Cruise Ship around the Hawaiian Islands?

Question

I'm looking for a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. In other words, you sleep on the ship and they take you to the next island to tour the next day. It eliminates inter-island flying & checking in & out of hotels.

I've heard of this. Has anyone else ?

Answer 1

NCL has 3 cruise ships that serve Hawaii. I know that Celebrity and RCCL also has cruise ships which cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. Check Travelzoo.com for deals sometimes the cruise companies will offer specials like free airfare from California.

Answer 2

According to Maritime law (specifically the Jones Act), a foreign-flagged ship CANNOT only cruise to American ports. They have to hit a Foreign port eventually. Most cruise lines are foreign-flagged due to tax purposes EXCEPT for the NCL ships listed above by the other posters. In order to be American flagged, they have to have a majority of US Citizens working onboard. At the risk of pissing off several readers, I can tell you that having a ship full of American workers is not good -- the cruise costs alot more (they demand higher wages than their foreign counterparts), and the service is not as good as on regular cruises.

Any other ship MUST visit a foreign port. Check the itinerary to see where you'll be heading off to. Most are stopping in Ensenada, Mexico for an hour or two (not long enough for you to get off the ship). Those ships are generally sailing round-trip out of LA, San Diego, or Vancouver. Catching a ship in Honolulu usually means traveling to a far off Pacific Island (Tahiti or the like).

Answer 3

Check Travelocity or Expedia for cruises. Not sure if they will have the best prices, but yes they are there.
I have taken a 7 day 5 Island American Hawaii Cruise. It was awesome and the best way to see lots of Islands in a short time. I know there are Carnival Cruises too. .
Do research for the best one which has what you would like to do. And Enjoy.

Answer 4

You are basically talking about NCL-America. Currently there are three ships based in Hawaii. The Pride of Aloha, the Pride of America and the Pride of Hawaii. However, next year the Pride of Hawaii will leave Hawaii, will be renamed the Jade, and will cruise in Europe. So, if you are looking for the best prices, the time to go is this year.

The NCL-America ships spend one week in visiting the four main islands. All days are spent in port, and the ship moves around the islands at night.

Other cruise lines offer either round trips to Hawaii from California, or one way cruises that either start from the mainland and end in Hawaii, or start in Hawaii and end in the mainland.

The round trip cruises last about 15 days and include eight days at sea (four going and four returning). The one way cruises usually last ten or eleven days and spend four or five days at sea.

Princess offers many round trip cruises to Hawaii from Los Angeles. Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer one way cruises to or from Hawaii as part of a repositioning cruise in April or October. This is when the ships are being moved to or from Alaska for the summer season.

Answer 5

There are lots of cruise lines that go around Hawaii. Check out NCL and Princess for starters.
Some leave from Honolulu - or you can do a 2 week cruise and go round trip from Los Angeles.

Answer 6

i have priced both and find cruise ships to be the better deal if your in no hurry and dont mind being on someone Else's time schedule. a factor most people forget is cost of food which in hawaii can be very expensive. whereas cruise ship offer dinner with the fee.

Answer 7

yes ive heard about it,try NCL-america.
im going on pride of hawaii in a 2 weeks.
and i think it basiically takes you too some islands and u stay overnight in two of the major islands.

Answer 8

There are lots of them. Norwegian is the biggest one. Look at cruise.com or any travel site.

Answer 9

Yes, I have heard about it.