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The islands of Hawaii have the power to wash away the outside world. Hawaii cruises have the power to help you prolong this blissful state as long as possible.
Your cruise will be the perfect balance of luxurious days at sea and fascinating visits to your favorite Hawaiian destinations. Sail to the best ports of call offering activities that capture the very essence of the Hawaiian experience.
Download a free Map of the Hawaiian Islands(Adobe Reader required).
Seeing Hawaii by cruise ship allow you to enjoy all the islands have to offer while unpacking only once. You dine, dance and dream the night away and in the morning they bring a new island right to your door!
You don't have to search for restaurants, secure reservations or wonder if the food is good - let alone finding transportation!
Your hotel is the ship and you have five star gourmet cuisine in multiple restaurants right on board! You're free to explore Hawaii from the comfort of your floating resort! It just doesn't get any better!
Waterfalls, Volcanos and Waikiki...
You can take a guided hike to the Kilauea Volcano and walk through the Cloud Forest Sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii. See the remains of the U.S.S. Arizona in Pearl Harbor and walk along Waikiki Beach.
Get a breathtaking view of the dramatic Na Pali cliffs on the North Shore of Kauai.
And if your timing is right, you can even watch whales migrating from Alaska to the warm waters surrounding Maui.
Hawaii Cruises generally fall into one of the following categories:
- 7 day Honolulu to Honolulu Hawaii cruises stopping at wonderful ports such as Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hilo, (Big Island), Kona (Big Island), and Kahului (Maui). The ship becomes your hotel and floating restaurant, while you explore the beauty of the islands.
- 10 day Hawaii cruises from San Fancisco or the reverse. After 5 glorious nights at sea, your Hawaii cruise stops at Hilo, Hawaii, Kona,Hawaii, Kahului, Maui, Nawiliwili, Kauai and terminating in Honolulu, Oahu.
- 11 day Hawaii cruises from Vancouver to Honolulu or reverse, stopping at Honolulu, Oahu, Hilo, Hawaii, Kahului, Maui, Lahaina, Maui,
Nawiliwili, Kauai. The Pacific Ocean crossing is six days either from or to Honolulu during which you get to enjoy and explore your floating resort!
- 15 night round trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles stopping at Hilo, Kona, Honolulu, Nawiliwili (Kauai), and Lahaina (Maui). This itinerary would include four nights at prior to arriving at the Islands. Upon leaving the Islands your Hawii cruise will four days at sea before stopping in Ensenada, Mexico for a day and then on to Los Angeles.
The advantages of seeing Hawaii by cruise ship are many fold:
- No hotel arrangements to make as the ship is your hotel... you dine, dance and dream the night away and in the morning they bring a new island right to your front door!
- On Hawaii cruises, your dining table always awaits you and five star cuisine is included with your cruise package. No need to have reservations or to hunt for a great place to eat and your fabulous restaraunt travels with you!
- You can tour the port of call at your leisure or make use of ship arranged shore excursions to the fabulous sights of Hawaii and then return for an evening of entertainment on your floating resort!
Cruise Lines offering Hawaii on their itineraries are:
Carnival Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Some must see places... And Free Guides
Maps for each of the six major Hawaiian islands, along with descriptions and points of interest are available for download in .PDF format.
These maps and guides are suitable for photocopying or printing.
Click on map image below to download.
Each map is TWO pages with a map on one side and a suggested itinerary on the back.
Kauai |
Maui |
Oahu |
Lanai  |
Molokai |
Hawaii's Big Island |
The following represent what we think are "must see" areas of Hawaii. In addition you can view a selection great books on Hawaii by clicking here.
Hilo
Green gardens and cascading waterfalls encircle the “Big Island’s”commercial center, which sits alongside a crescent-shaped bay and turn-of-the-century downtown. Visit Kilauea Volcano or take a Wai’po Valley horseback riding adventure.
Your Hawaii cruise presents a great opportunity to visit three of Hilo's major attractions: the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, the Nani Mau Gardens with its acres of flowers, and the breathtaking Akaka Falls.
At the Mauna Loa Factory you will have the opportunity to visit their popular gift shop and snack bar. At Nani Mau Gardens, your tour includes a 35-minute tram ride through 53 acres of world class botanical gardens.
Then it's on to lovely Akaka Falls, which drops a breathtaking 442 feet. Take time to walk along the mile-long path through lush tropical forest
Beyond the hustle and bustle of the big city discover the sweeping views atop the deep-green lushness of Pali Lookout and the turquoise Kaneohe Bay.
Visit the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center where you will see an excellent film documentation of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, browse through fascinating displays, and then board the Navy launch for a trip to the Memorial itself.
Experience Hawaii's newest Interstate Highway through pristine Halawa Valley and the new H3 Tunnel overlooking one of the Island’s most incredible scenic vistas.
View the impressive Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil See other beautiful and historic Civic Center attractions such as Kawaiahao Church, the church of Hawaiian monarchs, the State Library and Archives, the statue of King Kamehameha, plus City Hall and the quaint Mission Houses.
Experience the serenity of Punchbowl National Cemetery with its meticulously landscaped acres, which includes the Courts of the Missing, the chapel, and finely-detailed mosaic maps of the Pacific theaters of action in World War II and Korea.
Hawaii’s “Garden Isle” is filled with green valleys, cascading waterfalls and postcard-perfect beaches.
Experience one of Kauai's most popular attractions, Waimea Canyon. Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is one of nature's most spectacular creations. From your lookout at 3,400 feet, you'll enjoy an unsurpassed view of the 2,857-foot deep canyon and the surrounding countryside. The canyon's dramatic size, combined with the reds and browns of exposed volcanic rock and the blues and greens of lush tropical vegetation, create a truly unforgettable sight.
KONA
A bit of everything awaits your Hawaii cruise in Kona, Hawaii’s sport fishing capital. See its dramatic lava-rock coastline, visit the ancient City of Refuge and tour aroma-filled coffee plantations.
Visit some of Kona's most popular attractions with a look at historical Kona and a view of lovely Kealakekua Bay, where the legendary western discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands, Captain James Cook, lost his life.
From there you can visit the "Painted Church," known for its dramatic murals. You'll then arrive at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or "Place of Refuge." This beautifully maintained National Historical Park played a very special part in the lives of ancient Hawaiians. It was a refuge where absolution would be granted for law-breakers and vanquished warriors if they were fortunate enough to keep ahead of their pursuers. Today, the park features attractive grounds and interesting displays of Hawaiian history. You can stop at the Mauna Loa Royal Kona Coffee Store, where you will have the opportunity to sample Hawaii's famous gourmet coffee and shop for souvenirs of your trip, before returning to the ship.
Walk along the white-sand beachesof Kaana pali or explore the rain forests on a waterfall hiking adventure. For golf enthusiasts, there are many beautiful and prestigious courses to play.
Visit several of Maui's most beautiful and popular attractions. You can begin with a drive to Iao Valley State where you will experience the "Iao Needle," a 2,500 foot cinder cone pinnacle that dominates the surrounding landscape.
As you are guided throughout the park, you will experience a spectacular view of the valley and beyond. Then journey to the highest point on the island of Maui, the magnificent Haleakala Crater. At 10,023 feet above sea level, this incredible crater could accommodate Manhattan Island with room to spare, while stacking the Empire State Building four times without reaching the top!
A drive up the mountain will take you through Maui's diverse scenery. Reaching Haleakala National Park, the panoramic views from the summit are spectacular. Last erupting in 1790, the astonishing crater of this dormant volcano measures 7.5 miles long, 2.5 miles wide, 21 miles around and 3,000 feet deep, covering 19 square miles. From your viewpoint you'll appreciate firsthand the unique beauty of this massive crater with its interesting mix of volcanic rock and plant life.
The air is quite cool at 10,000 feet so please bring a sweater and wear comfortable walking shoes.
More on MAUI
Hawaii is a virtual paradise stimulating your sense of sight, smell and sound, pulsating with beauty. Be sure to take time away from your Hawaii cruise to visit the landmarks listed above.
You can take a ship sponsored shore excursion, or create your own time and money saver excursion with
our friends at Shore Trips!
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