Hawaii works particularly well as a cruise destination, with each major island featuring a unique terrain and offering diverse experiences. The principal cruise ports include Honolulu on Oahu, Kahului on Maui, Hilo and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island, and Nawiliwili on Kauai.

The gateway to Hawaii, Honolulu will usually be your introduction to Hawaii and is much more than a cruise port. From the dazzling beaches of Waikiki to the volcanic tuff crater of Diamond Head, and from the fascinating history of Pearl Harbour to the fabulous array of shopping and dining venues, Oahu is an excellent place to add a stay, before or after your cruise.

Maui is often the island you imagine when you picture the classic Hawaiian landscape. The port at Kahului provides access to the island’s mountains, beaches, and spectacular landscapes. Haleakala National Park and the famous Road to Hana are two popular excursions. Popular things to do in Maui include:

• Haleakala – hiking the volcano early in the morning to experience sunrise above the clouds.

• Road to Hana – a 64-mile scenic drive featuring waterfalls, rainforest, coastline, and winding roads.

• Whale watching – seasonal and a must-do for those who love wildlife.

• Maui beaches – ideal for those who simply want a relaxing beach day.

Hilo is the greener, more dramatic side of Hawaii Island. The major attraction here is Hawaii Volcanoes National park. The park itself is about 45 minutes from Hilo, which offers gardens, markets, and a more local atmosphere. If you want to see the ‘real’ volcanic Hawaii, this is the place to go.

The Kona side offers a warmer, sunnier contrast to Hilo. Think – Kina coffee, historic sites, snorkelling, beaches, volcanic landscapes, history. Kona coffee plantations are a very popular shore excursion here.

Kauai is known as the Garden Island, and it offers a more naturally dramatic experience than the busier tourist centres. From Nawiliwili, you can explore beaches, waterfalls, tropical landscapes, and the famous Na Pali Coast. For adventure-seekers, helicopter flights, hiking, and kayaking can turn this port stop into a major highlight.

When it comes to cruising Hawaii, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America cruise ship has a particularly compelling offering – it is designed around fully experiencing the Hawaiian Islands rather than simply sailing past them. The seven-night inter-island itinerary operates year-round from Honolulu and visits Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai – with five ports and two overnight stays. Crucially, there are no traditional sea days, meaning you can spend virtually the entire holiday exploring Hawaii rather than travelling between the islands. Pride of America is the only US-flagged cruise ship operating in Hawaii, allowing it to remain within the islands for the duration of the itinerary. The ship itself was refurbished in May 2025 and offers a range of dining, bars, entertainment, and accommodation, while cultural experiences onboard – indluding hula, lei-making and Hawaiian-focused activities – help reinforce the destination experience.

With Princess, the appeal is the combination of a more traditional cruise experience, longer itineraries, strong island coverage, and the opportunity to combine Hawaii with a wider Pacific journey. One of their strongest offerings is the 16-day Hawaiian Islands itinerary with sailings from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Depending on the itinerary you can visit Hilo, Maui, Honolulu, and Kauai, with some itineraries offering late-night departures from Honolulu.

Holland America offers Hawaii cruises at a more leisurely pace. Its Hawaiian itineraries typically range from 17 days upwards. Departures from San Diego and Vancouver also make Hawaii accessible as part of a longer North American holiday. Known for destination immersion, Holland America includes cultural programming onboard, including talks and performances from cultural ambassadors, as well as the more traditional hula dancing and ukelele lessons. Holland America also offers Hawaii and Tahiti itineraries including the signature 35-Day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise.