Hawaii Travel | Hawaii Airfare | Hawaii Cruise | All inclusive Vacations in Hawaii
The availability of Hawaii cruise vacations is so diverse there is one suited to almost any pocketbook, lifestyle and interest. Selecting the right cruise ship, destination and theme are at least as important to your satisfaction as staying within budget. You will be much more likely to repeat a great experience than a bad or even mediocre one. There is, in fact, a large community of travelers who are so avid about the venue, they will travel no other way. Duration of the cruise, the sea sailed, ports-of-call, size of ship, degree of luxury, on-board activities, passenger demographics, and ratio of ships staff to passengers all affect the nature of the cruise and, thus, the satisfaction of the customer.
Cruising is one of the hottest segments of the travel market. To meet the need, a number of new, larger ships have been recently christened. These and older vessels, depending on season, ply the waters of Alaska-British Columbia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Mexico.
In recent years, a handful of cruise ships have begun offering tours that include Hawaii. Many of these trips are referred to as repositioning tours since they typically visit Hawaii during April, May, September and October on ships that are otherwise used in Alaska during the summer months and in the Caribbean during the winter months. Most Hawaii cruises include stopovers in Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
Most of the Hawaii cruise vacations last 10 to 12 days and have fares that start at around US$150 a day per person, based on double occupancy, through discounts and promotions can bring that price down to under US$100. Because cruises cover rooms, meals, entertainment and transportation in one price, they can be relatively good value.
There are two basic types of Hawaii cruise vacations: One involves a round-trip voyage from California while the other is solely inter-island. You should decide whether you want to spend the extra days at sea with the round-trip cruises from the West Coast, or spend extra time on land with a Honolulu round-trip. The latter sailings will involve higher airfare costs.
In general, prices are higher during the peak vacation seasons of summer and around the December holidays. No matter when you decide to go, it’s a good idea to book early (usually 120 or more days before departure). Although some sites, especially online cruise sellers, have last-minute deals, these are much riskier than buying last-minute airfare because you may not get the cabin you want, the dinner seating you want, or the shore excursions you want. Make sure to shop around, as travel agents and online providers of Hawaii cruise vacations can usually provide better discounts than buying directly through the cruise line.
Matching your travel needs and desires to the right cruise line, cruise and ship is vital to your ultimate satisfaction with the experience. A larger ship means more passengers and longer lines for meals and services. Larger ships cannot dock right in port but must anchor at sea and ferry passengers to shore and back by tender. On the other hand, a larger ship may offer more services and activities, and more opportunities for socializing. Though usually not a problem except on the smallest ships, larger ships offer more stability in a rough sea.
When choosing a Hawaii cruise vacation, consider crew-to-passenger ratio – the higher the ratio, the better your service is likely to be. The year the ship was built and refurbished dates may also influence your decision, and perhaps prompt questions about safety records and equipment.