From the lava flows of the Big Island to the waterfalls of Kauai,
Hawaii is a wonderful destination for island-hopping. All of the islands are spectacular,
and each has its own unique character, climate, and traditions. There’s plenty
of history here, from the ancient kingdoms of Hawaii to the heroics of World
War II. And everywhere you look, there’s breathtaking beauty.
There are three basic options for a cruise of Hawaii: sailing
roundtrip from Honolulu; sailing roundtrip from the West Coast; or visiting
during a repositioning cruise across the Pacific. What are the advantages of
each?
Roundtrip
from Honolulu: This option really maximizes your time
in the islands, as there are no days at sea traveling to or from the West
Coast. However, to comply with U.S. laws related to passenger shipping, cruise
ships that are not U.S.-flagged must call on at least one international port
each time they sail: that’s why some itineraries include a call on Tabuaeran,
also known as Fanning Island. This type of cruise is a good option if you have
a limited amount of vacation time; most roundtrip-from-Honolulu cruises are
about seven days.
Roundtrip
from the U.S. or Canada: If you enjoy relaxing days at sea, you
can sail to Hawaii roundtrip from several ports on the West Coast.
Foreign-flagged ships that depart from Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco
often call on Ensenada, Mexico, to satisfy the requirement to call on an
international port; ships that depart from Vancouver, British Columbia,
automatically satisfy that requirement. These cruises are usually about 14 to
18 days, with several sea days in a row at the beginning and at the end of the
cruise. Some longer itineraries also visit other lovely islands in the South
Pacific before returning.
Repositioning: You
can also explore Hawaii (and more) on a repositioning cruise, when a cruise
line moves a ship from the West Coast to Asia or the South Pacific, or
vice-versa. These cruises take place just once or twice a year and can be a
great choice for someone who has plenty of time to travel and enjoys time at
sea.
Talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert, not
only about which type of Hawaiian cruise is for you, but when to go. Winter is
peak season, late spring offers less crowded ships, and late fall can be a good
time for discounts.
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