland. However, NCL’s Pride of America is the only ship that starts and ends in Hawaii (Honolulu, Oahu, to be exact). We recommend coming to Oahu a few days early if you’re going on this cruise. Not only will this give you time to explore the island, but it can also help with jet lag.
You can check out our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary, which is packed full of must-see sights, insider tips, and driving routes to make sure you make the most of this extra time on the island. You can also save $7 using the coupon code CRUISE when you purchase both the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary and the Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.
Hawaii Cruise: Norwegian’s Pride of America
NCL’s Pride of America is the cruise line that stays in Hawaii. On top of that, it’s the only ship that operates year-round, so there’s a lot of flexibility in terms of dates. Their 8-day, 7-night Hawaii: Inter-Island cruise leaves and returns to Honolulu every Saturday.
This is a great option for travelers who want to see four Hawaiian islands in a short amount of time. Here is the current itinerary as of 2024:
- Day 1: Embark in Honolulu, Oahu
- Day 2: Kahului, Maui
- Day 3: Kahului, Maui
- Day 4: Hilo, Hawaii
- Day 5: Kona, Hawaii
- Day 6: Nawiliwili, Kaui
- Day 7: Nawiliwili, Kaui
- Day 8: Disembark in Honolulu, Oahu
Compared to other luxurious cruise lines, the Pride of America may lack some of the extravagant features and amenities of high-end ships. But this cruise is designed to get you off the ship and for the price, it’s an excellent option to see the best of what Hawaii has to offer.
The ship itself is in good condition, and the on-board food and entertainment are above average. There are over 20 different restaurants and bars, sports courts, kids’ and teens’ clubs, a spa, and tons of daily activities.
Another great perk is that they spend the night at the dock in Kahului and Nawiliwi, so you can do late-night or early-morning activities that you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. But even if you head back to the ship, you have lots of time on land for shore excursions. This is, in our opinion, the most important factor to consider, as you’re taking this cruise to explore Hawaii after all!
Popular Hawaii Cruises from the Mainland
Besides the Pride of America, there are plenty of other companies that cruise to Hawaii. Keep in mind that all of these ships leave from the mainland and spend several days crossing the Pacific Ocean. Sea days can be really fun, but they usually mean that itineraries will be longer than a week.
As we mentioned earlier, foreign-flagged ships going between two US ports will need to make a stop in a different country. That’s why you’ll see these ships docking or embarking/disembarking from Canada or Mexico. Remember that these are foreign countries, so US citizens will be required to travel with a passport.
- Holland America: 18-day Circle Hawaii
- Departure: San Diego
- Return: San Diego
- Ports: Nawiliwili (Kauai), Honolulu (Oahu), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Hawaii), Hilo (Hawaii), Ensenada, Mexico
- Celebrity Cruises: 11-nights
- Departure: Honolulu
- Return: Vancouver, BC
- Ports: Lahaina (Maui), Hilo (Hawaii), Kona (Hawaii), Honolulu (Oahu)
- Princess Cruises: 16-Day Hawaiian Islands
- Departure: San Francisco, California
- Return: San Francisco, California
- Ports: Hilo (Hawaii), Honolulu (Oahu), Lahaina (Maui), Nawiliwili (Kauai), Ensenada, Mexico
- Royal Caribbean: 9-nights
- Departure: Vancouver, BC
- Return: Honolulu
- Ports: Lahaina (Maui), Honolulu (Oahu)
The Best Time to Cruise Hawaii
Hawaii is a year-round destination, which means there’s not a bad time to visit. With that said, some times are better than others, especially if you’re going on a cruise.
The best time to cruise to Hawaii is in the fall, specifically in September and October. The shoulder season means fewer crowds and cheaper deals, although it’s still warm enough for beaches and outdoor activities.
However, there are plenty of other factors to consider when deciding when to go to Hawaii. Our Best Time to Cruise Hawaii article has more in-depth information on cost, tourist numbers, and weather patterns to help you pick a date.
Besides the Pride of America, which operates year-round, most cruise lines will only set sail at certain times of the year. Therefore, it’s important to plan in advance if you have specific dates in mind.
How to Get Around for Shore Excursions
Once your ship has docked at the port, you’re free to roam around and explore the island at your leisure. If you’ve booked a shore excursion, transportation may be included to and from the dock. But this isn’t always the case, which means you’ll need to make your way to the meeting point on your own.
The tender port in Kailua-Kona (the Big Island) and the cruise terminal in Honolulu (Oahu) are the only two docks where there are sights and attractions within walking distance. While the Honolulu port is close to downtown Honolulu, it’s still a 15-minute drive from the center of Waikiki, so you’ll still need transportation or a guided tour if you want to see that area.
But for all the other ports, you’ll need to arrange transportation to get out of the industrial dock area. You’ll have several options to do so:
- Taxi and rideshare: Uber, Lyft, and local taxis can be called to pick up and drop off at the dock.
- Rental car: Renting a car allows you to see the island at your leisure. Some rental companies will pick you up at the dock. If not, then you’ll need to take a taxi or rideshare to the rental office or airport.
- Public transportation: While not the most convenient, public transportation is cheap and reliable. The Bus (Honolulu) has the most routes and frequent departures, and Oahu is the easiest island to get around without a car, while the other islands have buses that leave every hour.
- Guided tours: Many guided tours will pick you up at the dock to take you around the island for a few hours. It’s nice to have a local guide and not worry about driving. You can see our top picks for shore excursions in the next section.
Cruise Hawaii: The Best Shore Excursions
Planning an activity with limited time on land can be challenging. That’s why we highly recommend booking a shore excursion! Here are a couple of activities on each island that you won’t want to miss out on:
Maui:
- Driving the Road to Hana
- Snorkeling Molokini Crater
- Be on the summit of Haleakala volcano at sunrise
- Whale watching during the winter months
- More Maui shore excursions
Kaui:
- Touring the Napali Coast by helicopter, airplane, hiking, or boat
- Mountain tubing through the jungle and irrigation tunnels
- Hiking the Waimea Canyon
- More Kauai shore excursions
Oahu:
- Visiting the historic Pearl Harbor
- Take a full-circle island tour
- Learning how to surf in Waikiki
- Enjoying a 2-hour catamaran sail
- More Oahu shore excursions
Big Island:
- Hiking in Hawaii Volcanos National Park
- Coffee tasting in Kona
- Night snorkeling with Manta Rays
- Stargazing on Mauna Kea
- Whale Watching (only from December to March during whale watching season!)
- More Big Island shore excursions
However, all of this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun shore excursions in Hawaii. You can find over 90+ shore excursions (as well as information on restaurants, transportation, and self-driving itineraries) in our Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.
Tips for Booking Shore Excursions
When it comes to booking an excursion, you have two options: booking through the ship or directly with the tour operator.
Here are the benefits of booking with the cruise ship:
- Guaranteed return: Cruise-organized excursions are structured around the ship’s docking schedule, so you won’t have to worry about missing your departure time.
- Transportation: Transportation is usually included so there’s no need to hire a taxi or book private transportation services to and from the dock.
- Refunds: If your tour is canceled due to bad weather or inability to dock, you’ll get a refund from the cruise line.
- Booking options: You can book your excursion online or once you’re on the boat. Having this flexibility is great if you’re not sure of your cruise plans! Just note that popular excursions do fill up quickly and may not be available once you get on the ship.
And here are the reasons it makes sense to go with the tour operator:
- Support locals: When you book with a tour company, you’re supporting a local business and contributing to the growth of the community.
- Cost: In the majority of cases, the price of the excursion will be much lower than if you were to book with the cruise ship.
- Availability: Excursions offered by the cruise line are limited, which means they tend to sell out fast. Going with a local company means more flexibility.
- Small groups: Local tour operators usually have smaller group sizes (up to 12 people) compared to ones operated by the cruise line.
- Cancellation policy: Many excursions have a generous cancellation policy in case your plans change, which can be anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.
Tips for DIY Shore Excursions
Getting off the ship can be chaotic, but here are some tips to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible:
- Try to disembark as early as possible. That way, you’ll be able to maximize your time on land.
- Get a rental car if you want to be flexible with your plans. Not only is this cheaper than taking a taxi or booking a tour, but it allows you to see more things at your own pace. Just remember to give yourself time to get to the airport or rental car office.
- Don’t try to cram too much in one day. The islands are big, and you don’t want to spend all your time driving. Instead, pick a few important things that are a priority to see.
- Not all tours have to be full-day excursions! You can book short-duration tours (farm tours are great!) if you want more flexibility.
- Some parks and beaches require advanced reservations, so do your research beforehand!
One final tip: don’t leave your day on the island to chance! We know Hawaii in and out, so we put a lot of effort into prioritizing the best shore excursions and self-guided days for your limited time on land in our Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Beaches Near the Cruise Ship Docks
As we mentioned earlier, many of the cruise ship ports are in industrial areas. While most of the nice beaches are further away, there are some that you can visit if you want to stay near the docks.
- Honolulu: Ala Moana Beach Park
- Kauai: Kalapaki Beach (Nawiliwili Harbor). While you’re here, you can also pick up banana bread from The Jammin Banana and head to Duke’s for lunch.
- Maui: Ho’okipa Beach is just a short Uber ride away past Paia. It’s famous for windsurfing and green sea turtles on the beach!
- Big Island: Kamakahonu Beach (Kona-Kailua Pier, where the tender drops passengers off). It’s a pretty cove but can be busy during port days.
- Big Island: Reeds Bay Beach Park (Hilo). It’s near the harbor, but it’s not the best beach on the island due to Hilo’s wet, rainforest climate.
Looking for more beautiful beaches? We have a full list of all the best spots in our Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Get the Cruising Hawaii Guide
Booking a cruise to Hawaii is the easy part (in our opinion). The hard part is finding the best shore excursions, planning self-guided itinerary days, and how to get around the island.
The Cruising Hawaii Guide provides everything you need to plan your trip, including 90+ shore excursion tour options, over 11 self-guided itinerary days, our favorite restaurants, and the best beaches. We want your cruise to Hawaii to be unforgettable, and stress-free.
Add the Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary to your cart with coupon code CRUISE to save $7.