Pride of America

This amazing ship sails as part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and is strictly a Hawaii cruise, as it sails only throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, entering port only at Hilo, Maui, Kona, Honolulu, and Kauai. With Honolulu being its starting destination, the Pride of America is a unique ship designed specially for Hawaii that allows you to truly absorb the Hawaiian paradise in its seven day long cruise. The ship has gained distinction as being the first U.S. flagged passenger cruise ship to be built in over 50 years, and with an all-American crew, the Pride of America pays homage to the history and culture of America. Although the cruise offers excellent, luxurious amenities, the ship has also been praised for its relatively casual experience.

The Pride of America is a Freestyle Cruise, which means that passengers are allowed to dine anytime they want and take part in their own activities. The cruise offers nine restaurants, including two main dining rooms, a cafeteria, and two no-charge alternative dining spots. Each of the ship’s luxurious public rooms offer a unique theme relating to the American culture. The ship also offers family cabins, excellent entertainment for both children and adults, and a spa and fitness center.

Cruise Your Way to a Heavenly Hawaii Vacation

Are you looking for a way to spend your vacation going on a comfortable trip to an extraordinarily amazing destination? Then why not make plans on having a Hawaii cruise vacation. The staggeringly numerous ways you can entertain yourself both in the cruise ship and on the islands themselves are guaranteed to make your excursion unforgettable.

Of course, you should not leave caution with all your excitement. The whole trip will take you a week or two, with a significant duration of it onboard the cruise vessel, so bringing a complete set of basic necessities is definitely a must. If you have seasickness fears, it is recommended that you consult with your physicians first about specific medications that will help your body endure the whole experience. It will definitely be a waste of time and effort if you’re going to embark on this journey feeling bad most of the way.

You might expect endless frolicking under the sun while on your Hawaii cruise vacation and you are not wrong to do so. The main attraction of the islands is its many tropical beaches, so bring along the proper UV rays protection. You desired tan may not be that attractive with accompanying sunburns. Don’t forget to pack in warmer clothing such as slacks and long sleeved shirts as well. Although Hawaii is famous for its sunny climate, it is not a bad idea to be prepared for cooler degrees, especially at night.

Once you take care of the basic stuff, it’s time to know more about the various reasons why a Hawaii cruise vacation is enjoyable. You will find it hard to be bored within the many islands that consists Hawaii. Aside from sightseeing sensations like the Kilauea crater, you will find that each island has a distinct atmosphere while all retaining its Hawaiian character. From the media-spoiled beaches of Maui to the natural haven that is Honolulu, you will indeed have so many memories to take home with you after your visit. You won’t feel alienated as well because of the famous Hawaiian hospitality that is a prime staple in their culture.

A Hawaii cruise vacation is one you can take alone or with friends and family. The amount of features present on the overall expedition ensures a pleasant outing for everyone, both seasoned travelers and neophytes alike.

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!

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.

How To Choose A Cruise To Hawaii

Your 3 main concerns when choosing a cruise for Hawaii are: when to travel, what to see and do while there and how a big a ship to travel on.

Most people view Hawaii as a place to get away to when escaping the winter on the mainland. But the decision regarding when to travel to Hawaii should mainly be based on what you want to see and do while you’re there. This is because while the weather in Hawaii is consistently good most of the year, each season offers a different experience in terms of activities and events. So try and take this into account when choosing a cruise for Hawaii.

The size of the ship will obviously come into play when choosing a cruise to take.

A small ship is recommended for those people that prefer a casual, crowd-free cruise experience that gives passengers a chance to get up close and personal with Hawaii’s natural surroundings. However, small ships offer very little in terms of amenities: the cabins tend to be small, only one dining room and lounge/bar, and usually there are no exercise facilities, organized activities or entertainment. But a big plus for the smaller ships is that they can go places, such as uninhabited islands, that the larger ships can’t reach.

On the other hand, big ships offer various activities and a large number of public rooms (including fully equipped gyms and fancy casinos) while providing a wide variety of entertainment and meal options.

You can choose from the following cruise liners:

- Pride of America
- Norwegian Star
- Norwegian Wind
- Star Princess
- Island Princess
- Tahitian Princess
- Regal Princess
- Pacific Princess
- Amsterdam
- Statendam
- Legend of the Seas
- Radiance of the Seas
- Paul Gauguin
- Infinity
- Carnival Spirit
- Wind Star

Once you have decided on these 3 things, you can begin shopping for a cruise. If shopping online, use a website that deals exclusively with cruises and features Hawaii cruise sellers.

Make sure to read the fine print of any quote you get – not doing so can find you stuck with a cabin no one wants right next to the droning engines of the cruise liner. Booking early as well as taking advantage of mid-week or off season promos can get you preferential rates. You might even strike it lucky and get a very good price on a luxury cruise.