Short Hawaiian Cruises
- Planning a trip to Hawaii? Try a short cruise.hawaii image by K.C. from Fotolia.com
The island chain of Hawaii is more than 2,300 miles from North America. Hawaii is a top vacation destination, and traditionally cruise ship vacations that include Hawaii are part of 30-day or longer "world" cruise itineraries. As a recent alternative, a few major cruise lines offer shorter trips. The quick trips are all 13 days or less and are either round-trip from Honolulu, Hawaii, or one-way to or from the mainland. - The Pride of America cruise ship is decorated in a stars-and-stripes theme.america image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
Norwegian cruise lines maintains the only ship featuring inter-island sailings round trip from Honolulu. The Pride of America operates under a U.S. flag and employs all American workers. This allows the ship to stay in the U.S. for the entire trip, while other cruise ships must have one port of call in international waters. The seven-day itinerary round trip from Honolulu visits Hilo and Kona on the big island of Hawaii, and the islands of Maui and Kauai overnight. This ship was built in 2004 and refurbished in 2008 and has a capacity of over 2,100 passengers. Fifty of the cabins are suites, and the ship offers a relaxed freestyle dining option with no set mealtimes. Passengers have access to specialty dining restaurants in addition to the main dining room and buffet. The crew is easygoing and approachable, and the ship is decorated to highlight popular U.S. attractions, like the Mardi Gras, New Orleans-style lounge and the Napa wine bar.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
7665 Corporate Center Drive
Miami, FL 33126
866-234-7350
ncl.com - A palm tree frames a cruise ship in the distance.cruise ship image by Kate Jones from Fotolia.com
Carnival Cruise lines offers two sailings a year from either Vancouver B.C. Canada, or Ensenada, Mexico. These 12-day sailings aboard the Carnival Spirit include five sea days and seven days in five ports of call in the Hawaiian islands. The ship was built in 2001 and refurbished in 2009 and has a capacity of over 2,600 passengers. Eighty percent of the staterooms have an ocean view, and many have private balconies. Passengers can enjoy four different pool areas with water slides and one of the largest casinos in the industry. The ship features a Las Vegas-style show each night and two formal dress nights in the Empire dining room.
Carnival Cruise Line
3655 N.W. 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
888-227-6482
carnival.com - A cruise is an affordable alternative for seeing the Hawaiian Islands.hawaiian necklace image by IKO from Fotolia.com
Royal Caribbean Cruise lines offers three one-way sailings a year from Honolulu or Vancouver B.C. Canada. These 10-, 12- or 13-day sailings offer five days at sea, and five to seven days in Hawaii. The 13-day sailing adds a port stop in Seattle, Washington. The Rhapsody of the Seas was built in 1997 and refurbished in 2007 and has a capacity of more than 2,400 passengers. Over 200 of the cabins and suites have ocean-view balconies. On board, the ship features a solarium pool area with a retractable glass ceiling, and eight different bars and lounges.
Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
305-539-6000
royalcaribbean.com
