Hawaiian Island Facts

For those who wish to travel to Hawaii, it would be good to learn some interesting facts about the Hawaiian Islands. According to historians, Hawaii was most likely settled between A.D. 300 and 600 by a group of Polynesians who came from other Pacific Islands. In 1778, the famous Captain James Cook visited the islands and called the group of islands the Sandwich Islands. The native kingdom of Hawaii became a republic upon the deposing of Queen Liliuokalani and later, a U.S. territory in 1900 following its annexation in 1898.

One of the most remembered incidences in the World War II was the ferocious attack on the naval base of Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941 by the Japanese. That attack brought the entry of the United States into the world war.

Hawaii is a chain of islets and eight main islands. The eight main islands are Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. It is blessed with mild temperature and this augurs well for its chief plantation products mainly cane sugar, pineapple, flowers and nursery products. The climate is also suitable for the growing of coffee beans, bananas, and macadamia nuts. However, Hawaii’s largest source of income is its tourist business to its charming Hawaiian Islands.

Of interest would be Hawaii’s highest peak called Mauna Kea (13,796 ft). Mauna Loa (13,679 ft) is the largest volcanic mountain in the world by volume. Other major points of interest amongst the tourists are the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii), Haleakala National Park (Maui), Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Hawaii), Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu), the USS Arizona and USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Oahu), and Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the U.S.), Bishop Museum, and Waikiki Beach (all in Honolulu).

Of late, tourists visiting the Hawaiian Islands are becoming attracted to the availability of visiting the Hawaiian Islands using Cruise Packages. There are many good and attractive Hawaiian Cruise deals around which you can shop.

Honeymoon Cruising in Hawaii

The beautiful islands of Hawaii is perfect for your honeymoon gateway. Thousands of young couples have their honeymoon cruising in Hawaii as there are so many things to see and do in a Hawaii vacation. It is so popular that there are marriage agencies which specialises in Honeymoon Cruising in Hawaii.

 

What makes Hawaii honeymoon cruises all the more special is its romantic settings evoked by movies such as “Blue Hawaii” starring Elvis Presley and the musical “South Pacific”. Amidst swaying coconut trees at the beaches are soft Hawaiian music. Of course, there is also the Pearl Harbour movie with a certain element of romance included.

Choose a romantic Hawaiian honeymoon cruise and explore the many Hawaiian islands. Blessed with pristine beaches, awesome volcanoes and lush tropical rain forests, there are so many things a couple could do in a Hawaiian vacation. The inspiring natural landscapes have certainly been photographed millions of times by the visiting tourists who visit Hawaii.

The peak months for tourism in Hawaii is from November to March. If you plan to travel during those dates, plan your Hawaiian honeymoon cruises well in advance. Enjoy surfing and whale watching on the northern shores of Oahu and Maui. Visit the famed Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. Couples can try having a romantic hula hula dance and taking part in a Hawaiian luau.

Give a romantic honeymoon in Hawaii a try. Go honeymoon cruising in Hawaii and make it a memorable Hawaiian vacation!

Are Hawaiian Cruises The Best Way To Experience Hawaii?

The state of Hawaii comprises the eight main islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Oahu, Niihau, Kauai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. It is widely acclaimed as the most isolated population center on the face of the earth and is blessed with beautiful beaches, thick and lush tropical rain forests, pristine waterfalls and majestic volcanoes. Spend time at the beach or take a trek into the natural rain forests. Explore the volcanoes or take awesome pictures of the waterfalls. With so much to do and see, it is a challenge to plan an unforgettable Hawaiian vacation.

Of late, Hawaiian cruises have become more and more popular and fast becoming a hit with those who have yet to experience the islands. Are Hawaiian cruises the best way to experience Hawaii? To choose whether taking a cruise to Hawaii is a wise vacation option, these are some pros and cons you should consider:-

Pros:

You don’t have to plan your Hawaii vacation. The cruise company deals with all the difficult work of planning for your itinerary, meals, entertainment, logistics and possibly, land accommodation. In most cases, with their economies of scale, cruise companies are able to get good deals for you.

See all. Experience all. Cruising can be a good option to see and experience as much as possible in one single cruise trip. Many cruise companies arrange ways for you to visit at least three of the Hawaiian islands in one itinerary. Usually, the cruise ship travels whilst you are asleep and that saves you valuable time allowing you to feel afresh when you hit the shores the next day.

It is most common for Hawaii cruise vacations to plan local sampling of food and to allow you to experience the traditional Hawaiian Luau. Moreover, there is plenty of things to do onboard.

Cons:

Well, if the cruise company plans the itinerary one way, that’s the only way you will be experiencing Hawaii. Check on your sightseeing time allocation. Some Hawaii cruises have limited time on shore and this make reduce a full experience of what the Hawaiian islands could offer.

Hawaii islands are beautiful but the ports are a disappointment. If you could look past the port, then you will be alright.

Though you will have a sampling on great Hawaiian dishes, most of the meals will be onboard the cruise. And that said, some of the food on Hawaiian cruises could fare much better.

Evaluate the pros and cons of taking a cruise for your Hawaii vacation and see if a Hawaiian cruise is the best for your Hawaiian vacation.

Hawaii Cruise Information and Costs

Most of the large-ship cruise lines now operate the Hawaii route, some year round, some only in the spring and fall as their ships reposition to and from Alaska. The different lines differ widely in quality and theme.

Here are 2 of the most popular ones:

Pride of America

If you’re looking for a cruise line that cruises Hawaii only, embarking and debarking in a Hawaiian port of call, the Norwegian Cruise Line America (NCLA)’s U.S flagged ship, Pride of America, offers fabulous new inter-island itineraries in Hawaii all year long, with shorter days at sea and longer days in port.

NCL has a fourth vessel in Hawaii (Norwegian Wind), offering 10 and 11 day sailings including Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati to satisfy the Jones Act (since it is not a U.S flagged ship).

It is the least expensive choice of all the liners that cover the Hawaii route. Their main attraction is a unique cruising experience called “Freestyle Cruising”, which allows for dining when and where you want, no set dress codes and a leisurely disembarkation program among other benefits.

Holland America

An upscale line, with a typical average passenger age of 55 – 85 and departs from San Diego or Seattle before circling the famed islands in 15 or 17 days.

Also offers a 30-day Hawaii South Pacific Explorer cruise, which calls on the exotic islands of Bora Bora, Moorea and Nuka Hiva.

Expect 5-star gourmet dining and an extremely professional staff – almost like being in a 5 star hotel.

The cost of a cruise to Hawaii in general varies from one liner to another. However, many cruise lines tend to offer discounts for early bookings and for seniors. A group rate may also be available for those traveling with a large group of family and friends.

Prices tend to be much higher over summer and during the christmas season due to increased demand. Generally, cruises are at their cheapest November-February, except for holidays.

Typical cruise package costs are as follows:
• 7-day roundtrips from Honolulu cost about $520-$1,100 for a standard cabin; about $1,000-$1,650 for a cabin with a balcony; and about $1,600-$3,000 for a suite. Any airfare costs to Hawaii will be in addition to this.
• 10-15-night cruises departing from Ensenada, Mexico to Vancouver, BC and ports in the west mainland cost any between $900-$2,700 for a cabin; $1,500-$2,900 for a cabin with a balcony and about $1,700-$4,700 or more for a suite.
• 15-31 days may also be available at prices ranging from $1,100-$4,500 or more.
Always read the fine print to make sure there are no additional costs before committing yourself to what may seem like a great deal.
• Be sure that the price you’re quoted includes port taxes and other fees as you may end up paying more than you bargained for.
• On-shore activities are not always inclusive and you may have to pay extra for these - prices tend to vary depending on what’s involved.
• Onboard tipping may add $5-$10 daily per traveler. However, some cruise lines, such as Seabourn, Radisson Seven Seas, Silversea and Windstar, include tips in the basic price.
• Some lower-priced vessels may charge for restaurants, special shows, spa treatments or any other shipboard amenities. However, luxury ships generally include everything in the price except for port excursions and bar tabs.

Experience Hawaii Onboard and On-Foot

Have you ever heard people talk about their Hawaii cruise excursion experiences and envy their joyful recollections? Well, there are numerous other reasons why you should book yourself a deal. With the islands’ refreshingly tropical climate and breathtaking sites to see like the Kilauea volcano, a Hawaii cruise excursion may just be your one-way ticket to a fabulous outing.

First things first: You should consider freeing 10 to 14 days from your calendar, as the area the cruise covers will be vast area. This is not even considering the ocean that surrounds these islands. So if you are departing from San Diego or Los Angeles for example, expect the trip to be that long.

It is also obviously imperative that you find the best cruise ship that suits your leisurely needs. The best part of being on a Hawaiian cruise excursion is you can just sit back and take in the sights. But if you’re the restless type, then a ship with the facilities that can cater to your interests would greatly enhance your enjoyment. If rock climbing or working out in a mini-gym is your cup of tea, then avail of a cruise ship with those features. That’s not to say that you’ll be bored in your Hawaii cruise excursion. You can do things such as horseback riding, deep-sea diving and playing golf once you make the proper shore excursion arrangements.

If you have a problem with seasickness, you can opt to go to Hawaii by plane and then board the cruise ship from thereon. But take note that cruise ships are generally huge, so you won’t feel the waves too much when you’re inside them. For specifics, you can contact Norwegian Cruise Lines in this matter, as they are the primary inter-island cruise operators in Hawaii. Plus, since you cut short your time in getting there, you can spend more time traveling around them.

As with any traveling adventures, the schedule will also play a part in your overall comfort. Most people do their excursions in the summer or the Christmas season, so if you desire a less populated and more affordable trip, it is advisable to sign up on the months of September and October.

Going on a Hawaii cruise excursion is surely a great way to consume your vacation time. You can never go wrong on a trip that has a beautiful destination without the hassles.

Hawaii Cruise Excursions

Most cruise packages to Hawaii will cover cruise excursions and shore tours at an extra charge. However, it usually is cheaper to book these on your own and not bundled together with the basic cruise package you get from the liner.

The excursions usually include helicopter tours, island tours, catamaran adventures, private sailing adventures, private snorkeling, snorkeling tours and swimming with dolphins, whale watching, historical tours, sailing, water sports and other exciting activities to help you get the most of your visit to Hawaii.

Most of these excursions are based on the calendars of the popular lines Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruise lines, Holland American Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines, which gives you the freedom to leave the ship to carry out the excursions and come back at a predestined time to continue your cruise with the other passengers.

Choose An Island To Explore:

Islands of Oahu Excursion

Home of the Diamond Head, the most recognizable landmark in Hawaii, an excursion here would be great for anyone who loves shopping and has a passion for history as Oahu is the home of Pearl Harbor, which is synonymous with World War II.

Hanauma Bay is the ultimate snorkeling destination while the North Shore is famous for surfing. The Ko’olau mountain range offers distinctive sheer cliffs, lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls which wait to be explored.

Maui Excursion

The island is known for its attractions including the old whaling town of Lahaina, Haleakala Crater(the world’s largest dormant volcano), the road to Hana (renowned its scenery) and Kaanapali Beach.

Big Island Excursion

Bigger than all of the other islands combined, it is renowned for Kilauea and Kilauea Iki (the world’s most active and largest) volcanoes. and is the best for whale watching in the winter months (Nov-May).

Get to snorkel in the crescent shape of Molokini (a half sunken crater) and whale watch in Lahaina.

Kaua

The oldest and fourth largest of the Hawaiian islands and is famous for the immense and colorful Waimea Canyon.

Enjoy a kayak paddling tour on the Wailua River or choose to explore the golden sand beaches of the Coconut Coast.

Why A Cruise To Hawaii Is Better!

If you’re trying to decide whether a cruise to Hawaii is really better than an air and land expedition, there are a few reasons why a cruise is so much better – unless of course you are prone to sea sickness.

Get To See All The Islands

You can get to see the four main islands of Hawaii in a 7-10 night round trip Honolulu sailing aboard one of the cruise liners, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, staying a day or two on each island, which would be adequate time to explore the tropical forests and active volcanoes, relax on the beach and partake in all the other activities on offer before moving on to the next island.

Trying to cover the the same itinerary yourself by air and land would take you longer than 10 days and you might not even get to see much of the islands depending on how much vacation time you’ve got. Not only that, the costs of flying and staying in hotels would work out to be much more than the cruise package cost. Additionally, you would be spending your vacation days packing and unpacking as you travel from one island to another, not to mention the times you would spend waiting at the airports for each flight.

All Exclusive Vacation

A cruise to Hawaii on one of the lines will be based on a package that covers transportation, accommodations, meals and entertainment. Additionally, the cruise line can arrange airfare (if you’re coming from mainland USA), pre or post cruise land packages and shore excursions for you at a reasonable charge.

However, if you were to arrange all of the above on your own, your total costs for the whole vacation might actually come up to double the cruise package cost.

The only time an air and land expedition might even begin to make sense is if you have a lot of vacation time to spare, can afford it and all you really want to do is relax on the beach without getting caught up in all the activities that other holidaymakers engage in - but wouldn’t that be boring?