6 Tips for Cruising Hawaii on a Budget
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Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking relaxation on sun-kissed beaches, Hawaii has something for everyone. Explore the rich Hawaiian culture, snorkel in vibrant coral reefs, hike to stunning waterfalls, or simply unwind on pristine beaches with a refreshing Mai Tai in hand. Ahi tuna has become famous all over America, most commonly seared and added to Asian-style salads.
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After leaving Hawaii, there is a 5 day stretch at sea before visiting several ports in French Polynesia. Following a few days there, ships will continue to either the South Pacific islands or New Zealand before ending in Sydney or Brisbane, Australia. Being there for full days and overnight also gives you opportunities to experience the islands during hours cruise passengers rarely get to experience, say on an early morning beach jog or during a sunset tour. Guidelines provided by cruise lines suggest gratuity amounts around $14-16 per person/per day for room stewards and dining waitstaff.
Featured Hawaii Cruise Ports
The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025 - The Points Guy
The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
At the end of the Chain of Craters Road – about 18 miles from the Kīlauea Visitor Center – is the Hōlei Sea Arch, a 90-ft-tall rock formation cut into the cliff of an ancient lava flow about 550 years ago. In 2020, the park opened a new viewing area about 1000ft past the gate at the end of the road and set back away from the cliff edge. The trailhead is at an overlook of the crater formed from an eruption in 1959 that was marked by fountaining lava over a half-mile long and a plume reaching a world-record 1900ft high. The first part of the trail is a descent through a lush rainforest lined with native ʻōhiʻa and koa trees.
Transpacific cruises (Hawaii to Australia and vice versa)
The rest must sail long cruises at least one-way, if not round trip, from the west coast of North America. And there’s so much to do while you’re at sea, like enjoying live entertainment, world-class cuisine, island-inspired activities and endless ocean views — plus it's all included in your cruise fare! According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, land visitors spent an average of $194.50 a day in 2015, including lodging, food and beverages, shopping and entertainment. While prices for Hawaiian cruises vary depending on the cruise line, on a typical 14-day sailing, you can expect to pay between $1,200 and $4,500 (and up), which breaks down to around $85 to $321 per day. Picture yourself sailing through the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by lush green landscapes and volcanic wonders. On a cruise around Hawaii, you’ll have the opportunity to visit multiple Hawaiian islands in one unforgettable trip.
The stunning Na Pali Coast has served as the backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters, such as Jurassic Park and King Kong. With endless emerald landscapes, Kauai truly lives up to its nickname of "The Garden Island". Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. On the opposite side of the island from Hilo, Kailua-Kona is drier and sunnier than Hilo, making for excellent conditions for exploring the outdoors. Transpacific cruises from Hawaii to Australia either begin or end in Honolulu, Oahu. A visit to the Hawaiian Islands holds a firm spot on many bucket lists and for good reason.
And there’s so much to do while you’re at sea, like enjoying live entertainment, world-class cuisine, island-inspired activities and endless ocean views — plus it's all included in your cruise fare! Discover why the Travel Channel named us "Best Cruises to see Hawaii." However, unlike in other cruise regions, travelers are limited in the itineraries and times of the year they can sail. Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is a great way to visit the islands in just a week, but fans of leisurely trips with lots of sea days should look at round-trip cruises from California. Because most cruise ships are flagged in another country, they cannot offer interisland cruises.
Round-trip Hawaii cruises from the West Coast
Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania offer upscale accommodations, fine dining and multiple fare inclusions for travelers looking to journey in style across the Pacific Ocean, stopping in Hawaii along the way. Seabourn and Silversea feature smaller ships, more fare inclusions and higher prices than Oceania. For a completely different interisland cruise, UnCruise Adventures offers a more off-the-beaten-path, adventure-focused sailing on the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The itinerary features two-day overnight visits to Maui and Kauai and stops in both Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, as well as scenic cruising along Kauai's famed Napali Coast. It's easy to book pre- or post-cruise stays in Honolulu to explore places like Waikiki Beach, Diamondhead Crater and Pearl Harbor.
Be Mindful of Prices Ashore
Visitors looking for an ocean cruise may be interested in a new package offered by Atlantis Cruises in Honolulu that ends with a luau. Don't be afraid to ask the locals where they eat and drink and shop. Remember, they live there year-round -- they don't want to spend a fortune either. Doing this got us to an amazing restaurant in Wailea (Monkeypod Kitchen) and again in Lahaina, where some of the best Italian food we've eaten was inexplicably on Maui (Sale Pepe). While some best practices (like not walking too close to volcanoes) are obvious, be aware of lesser-known laws.
Though ships often stay in port for longer, many passengers come back to the ship within eight hours -- a time frame that allows them to see one or two attractions, but not enough to get a deep feel for the locale. If you are the type of traveler that likes to entrench yourself in the day-to-day life of local residents, a cruise may not be for you. Flights from major mainland airports like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, etc. can range from $300 to $800 roundtrip during off-peak seasons. Expect to pay more during popular travel weeks like spring break and summer vacations, where rates often exceed $1,000. The most expensive periods are typically during holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, and spring break.
Nēnē (Hawaiian geese) frequent this area; refrain from feeding or interacting with this threatened species. This lava tube – also known as Thurston Lava Tube – was created by a river of 2000°F (1093°C) molten lava about 500 years ago. Discovered in 1913, this massive lava cave is very accessible, with a flat rock floor and ceiling height of more than 20ft in places. Electric lights illuminate most of the path, though you may want to bring a flashlight – it takes about 20 minutes to stroll through the tube. The rainforest that surrounds Nāhuku is brimming with native birds, including the scarlet ʻiʻiwi, a Hawaiian honeycreeper listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The tiny town of Volcano Village just outside the park is also well worth a visit, with its laid-back eateries and food trucks, art galleries, and a vineyard and winery.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down every component that goes into the cost of a Hawaii cruise so you can set an accurate vacation budget. The land within the park is sacred to Native Hawaiians, with moʻolelo (stories) and mele (songs) tied to this area. They believe Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, lives in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea. If you come across Native Hawaiians performing cultural rituals in the park, keep a respectful distance.
Head to the Big Island to tour the plantations where the good stuff is grown, from famous Kona Coffee to craft producer Mount Thunder. A sanctuary at sea, Zuiderdam is known for its spectacular art collection. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with regional cooking demonstrations and tastings. HONOLULU, HAWAIIHonolulu is breezy by day and all lit up after sunset.
Hawaii offers a tropical twist on the hip travel hobby called "forest bathing". It's all the rage among spiritually minded travellers these days and a great way to see nature close. Hike to Rainbow Falls on the Big Island, or through the lush Hana Rainforest on Maui. Do you cruise to Oahu and hit Waikiki – where the people-watching is as good as the tanning – or to the scenic Napali Coast of underrated Kauai?
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