"The Ultimate Hawaii Cruise Experience: Destinations, Deals & Tips"
Cruising Hawaii offers a seamless way to explore the islands—without the hassle of airport transfers or unpacking multiple times. Most itineraries include stops at the four main islands: Oahu (Honolulu), Maui (Kahului), Big Island (Hilo & Kona), cruises from orlando and Kauai (Nawiliwili). Cruises range from 7-day inter-island loops to 14‑18‑day round‑trip Pacific crossings from the U.S. West Coast or Vancouver.
Leading Cruise Options
🔹 Norwegian Cruise Line – Pride of America
The only U.S.-flagged large ship offering a year‑round, 7-night roundtrip from Honolulu, visiting all four islands with overnight stays in Maui and Kauai.
Offers ~100 hours of shore time—significantly more than typical cruises.
Mixed reviews: cabins are compact, and dining quality is considered average, but many hail it as the ideal inter-island experience.
🔹 UnCruise Adventures – Safari Explorer
A 36-passenger small-ship expedition cruise, offering a more intimate, nature-focused experience among lesser-known ports like Molokai and Lanai.
Operates seasonal 7-night “Hawaiian Seascapes” voyages with flexible landings and wildlife-rich itineraries.
🔹 Princess, Holland America & Royal Caribbean
These large-ship lines offer 14–18-night round trips from the West Coast and Vancouver, including both sea days and overnight port stops.
Princess emphasizes seamless multi-island access and luxurious onboard amenities.
🔹 Luxury & Adventure Cruising
Lines like Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Viking offer ultra-luxury itineraries spanning 14–21 nights, often combined with longer Pacific or Panama Canal transits .
Celebrity Edge, Disney Wonder, and Norwegian Sun provide unique onboard features, from family-friendly zones to solo-traveler perks.
Best Times to Sail
April–October is peak season with dry, sunny weather.
January–March is ideal for whale-watching, especially around Maui.
What to Do at Shore
Honolulu (Oahu): Honolulu city tour, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head.
Maui: Hike Haleakala, drive the Road to Hana, snorkel Molokini reefs.
Big Island: Explore Volcanoes National Park, black-sand beaches, Kona coffee farms.
Kauai: Cruise Napali Coast, visit Waimea Canyon, kayak in Fern Grotto.
Adventure extras: helicopter tours, lava-viewing boat trips, cultural luaus.
Traveler Insights
Reddit users call the Pride of America “an amazing sampler platter of all the islands… great for first-timers,” but note it’s kitschy and suggests booking local excursions independently to save money. One TripAdvisor reviewer mentioned some ports are limited in amenities—like industrial docks—so planning ahead is key .
Choosing the Right Cruise
Preference
Best Option
Short, island-focused trip
Pride of America (7 nights, inter-island)
Nature & adventure
UnCruise or expedition lines
Family-friendly, large ship
Royal Caribbean, Disney Wonder, Celebrity
Luxury & inclusivity
Regent, Seabourn, Viking (longer voyages)
West Coast departure
Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean
Final Takeaway
A Hawaii cruise is a unique and convenient way to experience the islands' diversity—from volcanic landscapes to cultural richness—while unpacking only once. If you want maximum island time in a week, opt for Pride of America. For off-the-beaten-path and nature-connected exploration, UnCruise Adventures is ideal. Larger lines offer a mix of sea days and upscale amenities. Whatever your travel style, Hawaii cruises deliver a memorable “floating resort” experience with a stunning backdrop.