Cruise Hawaii
Island-hopping from Honolulu or a voyage across the Pacific — how Hawaii cruises work and how to choose.
Get Hawaii Cruise QuotesTwo Very Different Ways to Cruise Hawaii
A Hawaii cruise is either a week of island-hopping that starts and ends in Honolulu, or a longer ocean voyage that sails out from the mainland, spends several days among the islands and sails back. Both reach the same volcanoes, canyons and beaches; they feel completely different on board. Cruise Hawaii explains how each one works, which ports you will see and when to go.
The choice usually comes down to time and how you feel about sea days. An inter-island cruise packs the four main islands — Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauaʻi — into seven nights, with almost every morning in a new port. A crossing from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver takes two weeks or more, and roughly half of that is open Pacific. Some travelers find those quiet ocean days the best part of the trip; others would rather fly to Honolulu and spend every day ashore.
Start Here
Inter-island from Honolulu
One U.S.-flagged ship sails a seven-night loop of the islands every week of the year, with overnights on Maui and Kauaʻi.
How the island loop works →
Round trip from the West Coast
Longer voyages from California, the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, with four or more sea days each way.
Pacific crossings explained →
Why ships call in Mexico or Canada
A 19th-century law decides which ships may sail between U.S. ports, and it shapes nearly every Hawaii itinerary.
The foreign-port rule →The Five Ports You Will Hear About
Almost every Hawaii cruise uses the same handful of harbors. Honolulu on Oʻahu is the main cruise port and the start of inter-island sailings. Kahului is Maui’s deep-water harbor. The Big Island has two calls on opposite coasts: Hilo on the rainy, green east side, close to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Kona on the dry, sunny west side, where ships usually anchor and send guests ashore by tender. On Kauaʻi, ships dock at Nāwiliwili, near Līhuʻe.
Each port has a different personality, and a good Hawaii cruise plan matches your shore days to what you most want to see. Our Hawaii cruise ports guide takes them one by one.
Inter-Island or Crossing? A Quick Comparison
| Inter-island from Honolulu | Round trip from the mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Seven nights | Usually 14 to 18 nights or more |
| Sea days | Very few; nearly every day is in port | Several in a row on each crossing |
| Getting there | Fly to Honolulu | Drive or take a short flight to a West Coast port |
| Time in the islands | The whole cruise | Typically four or five port days |
| Foreign port | None needed (U.S.-flagged ship) | Usually Ensenada, Mexico, on round trips |
| Best for | Seeing the most islands in the least time | Travelers who love sea days or would rather not fly far |
One-way voyages are the third option. In spring and autumn, ships moving between Alaska and warmer waters sometimes sail between Vancouver and Honolulu, and longer South Pacific voyages may call in Hawaii on the way to Tahiti or Australia. These sailings appear once or twice a season and are often the best-value way to combine Hawaii with a long ocean voyage.
Planning Tips That Make a Difference
Book shore plans early
Popular Hawaii excursions such as helicopter flights, Haleakalā sunrise trips and snorkel boats have limited space. Decide your must-dos before you sail.
Rent a car where it helps
On Maui and Kauaʻi a rental car opens up the island; in Honolulu, buses, taxis and tours are easier than parking.
Arrive a day early
For inter-island sailings, flying into Honolulu the day before protects you from flight delays and gives you a Waikiki evening.
Pack for two climates
Beach days are warm, but the Haleakalā summit and the volcano rim can be cold, windy and wet. A light jacket earns its place.
Our sister site Cruising Checklist has printable packing and document lists. If this will be your first time at sea, First Time Cruise walks you through booking, boarding and life on board. For things to do on each island before or after your cruise, our visitor guide Best in Hawaii covers beaches, attractions and events.
Finding the Right Price
Hawaii cruise fares move with the season, the length of the voyage and how full the ship is. We do not publish prices here because they change daily. Instead, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare live fares across the lines that sail to Hawaii and send you free quotes. For current promotions, Wave Season gathers the year’s biggest cruise offers, and Cruising for Less explains discounts you may qualify for, such as resident, military or past-guest rates. If you are also weighing Alaska or other U.S. cruise regions, American Cruise Center covers cruising in and from the USA.
Who Is Behind This Site
Cruise Hawaii is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Plan Your Hawaii Cruise
Tell us whether you prefer island-hopping from Honolulu or a voyage from the mainland, and when you can travel. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will line up the Hawaii sailings that fit and send free quotes.
Get Hawaii Cruise Quotes