Royal Caribbean’s Hawaii cruises are unique itineraries where passengers can experience the phenomenal nature, culture, and cuisine of several Hawaiian islands in one cruise experience. While Hawaii cruises are only offered a few times per year, they are a dream vacation for many cruisers.

The marvelous scenery of the Nā Pali coast, imposing Mauna Loa volcano, fresh bowls of poke, and ancient traditions found in Hawaii evoke a sense of wonder and discovery for visitors to the islands.

If you’re interested in cruising to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean, here’s everything you need to know about what to expect when booking and sailing on a cruise to The Aloha State.

In this guide:

• Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?
• Transpacific cruises
• Round-trip Hawaii cruises
• When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?
• Why go on a cruise to Hawaii
• Hawaii cruise ports
• Which Royal Caribbean ships sail to Hawaii?
• How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Hawaii, although they are limited and usually only offered as one-way legs on transpacific cruises. 

Because it takes so long to cross the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic, Royal Caribbean splits the crossing into two cruise segments: Vancouver to Hawaii (and vice versa) and Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa).

Vancouver to Hawaii

Vancouver to Hawaii cruise itineraries are 9-11 nights depending on the sailing.

Hawaii is separated from North America by the Eastern Pacific barrier, a 4,000-mile stretch of deep ocean with no shallow areas. Because of this, there are no islands en route to Hawaii from Vancouver, so itineraries have a 5-6 day stretch of sea days to cross this section of the Pacific.

Once in Hawaii, itineraries can differ quite a bit, with some cruises stopping in Maui for an overnight stay and others visiting 3-4 islands. Cruises end in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Hawaii to Vancouver

You can also choose to start a Hawaii cruise in Honolulu and end in Vancouver. Just like on the way to Hawaii, most itineraries are between 9-11 nights and visit several islands, including Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.

Related: Hawaii cruise on Royal Caribbean: Everything you need to know

Transpacific cruises

Transpacific cruises from Hawaii to Australia either begin or end in Honolulu, Oahu.

While not a true “Hawaii cruise” because no port stops are offered in Hawaii except the embarkation/disembarkation port, these itineraries can still allow guests to spend time on the islands before or after the cruise.

Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa)

Most ships traveling from Vancouver to Hawaii will continue the transpacific crossing by traveling from Hawaii to Australia. This is the longer of the two stretches, taking 16-19 nights depending on the itinerary. There will be between 12-14 sea days on these transpacific cruises.

After leaving Hawaii, there is a 5 day stretch at sea before visiting several ports in French Polynesia. Following a few days there, ships will continue to either the South Pacific islands or New Zealand before ending in Sydney or Brisbane, Australia.

These itineraries are offered in reverse at the end of the Australia cruise season, starting in Australia and ending in Hawaii.

Fun fact: When cruising to and from Australia to Hawaii, you will sail through the International Date Line. En route to Australia you’ll skip forward a day, whereas sailing to Hawaii you will “live the same day” twice!

Round-trip Hawaii cruises

Occasionally, Royal Caribbean will release an itinerary offering a “round-trip” Hawaii sailing, which is when a ship travels from Vancouver to Hawaii and immediately returns back to North America without continuing to Australia.

These cruises will be split into two segments that you can book as a one-way leg or back to back, and they will be offered immediately following the Alaska cruise season in September/October.

When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?

Because Royal Caribbean ships only visit Hawaii on their way to or from Australia, cruises are only offered at times which coincide with the change between the Australia/New Zealand cruise season and Alaska cruise season.

September cruises to Hawaii

The Alaska cruise season ends in mid to late September, and this is when 2-3 Royal Caribbean ships will begin the long journey to Australia for the summer season down under.

You can expect to see cruises departing from Vancouver to Hawaii in the last week of September or first week of October. Cruises departing Hawaii for Australia will occur immediately after the trip from North America, setting sail in mid October.

April cruises to Hawaii

The Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific cruise season runs from October to April. Once the season is over, Royal Caribbean relocates its cruise ships back to North America.

Transpacific cruises from Australia to Hawaii depart in the first half of April, reaching the shores of Hawaii at the end of April or beginning of May.

Cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver occur immediately after the ship’s journey from Australia.

Why go on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Hawaii?

Easy travel from island to island

One of the best benefits of cruising to Hawaii is traveling from island to island without hassle. There’s no need to get to an airport, go through security, and board a flight. Traveling via cruise ship means you can visit multiple islands while only unpacking one time!

Depending on the itinerary, you can visit between 2-4 islands in Hawaii in a matter of days, and you won’t have to figure out any transportation logistics yourself, making for a stress-free way to explore the state.

Traditional cuisine

Hawaii’s cuisine has been shaped by a blend of cultures throughout history, from Polynesian to Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, American, and more!

Because of this melting pot of cuisines, Hawaii boasts cuisine unique to the state that is not so commonly found elsewhere in the United States. Poke (raw fish salad), poi (taro pudding), laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), and saimin (noodle soup) are just some of the mouth-watering dishes you can try on a cruise to Hawaii.

Unparalleled nature

Hawaii’s nature is unlike anything you’ll see in the continental United States–or perhaps anywhere else in the world.

There aren’t many places on Earth where you’ll find a combination of lava fields, snow-capped volcanoes, colossal waterfalls, rainforests, lush valleys, and secluded beaches in one place, and it's sure to leave you speechless.

Hawaii cruise ports

Honolulu, Oahu

The capital of Hawaii is a starting or ending point for Hawaii cruises, and offers urban life mixed with world-famous beaches, green mountains, diverse cultures, and history.

As a start or end point of the cruise, many passengers decide to add a few extra days to their time in Hawaii before or after the cruise to experience more of what the island of Oahu has to offer.

Popular activities on Oahu include hiking Diamond Head’s crater, touring Oahu’s North Shore, surfing, and attending an authentic Hawaiian luau.

Visitors can also visit Pearl Harbor while on Oahu. Excursions bring passengers to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, and USS Missouri battleship to learn more about the devastating attack in 1941.

Lahaina, Maui

Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island, and cruise ships stop in the historic town of Lahaina, located on the island's northwest coast.

Maui is packed full of activities, from visiting the crater of Haleakalā to hiking the Iao Valley, swimming in waterfalls, and snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Lounging at the beach is a popular option in Maui, too, as the island has over 80 diverse beaches.

Some itineraries include an overnight stop in Maui, giving you more time to explore this tropical paradise.

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is located on eastern coast of the Island of Hawai’i, often called the Big Island. Hilo is extremely lush, with plenty of waterfalls, beaches, and rainforest to discover. Rain falls in Hilo over 200 days of the year!

Visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a popular excursion for many visitors to Hilo, which is home to two of Hawaii’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Akaka Falls is another must-see in the Hilo area, where the waterfall plunges a whopping 442 feet into a gorge below.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Another port located on the Island of Hawai’i is Kailua-Kona. On the opposite side of the island from Hilo, Kailua-Kona is drier and sunnier than Hilo, making for excellent conditions for exploring the outdoors.

Culture lovers will appreciate a visit to the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, a spiritual sanctuary that was once the home of royal grounds and a place of refuge for those who broke kapu, which were ancient, sacred laws.

If you don’t want to stray far from the port, downtown Kailua-Kona is filled with shops, restaurants, and farmers markets where you can purchase souvenirs as well as taste local products and cuisine.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands (the 2nd oldest overall) and it was formed over 5 million years ago. While there are no active volcanoes on the island today, the landscape has been carved by wave, wind, and water erosion, making for unique landscapes not seen on other islands.

One of these features is Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Visitors will be awe-inspired by the canyon’s steep hillsides reaching depths of over 3,600 feet.

Nā Pali Coast (cruising)

If you’ve seen pictures of Hawaii’s rugged, emerald coastline, odds are it was a photo of the Nā Pali Coast on the island of Kauai. One of the most recognizable coastlines in the world, the Nā Pali coast offers unparalleled views of steep sea cliffs rising dramatically from the ocean below.

Some Hawaii cruise itineraries include a scenic cruising day around the Nā Pali coast. While passengers won’t disembark the ship on this day, they’re sure to be blown away by Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Transpacific cruise ports

If you book a transpacific cruise starting or ending in Hawaii, you will visit several ports in French Polynesia as well as a few stops in Melanesia or New Zealand.

Ports may include:

• Mo'orea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Papeete, Tahiti
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Napier, New Zealand
• Picton, New Zealand
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Nouméa, New Caledonia

Which Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail to Hawaii?

Depending on the year, Royal Caribbean sends 2-3 cruise ships to Hawaii. Due to limitations of crossing from the Pacific to the Caribbean, the ships sent to Hawaii and Australia tend to be the same cruise ships offering Alaska cruise itineraries.

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship launched in 2016. As one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, she is packed with the latest activities, entertainment, and dining venues found in the fleet.

Quantum Class ships were built to sail in all climates, with indoor pools, the SeaPlex sports center, and the Two70 entertainment venue and lounge which features floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for viewing Hawaii's scenery.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas is a sister ship to Ovation of the Seas. She was the first ship in the Quantum Class, launching in 2014.

Quantum of the Seas is nearly identical to Ovation of the Seas, albeit with a few changes in dining venues and entertainment shows.

Quantum Class ships make a great choice for a Hawaii cruise for those looking for the most activities, dining options, and entertainment available on a cruise with many sea days. Even with 5 sea days in a row, it will be hard to be bored on a Quantum Class ship!

Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas will be offering cruises from Australia in the 2023-2024 cruise season, so she will be offering cruises to Hawaii en route to and from Australia

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship and while smaller than the Quantum Class, she still offers plenty to do, see, and eat onboard.

One of the most beloved features of Radiance Class cruise ships is how much glass was built into the ship’s design. Large, panoramic windows are found all around the ship, which is a huge perk when traveling to a destination as beautiful as Hawaii.

Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships

How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Hawaii cruises (Vancouver to Hawaii and vice versa)

Despite visiting a remote island chain in the Pacific, Hawaii itineraries can provide a great value on a cruise vacation. You'll often find prices comparable to Caribbean cruises, even though the cruises tend to be several days longer.

Look for last-minute cruise deals to Hawaii, too, as these itineraries do not always book as quickly as others. Due to travel to and from Vancouver/Hawaii and the fact that cruises are one-way instead of round-trip, you can often find last-minute deals.

Related: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a Hawaii cruise starting or ending in Vancouver:

9-night Hawaii cruise on Ovation of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $1,805
• Balcony cabin: $1,963

11-night Hawaii cruise on Radiance of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $2,132
• Balcony cabin: $3,010

Related: Interior vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Transpacific cruises (Hawaii to Australia and vice versa)

Transpacific cruises starting in Hawaii and ending in Australia (or vice versa) are generally more expensive than those starting or ending in Vancouver. Not only are they 5-8 days longer, but they travel a further distance and visit destinations that are much more difficult to reach, such as Mo'orea and Tahiti.

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a transpacific cruise:

15-night Transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $2,908
• Balcony cabin: $3,982

18-night Transpacific cruise on Ovation of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $3,443
• Balcony cabin: $4,593

Extra costs on a Hawaii cruise

Outside of cruise fare, you’ll want to budget for the following add-ons when booking a Hawaii cruise:

• Airfare
• Hotel cost for the night before the cruise
• Gratuities
• Shore excursions or spending money in port
• Optional onboard extras: beverage package, dining package, etc.

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that aren’t included

Because Royal Caribbean’s cruises to Hawaii are one-way sailings that require many sea days, it’s recommended to spend some time in Hawaii on land before or after the cruise.

If you plan to do this, you’ll want to budget extra for hotels, food, and transportation costs in Hawaii.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• How much does a cruise cost?
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Coinciding with Royal Caribbean's 2023 Alaska cruises, the cruise line also released new sailings to and from Hawaii in 2023.

While Royal Caribbean does not offer regular cruises around the Hawaiian islands, it does offer open-jaw sailings as part of the repositioning between North America and Australia.

An open-jaw sailing is when a ship begins the voyage in port, but ends in another.

In 2023, six cruises will be available that either begin or end in Hawaii, and include stops to various islands along the way.

The 2023 Hawaii cruises are as follows:

Quantum of the Seas will sail from Oahu on a 10-night Hawaii to Vancouver cruise on April 28, 2023 and visit Maui (Lahaina) & Kailua Kona, before ending in Vancouver.

Quantum of the Seas will return to Hawaii on an 8-night Hawaii Cruise from Vancouver on October 2, 2023 with stops in Maui (Lahaina), Kailua Kona, and ending in Oahu (Honolulu).

Ovation of the Seas will start off the season on May 2, 2023 with a 9-night cruise from Oahu (Honolulu), and making stops in Maui (Lahaina), and Kailua Kona, before ending in Vancouver.

Ovation will then return in the fall with a 9-night cruise from Vancouver on October 6, 2023 making stops in  Maui (Lahaina), Napali Coast (Cruising), and ending in Oahu (Honolulu).

Enchantment of the Seas will offer a 10-night cruise to Hawaii when she departs Vancouver on September 24, 2023 and visit Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hilo, Hawaii (Kailua Kona),&  Maui (Lahaina), before ending on Oahu.

Finally, Radiance of the Seas will have the longest cruise, with an 11-night voyage beginning from Oahu on April 30, 2023 and visit Maui (Lahaina), Hilo & Hawaii (Kailua Kona) before ending in Vancouver.

What to see in Hawaii

A cruise to Hawaii means an opportunity to see the turquoise waters and colorful sands that combine with a rich Polynesian heritage to explore.

You can see the history of Pearl Harbor on Oahu, where you can tour battleships and see the memorial to that fateful day in 1941.

Cruise to Hawaii and head to the Big Island to scale volcanoes like Mount Kilauea and chase waterfalls on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Or enjoy the sun and surf on the remote shores of Kauai and Maui. 

Read more: Hawaii cruise on Royal Caribbean: Everything you need to know

Royal Caribbean has informed travel agents that due to the Canadian Government restricting all cruise traffic through October 2020, its Alaska, Hawaii and Canada/New England cruises are cancelled.

The cruise line indicated itineraries touching on a Canadian port through October 2020 are suspended.

Similar to other cancelled cruises due to the current global health crisis, Royal Caribbean is offering guests three options:

Lift & Shift: Move your existing booking to next year, protecting the current price/promotion, simply by electing to remain on the same itinerary type, sailing length, stateroom category, and within the same 4-week period of their original cruise date same-time-next-year. Opt-in deadlines are as follows:

• Sailings departing June 12-July 31, 2020
  • On-or-before June 10, 2020
• Canada Port closures departing August 1-October 31, 2020
  • On-or-before June 17, 2020

Future Cruise Credit: You client will receive a Future Cruise Credit for 125% of the amount paid, to be redeemed on-or-before December 31, 2021 on sailings through April 2022. This option is automatic and will default if neither of the other options are selected.

Refund: If a refund is preferred, you can opt to receive a 100% refund of their cruise fare. No need to decide now – refund requests are available through December 31, 2020.

Last week, Canada's Public Health Agency announced it was extending its ban on cruises ships with more than 100 people through October 31, 2020.

Canada had originally closed off its borders to all cruise ships carrying more than 500 passengers and crew until between April 2 and July 1, 2020.

Without the ability to visit Canadian ports, Royal Caribbean cruises cannot legally offer sailings because of U.S. cabotage laws that require foreign-flagged vessels leaving from a U.S. port of call to first call on a "distant foreign port" before returning to the United States.

For the second consecutive year, Royal Caribbean will bring three ships to Alaska, as the cruise line opened up bookings for its 2021 Alaska itineraries.

New Alaska, Hawaii and Transpacific sailings are now available to book, with three ships offering varying 7-night itineraries sailing from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska.

Beginning in April 2021, Radiance of the Seas will offer a 17-night Transpacific Tahiti & New Zealand cruise.  It will begin in Brisbane, Australia and visit destinations in New Zealand, Tahiti and French Polynesia before arriving in Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii.

Similarly, Serenade of the Seas will sail from Sydney, Australia in April 2021, and embark on a transpacific cruise that will go to Hawaii.

Ovation of the Seas will sail from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan, and begin a 14-night Japan, Russia & Alaska cruise.  It will conclude in Seattle, Washington.

In May 2021, Serenade of the Seas will offer an 11-night Hawaii cruise that begins in Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii and will visit a few Hawaii islands before concluding in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Radiance of the Seas will offer a similar sailing, a 10-night Hawaii cruise that begins in Oahu and ends in Vancouver.

The 2021 sailings to Alaska show three ships will offer sailings: Ovation of the Seas from Seattle, and Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas from Vancouver.

At the conclusion of the Alaskan cruise season, Radiance of the Seas will offer a 10-night Hawaii cruise that begins in Vancouver, and then concludes in Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii.

All three ships will debut Royal Caribbean’s spa staterooms. The brand-new lineup of balcony accommodations will allow guests to relax in between adventures with an array of amenities and perks, including priority spa reservations, lush bedding and bath products, tranquil décor, daily delivery of tea, water and coffee; and priority boarding at embarkation.

Be sure to consult the Royal Caribbean website or your travel professional for further assistance with itinerary options and booking.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to bucket list destinations, and Hawaii is right at the top for many people.  Hawaii is renown for its natural beauty and incredible offerings that are unique to the island chain, so if your cruise goes there, there are a few good tips you need to know about before visiting.

Hawaii is part of the United States, so that means if you are an American, cell phones, currency, credit cards and simple things like renting a car is no different compared to being right at home.  

Cruising the Nā Pali Coast of Kauai

Since Hawaii is a series of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the cost of everything from milk to gasoline can be significantly more expensive when compared to what items cost on the U.S. mainland.   This impacts everything in Hawaii, including the price of excursions.  Research and prepare a vacation budget accordingly.  

Arriving into Lahaina, Maui

Royal Caribbean offers Hawaiian cruises when it repositions its ships between the the Australian cruise season and the Alaska cruise season.  A combination of the U.S. Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) dictates that foreign flagged vessels are not allowed to offer cruises that remain within the Hawaiian Islands.  Instead, they must include at least one foreign port of call on the itinerary.  Since Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with few foreign countries nearby that means Sydney, Australia or Vancouver, Canada are often the start or end of such journeys.  

The only time of year that Royal Caribbean offers a cruise that includes a visit to Hawaii is in the spring or fall, when ships are repositioning between Australia and Alaska.  It also means a number of consecutive sea days will be found on Hawaiian cruise itineraries.  This can also impact anyone who would like to sail on a back-to-back cruise visiting Alaska combined with a Hawaiian cruise which can in some cases be a violation of the PVSA.  

Booking a Royal Caribbean Hawaiian cruise means being limited to just a few dates available in the spring or fall, typically around May or September.

A Gecko makes an appearance to drink some water droplets from a Bird of Paradise

Royal Caribbean currently has different classes of cruise ships that move between Alaska and Australia.  Like many bucket list destinations, there are reasons to consider the type and size of ship when booking a Hawaiian cruise.   Smaller ships can get into smaller ports of call and offer port experiences that newer and larger ships cannot.   Larger and newer ships offer on-board features and experiences that smaller ships cannot.  

You will need to decide the right balance of on-board experience versus itinerary that fits your cruise style.  Radiance class, Voyager class and Quantum class ships have all recently sailed these routes.  Fortunately, all ships provide wonderful views of the seas, a range of cabin type from interior, ocean view, balcony and suites plus plenty of on board activities.

The beautiful black sand of Punalu’u Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii

The State of Hawaii is made of of an archipelago of islands.  Each island in the chain offers a different experience.  A benefit of cruising to Hawaii is being able to experience many different Hawaiian islands in one trip.  

Kauai is known as the garden island.  Maui is the valley island. Oahu is the most largely populated island, where the largest Hawaiian city of Honolulu is located, as well as popular tourist attractions such as Waikiki, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor.  The biggest island in the state bears the name Hawaii, the same name of the state that represents the collection of these Hawaiian Islands.  

The Haleakalā crater on Maui, where tens of thousands of years ago lava would flow from volcanic vents

The Silversword is only found on the island of Maui.  Unique to Maui and not found anywhere else in the world, not even on other Hawaiian Islands

Cruises tend to start or end in Honolulu, on the Island of Oahu.  The port is close to the Honolulu airport, and is a great spot to spend a few days before or after the cruise.  If you are traveling to Hawaii, consider spending a few extra days before or after to explore everything the incredible Island of Oahu has to offer.  

Exploring centuries old lava flows on the Big Island

The Hawaiian islands are born from volcanoes.  Some are still active, while others are currently dormant (but not extinct).  At the time this blog post was written in 2019, there are no active lava flows or eruptions to experience.  However, you don’t have to go very far to find evidence of the volcanic history that has shaped these islands for millions of years.  This is particularly true on the Big Island, which last experienced new lava flows in 2018. 

Sunrise in Honolulu, as seen from the pool deck of Ovation of the Seas while in port

On Oahu, if you wish to visit Pearl Harbor (and you should), you will need to plan ahead and make reservations well in advance for a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.  Simply showing up without reservations will likely result in disappointment.  

Visits to the USS Arizona Memorial had been suspended due to movements of the loading dock but recently the National Park Service re-opened the Memorial and visits have resumed.  

A series of daily lectures from a native Hawaiian guest speaker onboard

Hawaii may be part of the United States, but it roots are very different from the mainland.  Steeped in native culture and tradition, it is well worth researching the origins of the Hawaiian people and their history before visiting Hawaii.  There are flora and fauna that are unique to Hawaii and in some cases only exist on one Hawaiian island and no where else in the world. In some cases, they do not exist on other Hawaiian islands.  This makes a cruise to Hawaii a great educational experience for everyone including family cruisers.  

Royal Caribbean will often provide a series of guest lectures on board to help educate guests about Hawaii.

Tendering operations from onboard Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to ever visit the Hawaiian Islands

In many cases, a visit to a Hawaiian island from a cruise ship involves tendering. Not all islands have a pier or harbor that can accommodate cruise ships.   In some cases, smaller ships can dock, but for some islands even smaller ships must tender using smaller boats to transfer guests to shore. 

Royal Caribbean has a lot of experience with tendering and they will always strive to make the experience as smooth as possible, but you need to consider the extra time it takes to tender if you plan to explore Hawaiian islands that are tender ports on your own.  As you research each ship and itinerary, make sure you pay attention to what ports are tender ports and plan accordingly.  

Sunset as seen from near the summit of Haleakalā nearly 10,000’ above sea level

Excursions are the way to truly experience everything Hawaii has to offer.  Excursions vary and different experiences can be booked directly or through Royal Caribbean.   

The same reasons for booking excursions through the cruise line versus through third parties remains the same debate as any other cruise itinerary.  Regardless of how you intend to explore Hawaii, plan and research excursions well before boarding to ensure you make the most of your Hawaiian cruise experience.  

Snorkeling the Molokini Crater

Popular excursions either booked through Royal Caribbean or directly will sell out so don’t wait until you are on board to book your excursions.

On Oahu in and around Honolulu and Waikiki, you will find ride share services available much like in any American city.  On the remote Hawaiian islands, ride sharing drivers may be few and far between so plan accordingly.  On some islands there are few roads and some roads can become congested at times.  Give yourself plenty of time if self exploring to make sure you are back on board well before sail away time.

Visiting a National Park above the clouds on Maui

For anyone new to this incredible destination, using a travel agent can greatly assist in planning the ideal Hawaiian cruise vacation.   

Hawaii is a beautiful cruise destination that is unique and different from any other.  Some research and planning before booking will ensure that you can get the most from your Royal Caribbean Hawaiian cruise.