10 top Hawaii cruise tips for making the most of your island-hopping adventure

A Hawaii cruise eliminates one of the biggest challenges of island-hopping in the Aloha State: the hassle of packing and unpacking while catching multiple interisland flights to visit Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island all in one trip. Most Hawaii cruise routes cover all four major islands, offering full days — and sometimes overnight stays — in port, giving you plenty of time to explore and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.

However, when compared to a weeklong land-based trip to just one or two islands, you may struggle to fit in everything you want to experience at each stop. It's essential to ensure your cruise itinerary is aligned with your vacation goals rather than limiting them.

Here are 10 essential Hawaii cruise tips to help you optimize your cruise experience and enjoy your time exploring the islands.

Pick your cruise based on how much you enjoy (or dislike) sea days

There are multiple ways to explore the Hawaiian Islands by cruise. Your choice of itinerary will depend on factors like your available vacation time, whether you're flying into Honolulu, how much time you’re willing to spend at sea, and what time of year you plan to travel.

For those who love the cruising experience itself, many major cruise lines offer round-trip sailings from West Coast ports, with itineraries lasting two weeks or longer. These voyages give you plenty of time on board as you sail across the Pacific, but only four or five days in the Hawaiian ports. Cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, and Viking offer 14- to 18-night round-trip sailings to Hawaii, typically in the winter season.

If you prefer to spend more time exploring the islands themselves, a seven-night cruise that departs from Honolulu or island-hops between several islands could be the right choice. One of the most popular options is Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, which operates year-round round-trip sailings from Honolulu, departing and returning every Saturday.

On a more intimate scale, UnCruise Adventures offers interisland voyages aboard the 36-passenger Safari Explorer, available from November to April. The focus is on discovering Hawaii's natural beauty through active, small-group excursions on land and water, with itineraries that include less-visited islands like Lanai and Molokai.

Skip the holidays and summer months for a more peaceful experience

The peak times for Hawaiian cruises are from the last two weeks of December through March, and in July and August. Expect larger crowds, along with higher prices for cruises and accommodations during these busy periods.

Instead, opt for a shoulder-season cruise. May and November are ideal months for cruising the islands. May offers pleasant weather, and the summer vacation rush hasn't started yet. November also brings fewer tourists and generally favorable conditions. If you visit early in May or late in November (into early December), you might even spot humpback whales wintering in the waters off Maui.

Consider booking a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay if you're departing from Honolulu

If your cruise departs and/or returns in Honolulu, you may not have much time to experience Oahu’s attractions unless you arrive a day or two early or stay an extra night or two after your cruise. Extending your vacation with a hotel stay can help you unwind, adjust to the time zone, and fully explore some of the island’s highlights like Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore.

If you're really short on time, a round-trip itinerary from Honolulu is a quick way to see four islands and still get a taste of Oahu, with a post-cruise excursion that combines a Pearl Harbor or North Shore tour with a transfer to the airport.

Make sure to plan your sightseeing ahead of time

Unlike some ports in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Hawaii is not a place where you can easily stroll off the ship and explore on foot. The main ports in Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Nawiliwili (Kauai), and Hilo (Big Island) aren't close to major attractions. Also, Kona, located on the Big Island, is a tender port, meaning ships anchor offshore, and passengers are ferried in tender boats to the dock, although there are some shops and restaurants within walking distance.

The key? Once your Hawaii cruise is booked, take some time to research the islands and decide what you'd like to see, along with the best ways to explore. Your plan might include a mix of shore excursions offered by the cruise line or arranged independently, along with some self-guided exploration in a rental car.

For example, if your cruise spends a night in Maui, you could rent a car and explore the island on your own the first day, checking out a beach, a resort area, or even the Upcountry and Haleakala’s summit. On the second day, you could join a snorkel tour or a ship-organized excursion along the Road to Hana, ensuring you're back in time for departure.

Kauai is easily navigated by car, whether you're heading to Waimea Canyon for a hike or searching for the perfect beach. On the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is just a 45-minute drive from Hilo, so you can explore it independently, visiting more of the park, including Chain of Craters Road, than you’d likely see on a typical shore excursion.

Pick a rental car pick-up spot that’s convenient for you

Renting a car can be a cost-effective choice, as the daily rental often costs much less than booking multiple shore excursions, offering significant savings for families. Combining independent exploration with organized tours can also help prevent “tour bus fatigue.”

With a bit of pre-trip planning, you can find the closest rental car agency to the port. While some rental companies used to offer shuttle services from select locations to the port, this is no longer the case.

For instance, there's an Enterprise office just a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal in Kahului, Maui. The only catch is that it's only open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you're renting during an overnight stop and want to keep the car for dinner or a luau, you’ll need to return it to the nearby Kahului Airport (OGG), where after-hours returns are possible. From there, you can take an Uber or taxi back to the ship.

Several major car rental agencies operate out of Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai, which is only a five-minute drive (by taxi or Uber) from Nawiliwili Harbor. In Hilo on the Big Island, the cruise port is about an eight-minute drive from Hilo International Airport (IHO), where you’ll find Avis, Enterprise, Thrifty, National, and more. Both Thrifty and Hertz also have locations within walking distance of the tender pier in Kona.

Be prepared for both sunshine and rain

While the Hawaiian Islands are known for abundant sunshine — averaging 270 days a year — rain is also a regular visitor. This is particularly true between December and March, and especially on the windward sides of the islands, which are renowned for their lush landscapes and stunning waterfalls.

This variability is crucial to consider when preparing for your Hawaii cruise. In addition to your swimsuits, cover-ups, and sun hats, pack a light rain jacket and a portable umbrella. A rain jacket can also serve as protection if you decide to visit the summit of Haleakala, where strong winds and cooler temperatures — often in the 50s and 60s — await.

Be sure to sample the local dishes

Many cruise passengers make the mistake of rushing back to the ship for lunch and dinner, thinking it’s cheaper to dine on board. However, by sticking to the ship’s dining, you'll miss out on Hawaii’s unique culinary delights — and most are quite affordable.

If you enjoy sushi or ceviche, don’t miss out on trying poke, a dish of raw fish (usually ahi tuna) marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions, typically served in a bowl. Another favorite midday meal is the Hawaiian plate lunch, a mix of popular local dishes like loco moco (a hamburger patty with brown gravy and a fried egg), kalua pork (slow-cooked pork), lomi lomi salmon, or even grilled Spam, served with white rice and macaroni salad.

If you're exploring the North Shore of Oahu, be sure to indulge in some locally grown garlic shrimp served by the variety of "shrimp trucks" parked along Kamehameha Highway.

For a refreshing afternoon treat, try a shave ice, which, as the name suggests, is a cone or cup of finely shaved ice drenched in sweet fruit syrup. Alternatively, enjoy slices of fresh, ripe Hawaiian pineapple or other tropical fruits like mango, lychee, or sweet apple bananas. Don’t miss flavor-packed snacks like macadamia nuts, taro chips, or indulge in some decadent malasadas, which are Portuguese fried donuts.

Food enthusiasts should set aside time to try the islands' signature Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Born over the past three decades through the work of renowned chefs such as Roy Yamaguchi (Roy's), Peter Merriman (Merriman's), and Beverly Gannon (Haliimaile General Store), this culinary movement highlights local, sustainable ingredients and celebrates Hawaii’s diverse fusion of Polynesian, Asian, and Portuguese flavors. If your ship stays overnight in Oahu or Maui, be sure to book a reservation in advance. Haliimaile General Store on Maui also serves lunch.

Opt for reef-safe sunscreen

Hawaii has been a pioneer in passing laws to protect delicate coral reefs from the harmful effects of sunscreen ingredients that can contribute to coral bleaching and erosion. In 2021, the state banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so make sure to look for "reef-safe" labels on any sunscreen you bring with you to Hawaii.

Wearing sunscreen in the islands is essential if you want to avoid severe sunburn, which can happen quickly, especially during midday. Given Hawaii’s proximity to the equator (about 1,300 miles away), the sun’s rays are much stronger than on the mainland U.S. Since you'll likely be outdoors most of the time, consider packing an SPF-rated swim shirt or rash guard to provide extra protection during water activities.

Get ready to hit the beach

All beaches in Hawaii are open to the public by law. However, this doesn’t mean you can simply show up at a resort, grab a lounge chair, and act like you’re a guest. Instead, each resort beach, such as Wailea and Kaanapali on Maui, Waikiki on Oahu, and Poipu on Kauai, has designated public access points. You’ll be able to find a spot on the sand, typically near the resort’s chairs, so be sure to bring your own beach towel, pareo, water, and snacks.

Don’t forget to explore Hawaiian history and culture

While it may be tempting to spend your time on the islands immersing yourself in Hawaii's stunning landscapes and exciting water activities, don't forget to take off your snorkel and mask occasionally to dive into the rich history, language, and culture of the islands.

There are plenty of chances to learn — and it’s fun to pick up a few basic Hawaiian phrases during your visit. Along with aloha (hello), you’ll likely hear mahalo (thank you), hale (house), kamaaina (local), ohana (family), honu (turtle), and pupu (appetizer). One of the most entertaining words to learn is the 21-letter name of Hawaii's state fish: humuhumunukunukuapuaa.

Cultural landmarks also provide valuable insight into Hawaii's way of life. While in Honolulu, visit the Bishop Museum to learn about the islands' natural history, or stop by Iolani Palace to explore how Hawaiian royalty lived in the late 19th century before the islands were annexed by the U.S. You can also enjoy free cultural experiences like hula and ukulele lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

On Maui, step into the past with a trip to the charming town of Makawao in Upcountry, known for its paniolo (cowboy) heritage. On the Island of Hawaii, visit Puuhonua National Historical Park, the Place of Refuge, an ancient spiritual sanctuary where defeated warriors sought protection from death.