Hawaiian Cruises, Line by Line
Which cruise lines sail Hawaii, how their trips differ, and how to choose.
Compare Hawaiian Cruise QuotesHawaiian Cruises Come in a Few Distinct Styles
Hawaiian cruises are offered by a surprisingly small group of lines, and each one does it differently. One ship sails a weekly island-hopping loop from Honolulu; the others sail from California, the Pacific Northwest or Canada, or include Hawaii on a longer ocean voyage. Choosing the right line is the biggest decision you will make.
That is what this site is for. Rather than a general guide to Hawaii cruising, Hawaiian Cruises compares the cruise lines and ships that actually sail to the islands: who they suit, what their Hawaii itineraries look like, and what to weigh when you choose. Deployments shift from year to year, so we describe each line’s usual pattern and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise confirm current sailings when they quote.
The Hawaiian Cruise Lines at a Glance
| Cruise line | Typical Hawaii pattern | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Pride of America, 7-night island hopping from Honolulu every week of the year | Seeing four islands in a week; families; first-timers |
| Princess Cruises | Round trips from Los Angeles (and seasonally San Francisco) with sea days each way | Travelers who enjoy sea days; long-time Hawaii cruisers |
| Holland America Line | Long Hawaii and circle-Hawaii voyages from San Diego and Vancouver | Unhurried, longer voyages with enrichment |
| Carnival Cruise Line | 14-day Hawaii voyages from Long Beach | Value-minded travelers and families from Southern California |
| Royal Caribbean and Celebrity | Mostly one-way Vancouver–Honolulu sailings in spring and autumn | Combining a crossing with a hotel stay in Hawaii |
| Seabourn, Oceania, Silversea, Viking | Hawaii as part of longer Pacific, South Pacific or world voyages | Luxury travelers with time |
For a fuller comparison of these companies beyond Hawaii, see our sister site Cruise Compares and Best of the USA’s 20 Best Cruise Lines.
Start With the Question That Matters Most
Island hopping
The only ship that loops the islands every week, and how its seven nights are spent.
Island-hopping cruises →
Best line for you
Matched by travel style: families, couples, value, luxury, time available.
The best cruise line for Hawaii →
Best ship for Hawaii
Balconies for sail-bys, ship size and tender ports, sea-day venues and family features.
Choosing a ship →Why Pride of America Stands Apart
Almost every large cruise ship is registered abroad, and U.S. law does not let a foreign-flagged ship carry passengers only between U.S. ports. Pride of America is U.S.-flagged and crewed under American rules, so it can stay in Hawaii and visit four islands in a week. Every other line’s Hawaii cruise therefore either starts in Vancouver or adds a foreign port such as Ensenada, Mexico. Our sibling site Cruise Hawaii explains that law in detail.
The practical result: if you want island after island with almost no sea days, you are choosing one ship. If you want the ocean voyage as part of the holiday, you have a wider choice of lines.
Comparing Lines Fairly
Time in Hawaii
Count island days, not total nights. A 16-night round trip may have four or five days in port.
Ports included
Most cruises call at Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauaʻi, but not all; some skip one.
Onboard style
Lively and family-oriented, classic and calm, or small-ship luxury: the same islands feel very different.
What is included
Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and specialty dining vary by line and fare type.
If this will be your first cruise, First Time Cruise explains how cruising works. Not sure a cruise is the right way to see Hawaii at all? Our sibling Hawaii Cruise weighs a cruise against a land vacation, and Hawaiian Cruise focuses on sailing from the West Coast and Vancouver.
Get Every Line Quoted at Once
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise quote all the lines that sail Hawaii, so one request shows you Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Carnival and the rest side by side for your dates. For current promotions, see Wave Season; Hawaii cruise lines and specialists are also listed in the Official Cruise Directory.
Hawaiian Cruise Line Questions
Which cruise lines sail to Hawaii?
Norwegian Cruise Line runs the year-round inter-island week from Honolulu. Princess, Holland America and Carnival sail round trips from the West Coast; Royal Caribbean and Celebrity mostly offer one-way Vancouver–Honolulu sailings; and luxury lines such as Seabourn, Oceania, Silversea and Viking include Hawaii on longer voyages. Deployments change every season.
Which line is best for seeing the most islands?
Norwegian’s Pride of America, because it sails only within Hawaii and visits four islands in seven nights with almost no sea days.
Why do so few ships sail only around the islands?
U.S. law reserves voyages purely between U.S. ports for U.S.-flagged ships, and Pride of America is the only large U.S.-flagged cruise ship. Foreign-flagged ships must include a foreign port, which is why their Hawaii cruises start in Canada or call in Mexico.
Who Is Behind This Site
Hawaiian Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Compare Hawaiian Cruise Lines for Your Dates
Tell us when you can travel and what kind of trip you want. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare every line sailing Hawaii and send free quotes.
Compare Hawaiian Cruise Quotes