If you are thinking about a cruise to Hawaii, here are 5 top tips for planning a perfect Hawaii cruise. From what to do in the Hawaiian cruise ports to your packing list.
This roundup of cruise tips for a Hawaiian cruise will ensure you are prepared for your upcoming cruise to Hawaii.
So let’s get ready to cruise!
(This post may include affiliate links for more information; see my disclaimer).
1. Planning a Perfect Hawaii Cruise
First, to plan your cruise, you need to decide how long you would like to go for. Hawaiian cruises range from 7 to 16+ days.
If you embark or disembark in the US or Canada, the cruise will be between 10 and 16 days.
While the cruise can be 7 days if you embark and disembark in Honolulu.
These cruise lines sail to Hawaii:
Princess Cruises – Embarking/disembarking in San Francisco or Los Angeles
Royal Caribbean – Embarking/disembarking in Honolulu or Vancouver
Norwegian Cruise Line – Embarking/disembarking in Honolulu
Carnival – Embarking/disembarking from Long Beach, Los Angeles
2. Hawaiian Island Cruise Ports
Step two of planning a perfect Hawaii cruise is looking at the cruise ports on your itinerary.
The cruise ports below may be on a Hawaiian itinerary, depending on the cruise line you sail with:
- Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii
- Kona, Hawaii
- Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Ensenada, Mexico
- San Francisco, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- Vancouver, Canada
3. What to See and Do in the Hawaiian Cruise Ports
Honolulu,Oahu
Step three of planning a perfect Hawaii cruise is deciding what to see in each cruise port.
There is a lot to do in Honolulu; you can visit the historical Pearl Harbor, which is very interesting.
Read my guide first though, as I include lots of tips about going there and what to expect.
Other things to do in Honolulu are to go to Waikiki to see the shops. Stop at one of the many bars or restaurants, or go to the beach.
Or go down the coast to see the viewpoints of Makapuu and Koko Head to see the blowhole.
Nawiliwili, Kauai
In Kauai (Nawiliwili) you can’t miss Waimea Canyon (one of my favorite shore excursions) or walk down to Nawiliwili beach.
Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii offers many attractions you cannot miss. Be sure to see Hawaii Volcano National Park and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory.
4. What to Pack for a Hawaii Cruise
Step four of planning a perfect Hawaii cruise is what to pack, as you will need more than a swimsuit!
You cannot go wrong if you follow my Hawaii cruise packing list.
It covers everything you will need to pack for the Hawaiian islands and on board the cruise ship.
5. What to Know Before You Go on a Hawaiian Cruise
Step five of planning a perfect Hawaii cruise is knowing the following information:
Weather: 23 to 31 Celsius (73 to 88 Fahrenheit) year-round and high chances of rain.
Stateroom: Book a balcony cabin so you can enjoy the sunsets and have privacy on the sea days.
Shore Excursions: Book before you get on board, as they sell out fast.
Days at Sea: If you are booking a Hawaiian cruise from the US or Canada, expect many sea days. There can be 4/5 days to get to Hawaii and then 4/5 to get back.
Language: English and Hawaiian
Currency: US Dollars
Cruise Port Tips: Drink lots of water, use lots of sunscreen, and insect repellent. Wear walking shoes if exploring and flip flops for the beach. Pack an umbrella for sudden rain showers.
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Hawaii Travel Essentials
Here are some Hawaii cruise essentials from Amazon you may find useful on your next cruise. Please have a look at my Amazon shop page and click here.
Cruise Life
My cruise life has been over the last 19 years. For half of those years, I worked on board, and the other half I traveled as a passenger.
Over the years, I have spent a lot of time in Hawaii and I hope you find these Hawaii cruise tips helpful.
I started the website in 2017. I believed it would provide great insight into the world cruise I was traveling on at the time. It has continued since then.
The website has expanded from cruise ports to all aspects of travel. It covers everything from cruise travel to packing lists.
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Happy cruising!
