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.

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.

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.