What to know before cruising to Hawaii

Quick insights

• Hawaii cruises allow you to see multiple Hawaiian Islands on the same trip.
• Cruises commonly stop on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, or “The Big Island.”
•  Late December to early January is the height of tourist season in Hawaii.

Hawaii has a lot to offer sun-seeking travelers in the pursuit of adventure and relaxation. You can hike, snorkel, swim and surf on many of the lush, tropical islands that make up the 50th state. If you’re traveling on a cruise ship, you may be able to see a lot of Hawaii by land and sea.

Hawaiian island cruise hopping

Island cruise hopping is one way to experience the diversity of the Hawaiian Islands. There are eight major islands, four of which are common tourist destinations:

• Oahu
• Maui
• Kauai
• Hawaii

Popular attractions can be found on each of the islands, including Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hana Highway on Maui, Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai and Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

Booking a cruise allows you to sail from island to island without having to book multiple flights and overnight accommodations. Not to mention, there’s no need to pack and unpack your bags several times.

Island hopping could also be a more economical way to see Hawaii. Lodging—especially during the height of tourist season—can be expensive. You may also find that restaurants are more expensive than those on the mainland, whereas meals are typically included with the overall price of a cruise.

Best time to cruise to Hawaii

The weather in Hawaii is warm and sunny year-round, making it a great cruise destination at any time. However, not all cruise lines sail to Hawaii throughout the year. If you’re looking to sail with a particular cruise line, check to see when they offer cruises to Hawaii.

Hawaii has two main tourist seasons—December to April and June to August. Late December through the first week of January is the height of tourist season thanks in large part to holiday travelers. Peak whale watching season is from January through March, when thousands of Northern Pacific Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii.

Shoulder season—which lasts from May through June and September to mid-December—still has great weather and may provide less crowded ships.

Planning the best itinerary for a Hawaiian cruise

Hawaii cruises typically range from 7 to 15 days depending on the itinerary. Hawaii cruises can be multi-day island hopping tours or multi-week pacific crossings.

In addition to onboard entertainment and dining, the Hawaiian Islands offers a bevy of sights, food and cultural experiences.

Some popular excursions on the islands include:

• Swimming in the waterfalls of Hilo
• Sunbathing on Waikiki beach
• Hiking volcanoes on Maui
• Snorkeling in Kona
• Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore
• Visting Pearl Harbor

When the ship docks, you will likely need to arrange transportation to your planned destination. Ports typically aren’t within walking distance of most of Hawaii’s main attractions. If you’ve booked an excursion though the cruise line or have hired a local tour operator, transportation may be included.

Many of Hawaii’s popular attractions are U.S. National Parks. If you plan to visit multiple parks, you may want to consider purchasing a park pass to save some money on entrance fees.

What to know before cruising to Hawaii

Preparing for your cruise to Hawaii? Here are a few things to consider that can help streamline the planning process:

• Packing: Land excursions in Hawaii can last up to 12 hours. Carrying a daypack or backpack can come in handy when exploring off the ship for many hours.
• Sunscreen: Mineral sunscreen is preferred on some Hawaiian Islands. Maui and The Big Island have banned chemical sunscreens to help protect Hawaii’s reefs, so check your sunscreen ingredients before applying.
• Health: Seasickness is common on cruises. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing over the counter medication, motion sickness wristbands or ginger capsules to help avoid seasickness. Cruise ships also have medical staff on board.
• Tipping: Most cruise lines add a daily service charge or gratuity to the price of the trip. Many services aboard a ship like spa and bar service have a gratuity that may be automatically added to your bill, so tipping may not be necessary.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi likely will be an additional charge. Most cruise lines charge a daily fee for access to Wi-Fi. Also, keep in mind that cruise ship internet likely won’t be as fast and reliable as your home internet connection.

In summary

Hawaii is a great cruise destination for those seeking a warm climate with lots of opportunities for adventure. When sailing through Hawaii, you can see everything from the waterfalls of Kauai to the sweeping views of the Pacific from the top of Diamond Head on Oahu.

But your island hopping doesn’t have to end in Hawaii. Longer Hawaiian cruise options can include stops in Tahiti, Japan or New Zealand, allowing travelers to see several Pacific Islands in one trip.