Community Discussions
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Cruise for just the Hawaiian Islands recommendation
Main Post:
My partner is turning 60 in October 2026. I am planning a trip with him and his kids; with a total of 6 adults and 2 kids under 13 to go to Hawaii. His kids are all mid 30's to early 40's. Only 2 of us in the group have visited Hawaii. My partner really wants to see Maui and other islands as he has never been; but it's becoming expensive to island hop 8 people and hotels and/or Airbnb. I thought maybe a cruise line that just does the islands would be a more affordable. Do any of you have any cruise lines you would recommend? I've never been on a cruise or planned out one for that matter. Is it cheaper to get larger Suites? Can I get a private celebration set up for him on the day of his birthday? A large ship doesn't appeal to me but I am open to the crowd. Any help would be great.
Top Comment: I love cruising and I love Hawaii. Do not do a cruise to see Hawaii. The times in port are too short to give you a sense of Hawaii. I used to live in Kona, Hawaii. A couple of years after I left, I took a cruise that had several stops in Hawaii, including Kona. The stop there is only 8 hours long and is a tender port. It took 3 hours to get off the ship and collect my rental car. I didn't get to revisit half the places that I wanted. If your partner wants to see Maui, you should book a stay on Maui and do a day trip to Molokai or the Big Island or Lanai for just the two of you.
Sailing to Hawaii from California.
Main Post:
Wife wants to sail to The islands from California. We have sailed all over the Caribbean, so this is a needed change. We are looking for a 14 day trip or something similar. We just need info on which lines have these? Yes I know that we can fly to Hawaii but we are choosing not to. We love sea days. All replies are appreciated!
Top Comment: We did this on HAL as an 18 day circle Hawaii from San Diego two years ago. It was a really nice cruise. 5 days out, 6 days in the islands including an overnight in Honolulu, 5 days back and a day in Ensenada. You do need to be comfortable with sea days. Also, the view doesn't change much, but for me a balcony is a must.
Celebrity Edge to Honolulu
Main Post:
What are your experiences on the Celebrity Edge? I would be flying to Honolulu and doing an 8-night cruise to Vancouver.
Additional questions as a first time traveler to Hawaii:
- Is May a good month?
- Should I book hotel and flight arrangements through Celebrity? I've always done roundtrip cruises
- Any hotel recommendations? I'm thinking about staying in Honolulu for two additional nights
- Are there any onboard "must see/ do" excursions you'd recommend?
Thank you! 😊
Top Comment: I spent 11 nights on her last year. Eden is recommended. The spa is nice but often the thermal beds were occupied. It’s fun getting drinks and sitting above Eden on the ramp looking out at the wake. The shows were hit and miss. Disappointed in the sound system for the singers with a crackly speaker. Food in Blu definitely not as good as years pass. I don’t think there is a bad month to go to Hawaii, tends to rain there more in the winter months. I always book my own flights.
Hawaiian cruise from the west coast
Main Post:
I am looking for pros and cons and any other experiences from you that have taken a 15 day cruise from the west coast to Hawaii. I am not particularly fan of ship days and enjoy port days the most.
We (party of 6 adults and kids) have done mexico cruises numerous times and are looking for a change of scenery when departing any of the west coast ports. Not a big fan of 5 days at sea going and 5 days at sea coming back.
Top Comment: Sounds like you answered your own question...pick a different route
Recommendations for Cruises that stay/port within US Waters/Territory
Main Post:
Hi Everyone! Currently undergoing the Green Card Application with my wife but want to book a cruise with her. Her passport is from Colombia, while I'm an American. We are looking for a cruise that stays within U.S. territory because we can't go through International Customs upon return from our vacation, there is a possibility the US will not allow her re-entry.
The best my research has pulled thus far is Interior of Hawaii Cruises, or small small cruise lines like princess (river cruises/national park cruises). Our aversion to these is firstly the Hawaiian cruises can be more expensive as well as the airfare, and the princess cruises seem to not be as fun, though that may just be my unfair judgement. We are 26 yr olds, we wonder if princess cruises for example are mostly seniors.
I need to speak with agents but I THINK an option for us could be leaving from Florida and finding a cruise that docks in US territories like Puerto Rico, or Cruise Line Owned Islands (US Territories) for example. Other options are Alaskan cruises, but with every option there it docks at home point in B.C. which to my knowledge would require international customs upon return.
Any recommendations, experience with this?
Top Comment: There is a law that foreign flagged vessels must stop in a foreign port. That’s why all Alaska cruises currently stop in Canada. The only ocean cruise ship that sails in the USA and is also flagged in the USA is Pride of America. The rest are all river or coastal cruises. Princess does not do river cruises, they are ocean cruises. But in general the river cruises are a much older crowd because those cruises are a lot more expensive.
Cruise through U.S Territories?
Main Post:
Are there any cruises that stay within the U.S. Territories? Every one I see has at least one stop in a different country. Im thinking one that just goes to the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and/or Puerto Rico. My husband moved from Germany and is still waiting on his green card so he is unable to travel outside of the U.S. at the moment. Thanks!
Top Comment: Foreign-flagged cruise ships are generally restricted from operating solely between US ports due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) of 1886, which aims to protect the US maritime industry by requiring passenger transport between US ports to be done by US-flagged vessels. Basically, this would put them in competition with US ferry services, while having the advantage of flying under a foreign flag.
Are there any cruises that go to Hawaii from other parts of the U.S?
Main Post:
May be a weird question but don’t really want to fly over I’d rather just take a nice vacation and enjoy the cruise and Hawaii while there.
Top Comment:
The following is a copy of the original post to record the post as it was originally written.
May be a weird question but don’t really want to fly over I’d rather just take a nice vacation and enjoy the cruise and Hawaii while there.
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