Hawaii Cruises
There are several types of Hawaii cruises that are popular. Some people choose to cruise around only the Hawaiian Islands, while others will cruise to other exotic locations along with Hawaii, such as Bora Bora. A cruise around Hawaii is going to be a different experience than many others. You can go around the islands in 7 days, or cruise to additional places and lengthen the cruise to as much as 16 days. If you are considering one of these Hawaiian cruise packages, here are some things to consider.
French Polynesian Hawaii Cruises
This type of cruise is popular for those with extra time and extra money to spend. On these cruises you will get to explore the Hawaiian Islands as well as Bora Bora. Bora Bora is known as the Pearl of the South Pacific, and has been made famous by celebrity accounts. The island is quant, but quite expensive. It’s not uncommon to find water cabins that go for as much as $10,000 a night. Taking a cruise and stopping here for a day is an affordable way to enjoy the magnificent island and all its offerings without hemorrhaging from your wallet. These Hawaii cruises will take longer than a basic Hawaiian cruise. You should expect these to take closer to 11-16 days. However, the extra time can be worth it. This is one of the most popular options in Hawaii honeymoon packages. While you’re there consider renting a bicycle and exploring the lush island, stopping at one of the many famous restaurants, or feeding the manta rays off the shore. Just be aware that everything here is expensive. Hamburgers that cost in excess of $20 are everywhere, and renting a car can be extremely costly.
Full Island Cruises
Some of the Hawaiian cruises, and the most popular ones, will travel around all of the islands. This gives you an opportunity to explore all of Hawaii in a single trip. While these Hawaii cruises are great, they don’t always give you a lot of time to explore at each port. The shorter 7 day cruises may only stop at each island for a couple of hours. This is good for those who just want to take in the sights and do a little exploring and shopping. If you want to visit all of the sights, participate in sports, and do serious shopping you may want to consider a cruise in Hawaii with fewer port stops.
Individual Stops
For those who want to explore the islands in more depth, finding Hawaii cruises that only make a few stops at certain island ports is going to be a better idea. This way you can snorkel in Oahu, enjoy kids centered activities with your kids in Maui, picnic on the lava rock beach on The Big Island, see the reef in Kauai, search through debris of old shipwrecks on Lanai, or swim on Molokai. If you want to research what all the different islands offer, you can visit the official Hawaii tourism site at www.gohawaii.com. You can find information on group Hawaii tours independent of the cruise line too. This way you will be better equipped to choose the right Hawaii cruise package.
Packing for the Trip
Hawaii enjoys pretty much the same temperature year round. This makes packing for your Hawaii travel cruise simple regardless of the time of the year you choose to cruise. November through March is the rainy season. If you are planning a cruise during this time you should make sure to pack a parka and an umbrella just in case. Even during the summer months it’s not a bad idea. Since it has a tropical climate, it’s not uncommon for it rain during the drier months too. It’s a misconception that it’s always warm. If you plan in hiking, especially on any of the volcanic mountains, take a sweater or light jacket. Remember good hiking shoes if you plan on doing this too. Aside from this, pack what you would normally pack on a beach trip. A swim suit, sun screen, and beach shoes are a must. It’s also a great idea to pack some kind of moisturizer as well. The Hawaiian Islands are windy, and your skin can become irritated easily if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Sunglasses will also serve you well. Pack cameras and anything else you may want for your Hawaii cruises to capture memories as well.