Hawaiian Cruises: Island Hopping
Four islands, seven nights, one U.S.-flagged ship.
Compare Hawaiian Cruise QuotesHawaiian Cruises Island Hopping: One Ship, Every Week
Hawaiian cruises that are island hopping in the purest sense — no sea days, no foreign port, a new island most mornings — are run by Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, which sails a seven-night round trip from Honolulu every week of the year.
The ship was built to sail under the U.S. flag, which is what allows it to stay in Hawaiian waters. Its interiors play up that identity with an all-American theme. Because the route is always the same, the ship’s crew and shore-excursion team know the islands well, and the schedule is designed around long port stays rather than time at sea.
A Typical Week
| Island | Port | What makes the call special |
|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu | Honolulu | Embarkation and disembarkation; add hotel nights for Waikiki and Pearl Harbor |
| Maui | Kahului | Traditionally an overnight: Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, south-shore snorkeling |
| Hawaiʻi (Big Island) | Hilo | Gateway to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the rainforest coast |
| Hawaiʻi (Big Island) | Kailua-Kona | Usually a tender port; snorkeling, coffee farms, historic sites |
| Kauaʻi | Nāwiliwili | Often an overnight; Waimea Canyon and a Na Pali coast sail-by, conditions permitting |
Who Island Hopping Suits
The island-hopping week is ideal for first-time visitors who want to sample all four main islands, for families who would rather explore than sit at sea, and for anyone with only a week of vacation. It is less suited to travelers who want rest days; with a port almost every day, it is an active trip.
Plan ahead for the overnight calls, which are your chance for an evening ashore or a pre-dawn start. On Maui, many guests take a morning boat to the famous crater; our sister site Molokini Cruises explains that trip. For things to do on every island, see Best in Hawaii, and for bookable tours, Shore Activities.
Island Hopping on Other Lines
Foreign-flagged ships also visit several islands, but only on longer voyages that start in Vancouver or include a stop such as Ensenada. Those cruises typically spend four or five days in the islands within a trip of two weeks or more; our sibling site Hawaiian Cruise covers them. If you are comparing a week of island hopping with a land holiday, Hawaii Cruise lays out the trade-offs.
Island-Hopping Questions
Are there island-hopping cruises other than Pride of America?
Large-ship cruises that sail only between the Hawaiian Islands are limited to U.S.-flagged vessels, and Pride of America is the one offering weekly sailings. Foreign-flagged ships do visit several islands, but only on voyages that also include a foreign port.
Does the itinerary always follow the same order?
The ports are consistent — Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Hilo and Kona (Big Island), and Nāwiliwili (Kauaʻi) — but the order and overnights can vary by sailing. Check the day-by-day schedule for your date.
Book a Week of Island Hopping
Tell us your preferred month and cabin. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check Pride of America sailings, add Honolulu hotel nights if you want them, and send free quotes.
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