If you’re planning a vacation to the Pacific paradise of Hawaii, you may be wondering about the ins and outs of traveling there, including the best way to see Hawaii and its magnificent islands; how much time to spend there; how to travel between the different islands; and what to see and do while you’re there.
Hawaii’s reputation as a bucket-list vacation destination is well-deserved based on its simply spectacular combination of natural beauty and fascinating Polynesian culture.
Oahu, Hawaii
The Hawaiian archipelago, made up of eight major islands, is most easily navigated on water, which makes cruising the perfect way to see the Hawaiian Islands in all their sun-drenched glory.
Here are more reasons why a cruise is the best way to see Hawaii.
Your Vacation Starts Immediately
From the moment you step foot on your cruise ship bound for Hawaii, your vacation begins. Head for the pool deck and relax on a plush lounger, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. Treat yourself to a day at The Spa to relax and rejuvenate, or savor a gourmet meal while taking in the mesmerizing ocean view.
Veranda Stateroom
Delight in knowing that you’ll never have to drag your luggage from here to there, because once you unpack in your luxuriously appointed stateroom, you’re set for your entire vacation.
Read: What to Pack for Hawaii
Indulge In Onboard Amenities & Experiences
Days at sea as you cruise to Hawaii are opportunities to fully explore all the ship’s splendid amenities. Take a fascinating tour of the ship, including the bridge, the galley (kitchens), the theater, and more, and get to know just how spectacular it is.
Lawn Club
Play bocce, then have a picnic lunch on the velvety green grass of The Lawn Club on the ship’s top deck. Attend an art auction or have your professional portrait taken at our onboard photography studio.
Murano
Savor dinner in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, like Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and prime steaks, or Murano for an incomparable French dining experience.
Celebrity’s stellar reputation for culinary creations, served in beautifully designed settings, means you’ll have a world-class dining experience from the moment you’re seated until your last sip of fine wine that was suggested by the restaurant’s sommelier.
Quasar
Nightlife shines on Celebrity ships with Broadway-worthy shows in The Theater or dancing in onboard bars and lounges. Meet up with friends or make new ones while watching bartenders mix up the best martini ever at the popular Martini Bar, or try a wine flight or order a glass of that incredible wine you’ve been wanting to try at Cellar Masters, our wine bar that boasts an expertly curated list of over 400 wines.
Whether you choose to cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia and fly home from Hawaii or do the reverse, Flights by Celebrity can handle all your flight bookings, giving you peace of mind and protection for your vacation investment.
Island-Hop The Easy Way
Haleakala National Park in Laihana, Hawaii
With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder island-hopping is so popular. Explore sun-drenched white-sand beaches on Oahu and lush green rainforests and breathtaking waterfalls in Hilo. Discover Kona’s coffee plantations and snorkeling and Maui’s volcanoes and whale-watching experiences.
A cruise to Hawaii with Celebrity Cruises offers the easiest way to see Hawaii’s islands. You won’t waste time and money on expensive inter-island flights, or need to make multiple transportation bookings, or deal with constantly packing and unpacking. On a cruise that visits multiple islands, you’ll have plenty of time to experience incredible island wonders and some of the best beaches in the world.
Cruises conveniently dock in dazzlingly beautiful ports where you can head straight to a nearby beach for swimming, sunning, or snorkeling; shop for handcrafted souvenirs; or head off to some of the island’s most iconic sights on a shore excursion.
Drums of the Pacific in Lahaina, Hawaii
Our Hawaii cruises visit the ports of Honolulu on the island of Oahu; Lahaina on Maui; and Hilo and Kailua Kona on the “Big Island” of Hawaii.
On cruises that stay overnight in Honolulu or Lahaina, depending on your cruise embarkation point, you’ll have plenty of time to experience the island’s most iconic sights and enjoy local nightlife, which might include a sunset sail or a traditional luau.
Read: Best Time to Cruise to Hawaii
Shore Excursions Provide Incomparable Island Adventures
Carefully curated shore excursions, available when you book your cruise or onboard through the shore excursions desk, are one of best ways to see Hawaii as you cruise to each island paradise. An Onboard Destination Concierge is on hand for advice and bookings.
While at sea, you’ll have multiple ways and occasions to learn all about Hawaiian ports of call, from talks by destination experts, cooking classes that focus on the local cuisine and wines, and TV shore excursion programming.
Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii
An iconic waterfall with a near-constant rainbow effect, earning it the name Rainbow Falls, is one of the highlights of an excursion in Hilo that also includes a visit to the Imiloa Astronomy Center to witness an incredible light and sound show.
Bay View Farm in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Visit the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Center or get to the heart of everyday Hawaiian life with a guided tour of unique island homes and a local brunch including poke, malasadas (donuts), and drinks, including iconic Kona coffee.
Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii
In Honolulu, step back in time as you tour the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and the USS Missouri. Visit Diamond Head, the iconic “punchbowl” volcanic crater. See Honolulu’s incredible beaches, lush forests, towering mountains, and smoking volcanos from a bird’s-eye view on a thrilling helicopter tour.
Walk through a cloud-shrouded forest, snorkel or dive in the deep blue waters of a secluded lagoon, travel through King’s Valley to witness a million-year-old volcano and a black sand beach on Kailua Kona.
Punalu’u Beach in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Snap a picture of the original statue of King Kamehameha and tour the island’s sumptuous artisan side with excursions to a Kona coffee plantation, a chocolate company, and a local craft brewery.
Statue of King Kamehameha in Oahu, Hawaii
Whale and dolphin watching in the waters around Lahaina is some of the best in the world. See humpback whales and playful dolphins as they cavort in the warm blue waters of the Pacific.
Play a round of golf on a course situated over 1,000 feet above the ocean. Sample juicy pineapple on a tour of a pineapple plantation and marvel at a multicolored sky at sunset on a cocktail cruise, all possible while visiting the magical island of Maui.
Lahaina, Hawaii
Now that you know that the best way to see Hawaii is on a cruise with Celebrity Cruises, book your dream cruise on our website.
