Are you heading to Hawaii on a cruise soon? If you need help with what to pack for the Hawaiian islands and onboard the cruise ship, here is your packing guide: the Hawaii cruise packing list.
You will need more than a swimsuit and a pair of flip-flops!
Here, we break down what you may need for your Hawaii cruise, whether you are going on a 7-day or 14-day cruise.
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Hawaii Trip Planning
There are various Hawaii cruises to go on depending on which cruise line you sail on and which embarkation port you decide on.
If you are starting the cruise in the USA, your cruise could be 14 -16 days as it takes 4 days at sea to get to the Hawaiian islands, then four sea days back, plus 1 day to go to a foreign port outside of the USA, and one more sea day.
So there are a lot of sea days to consider when packing.
Or maybe you are flying out to Honolulu to do a 7-day cruise of just the islands.
Whichever cruise you are taking, your Hawaiian vacation outfits need to be for the cruise ship and the days in the Hawaiian cruise ports
Hawaii Cruise Itinerary
Most cruise lines do the following embarkation and disembarkation ports:
- San Francisco to San Francisco
- Los Angles to Los Angeles
- Honolulu to Honolulu
The Hawaii cruises can be 7, 14, or 16-day cruises, whichever you are going here are all the essentials you will need to pack.
Hawaiian Cruise Ports
The following cruise ports can be on a Hawaiian cruise itinerary depending on which cruise line you sail with and the number of days you are cruising:
- Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii
- Kona, Hawaii
- Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Ensenada, Mexico
- San Francisco, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
The cruise lines that sail to the Hawaii are:
- Princess Cruises – Embarking in San Francisco or Los Angeles
- Norwegian Cruise Line – Embarking in Honolulu
- Carnival – Embarking from Long Beach, Los Angeles
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Cruise Life
My backstory with the cruise industry is that for the last 19 years, I have worked on board and traveled as a passenger.
I started the website in 2017 because I thought it would be a great insight into the world cruise I was traveling on at the time and it continued from there.
The website has expanded from cruise ports to all aspects of travel, from cruise travel to land vacations, packing guides to travel tips.
I have spent a lot of time in Hawaii, and I hope you find these Hawaii cruise tips helpful for your cruise there.
Hawaii Cruise Hacks
- Weather: 23*C – 31*C All year round and high chances of rain.
- Stateroom: Book a balcony cabin so you can enjoy the sunsets and privacy on the sea days.
- What to wear: It is hot, so wear lightweight, loose clothing. Flip flops are fine for the beach, but bring sturdy shoes for shore excursions.
- What to bring: An umbrella, lightweight rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, backpack, water bottle, fan, camera or smartphone, and a portable phone charger in the Hawaiian cruise ports.
- Language: English and Hawaiian
- Currency: US Dollars
- Cruise Port Tips: Drink lots of water and use lots of sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Pearl Harbor in Honolulu: Limited items can be brought into Pearl Harbor.
- The U.S. Navy rules that all bags, handbags, and backpacks are prohibited from the area. You cannot have a bag that can conceal a weapon.
- There is a storage area before you enter to store your belongings for a small charge. You can bring a bag the size of a hand-held radio (the size of a glasses case). Wallets, bottled water, cameras (no case), umbrellas, and cell phones are allowed inside, but you must either carry them or be able to put them in your pocket.
- You can purchase something in the gift shop, and the carrier bag can be carried around the visitor’s center.
- Also, if you are taking a shore excursion, nothing can be left on the bus as the military does not allow that either.
Hawaiian Cruise Vacation Outfits
It is always warm in Hawaii, so sundresses, skirts or shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, hats, and sunglasses are easy outfit combinations. Remember to pack colors that go together.
If you are planning on walking a lot or going hiking or on one of the many shore excursions wear comfortable shoes like walking shoes or sneakers.
Be prepared for rain as it does rain a fair bit in Hawaii, so bring a lightweight rain jacket in your backpack or an umbrella.
Hawaii Outfit Ideas
- Sundresses, maxi dresses, and casual dresses that you can wear with sneakers or sandals.
- Shorts/skirts with tees or tank tops with sneakers or sandals.
- Loose pants/capri pants with tees or tank tops with sneakers or sandals.
- Always pack a light rain jacket or umbrella in your backpack, just in case!
See my how to pack buy and pack a capsule wardrobe for more tips.
Hawaii Cruise Packing List
Here is what to add to your Hawaii packing list for a 7-day to a 16-day Hawaiian cruise:
Cruise Wardrobe – What to Wear in the Daytime
When planning your cruise wardrobe here is what to wear in the daytime for shore excursions or for doing your own thing in the Hawaiian cruise ports or on the days at sea.
Make sure your clothes are lightweight as it is hot and humid, but also be prepared for rain. When does rain, it pours!
This Hawaii cruise packing list has two amounts depending on how long your cruise is. The first amount is perfect for a 7-day cruise or you are going to use the laundry service on board. The second amount is for longer cruises of 14 to 16 days.
- Swimsuits x 2 – 4
- Cover-ups/sarongs x 2 – 4
- Lightweight tops & T-shirts x 5 – 10
- Tank tops x 2 – 4
- Shorts or skirts x 2 – 4
- Sundresses/casual dress/maxi dress x 2 – 4
- Lightweight pants or capri pants x 2 – 4
- Lightweight sweaters/cardigans (for inside when onboard as the AC can be freezing) x 1 – 2
- Flip-flops or water shoes x 1 – 2
- Workout clothes (if using the gym)
- Sleepwear x 1 – 2
- Undergarments & socks x 7 – 16
- Lightweight Jacket/Rain Jacket x 1
- Hat x 1
- Sneakers/Sandals/Flat Shoes x 1 – 2
- Money belt for cash/credit cards
- Umbrella
- Pair of sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Beach bag/Backpack/Small Bag
- Jewelry/Watch
- Belt
- Waterproof phone case
Cruise Evening Wear/Formal Wear
For the evening on board your Hawaii cruise, here is all the evening wear and formal wear you will need:
- Smart pants/skirts x 2 – 4
- Smart tops/blouses x 5 – 10
- Smart dress/little black dress (optional) x 1 – 2
- White Dress (optional for white party) x 1
- Formal Dresses – cocktail dresses/evening gowns 1 – 2
- Pair of high heels x 1 – 2
- Ballet Pumps/Flats x 1- 2
- Formal clutch bag/purse x 1 – 2
- Light Weight Scarves x 1- 2
- Jewelry/Watch
- Belt
Hawaii Cruise Toiletries Packing List
There are usually hair dryers, shampoo, and shower gel in the cabin, so you can leave those out at home if you like. Here are the toiletries you may need:
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Body wash/soap
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Razor & shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Makeup remover
- Cleanser
- Serums
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
- Lip balm
- Body Lotion
- Perfume
- Hair Spray
- Mouthwash
- Sunscreen
- After sun lotion
- Insect repellent
- Medications & pain relievers
- Seasickness remedies
- Travel-size laundry detergent (for quick washes)
- Hairbrush/comb & hair ties
- Make-up / Make-up Bag
- Hair dryer / Curler / Straightening irons
- Mirror
- Toiletry Bag
Hawaii Cruise Carry-on Luggage
When you are packing for your cruise, your carry-on bag is very important.
It is the only piece of luggage you can take straight to your stateroom (cabin) as soon as you board the cruise ship.
Your main luggage will be delivered to your room before the ship sets sail.
Pack these essentials in your carry-on:
- Travel documents (Cruise tickets & itinerary, travel insurance documents
Emergency contacts list) - Change of clothes (pack in packing cubes)
- Shoes
- Medications
- Wallet with money/credit cards
- Passport
- Toiletry bag
- Makeup
- Phone & charger
- Smartwatch charger
- Tablet charger
- Portable power bank
- Headphones
- E-reader, book, tablet
- Travel adapter
Hawaii Cruise Port Information
If you need more information on the cruise ports for your Hawaiian cruise, read these articles:
Why You Must Visit Pearl Harbour in Honolulu Hawaii USA
The Sights to See in Kauai Hawaii in One Day
What to See Outside of Honolulu Hawaii in One Day
Could You Cope With a 28-Day Cruise to Hawaii & French Polynesia?
Hawaii Travel Essentials
Here are some Hawaii cruise essentials from Amazon you may find useful on your next cruise – have a look at my Amazon shop page and click here.
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Happy cruising!
