Royal Caribbean’s Hawaii cruises are distinctive itineraries the place passengers can expertise the exceptional nature, tradition, and delicacies of a number of Hawaiian islands in a single cruise expertise. Whereas Hawaii cruises are solely supplied a number of occasions per yr, they’re a dream trip for a lot of cruisers.
The marvelous surroundings of the Nā Pali coast, imposing Mauna Loa volcano, recent bowls of poke, and historic traditions present in Hawaii evoke a way of marvel and discovery for guests to the islands.
In case you’re desirous about cruising to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean, right here’s all the things it’s good to find out about what to anticipate when reserving and crusing on a cruise to The Aloha State.
On this information:
Royal Caribbean provides cruises to Hawaii, though they’re restricted and normally solely supplied as one-way legs on transpacific cruises.
As a result of it takes so lengthy to cross the Pacific Ocean in comparison with the Atlantic, Royal Caribbean splits the crossing into two cruise segments: Vancouver to Hawaii (and vice versa) and Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa).
Vancouver to Hawaii
Vancouver to Hawaii cruise itineraries are 11th of September nights relying on the crusing.
Hawaii is separated from North America by the Jap Pacific barrier, a 4,000-mile stretch of deep ocean with no shallow areas. Due to this, there are not any islands en path to Hawaii from Vancouver, so itineraries have a 5-6 day stretch of sea days to cross this part of the Pacific.
As soon as in Hawaii, itineraries can differ fairly a bit, with some cruises stopping in Maui for an in a single day keep and others visiting 3-4 islands. Cruises finish in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hawaii to Vancouver
You can even select to start out a Hawaii cruise in Honolulu and finish in Vancouver. Identical to on the best way to Hawaii, most itineraries are between 11th of September nights and go to a number of islands, together with Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.
Associated: Hawaii cruise on Royal Caribbean: All the pieces it’s good to know
Transpacific cruises from Hawaii to Australia both start or finish in Honolulu, Oahu.
Whereas not a real “Hawaii cruise” as a result of no port stops are supplied in Hawaii besides the embarkation/disembarkation port, these itineraries can nonetheless permit friends to spend time on the islands earlier than or after the cruise.
Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa)
Most ships touring from Vancouver to Hawaii will proceed the transpacific crossing by touring from Hawaii to Australia. That is the longer of the 2 stretches, taking 16-19 nights relying on the itinerary. There will likely be between 12-14 sea days on these transpacific cruises.
After leaving Hawaii, there’s a 5 day stretch at sea earlier than visiting a number of ports in French Polynesia. Following a number of days there, ships will proceed to both the South Pacific islands or New Zealand earlier than ending in Sydney or Brisbane, Australia.
These itineraries are supplied in reverse on the finish of the Australia cruise season, beginning in Australia and ending in Hawaii.
Enjoyable reality: When cruising to and from Australia to Hawaii, you’ll sail by way of the Worldwide Date Line. En path to Australia you’ll skip ahead a day, whereas crusing to Hawaii you’ll “stay the identical day” twice!
Sometimes, Royal Caribbean will launch an itinerary providing a “round-trip” Hawaii crusing, which is when a ship travels from Vancouver to Hawaii and instantly returns again to North America with out persevering with to Australia.
These cruises will likely be cut up into two segments you can ebook as a one-way leg or again to again, and they are going to be supplied instantly following the Alaska cruise season in September/October.
As a result of Royal Caribbean ships solely go to Hawaii on their approach to or from Australia, cruises are solely supplied at occasions which coincide with the change between the Australia/New Zealand cruise season and Alaska cruise season.
September cruises to Hawaii
The Alaska cruise season ends in mid to late September, and that is when 2-3 Royal Caribbean ships will start the lengthy journey to Australia for the summer season season down underneath.
You possibly can count on to see cruises departing from Vancouver to Hawaii within the final week of September or first week of October. Cruises departing Hawaii for Australia will happen instantly after the journey from North America, setting sail in mid October.
April cruises to Hawaii
The Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific cruise season runs from October to April. As soon as the season is over, Royal Caribbean relocates its cruise ships again to North America.
Transpacific cruises from Australia to Hawaii depart within the first half of April, reaching the shores of Hawaii on the finish of April or starting of Might.
Cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver happen instantly after the ship’s journey from Australia.
Straightforward journey from island to island
Top-of-the-line advantages of cruising to Hawaii is touring from island to island with out trouble. There’s no must get to an airport, undergo safety, and board a flight. Touring by way of cruise ship means you’ll be able to go to a number of islands whereas solely unpacking one time!
Relying on the itinerary, you’ll be able to go to between 2-4 islands in Hawaii in a matter of days, and also you received’t have to determine any transportation logistics your self, making for a stress-free approach to discover the state.
Conventional delicacies
Hawaii’s delicacies has been formed by a mix of cultures all through historical past, from Polynesian to Chinese language, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, American, and extra!
Due to this melting pot of cuisines, Hawaii boasts delicacies distinctive to the state that isn’t so generally discovered elsewhere in america. Poke (uncooked fish salad), poi (taro pudding), laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), and saimin (noodle soup) are simply among the mouth-watering dishes you’ll be able to attempt on a cruise to Hawaii.
Unparalleled nature
Hawaii’s nature is in contrast to something you’ll see within the continental United States–or maybe anyplace else on the planet.
There aren’t many locations on Earth the place you’ll discover a mixture of lava fields, snow-capped volcanoes, colossal waterfalls, rainforests, lush valleys, and secluded seashores in a single place, and it is certain to go away you speechless.
Honolulu, Oahu
The capital of Hawaii is a beginning or ending level for Hawaii cruises, and provides city life combined with world-famous seashores, inexperienced mountains, numerous cultures, and historical past.
As a begin or finish level of the cruise, many passengers determine so as to add a number of additional days to their time in Hawaii earlier than or after the cruise to expertise extra of what the island of Oahu has to supply.
Fashionable actions on Oahu embody mountain climbing Diamond Head’s crater, touring Oahu’s North Shore, browsing, and attending an genuine Hawaiian luau.
Guests also can go to Pearl Harbor whereas on Oahu. Excursions deliver passengers to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, and USS Missouri battleship to be taught extra concerning the devastating assault in 1941.
Lahaina, Maui
Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island, and cruise ships cease within the historic city of Lahaina, positioned on the island’s northwest coast.
Maui is packed stuffed with actions, from visiting the crater of Haleakalā to mountain climbing the Iao Valley, swimming in waterfalls, and snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Lounging on the seashore is a well-liked choice in Maui, too, because the island has over 80 numerous seashores.
Some itineraries embody an in a single day cease in Maui, providing you with extra time to discover this tropical paradise.
Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is positioned on japanese coast of the Island of Hawai’i, typically referred to as the Large Island. Hilo is extraordinarily lush, with loads of waterfalls, seashores, and rainforest to find. Rain falls in Hilo over 200 days of the yr!
Visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes Nationwide Park is a well-liked tour for a lot of guests to Hilo, which is residence to 2 of Hawaii’s most lively volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Akaka Falls is one other must-see within the Hilo space, the place the waterfall plunges a whopping 442 ft right into a gorge under.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
One other port positioned on the Island of Hawai’i is Kailua-Kona. On the alternative aspect of the island from Hilo, Kailua-Kona is drier and sunnier than Hilo, making for glorious circumstances for exploring the outside.
Tradition lovers will admire a go to to the Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau Nationwide Historic Park, a non secular sanctuary that was as soon as the house of royal grounds and a spot of refuge for individuals who broke kapu, which had been historic, sacred legal guidelines.
In case you don’t wish to stray removed from the port, downtown Kailua-Kona is crammed with retailers, eating places, and farmers markets the place you should purchase souvenirs in addition to style native merchandise and delicacies.
Nawiliwili, Kauai
Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii’s most important islands (the 2nd oldest general) and it was shaped over 5 million years in the past. Whereas there are not any lively volcanoes on the island right this moment, the panorama has been carved by wave, wind, and water erosion, making for distinctive landscapes not seen on different islands.
One in all these options is Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Guests will likely be awe-inspired by the canyon’s steep hillsides reaching depths of over 3,600 ft.
Nā Pali Coast (cruising)
In case you’ve seen photos of Hawaii’s rugged, emerald shoreline, odds are it was a photograph of the Nā Pali Coast on the island of Kauai. One of the recognizable coastlines on the planet, the Nā Pali coast provides unparalleled views of steep sea cliffs rising dramatically from the ocean under.
Some Hawaii cruise itineraries embody a scenic cruising day across the Nā Pali coast. Whereas passengers received’t disembark the ship on at the present time, they’re certain to be blown away by Hawaii’s pure magnificence.
Transpacific cruise ports
In case you ebook a transpacific cruise beginning or ending in Hawaii, you’ll go to a number of ports in French Polynesia in addition to a number of stops in Melanesia or New Zealand.
Ports might embody:
- Mo’orea, French Polynesia
- Raiatea, French Polynesia
- Papeete, Tahiti
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Bay of Islands, New Zealand
- Napier, New Zealand
- Picton, New Zealand
- Thriller Island, Vanuatu
- Port Vila, Vanuatu
- Nouméa, New Caledonia
Relying on the yr, Royal Caribbean sends 2-3 cruise ships to Hawaii. Attributable to limitations of crossing from the Pacific to the Caribbean, the ships despatched to Hawaii and Australia are usually the identical cruise ships providing Alaska cruise itineraries.
Ovation of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship launched in 2016. As one in every of Royal Caribbean’s latest ships, she is filled with the most recent actions, leisure, and eating venues discovered within the fleet.
Quantum Class ships had been constructed to sail in all climates, with indoor swimming pools, the SeaPlex sports activities heart, and the Two70 leisure venue and lounge which options floor-to-ceiling home windows good for viewing Hawaii’s surroundings.
Associated: All about Quantum Class ships
Quantum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas is a sister ship to Ovation of the Seas. She was the primary ship within the Quantum Class, launching in 2014.
Quantum of the Seas is sort of equivalent to Ovation of the Seas, albeit with a number of adjustments in eating venues and leisure reveals.
Quantum Class ships make a terrific selection for a Hawaii cruise for these in search of probably the most actions, eating choices, and leisure accessible on a cruise with many sea days. Even with 5 sea days in a row, will probably be exhausting to be bored on a Quantum Class ship!
Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas will likely be providing cruises from Australia within the 2023-2024 cruise season, so she will likely be providing cruises to Hawaii en path to and from Australia
Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship and whereas smaller than the Quantum Class, she nonetheless provides a lot to do, see, and eat onboard.
One of the beloved options of Radiance Class cruise ships is how a lot glass was constructed into the ship’s design. Massive, panoramic home windows are discovered throughout the ship, which is a large perk when touring to a vacation spot as stunning as Hawaii.
Associated: All about Radiance Class cruise ships
Hawaii cruises (Vancouver to Hawaii and vice versa)
Regardless of visiting a distant island chain within the Pacific, Hawaii itineraries can present a terrific worth on a cruise trip. You will typically discover costs akin to Caribbean cruises, despite the fact that the cruises are usually a number of days longer.
Search for last-minute cruise offers to Hawaii, too, as these itineraries don’t at all times ebook as rapidly as others. Attributable to journey to and from Vancouver/Hawaii and the truth that cruises are one-way as a substitute of round-trip, you’ll be able to typically discover last-minute offers.
Associated: Final Information to last-minute cruise offers
Listed here are a number of pattern costs of the entire value for two adults, together with taxes and charges, on a Hawaii cruise beginning or ending in Vancouver:
9-night Hawaii cruise on Ovation of the Seas
- Inside cabin: $1,805
- Balcony cabin: $1,963
11-night Hawaii cruise on Radiance of the Seas
- Inside cabin: $2,132
- Balcony cabin: $3,010
Associated: Inside vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Transpacific cruises (Hawaii to Australia and vice versa)
Transpacific cruises beginning in Hawaii and ending in Australia (or vice versa) are typically costlier than these beginning or ending in Vancouver. Not solely are they 5-8 days longer, however they journey an additional distance and go to locations which are far more tough to succeed in, comparable to Mo’orea and Tahiti.
Listed here are a number of pattern costs of the entire value for two adults, together with taxes and charges, on a transpacific cruise:
15-night Transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas
- Inside cabin: $2,908
- Balcony cabin: $3,982
18-night Transpacific cruise on Ovation of the Seas
- Inside cabin: $3,443
- Balcony cabin: $4,593
Additional prices on a Hawaii cruise
Exterior of cruise fare, you’ll wish to finances for the next add-ons when reserving a Hawaii cruise:
- Airfare
- Resort value for the night time earlier than the cruise
- Gratuities
- Shore excursions or spending cash in port
- Non-compulsory onboard extras: beverage package deal, eating package deal, and so on.
Associated: Prime 30 additional cruise prices that aren’t included
As a result of Royal Caribbean’s cruises to Hawaii are one-way sailings that require many sea days, it’s advisable to spend a while in Hawaii on land earlier than or after the cruise.
In case you plan to do that, you’ll wish to finances additional for lodges, meals, and transportation prices in Hawaii.
