USA TODAY 10Best
Cruise the Hawaiian Islands: 10 best itineraries for a dream vacation
Best Hawaii Cruise (2024)
Embark on a Hawaii cruise for an enchanting blend of adventure and relaxation amidst the Pacific's sparkling waters. Imagine gliding past cascading waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches, all while enjoying the comforts of a floating retreat.
With opportunities to experience the rich cultural tapestry and stunning scenery of the islands, these 10 cruises — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best — offer unique ways to see the diverse beauty of this tropical paradise.
- Hawaii Cruise from Vancouver on Celebrity Edge - Celebrity Cruises
- Hawaii from Los Angeles on Carnival Radiance - Carnival Cruise Line
- Hawaiian Islands on Ruby Princess - Princess Cruises
- Circle Hawaii on Zaandam - Holland America Line
- Grand Hawaii & Polynesia on Viking Neptune - Viking Ocean Cruises
- Hawaiian Islands on Grand Princess - Princess Cruises
- 46-Day Hawaii, South Pacific, New Zealand & Australia on Seabourn Quest - Seabourn Cruise Line
- Alaska & Hawaii: Skagway, Juneau and Maui on Norwegian Sun - Norwegian Cruise Line
- Hawaii: On Norwegian Pride of America - Norwegian Cruise Line
- Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise on Safari Explorer - UnCruise Adventures
Photo courtesy of Kirk Fisher / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
No. 10:
Sailing aboard the contemporary and luxurious Celebrity Edge, the 13-night voyage launches with stunning coastal scenery of the Pacific Northwest before sailing to the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands. On board, experience the rooftop garden, numerous dining options, and the world's first cantilevered platform, supporting the Magic Carpet, which travels 13 stories above sea level to become a specialty restaurant or a concert venue.
Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
No. 9:
Embarking from the convenient West Coast port of Long Beach, the 14-day voyage aboard the renovated Carnival Radiance offers an incredible opportunity to experience historic villages and the dormant Haleakala volcano on Maui, famous beaches of Honolulu, laid-back Hilo, and Hawaii’s oldest and greenest island, Kauai. On board, enjoy comedy shows, a spa, the SportSquare with basketball and mini-golf, adults-only retreats, and dining at a myriad of delicious restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises
No. 8:
The Hawaiian Islands cruise aboard Ruby Princess offers plenty of time to immerse travelers in each of four island's distinctive topography, culture, and history. Choose from among nearly 30 excursions in Honolulu alone, from a leisurely scenic drive of the coast to a challenging Diamond Head hike. On board the stylish ship, attend a stargazing session, learn to strum a ukulele or hula dance, and take in some excellent shows.
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line
No. 7:
This leisurely 17-day voyage aboard the elegant mid-sized Zaandam fully immerses cruisers in the beauty and culture of all four main islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. Visit Haleakala volcano on Maui and experience Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) on Kauai. Climb aboard a sub or snorkel for views of otherworldly coral reef gardens. And check out all of the musical instruments on the ship, signed by Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones.
No. 6:
With Viking's signature focus on cultural immersion, the 33-day voyage aboard the award-winning Viking Neptune features engaging lectures from experts and shore excursions promising an authentic experience at each destination. See Oahu by helicopter, hike Diamond Head, whale watch on Maui, and go on a rum safari on Kauai before sailing to the idyllic islands of French Polynesia.
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises
No. 5:
Thanks to an unhurried 16-day itinerary with ample time in each port, guests can discover legendary attractions and striking landscapes like black sand beaches, waterfalls, tropical rainforest, and imposing volcanoes. Days at sea are filled with a wide array of global cuisine, swimming pools, enrichment programs, cooking demonstrations, dance classes, a number of activities at the Sports Court, and watching original musical productions and blockbuster movies.
Photo courtesy of YinYang / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
No. 4:
There's one word for this voyage aboard the ultra-luxurious Seabourn Quest: epic! Cruisers experience the natural beauty and rich cultural tapestries of Hawaii, the idyllic South Pacific islands, New Zealand, and Australia while indulging in the sumptuous amenities of a world-class cruise line. Excursions include Maui's windsurfing havens, following the famous 64-mile-long Hana Highway, visiting Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory, and experiencing iconic beaches, volcanoes, and historical sites.
Photo courtesy of NCL
No. 3:
This distinctive itinerary offers travelers the chance to experience stark contrasts, highlighting the raw beauty of Alaska's glaciers and rugged wilderness as well as the tropical paradise of Hawaii. You'll experience two vastly different but equally spectacular destinations in one memorable voyage. Unwind on the sun-drenched beaches of Maui, experience rich Hawaiian culture, and hike or kayak amid rainforests and dramatic volcanic landscapes.
Photo courtesy of NCL
No. 2:
The only seven-day cruise sailing to four islands year-round, Hawaii: On Norwegian Pride of America includes overnight stays in Maui and Kauai, so there's plenty of time to explore bucket-list attractions. Excursions include the famed Hana Highway (that you don't have to navigate on your own), visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, festive luaus, and rafting, zip line, and snorkeling adventures.
No. 1:
This boutique yacht that accommodates only 36 guests cruises between four islands: Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii. Visiting secluded spots that are often inaccessible to larger ships, the adventure focuses on the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the islands, with opportunities for an evening feast and Hawaiian jam session with Molokai locals, volcano hikes, and night snorkeling with giant Pacific manta rays.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ben Souza
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+... Read More
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+ countries, taken over 70
cruises, and flown nearly one million miles. He serves as the editor of
Cruise Fever.
Ben Souza
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+ countries, taken over 70
cruises, and flown nearly one million miles. He serves as the editor of
Cruise Fever.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert... Read More
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
JQ Louise
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based... Read More
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based in Boston. Her website, JQLouise.com, offers personal travel stories, curated itineraries, and tips for the globetrotting foodie. Follow JQ on Instagram @jqlouise not only her beautiful images, but also her insightful travel tips and tricks.
JQ Louise
JQ Louise is a travel writer and influencer based in Boston. Her website, JQLouise.com, offers personal travel stories, curated itineraries, and tips for the globetrotting foodie. Follow JQ on Instagram @jqlouise not only her beautiful images, but also her insightful travel tips and tricks.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been... Read More
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Paul Thornton
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising... Read More
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising Again, is his fourth and follow-up to the fun, upbeat, award-winning Amazon bestseller The Joy of Cruising, and Cruising Interrupted. The books are anthologies of passionate cruisers with fascinating stories and have included a TV star, Grammy winners/nominees, a Poker Hall of Famer, entrepreneurs, and global cruise personalities, but mostly “ordinary” cruisers with extraordinary stories. Readers can learn more about The Joy of Cruising trilogy here. Besides continuing to cruise as much as possible, Paul hosts The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a weekly conversation with one of the dozens of passionate cruisers featured in the books as well as other global cruise personalities. Paul is originally from Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. After serving in the US Army and simultaneously earning a bachelor's degree in business, he attained his MBA and then spent concurrently, 17 years in corporate management, and 23 years in small business ownership. After leaving corporate, he started a career in higher ed. He earned a doctorate, attained tenure as a business professor, and subsequently moved into administration in Dean or Executive Director positions before retiring in 2021. Paul lives in Mooresville, North Carolina with his wife Cheryl and considers cruising with their children and grandchildren life’s ultimate escape. Paul longs to cruise as much as the people he writes about in The Joy of Cruising Trilogy.
Paul Thornton
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising Again, is his fourth and follow-up to the fun, upbeat, award-winning Amazon bestseller The Joy of Cruising, and Cruising Interrupted. The books are anthologies of passionate cruisers with fascinating stories and have included a TV star, Grammy winners/nominees, a Poker Hall of Famer, entrepreneurs, and global cruise personalities, but mostly “ordinary” cruisers with extraordinary stories. Readers can learn more about The Joy of Cruising trilogy here. Besides continuing to cruise as much as possible, Paul hosts The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a weekly conversation with one of the dozens of passionate cruisers featured in the books as well as other global cruise personalities. Paul is originally from Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. After serving in the US Army and simultaneously earning a bachelor's degree in business, he attained his MBA and then spent concurrently, 17 years in corporate management, and 23 years in small business ownership. After leaving corporate, he started a career in higher ed. He earned a doctorate, attained tenure as a business professor, and subsequently moved into administration in Dean or Executive Director positions before retiring in 2021. Paul lives in Mooresville, North Carolina with his wife Cheryl and considers cruising with their children and grandchildren life’s ultimate escape. Paul longs to cruise as much as the people he writes about in The Joy of Cruising Trilogy.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
