Table Of Content
- Hawaii cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
- March – Honolulu Festival and Maui Whale Festival
- Wondering when to visit Honolulu or Oahu? Find out the best time to cruise to Hawaii to enjoy your dream vacation
- The 24 Best Beaches in Hawaii: Your Beach Bucket List
- Maui Wayfinder Itinerary
Many river lines also offer Christmas market cruises in November and December to Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. Because European cruises span a large geographic area, we’ve outlined our seasonal strategies separately for Mediterranean cruises and European river cruises below. From February onward, the number of visitors swells, as U.S., European and Canadian residents flee the cold. In March and April, spring break revelers descend on destinations like the Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. But if your version of fun is a little more mature, opt for the November through January time frame. That's why we've broken down when you should cruise everywhere from the Caribbean and Mexico to New England and Alaska.
Hawaii cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
No matter what climate and activities you like, we have exciting shore excursions that will make your trip memorable. Check out offerings from Maui to Oahu to the Big Island and more, and start making those important choices for your cruise vacation. Early fall is another shoulder season that offers good weather (as noted above, Hawaii is generally not in the path of storms during the central Pacific hurricane season) and fewer crowds.
March – Honolulu Festival and Maui Whale Festival
These Hawaii cruises are best for retirees, who have the time to enjoy leisurely ocean crossings on either end of the trip. For a completely different interisland cruise, UnCruise Adventures offers a more off-the-beaten-path, adventure-focused sailing on the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. You can sail to Hawaii year-round, but the itinerary options vary based on the month you choose. Norwegian Cruise Line is the only major cruise line to offer year-round, weeklong cruises. However, all of this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun shore excursions in Hawaii. You can find over 90+ shore excursions (as well as information on restaurants, transportation, and self-driving itineraries) in our Cruising Hawaii Guide.
Wondering when to visit Honolulu or Oahu? Find out the best time to cruise to Hawaii to enjoy your dream vacation
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review - Cruise Critic
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:54:12 GMT [source]
Cruises sail from the winter holidays through March, and most are 15 nights. In February and March, Holland America offers Hawaii cruises round trip from Vancouver, B.C., Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as a few one-off repositioning cruises. Carnival also offers a couple of 14-night cruises round trip from Long Beach. A cruise to Hawaii is an increasingly popular way to take in Hawaii's dramatic landscapes, great weather and varied activities, sights and lifestyles. Cruise travelers can choose from weeklong round trip Honolulu cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line; longer cruises sailing round trip from the U.S.
Booking a rental car can be a great way to explore the island during your stopover. They are cheaper than relying on taxis and Uber and provide flexibility to see sights and attractions at your own pace. It is worth repeating, however, that there really isn't a bad time to set sail in Hawaii.
The ocean waters reach their warmest temperatures of the year in August, averaging 79-81°F across the islands. For accommodations, the months of September through November (sometimes into early December) offer the best hotel deals, again excluding Thanksgiving. In the spring, the best accommodation rates can be found from late March until early June (excluding the Easter holiday and Japan’s ‘Golden Week,’ in April). Above, we've included an updated graphic comparing visitor arrivals to each major Hawaiian island for both 2022 and 2023. This bar chart provides a more accurate year-over-year comparison by aligning the time frames for both years. What we can say for certain is that demand has softened for mid to late 2024, and the summer 2024 travel season has seen fewer forward bookings than usual.
Cruising: Hawaiian Island Hop - Sail Magazine
Cruising: Hawaiian Island Hop.
Posted: Mon, 03 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The peak months are January and February for thousands of migratory humpbacks, as they visit Hawaii when it gets cold in their feeding grounds to the north. You may see Hawaiian monk seals—an endangered species—any time of year, especially when on Kauai. Summer is the best time to see sea turtles, as the water is calmer, and they like to pull themselves ashore to toast up in the sun. Cruise during shoulder season if you want to have a fabulous time and save money. Shoulder season is not only the best for your budget; the crowds thin out, giving you more elbow room at the beaches and attractions.
Best Time to Cruise Hawaii: Sailing Tips and Recommendations
The region's weather is largely influenced by the Pacific Ocean and prevailing trade winds, creating distinct variations across seasons that impact sailing conditions. During the summer months (May to October), the weather is generally stable with lighter winds and calmer seas, making it an ideal time for smooth sailing. These conditions are particularly favorable for beginners or those who prefer a more relaxed sailing experience. The second cruise port on the island of Hawaii, Kona is one of the best ports for visiting a coffee plantation and sampling local Hawaiian coffee. For travelers more interested in ancient Polynesian history, the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the site of an old city of refuge, is a fascinating place to visit.
Mid-June, July and August
If you are mainly concerned with the weather, then you will be happy to know that Hawaii offers excellent weather for cruising throughout the year. Summer lasts from May through October, and winter is from November until April. The temperature is entirely consistent from one season to the next, with only minor changes in temperature. A variety of cruise lines call on Hawaii -- Princess, Crystal, Holland America, Royal Caribbean -- but Norwegian Cruise Line has the only big ship based there, sailing from Honolulu. Expedition lines like UnCruise Adventures sail Hawaii's smaller islands. Using sunscreen in the islands is key if you want to prevent severe sunburn, which can happen quickly, especially in the middle part of the day.
Rainfall patterns in Hawaii are equally important for cruisers to consider. The islands experience microclimates, where certain areas receive more rainfall than others. For instance, the windward sides of the islands, facing northeast, are generally wetter due to the prevailing trade winds.
The small but mighty Kauai is one of the best Hawaii ports for outdoor, nature-based adventure. Get your cameras out for the rocky landscapes of the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Napali Coast. If you like hiking or kayaking, you've come to the right island, but you can also take it easy on any number of nearby beaches. Water sports are also a big draw, whether that's surfing Hawaii's waves or snorkeling with green turtles in Maui.
Luxury cruises typically offer a wide range of high-end amenities, including spas, fitness centers, multiple dining options, and sometimes even personal butler services. These cruises often focus on providing a more intimate and exclusive experience, with fewer passengers and more personalized service. Entertainment on these ships can include live music, theater performances, and guest lecturers specializing in Hawaiian culture and history. With bright skies and warm sand all year long, any month can be considered the best month to go to Hawaii. Whether you’re looking for a tropical holiday or a year-round retreat, unpack once and see four of the most popular Hawaiian Islands any time of year with Princess. Avoid the summer crowds in Hawaii and plan your family cruise vacation in May, just before the school year ends.
View active volcanos on Hawaii, the Big Island, seek out water sports in laidback Maui and escape from it all in Kauai. The Royal Hawaiian Center in the heart of Waikiki also offers free cultural programming that includes hula and ukulele lessons. Serious foodies should make time to sample the islands' signature Hawaii Regional Cuisine. If your ship is overnighting in Oahu or Maui, reserve a table in advance for dinner; Hali'imaile General Store on Maui is also open for lunch. The Hawaiian Islands get lots of sunshine — 270 days on average annually — but rainfall is also frequently in the forecast. This is especially true from December through March and most notably on the windward sides of each island, which ironically are the most scenic areas known for their lush landscapes and cascading waterfalls.
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