The Islands of Hawai‘i have drawn travelers for centuries. More than a millennium ago, Polynesian navigators followed the stars across the Pacific and reached these islands, establishing the first settlements. European explorers, missionaries and traders arrived in the late 1700s and through the 1800s, each bringing different influences. Tourism as we recognize it began in the 1860s when Kīlauea, the active volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i, became a sought-after destination for adventure-minded visitors.
For most visitors throughout history, arrival meant coming by boat. In recent years cruises have remained a popular way to reach the Aloha State: between January and September 2023 more than 95,605 cruise passengers visited Hawai‘i. A cruise lets travelers explore the archipelago of eight major and about 125 smaller islands that stretch roughly 1,500 miles across the Pacific — a distance comparable to the stretch from Maine to Florida. Of the eight main islands, six are open to the public, each offering a distinct character. Despite their differences, the aloha spirit — calm, kindness, generosity and unity — is present across the islands and felt by residents and visitors alike.
A cruise through the Islands of Hawai‘i provides an immersive way to experience island life. Norwegian Cruise Line sails year-round in Hawai‘i with its seven-day Hawai‘i: Inter-island voyage aboard Pride of America. Departing roundtrip from Honolulu, O‘ahu, the itinerary includes stops on Maui, two ports on the Island of Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i, allowing passengers to sample a range of landscapes and activities.
Kahului on Maui is a convenient gateway for island exploration. From there you can drive the iconic Road to Hana, a nearly 64-mile coastal route that reveals lush scenery and dramatic ocean views around every bend. You can also ascend Haleakalā, the island’s dormant volcano that rises to about 10,000 feet; watching sunrise or sunset from the summit is unforgettable (bring layers — temperatures at the top are cold). Maui’s agricultural history is visible at pineapple plantations and other farms that offer chances to taste local produce.
The Island of Hawai‘i is visited at two ports on this cruise, providing contrasting experiences. Hilo, on the eastern side, is the gateway to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The park spans some 523 square miles — nearly the size of O‘ahu — and features trails through tropical forest, across volcanic craters and along rugged shorelines. One highlight is witnessing Kīlauea’s active caldera and the volcanic features that shape the island. On the western side, Kona invites visitors to tour coffee farms, explore historic sites tied to Hawaiian royalty and snorkel in clear waters where sea turtles, manta rays and vibrant coral reefs are commonly seen.
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The cruise’s final Hawaiian port is Kaua‘i, known as the Garden Island. Kaua‘i is lush and dramatic, full of waterfalls, valleys and dense forests. A standout attraction is Waimea Canyon, often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The canyon stretches roughly 14 miles and features walls that rise to about 3,600 feet. Hiking its trails or rafting the river that carved the canyon reveals vivid layers of volcanic rock, verdant vegetation and sweeping sky — a landscape that frequently leaves visitors astonished.
Beyond the weeklong Inter-island sailings, Norwegian includes Hawai‘i on many other voyages. Examples include a 16-day Alaska & Hawaii itinerary that begins in O‘ahu and continues to Alaska before ending in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a 14-day South Pacific route that visits Hawaiian islands before sailing onward to French Polynesia. These longer routes allow travelers to combine Hawaiian stops with broader Pacific or North American cruises.
Other cruise lines also call on Hawai‘i. Princess Cruises operates 16-day Hawaiian Islands voyages that sail roundtrip from Los Angeles and include the major islands and Ensenada, Mexico, with similar departures from San Francisco. Viking offers a 17-day Hawaiian Islands Sojourn roundtrip from Los Angeles and a longer 32-day Jewels of the South Pacific voyage that extends from Los Angeles to Sydney, stopping at O‘ahu and Kaua‘i along the way.
Holland America Line features 16- and 17-day Circle Hawai‘i itineraries that depart and return to San Diego, while Celebrity Cruises runs a selection of eight- to 12-night voyages that operate one way between Vancouver and O‘ahu. Seabourn’s Seabourn Encore is scheduled to make its first Hawaiian call in 2025 as part of a 25-day Pacific crossing from Japan to California, including an overnight in Honolulu and a stop at Kaua‘i. Regent Seven Seas Cruises plans a 21-night Crossing Horizons voyage from Miami to Honolulu that transits the Panama Canal and visits several South American ports before a multi-island Hawaiian call.