Island-Hopping on a Hawaiian Cruise
Sample the culture and beauty of America’s tropical isles by ship
By Elizabeth Armstrong
The scenery is just as varied. Thin ribbons of waterfalls slice down green cliffs, red-hot lava melts into the sea, and deeply cut canyons reveal layers of age. Surrounding it all is the blue Pacific, edging stretches of golden sand, coasts of rough black lava and the emerald greens of championship golf courses.
There's no better way to sample the offerings of Hawaii than on a cruise. Pack your bags and travel to your port of embarkation -- Honolulu, San Diego or Los Angeles are among the most common. Board an amenity-filled cruise ship, unpack and shove the suitcases under the bed: You're now ready for a week or more of relaxation as you set out for an easygoing, island-hopping vacation.
Hawaii is a year-round cruising destination, and most itineraries last seven to 15 days. Hawaiian cruises primarily fall into three categories. Some sailings stay entirely in the islands, starting and ending in Honolulu. Others depart from the West Coast and spend several days at sea on the way to and from Hawaii, typically calling at a foreign port such as Ensenada, Mexico, somewhere along the way. Finally, there are itineraries that go farther afield in the South Pacific, incorporating port calls in such French Polynesian paradises as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.
Below we give three examples of these types of Hawaiian cruises, looking at departure dates and prices for this fall and winter. Keep in mind that if you need to fly a long distance to reach the ship's embarkation point, you might opt to arrive at the port city at least a day ahead of your cruise. This will allow time to rest and rejuvenate before boarding the vessel.
The rates below were provided by national cruise discounter Vacations To Go and were accurate at press time. For information on these and other Hawaiian cruises, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962.
A Week in the Islands
If ever a ship looked like it belonged in Hawaii, it's the Pride of Aloha. Giant green, yellow and pink leis are splashed across the bright white hull, and interior designs and color schemes reflect the vibrant colors of the islands. This 3.5-star ship, part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, stays year-round in Hawaii, primarily sailing seven-night cruises from Honolulu, with some 10- and 11-night vacations thrown into the mix.
On weeklong escapes, your first stop is Nawiliwili on Kauai's south coast, where the ship overnights. Here, you can join an excursion to Waimea Canyon, where the red and brown striations of the volcanic rock provide a striking contrast to the lush greens of the surrounding foliage. The Fern Grotto is another Kauai favorite; the natural lava-rock grotto is thick with hanging ferns.
Hilo and Kona on the Big Island (also called Hawaii) are next. Despite being Hawaii's second largest city, Hilo maintains a low-key, small-town feel, with an array of shops, restaurants and art galleries housed behind old wooden storefronts. Kona is a good starting point for exploring the Kohala Coast, a stretch of black lava shoreline and white-sand beaches that's home to a number of upscale resorts.
The Pride of Aloha also spends a night in Kahului, Maui. Early risers -- very early risers -- can steal away to Haleakala Crater to take in the sunrise. At 10,000 feet above sea level, it's the largest dormant volcano in the world.
Details: The Pride of Aloha sails seven-day trips from Honolulu nearly year-round. Prices are slashed by up to 80 percent at Vacations To Go. Click for the latest specials on weeklong cruises or 10- and 11-day cruises.
Long, Lazy Days at Sea
Several ships take their time reaching the islands, spending quite a few leisurely days at sea. The Summit, operated by Celebrity Cruises, does just that on its 14-day round-trip voyage from San Diego.
After departing the Southern California city, you'll have four seafaring days to explore the amenities of this five-star ship. These include the beautiful and serene conservatory perched high above the sea, the luxurious AquaSpa, an expansive library and an array of spots for socializing, such as the Champagne Bar and Martini Bar.
By the fifth day you've arrived in Lahaina, an old whaling village in Maui that now brims with art galleries. The ship overnights here, giving passengers ample time to hit the hot spots of this island, such as impressive Haleakala National Park or Iao Valley State Park, where you can snap a shot of the towering 1,200-foot Iao Needle. Celebrity offers a unique Maui shore excursion that visits a lavender farm, a vineyard and a goat dairy.
Then it's on to Honolulu for a touch of big-city culture and opportunities to visit the USS Arizona National Memorial at Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace, occupied by America's only royal family in the late 19th century.
Two stops on the Big Island follow -- Hilo on the east coast and Kona on the west coast. Big Island attractions include Parker Ranch, where you can learn the cowboy ways of the paniolo, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Four more days at sea give you plenty of time to reminisce with fellow passengers about your adventures in Hawaii. You'll make a quick stop in the Mexican port of Ensenada before returning to San Diego.
Details: The Summit sails 14-day itineraries from Sept. 28 through Nov. 9, 2007. Starting rates range from $1,299 to $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy. A 15-day trip from Los Angeles follows a similar itinerary and includes an overnight in Honolulu; it starts at $2,549 per person and departs Dec. 21, 2007.
Hawaii With a French Twist
Combine Hawaii with the islands of French Polynesia on 11- and 12-day itineraries aboard the four-star Pacific Princess of Princess Cruises. These exotic journeys sail alternating itineraries between Honolulu and Papeete, Tahiti.
From Honolulu, the ship travels to Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. After two days at sea, you'll have a unique opportunity to explore Christmas Island, an Eden 1,300 miles south of Hawaii. It's the world's largest coral atoll and a protected wildlife habitat, making it a hit with nature lovers.
The Pacific Princess then continues south to Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. Artist Paul Gauguin immortalized Tahiti in his paintings; a museum in the capital city of Papeete chronicles his time here. Volcanoes sculpted stunning Bora Bora, where visitors can explore maraes -- the ruins of ancient Polynesian temples -- or join a scuba-diving excursion to its barrier reef. Moorea is thought to be the basis for James Michener's idealized island, Bali Hai, in "Tales of the South Pacific." For many visitors, its crystalline lagoons and quiet beaches come very close to paradise.
Details: Departures aboard the Pacific Princess take place Sept. 21 through Dec. 4, 2007. Most trips are 11 days; the Nov. 15 trip lasts 12 days. Vacations To Go offers this itinerary at savings of up to nearly 60 percent. Click here to see the latest specials available on these cruises.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in July/August 2007 .
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962 for current rates and details.
