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Pride of America

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Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 1487 guests have reviewed Pride of America , giving it a rating of 3.6 on a scale of 1-5.

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Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Beautiful Hawaiian Cruise

Apr 29th, 2024

Hawaii was beautiful. Liked this itinerary because it sailed right from Honolulu. Although the ship had mechanical issues they did make our day at sea nice by traveling the coastlines to see the views.

Traveler Type

it was ok i remember it different when i first took this cruise the first time

not enough smoking areas and not enough entertainment areas.

Disappointing Hawaiian Cruise

Apr 28th, 2024

We had a Hawaiian cruise which was to include 2 days on Maui, 1 day at Hilo, 1 day at Kona, and 2 days at Kauai. Due to a technical issue with the ships backup generator, the boat was unable to leave from Hilo to Kona. Someone said the Coast Guard wouldn't let the ship sail. We had to stay in Hilo and didn't get to see Kona. As Hilo and Kona were on opposite sides of the same island, we decided to rent a car and drive from Hilo to Kona when we found out we wouldn't be going there. Unfortunately, the captain told us around 8 AM of day 2 on Hilo that everyone needed to be back on the ship by 1 PM to leave. Therefore, we had to cancel our plans to drive to Kona. The ship ended up leaving the next morning and sailed all day which was the first day we were supposed to be in Kauai. Thus we got cheated out of another day of seeing the islands. We had to wait in line at the excursions desk a couple of times to get the credit for the canceled excursions that we prepaid for. We also had to talk to cruise relations to get a bar bill corrected. To make up for the loss of 2 days island experiences, NCL gave us $200 credit and the offer of 20% off our next cruise if used by December 31, 2025. As we don't have any plans to take another cruise, this offer was meaningless to us. The entertainment that was offered on the ship wasn't that great and certainly didn't make up for the loss of excursions to the islands. We also didn't think the food was anything special. We did enjoy the suite we were in in.

1 cruise (first)

Great Destination - Cruise could be Better

Apr 24th, 2024

If you want to visit and see some highlights of all the islands this is a great way to do it. Approaching from the sea is lovely. The cruise is fine but not spectacular. For the price it should be better. But it is Hawaii!!

A good way to see some of each of the main Hawaiian islands

This is a good way to see a little bit of each island

Singles/Friends

Not what I was expected, generator broke down, stuck at a dock with only commercial view

Apr 23rd, 2024

We were not happy on this cruise, just wanted to leave the ship

4-6 cruises

Mediocre experience

Great way to see and experience Hawaii, but I would choose a different cruise line if possible. We were disappointed with NCL and it this was our 1st cruise with them, it would definitely be the last.

Fabulous Hawaiian Adventure

Apr 19th, 2024

Dream Vacations was a pleasure! The regular meetings and e-mails kept us fully informed, the handy checklists and guidance provided at the last meeting were much appreciated and Cathy and Rhonda are just fun to be around! They adjusted as plans changed, filled an unexpected empty day with an affordable and enjoyable tour, and never made us feel like our questions were an interruption or a bother to them. They are master cat herders! I would definitely travel with Dream Vacations again.

Large Group

2-3 cruises

Sail Around Hawaii

Apr 16th, 2024

Did it once, good time however airfare to get there from mainland costs more than cruise! If I lived there would do it again maybe

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America... - Port Waikiki Cruises

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We had an amazing time on the sunset cruise! The views were amazing!!! It was awesome seeing... read more

We took the snorkel cruise with lunch with the whole family (Parents, Grandparents, and two kids... read more

Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America 7day Hawaii cruise

My wife and I took this cruise January 2018. For any first time visitor here I thoroughly recommend it. For us, we were able to get a feel for what we would like to concentrate on in future visits (Maui). We've been on Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Of these we found Disney to have no close second but this NCL boat does well. For friendliness the crew rivals Disney. A funny irony here though, this was the first time we never spotted the ship's master. On Disney though, we saw the captain twice and he was the only grump on board! Our cabin was immaculate. We had an inside stateroom. Across the hall was what NCL called "The owner's suite.". Was able to sneak a look on day of debarkation. My jaw hit the floor. We didn't reserve a balcony room because while we were in port the only thing to see are sea/land cargo containers and when not in port all you see is black. The itinerary allows for extended time on 3 of the islands so you don't feel rushed. Only negative was the food. We didn't dine in any of the specialty restaurants only because it was extra. My guess is they saved the better food for there. We dined one night at the Skyline. Food was cold. Steak I had was less than "choice" and watching staff bring it out smacked of an assembly line. We stuck to the Aloha Cafe buffet where we could eventually find something good. Other than made to order omeletts breakfast was just plain bad. A fellow traveler who had been on other NCL boats claimed this wasn't par for them. Be advised that for those looking to save without sacrificing many of the excursions they offer can be done by renting a car and doing it yourself. Kilueau Point on Kuaui, Volcano National Park on the big island and The Road to Hana on Maui are 3 that you can save a ton on your own. Thanks for reading!

My 21 yo daughter and I took the short Turtle Snorkelling cruise from the jetty at the back of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was a brilliant no fuss, fast process with the emphasis on spending the most of our 2 hours in the water with turtles. A quick 10-15 min out to the snorkelling spot, a thorough safety briefing then into the sea. Our guides were knowledgeable and we were seeing turtles within minutes. There is alcohol and limited snacks (crackers, biscuits) but this trip is all about the turtle experience. We loved it! Would def recommend this if you have a limited time frame or don’t want to spend all day on a boat. We just wandered down from the Ilikai Hotel. Highly recommended!

Norwegian cruise lines ' Pride of America ' offers you an excellent experience of a lifetime ! Many of you have gone to Honolulu or Maui but until you visit the other islands you can't really say you've seen Hawaii ! From start to finish they provided 1st class treatment ! Arrival you stay @ the ' Waikiki Beach Marriot ( all transportation, luggage,& reservations are taken care of ). Next day you depart for the cruise & your luggage is waiting for you in your room. The ship is one of the most luxurious we've been on in all of our years sailing. Two days in Maui, one in Hilo, one in Kona,& the the last island Kauai which we found more beautiful than Maui. Hilo & Kona are opposite sides of the 'Big Island '.There is no casino which I thought would bother me but not having one was a blessing. More time to spend relaxing & enjoying the ships multiple attractions. Suggestion that'll save you hundreds of $ rent a car @ the ports of call. Stongly recommend Hertz. They have shuttle busses taking you to the office & return you to the ship.They are @ the port on one island & the price is competitiveif not inexpensive for the service & convenience. This way you set your own schedule & see what you want to see . I know I've rambled on & haven't touched on how much there is to see & do but I could write a book on this trip. You truly need to experience for yourself. We thought our Alaska ( land & cruise ) was great but this by far tops that in terms of beauty,rela- xation, attractions +++++. We were so pleased with our Norwegian Cruise Line experience that we're crusing with them again in January '18. Stay tuned for that report. Don'r forget you owe it to yourself to plan this trip of a life time this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 3 person crew was really accommodating! They took the group to the exact spot where the turtles swim! We saw lots of turtles and and swam near/with them. I️ am a beginner swimmer and the crew made me feel comfortable in the water! We were a small group and they were very attentive to everyone’s needs (brought drinks out to us as we were lounging around, gave us other recommendations of things to do in Honolulu, etc) They also made us amazing drinks (SO SO GOOD) while we ate lunch and lounged on the boat deck/nets. Would definitely recommend to friends and family!

Highly recomend these guys!!! Captain Josh helped look after us when our daughter felt a little sick and Corinne and Lisa were so helpful and made the whole thing heaps of fun. Im still pumped from all the awesomr turtles we saw. I wanted to book eoth Hawaiian nautical but woth these guys there is no bus trip its right out the front of Hilton Hawaiian Village so no wasted time. I will be back to this tour 100 percent when we come back it was easily the best tour ive ever done. Dont wait just go 🤙

We went out on the Spirit of Aloha for a catamaran and snorkeling trip. The crew were great helpful. The gear in great shape. The water amazing and the turtles everywhere. One followed me. Really worth the money.

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NCL Pride of America Hawaii Cruise Review

NCL Pride of America Cruise Review, The Hawaiian Islands.

I was chuffed to be asked by MyCruises (an Australian travel company) to experience their #1 selling cruise, the Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America.

MyCruises Packages have always amazed me, such good pricing considering all the inclusions! They take the hard work out of planning a Hawaii cruise holiday by including everything from airfares, pre- and post-accommodation, transfers, sightseeing, and the 7-night cruise, of course!

There are also BONUSES like free food and beverage inclusions, a discount tour and activity booklet and they even pre-pay your gratuities! It’s these extras that make the difference, so if you’re an Aussie looking to experience the ultimate Hawaiian Island adventure consider booking with MyCruises.com.au .

PRIDE OF AMERICA AT A GLANCE:

• Gross Tonnage 80,439
• Overall length 921ft (280m)
• Beam (width) 120ft (36.5m)
• Cruise Speed 22-knots (25 mph)
• Guests 2,186 (double occupancy)

10 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THE PRIDE OF AMERICA HAWAII CRUISE:

• New Day, New Hawaiian Island
• Fine Dining in Specialty Restaurants
• 100’s of Things to Do
• Shore Excursions Galore
• Bars, Bar & More Bars
• Oceanview Balcony Life
• Magical Entertainment
• Sweet Spa Dreams
• Adults-Only Access
• Feelin’ the Aloha Vibes

1. New Day, New Hawaiian Island

Pride of America is the most convenient way to visit four Hawaiian Islands in eight days, no inter-flights required and you only unpack once!

The itinerary departs Oahu every Saturday and returns the following Saturday. Guests spend two days on Maui, two days on Hawaii Island (one in Hilo, one in Kona) and one and a half days on Kauai.

Itinerary current as at November 2019.

The cruise departs most ports at dusk and arrives in most ports at dawn, with travel to the islands occurring at night.

It’s incredible waking up on a different island every other day and seeing the isles from an out-at-sea vantage point.

TIP:   Port Talks  take place at 8am daily. They provide a great island briefing including a historical overview, local transport options including any free shuttles, nearby shopping, and attractions.

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2. Fine Dining in Specialty Restaurants

Pride of America has Freestyle Dining, meaning you can eat whenever and wherever you want in these complimentary restaurants:

• Aloha Cafe (International Buffet)
• Cadillac Diner (American)
• East Meets West (Asian)
• Skyline and Liberty Restaurants (Main Dining)

Bookings are recommended for the fancier specialty restaurants, these meals come with a cover charge or à la carte pricing:

• Cagney’s Steakhouse (Steak & Seafood)
• Le Bistro (French)
• La Cucina (Italian)
• Modern Churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese)

Fine dining in the specialty restaurants was a real highlight! I’m still drooling over Le Bistro’s tasty French onion soup (above), Teppanyaki’s buttery-garlic grilled seafood, La Cucina’s freshly baked bread and mushroom risotto, and the perfectly cooked T-bone from Cagney’s Steakhouse.

TIP: Make reservations at the Specialty Dining Desk in-person as soon as you board. 

3. 100’s of Things to Do

There is so much happening every day on Pride of America, refer to the Freestyle Daily (newsletter) to keep up!

The hardest decision you’ll have to make is how much time to spend on the ship v.s on land exploring Hawaii.

What’s happening onboard Pride of America:

• Balloon Twisting Workshop
• Basketball Shootout
• Champagne Art Auction
• Giant Chess and Checkers
• Ice Carving Demonstration
• Not-So-Newlywed Game Show
• Ping Pong Tournaments
• Poolside Games
• Professional Portraits
• Putt-Putt Challenge
• Talks e.g. “How To Run A Floating Hotel”
• Trivia Games
• Watch NBA/NFL Games
• Water Aerobics
• Water Volleyball (Staff vs. Guests)

You can also dive into Native Hawaiian culture via a raft of free activities hosted by a Hawaiian Ambassador:

• This is Aloha Presentation
• Daily Hula Dance Classes
• Daily Hawaiian Music
• Hawaiian Language 101
• Lei Making Classes

There are also social events throughout the week where guests can meet and mingle with other cruise passengers who share common interests from LGBTQ meet and greets, to a solo traveller get-together, and even an Aussies only catch-up!

4. Shore Excursions Galore

The Hawaiian Islands tempt you to disembark the ship every single day! I highly recommend taking island adventures by booking Shore Excursions.

You can book Shore Excursions direct with Norwegian Cruise Line online (you’ll get a login for NCL.com once you’ve made your cruise reservation) or through the Shore Excursions desk on Pride of America.

I chose activities that I knew would get me out of my comfort zone…

Kahului, Maui: Waterfall Rappelling

Within an hour of being picked up, we were meandering the tropical road to Hana and into Maui’s Garden of Eden. This activity took place in a private area of an arboretum, accessible only to Rappel Maui guests. It was a pleasant change of scenery to be deep within a jungle immersed in natural beauty. This small-group tour incorporated hiking, abseiling and swimming and was great for beginners like me!

Nawiliwili, Kauai: Mokihana Helicopter

It’s no secret Hawaii helicopter tours are pricey but flying over the island of Kauai will take your breath away. 90% of Kauai is undeveloped with the majority of the island’s interior inaccessible by road, this makes this island a fantastic choice for an aerial adventure!

Highlights included Jurassic Park Falls, Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the Napali Coast sea cliffs.

Alternatively, several other companies offer Shore Excursions . Shore Excursions are specific tours customized to pick-up and drop-off at (or near) the Ports and tour times match the cruise itinerary.

Once you’ve booked, you’ll be emailed a detailed confirmation and the tour operators’ contact information. Always re-confirm your tour arrangements with the company a few days beforehand.

Oahu Shore Excursions

Maui shore excursions, hilo (big island) shore excursions, kona (big island) shore excursions, kauai shore excursions.

TIP:  The biggest event of the cruise is Luau Kalamaku held at Kauai’s historic Kilohana Plantation. This special Hawaiian celebration and feast can be booked onboard at the Shore Excursions desk. It begins with a flower lei greeting and the opportunity to peruse local market stalls, followed by mai tai cocktails, a lavish buffet and a Cirque-de-Soleil-style Polynesian show. It’s a memorable way to end your cruise!

RELATED >> Hawaii Activities, Pre-Book or Wait?

5. Bars, Bars & More Bars

Easing into the holiday spirit is easy on Pride of America with nine bars and lounges. We bar-hopped them all! Keep your eyes out for Kona beer, margarita, mojito, wine and sake tastings hosted at various bars during the week, these events attract a small fee and are an affordable way to drink!

• Aloha Lanai Bar (views for days)
• Club Mardi Gras (nightclubby)
• Gold Rush Saloon (casual sports bar)
• John Adams Coffee Bar (cosy)
• Key West Bar (al fresco)
• Napa Wine Bar (sophisticated)
• Ocean Drive Bar (poolside lounge)
• Pink’s Champagne bar (the heart of the ship)
• Waikiki Bar (loud, only bar smokers allowed)

The winner? Gold Rush Saloon. I had an absolute ball sitting at the bar chatting to friendly bartenders, sipping on the “Cocktail of the Day” and munching on free buttered popcorn! This Wild-West themed sports bar has a great line-up of live music, hosts karaoke and plays the NBA/NFL Games.

TIP: Book Pride of America with MyCruises.com.au  and you’ll receive a BONUS Beverage Package.

6. Oceanview Balcony Life

There are lots of cruise accommodation options on Pride of America from stylish Studios perfect for solo travellers through to superior Suites, some of them spacious enough to sleep up to eight people!

We were impressed with our Oceanview Balcony stateroom complete with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony. It’s perfect for two, had a huge bed and bigger-than-expected bathroom.

We can’t recommend a balcony cabin enough! We spent mornings outside sipping on coffee and evenings gazing at the stars cheers-ing with our BYO champagne and rosé.

TIP: With MyCruises.com.au   you’ll always have the option to pay to upgrade your cabin type. You can BYO wine on Pride of America for a US$15 corkage fee per bottle. There’s an alcohol check-in desk on arrival to the Pier LOL. Ordering a bottle of wine to your cabin can set you back up to US$60, so it’s worth bringing on a few bottles to enjoy a bevvy on the balcony!

7. Magical Entertainment

Each main-stage show on Pride of America is on for one night and one night only (two-time slots), so mark your cruise calendar! We made it to four performances and thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Lights, Camera, Action: A tribute to celebrated Hollywood musicals featuring everything from Moulin Rouge high-kicks to Gene Kelly singing in the rain.

Comedy: This show was by Tony Daro, a regular on the New York comedy scene and while he was funny, some jokes did go over my non-American head!

Wonders! A Magical Experience: Magic by Charles Bach, a world-class magician. His grand illusion left the audience in a state of shock. He disappeared and reappeared at either end of the stage in a fraction of a second, he must be a twin otherwise that was some serious magic! It was incredible.

Vegas! The Show: Held on the final night, this performance got Guests into party mode with its Sin City flavour and iconic songs by Elvis, Tina Turner and more.

8. Sweet Spa Dreams

Mandara Spa was the first place we visited after checking into our cabin, I wanted to make sure I secured a massage slot! The salon offers extensive treatments including massage rituals, pedicures and manicures and hair styling. Passes can be bought to access the new Thermal Suite with heated chaise lounge chairs, huge showers, sauna and steam room.

I opted for a   Bamboo Massage. Warm bamboo stalks and essential oils kneaded my muscles into heavenly bliss. I was so relaxed and tension-free, I almost fell asleep on the way back to my cabin LOL.

TIP: On the day of embarkation there’s usually a Spa Raffle, if you make your way to the designated location outlined in the Freestyle Daily (newsletter) you’ll get a chance to win spa credits.

9. Adults-Only Access

Pride of America has three swimming pools, a kid’s pool and six hot tubs. There’s also an Entourage Teen Club, Splash Academy Youth Center and Video Arcade to keep the kids occupied.

My favourite area was the Oasis Pool, designated for adults-only. Boy, was it a lifesaver for escaping the crowds for a more serene dip. Believe it or not, it was especially calm around sunsets.

10. Feelin’ the Aloha Vibes

From the moment we arrived at the Pier we could feel the aloha vibes!

Pride of America staff are delightful and significantly contributed to our positive experience. We became fast friends with our Stateroom Steward Chris, he proved invaluable for answering our FAQs.

We talked to everyone we came in contact with, both staff and passengers, quizzing them on where they were from, how long they’d been in Hawaii and what they loved about it etc. Being social and making new friends was one of the most rewarding things about our journey!

TIP: Book Pride of America with MyCruises.com.au   and you’ll be given an awesome branded travel wallet, beach tote and lanyard. The cruise is cashless, so the lanyard comes in handy for carrying your cruise I.D./charge card/room key with you and has the added benefit of being able to spot and befriend fellow  MyCruises passengers! Don’t be shy when you see them, just say g’day just like I did 🙂

Cruise Review Disclaimer: The Hawaii Admirer was welcomed as a guest on the Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America hosted by MyCruises on 17 November 2018. All of the thoughts expressed in this article are my honest opinion.

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What’s It Like to do a Norwegian Hawaii Cruise?

Are you curious what it’s like to do a 7-day hawaii cruise keep scrolling for a detailed review of the norwegian hawaii cruise between oahu, maui, kauai, and the big island., this guide to the norwegian hawaii cruise was co-written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Guest post by Jeana Kinne

Have you ever wanted to experience Hawaiian life from the sea?

Cruising the islands provides a unique experience, seeing islands from a different perspective, keeping kids entertained (even while traveling), and experiencing fresh Hawaiian foods every day!

If you like to move around and be entertained while traveling (instead of sitting in a car or plane), you won’t be disappointed on the Norwegian 7-day island cruise! 

Keep scrolling to learn more about Norwegian cruises in Hawaii.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Hawaii Itineraries complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Hawaiian Island Cruise FAQs

While I usually recommend that people spend 7 days on one island to explore, a 7 day Hawaii cruise is a great way to get a taste of all the islands so you know which one(s) to return to. Plus, you can always add on a few days either before or after your cruise to explore Oahu.

There are several cruise lines that go around Hawaii, such as Princess, Disney, Crystal, Holland America, and the Royal Caribbean. However, Norwegian Cruise Line has a ship that’s based in Honolulu Hawaii. There’s also a company called UnCruise Adventures that sails throughout Hawaii.

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, head to Hawaii in the fall. This is the shoulder season in Hawaii. And that’s when you’ll score the best deals on Hawaii cruises (especially in September and October). Plus, there are usually sales on flights to Oahu.

Why We Picked Norwegian Cruises in Hawaii

My husband and I chose to visit Hawaii for our honeymoon because we had never been to the islands before. It is something we had always wanted to do but didn’t seem to have the time.

As we scoured the internet, searing at all of the different islands, it became overwhelming trying to figure out which islands to visit and for how long. We wanted to go to them all! 

Soon we came across the Norwegian 7-day island hopping cruise. We were shocked at how many islands we could visit in such a short amount of time. This is one of many Hawaiian island cruises.

Taking this amazing Hawaiian cruise would give us a taste of what each island was about. And it would give us some insight on where we would want to spend more time on future island visits. 

What Are Norwegian Hawaiian Cruises Like?

This was our very first cruise! We had no idea what we were walking into but as two people that love boating, we knew it would be great. We had no idea how much fun we would have. This 7-day Hawaiian cruise was so exciting, we left wanting to go on more! 

As you walk into the cruise ship, Norwegian Cruiseline Pride of America, you are greeted with leis and some Hawaiian drinks ! (Not a shabby way of commuting!)

The cruise ship was humongous. It reminded me of a resort that was floating on water! There were several stories, the first few floors had our rooms and the middle and top floors had dining and entertainment venues. 

Activities/Entertainment

No matter what your interests are, you will find something that you love on the ship. There are sports courts, shopping areas, a casino, live entertainment, multiple pools, and hot tubs, a spa, a gym, and many bars and restaurants.

My favorite part was the “all you can eat” buffet that has food available all day long. So, you can eat when it’s most convenient for your family. The never-ending ice cream machine was my husband’s favorite! 

The middle deck had all of the entertainment venues, including the theater and shops. One of the shops is called the “PEARL Factory.” This is where you can create your own pearl necklace by opening up your very own oyster. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. I wear that pearl necklace often. 

There is endless entertainment for every age. The theater shows are truly magnificent. They are filled with talented actors and actresses, and there is a different show every night.

Just grab yourself a pina colada (given to you in a pineapple with a straw in it) and head into the stadium seating theater to watch a magic show, view a Broadway show, or watch singers that have all-star talent. There are poolside games, outdoor movie nights under the stars, and so much more!

If you have children, the Splash Children’s Area will be a must-visit! This complimentary area is for kids only, filled with staff to watch children, facilitate games and activities just for kids! They go on “ship trips” around to kid-friendly activities and shows just for them.

These complimentary childcare areas watch children as young as 6 months old. They give parents some much-needed downtime to watch a show, spend some time in the adult’s only hot tub, or get a massage. Find out more about what is available for children of all ages here .

Hawaii Shore Excursions

About a month before you depart on your cruise, you will want to book your shore excursions to make sure that you are able to take part in what you want to do. Shore excursion options include beach days, tours, active experiences and so much more.

You can book directly through the Norwegian cruise ship website . Or you can use Shoretrips.com , which is a smaller company that has trip options everywhere.

Shoretrips tend to have smaller group excursions and ones that last the entire day. They are created and reviewed by travel agents and their excursions are a wonderful way to explore the islands. For this particular cruise, we booked all of our excursions through Shoretrips.com.

Norwegian Hawaii Cruise Island Hopping

Experiencing the Hawaiian islands from a ship is very different than traveling by plane.

When you plan the Hawaiian Cruise, you don’t have to think about lodging, plane tickets, food, transportation, or being certain places by specific times. The 7-Day Hawaiian Island Hopping cruise is all-inclusive, except for what activities you choose to do on each island.

You never have to worry about how you are going to get somewhere, where you are going to eat (you have several restaurants and a buffet available to you 24 hours a day), or where you are going to stay. 

Instead of spending part of your day traveling, by choosing the Norwegian Island Hopping cruise, you will travel while you sleep!

As this was our first cruise, we stayed in an indoor cabin, which was perfect for us. We slept in the room at night and were out and about throughout the day. So, we didn’t need much room.

If you like to spend more time in your cabin, you can choose from an ocean view room, a balcony room, or even a suite. We would spend all day out on the islands, come back to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment, go to sleep, then wake up on a new island. 

When you island hop by plane , you do see the islands by air. But when you island hop by boat, you see the island by sea.

Have you ever seen the Kawaikini mountains up close before? We had the privilege of seeing them under a rainbow when cruising by them on our last day of the cruise. The captain of the ship is always on the ship’s loudspeaker when boating past landscapes, so you can run to the window to see, and point out rainbows and animals. 

What is it Like to Cruise the Hawaii Islands?

Although you do spend a lot of time on the ship, you have plenty of time on each island. For most ports, you dock by 8:30 am and have until 6:00 pm on that island.

After spending a full day exploring the island, we looked forward to returning to the ship to shower, eat and relax. We did spend two days on Maui and two days on Kauai where we didn’t need to be back on the boat by a certain time.

Honolulu Cruise Port

There are lots of Hawaii cruises from Honolulu. That’s because it has a large port and most people fly into Honolulu International Airport.

The main port of Honolulu is off the beaten path from the main city. We didn’t spend much time here as we wanted to board the ship early in order to find our rooms and get familiar with the ship, as this was our first cruising experience.

Some shipmates who had arrived earlier that week spent time exploring Honolulu, spending the day at the beach, shopping, or visiting Pearl Harbor . 

Hawaii Cruise: Day 1

The cruise boarding started around 1 pm for early arrivals. After you complete the boarding line, and your bags are tagged, you are able to enter the ship. Your bags are delivered to your room by 4 pm that same day.

In between that time, you spend the day visiting different areas of the ship, familiarizing yourself with the layout, spending time laying out by the pool deck, and grabbing a snack at the buffet by the pool. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied while you wait for the ship to depart from the port. 

Maui Cruise Port

We arrived at Kahului (Maui) at 8 am on our second day of the cruise. After grabbing a hearty breakfast from that “build your own crepe” bar, we were ready for adventure.

Hawaii Cruise: Day 2

Since we chose to book shore excursions ahead of time, we had our tickets and our pick-up time already set. For this Maui Shore Excursion, we chose the Waterfalls and Rainforest Hike . This is still my favorite shore excursion to date! 

On this excursion, we met our guide at 8:30 am outside of the terminal building. Children ages six years and older were allowed to join the hike. We were given water bottles, bagged lunch, and information on hiking the mountains.

This hike was an easy to moderate hike, walking up the rainforest hill on switchbacks, taking breaks every five minutes to eat something fresh right from the forest.

I refer to this hike as the “eat my way through rainforest hike!” Our guide was hilarious, and had us try edible roots, flowers, and fruit that were picked right in front of us! 

We walked through the forest, over some streams until we came to a very large waterfall pond that we swam in! Some of the men and children did some cliff jumping and others swam under the waterfall.

We ate lunch at this waterfall and then headed back to the beach where we got back on the boat in time for a nice nap by the pool.

The cruise ship stayed overnight in Maui. So we were able to get off the ship and walk around the port that evening.

Hawaii Cruise: Day 3

The following morning we decided to spend the day at the beach, and do this through an excursion called “ Beach Day in Maui .” We met a tour bus at 9 am on the pier, which took us down to Wailea Beach.

There were beach chairs and beach umbrellas there for rent, along with an area to buy food and drinks. We spent all day lounging by and swimming in the ocean, soaking up the amazing Hawaiian sun!

The Norwegian Cruiseline left the Maui port at 6 pm. We returned to the ship for onboard entertainment and dining. 

There are so many different shore excursions to choose from on Maui, including food tours, snorkeling, ocean kayaking, and touring the Road to Hana. You can find all of the different shore excursion options for this port here :

Hilo Cruise Port

The next morning (day four of the 7-day Hawaiian cruise) we woke up in Hilo Hawaii. This is on the East side of the Big Island.

Hawaii Cruise: Day 4

Our trip for the day was a bike ride around the Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . We met our excursion guide in the terminal building and hopped into a van that took us to the top of the Kilauea volcano. Here we were able to view the volcano before we were fitted with our bikes and helmets. 

Once on our bikes, we rode around the level, slightly inclined roads around the active volcano area. As we made our way to different areas of the volcano, we rode our bikes through empty lava tubes and explored volcanic ash. 

Given that we just biked around a volcano, we chose to take a nap on the ship when we returned from the tour and stay on board for dinner. Our ship left the island at 6 pm that night as we headed to Kona, on the other side of the Big Island. 

For those that aren’t into biking around volcanos, there are many other excursions available to choose from waterfall hikes, zipline tours, volcanic tours, Japanese gardens, and much more. You can view more options here .

Kona Cruse Port

Kona is an amazing area, filled with volcanic ash areas, coffee plantations , and so much more. Since we had explored volcanoes in Hilo, we decided to spend this day in the water.

Hawaii Cruise: Day 5

At 8 am, our guide met us on the front of deck 5, prepping us for our exciting day kayaking and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean.

This Kona excursion was for children ages 10 years old or older. It included transportation to the beach, kayak equipment, and snorkeling equipment.

This 3 ½ mile, round trip kayaking experience isn’t for the faint of heart. Kayaking in the ocean includes some pretty large waves! This was my first experience kayaking in an ocean and it was amazing!

The coral reefs and fish that we saw under the water during our snorkeling hour were amazing. The vibrant colors and landscape of the hidden beach cove kept the large waves out! 

This half-day trip ended by dropping us back off at the ship in time for lunch. There are many different excursions available in Kona, including coffee and wine tasting, a history bus tour, small cruises, catamaran, hiking tours, submarine tours and so much more.

You can find more Kona excursions available through NCL 7- Day Island Hopping Hawaiian cruise here .

Kauai Cruise Port

Kauai was our last stop in this seven-day island hopping Hawaiin cruise with NCL. We were able to spend two days on this amazing island. And we tried to experience as much of it as we could.

Hawaii Cruise: Day 6

On the first day, we chose the CJM Country Stables horseback riding beach tour. These horses were amazingly calm (especially for a novice rider!)

We explored the backcountry, sea cliffs, and sandy beaches, all by horseback. This is a wonderful tour for children and adults who want to see an island from horseback!

Once we returned to the ship, we ate lunch then left for our afternoon adventure. We hailed a taxi and explored Opaeka Falls, Wailua River, Wailua Falls, Menehune Fish pond, Kauai Lagoons, and Sea Turtle Cove.

On our way back to the cruise ship, we saw a sign for the Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise and I had to stop! This wonderful cruise was $20 per person ($10 for children under 10) for a 90-minute roundtrip tour of the Wailua River.

As you ride the boat down the grotto, we were serenaded by traditional Hawaiian music (live) and stories of the history of the river. It included a short, twenty-minute nature walk through the rainforest to the fern grotto and historic cave. 

Hawaii Cruise: Day 7

The following day was our last full day on the cruise and what better way to end a trip than to get dirty?

Yes! We went mudbugging with the Mud Bug Waterfall Safari tour from the Kauai ATV company. And oh what a trip it was!

We left at 6:45 am in a small bus to our ATV nook. From here, we were given old shirts and pants to put over our clothes, as we were headed through wet lava (a VERY stainable mud!) at high rates of speed!

We splashed through the rain puddles and drove past the area where Jurassic Park movies were filmed. We cleaned off in a waterfall before heading back to port. 

There is a huge variety of Kauai excursion options including evening Hawaiian luaus (this is the island that most people saw live luaus on), hiking, brewery tours, zip-lining, kayaking, and walking tours.

You can find more about the NCL Kauai excursions here .

The NCL cruise ship left the Kauai port at 2pm that day as we had to make it back to Honolulu to depart the cruise the next morning. 

So, is a Norwegian Hawaiian Cruise Worth it?

We had so much fun on this cruise. The ability to visit multiple islands and not worry about traveling or getting to places on time made vacation really feel like a vacation.

Everything was paid for ahead of time, so there was no stress about money. The food was delicious and there was a variety of entertainment.

I highly recommend this cruise if you haven’t been to the islands before, or if you are wanting to experience the islands from a different view.

The Norwegian 7 Day Hawaiian Island Hopping cruise was great for those who have seasickness, since the boat stayed between islands and didn’t travel far out to sea.

We had the most amazing time and I can’t wait to hear how you like it too!

About Jeana

Jeana Kinne is a children’s book author of the Sammy the Golden Dog children’s books for preschoolers and early elementary-aged children. When she isn’t working with infants and toddlers with special needs, she and her husband love to travel and experience new places around the world. You can find her at www.JDEducational.com .

Ncl Pride Of America

Review Highlights

“ The main dining room food was good but the specialty dining was excellent and our favorite was Cagney's steakhouse. ” in 2 reviews

“ If you have more money than time (not me unfortunately ), then getting excursions thru the ship are the easiest way. ” in 94 reviews

“ KAUAI was the Helicopter ride/open door, the only way to fly in our opinion for 60 minutes. ” in 20 reviews

Location & Hours

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591 Ala Moana Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Is the internet on the pride of america cruise ship in hawaii worth getting(is the connection slow or ok.can you get ok signal from most areas of the ship)?

We received 150 minutes free with our cruise perks. I might have used 10. There are a half dozen or so computers in the library ( all PC's ) anyone can use at any time and… more

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129 reviews

Laundry: Yep, I am not paying 1.99 for 1 piece of underwear. On day 2 in Maui go to Kahului Laundromat. They only take cash so be prepared (1 roll of quarters did a large load of laundry and 30 minutes of drying time). It was an hour out of the trip and the right call for us. If you flew in early, then that should be enough to get you through the rest of the cruise. Taxis: You are better off with Lyft a lot of the taxi's add charges and some just make them up. My Lyft was 10.00 from the laundry to the ship. I was charged a "flat fee" of 20.00 from the ship to the laundry. Excursions: The Maui Gold tour can only be booked on the ship, and it was very cool. We learned a lot about Pineapples and how to grow them. The only place that really had easily accessible excursions to book that were not affiliated with the ship was Hilo. We booked Malahini Tours and the 5 of us were in the car to ourselves. For us that was the right call with kids and my husband's recent injury. There was a hop on and hop off tour you could book as well. The Luau runs long but the show is worth the wait and must be booked on the ship. Entourage (Teen club 13-17): While it is a nice feature, they do not have a set schedule of activities for these kids. The club was supposed to be open until 1am but when there were no kids (they left for the glow party) it got shut down. When they tried to go back the club was closed. Splash Academy (Kid Club up to age 12): My 10 YO loved going there but you or a teen sibling need to stay with them, except for the drop off nights. At age 10 to 12 they can check themselves in and out, but they must stay for 2 hours before they can check out. Taxes (drinks): Basically, every time you are in port (which is most of the time) you need to pay taxes on your drink. When you sign the receipt, it will look like you are paying the full amount but it really is only the taxes. Tips: You prepay for tips over 100.00 per person (or it will be on your final bill). However, at the end of your trip you will be reminded that not everyone gets that tip and that certain jobs will expect you to tip out at the end. Nights: There were some rough nights at sea (all the travel is in the evening), so I suggest packing the Dramamine. Food: We did the upgrade package and that was the right call because the buffet was hit or miss and mostly it was a miss. The food all comes from the central kitchen unless you are at the upgraded restaurants. Because of that a lot of times the food is cold or soggy from sitting too long. It was the first time in my life I did not like an Oreo shake (seriously that made me sad). Cleanliness: I saw them cleaning the walls, so I was happy about that. Overall, our room was very clean. The path to the bathroom was well worn but not dirty even though it looked like it. They will clean your room daily if requested. Activities: Some were well organized like the trivia and lei making. Others not so much, Uno and other card games you are on your own and good luck finding a complete deck. The only one that made me upset was that they had Menorah lighting on the agenda and no one who knew where it was, and they had no one to run it. I did it for the group waiting on the first day and then we skipped it going forward. The Trip: I am glad that we took this route to see Hawaii for the first time. Since there were 5 of us we went for the stateroom VIP Package. You have access to a freshly cooked breakfast and lunch. We did not take advantage of all the extras, but the room was good on spacing for 3 adults and 2 kids.

We took this cruise December 2023. I haven't cruised for at least 15 years so things I mention may be the new normal. For reference: my husband and I are active, healthy, 50-ish people. We were cruising with our parents who are mobile but not active. This will speak mainly on the ship itself. Not the destinations (leave from Honolulu, 2 days in Maui, Hilo, Kona, 2 days in Kauai, end back in Honolulu) The embarkation process was smooth. Every steward was helpful and kind. This cruise is more laid back than other cruises I've been on. No captain's dinner or formal night. Most people went to the main dining room in Hawaiian shirts and sun dresses. There was also no assigned dinner times with designated seating. I liked this laid back style. It suited our busy schedule. Of course, the buffets were great. Lots of the same things every day but there was a nightly special, like Italian night or Asian night, ect. Great dining staff (shout out to Monique C!). If you don't drink alcohol or soda, do not get a beverage package. At the buffets, you can get light juices & coffee & tea. Bottled Water on the boat is a ridiculous cost but you can bring 1 bottle, per person, onto the boat everyone you get on. BRING A BIG BOTTLE. NOT A 16 oz bottle! If you need distilled water for a sleep apnea machine, ask your steward, they'll give you one FREE. We had an inside cabin, which is what you get when you're not paying attention what kind of room you get. It was fine: cleaned daily by our marvelous steward and the small space had a lot of storage. Comfortable bed. Be aware: cell signal is not good in indoor cabins and the WiFi package is up to $30 a day. We tried to get an upgrade to an outside or a a balcony a few weeks before but there the cruise was sold out. Lots of on cruise activities and lots of excursions available. Excursions purchased thru the ship are expensive. If you have more money than time (not me unfortunately ), then getting excursions thru the ship are the easiest way. We rented a car in Maui since we had 4 people in our group and also in Kauai. I went to the gym daily which was large and had lots of treadmills, cycle machines, weight machines, free weights and a room for classes. It's clean and the machines worked. I also went to the on ship spa. An awesome experience. Get the head massage. Best experience of my trip. And that's saying alot. I also used the large showers in the spa (normal cabin showers are tiny.). Clean and extra large showers. There's a sauna and a quiet space where you can just lay out on heated seats. I didn't use the pools or hot tubs but people were having a good time. Lots of live music. Great nightly entertainment. Lots of tiered viewing decks that are great for taking pictures. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to experience more than 1 island. NOTE: All these pics (except the ship pic) were taken ON the boat.

LeRoy: Would have hated this cruise. He doesn't like drinking, walking, stairs, or partying of any kind. Good thing he's in Heaven and can watch without needing to participate. Katie: From the moment we stepped on board, I felt proud to be an American. The ship was well maintained and the staff were always very friendly. Dustin does a great job keeping his staff in line. The food was plentiful, and consistent. For example, the eggs were always runny, and the bacon was always crispy. The excursions were wonderful, but also educational, and also very fun. Our portholio room left a lot to be desired, so it's a good thing we weren't in our room very much. That's all. Caitlin: The cruise ship was very clean and well maintained. The staff were always friendly, which can't be easy when dealing with loud, rambunctious guests like us. We really loved the adult only area, which allowed us to relax without getting splashed by little kids. The food was definitely geared to an older crowd, but the large variety meant that you could find something new every day. The staff often remembered my name and were accommodating and kind. My trip was truly made by the incredible staff that made our cruise a relaxing, rejuvenating, and invigorating experience!

See all photos from LeRoy Katie And Caitlin D. for Ncl Pride Of America

I would avoid Pride of America and all NCL cruises at all costs. Why? 1. Poor food. Poor quality, choices and taste. Water in the buffet made me sick. I was better (not sick) when I did not use the water for drinking in their dispensers in the buffet. Even the specialty restauants where we paid a premium were poor. Only Cagney's was remotely an upgrade and worth it. Service in the specialty restrauants was also poor. Poor job of communicating options. 2. Poor service. The Steward was outright rude. He parked his vacuum in front of our door for 3 days. He lost a bag when we boarded the ship and complained when I asked for help. It took hours to correct. Only after my wife was injured in an accident during the cruise was he helpful and only after I paid him $20 cash! Took forever to clean our rooms and they only did it once a day even if we needed it more and asked we asked nicely. Steward went off duty at 6pm daily and did not create an adequate way to fix any post 6pm issues. Steward never greeted us when we got on board, so we never understood the features of the cabin! 3. Boat is old and in at best adequate shape. Not enough space in the pool area or really any part of the boat. Amenities poor for a cruise ship. 4. Very poor communication. Weather was not good (not NCL's fault), but changes made were poorly communicated. Also at the Hilo port of call it took 1.5 hours to get off the boat, long lines everywhere, not safe! 5. Very poor customer service. NCL failed to match a lower price than I paid before the cruise and refused to refund any money or cancel w/a full 100% refund when requested. What I asked for help after the cruise, their offer was an insulting and measly $50 future crusie credit for a cruise line I WOULD NEVER TAKE AGAIN! I do want to be fair, the entertainment on the cruise was good and the Captain and his part of the crew were EXCELLENT.

5 years ago, we took a huge group to Europe on board an NCL Cruise ship out of Rome. It was first class. We toured Italy, Greece, and Malta. We were impressed with the hospitality, the food, the top shelf drinks, the entertainment, and more. 5 years later, we just boarded the Pride of America in Honolulu for a trip we've been planning, and paying for, for two years. What a shit show! Boarding sucked and was completely unorganized. Drink packages have been decimated to shitty liquors with an up-charge for anything decent. Want a decent bourbon? Upcharge! Want Red Bull? Upcharge! Oh, by the way, taxes are no longer included in the "Deluxe" Drink Package. In summary, Norwegian has gone from best to worst. They cut out all high end accoutrements and replaced them with terrible food, low-rent drinks, and sub-par service. They even reduced the housekeeping service to once-a-day, instead of the customary twice-a-day. I will NEVER, EVER cruise with NCL again. They no longer care about quality, value, or the passengers.

Best way to see the islands of Hawaii. Although the ship is an older one the cabins and public areas were well maintained. Food was what was expected on a cruise ship. The specialty dining was good. As with all cruises be prepared for itinerary changes due to weather but the cruise line was great for canceling tours with quick reimbursement. Would go again

Absolutely disappointed in NCL Pride of America. Have been on other NCL cruise, but this is a new low. Every meal in the sit down restaurants were cold, and the buffet, while quite good, lacks seating. We had a truly awful excursion on Maui, and NCL actually lies to me, and claimed no one else on the excursion complained. We talked to the other passengers, and they also went to NCL with their complaints. Their app didn't work at all, so the promise of being able to text, and call your traveling partners didn't work.

Do not book this trip. If you have and can cancel in time for a full refund, cancel it! The me now would have told my old self to use the money to visit all 4 islands separately because that's how much we spent. I'm so disappointed by #NorwegianCruiseLine. We embarked the week before Thanksgiving 2022. We took two young kids with us. That being said, they shut down the pool area for kids and said it was "under maintenance". The Splash Academy (where you can drop off your kids to socialize and play under the staff supervision was open. The staff there were great! If you need medical services after hours, there's an extra charge for after hours even though it's advertised there's medical services 24 hours. The food in the Aloha was redundant. Seafood night was a joke! Not a lot of great options. The food in the Skyline restaurant was worse! Every meal was over done or over cooked. Cadillac restaurant was tolerable. With how those food were prepared, I did not want to risk the chance going to a restaurant and paying out of pocket for dinner service. I've been on another cruise (not NCL) and the food was tasteful at the complementary dining areas. This was how I spent 1 week out of my sabbatical. I won't a positive review when I return to work to spread the word on Pride of America going to Hawaii. I'm not happy with Norwegian and the service of this ship. This will be my first, and last time on Pride of America. I'm hopeful that other cruise ships of NCL is better but I'm afraid to try.

See all photos from Jay N. for Ncl Pride Of America

Severely understaffed. There were a few staff members that were excellent, but the norm was rude or dismissive.

Worst cruise I've ever taken. Pride of America should change their name and not associate themselves as such. Food was OK, service, wasn't bad. But no entertainment, nothing to do after 8pm, and NCL sucks when it comes to cost , hospitality, and service. You'll pay for this cruise! Hawaii is beautiful and the state should ban NCL! Please look at all the review sites before booking. #expensive #boring #nclsucks #nickleanddime

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35 Tips For Your Cruise To Hawaii On NCL’s Pride Of America

by Prof. Cruise · Published February 28, 2020 · Updated March 16, 2022

Aloooooooha! Having just returned from my fourth visit to Hawaii, second cruise to Hawaii, and first cruise to Hawaii aboard the Pride of America (POA), I have compiled my 35 best tips to help you plan for your POA cruise, maximize your time onboard, and fully experience each Hawaiian port. Thirty-five because I just celebrated my 35th birthday (in the spirit of full disclosure, I stopped counting 7 years ago)!

Tips For Before Your Cruise On The Pride Of America

1. understand what makes the pride of america unique.

Sailing on the Pride of America will be an experience nearly as “unique” as sharing a table with Prof. Cruise (that’s me!) in the main dining room: wow, she’s weird (I am) and smells like she forgot deodorant (without fail).

So what makes the Pride of America so weird, I mean, “unique?” As the only American flagged ocean cruise ship, you’ll notice three major differences between the Pride of America and other ships that sail to/from Hawaii. First, the Passenger Vessel Services Act does not apply to American registered ships, so the Pride of America isn’t required to stop at a foreign port. All other cruises to/from Hawaii will call in a foreign port (usually Canada or Mexico), adding on many sea days and at least one non-Hawaiian stop to their itinerary (not a bad thing in my mind, but a significant difference). If you only have one week off work and want to cruise Hawaii or don’t like sea days, the Pride of America is your only option.

Second, because the Pride of America has to abide by all American labor laws, the majority of crew members will be Americans, unlike other cruise ships that employ mostly foreign workers.

And the third difference, directly related to the second, is cost. You’ll likely pay a much higher per night cruise fare on the Pride of America than other ships that sail to/from Hawaii. Pride of America crew members are paid more, enjoy labor protections foreign workers do not, and turnover is higher, leading to increased cruise fares. Our total 7-night fare on the Pride of America was nearly double what we paid for a 15-night sailing on the Grand Princess round-trip to Hawaii from San Fransisco. In fact, it was our most expensive vacation ever (factoring in the expense of getting to and from Honolulu by air).

2. Consider The Implications Of Such A Port Heavy Itinerary

Unlike most cruise itineraries that include a mix of port and sea days, every day on the Pride of America is a port day. The ship even remains docked at port in Maui and Kaua’i overnight and travel between ports mostly takes place after dark. You may have heard the Pride of America described as a “floating hotel” for that reason. Hawaii, not the ship or the sea, will be the main attraction for most.

As such, you won’t do much lounging around the ship in your robe with a cocktail in one hand and a soft serve cone in the other, turning the pages of your book with an elbow.

You also won’t have as much time to enjoy your stateroom, drink and dining packages, the spa, and other ship activities. Take that into consideration when deciding what to book – for example, we opted out of bidding to upgrade to a suite from our balcony cabin knowing we wouldn’t do much more than sleep in it. We elected to stick with a less expensive cabin and spend more on excursions.

3. Price Shop

My regular readers (hi mom and gigi!) may have been surprised to learn that we sprung for a balcony cabin on the Pride of America – we normally book the cheapest cabin category available, allowing us to cruise more often. However, the significant expense involved in getting to and from Honolulu makes booking the Pride of America unique.

At the time we booked, NCL offered free airfare (note that there are significant downsides to booking NCL EZ air, but that’s a topic for another time), gratuities, and transfers for those booked in a balcony category or higher. After pricing out an inside cabin and paying for flights, transportation, and gratuities on our own, it actually ended up being significantly cheaper to book the package, including the balcony cabin, through NCL. It may be for you too – price shop!

4. Book A Port Side Balcony

In the event that you end up booking a balcony cabin, be sure to choose one on the port (left) side of the ship. On the last day of your cruise, you’ll spend the early evening cruising along the spectacular Nāpali coast of Kaua’i. While the captain will turn the ship around so that those on the starboard side can see it too, that will happen well into dinner hours. To see it first and in full sunlight, book port side!

5. Avoid Deck 8 Balcony Cabins

While on many ships, lifeboats are tucked away under balcony cabins, on the Pride of America they jut out from the side of the ship on deck 7 and are visible below most balcony cabins and especially those located directly above them on deck 8. While this isn’t a huge deal and you’ll still be able to enjoy your balcony if you end up booked in one, you will be able to see them as you’re looking down at the water and they will appear in many of the photos taken from your balcony. Book a higher deck if you can or far forward or aft (double check deck plans before you book).

6. Read A Hawaii Travel Book

I checked this highly rated one out from my local library and found it very helpful:

You can also purchase it on Amazon here . It was written by locals and will help you understand the unique history, culture, and topography of Hawaii and maximize your time in each port with suggestions of “can’t miss” attractions that appeal to a wide variety of interests.

7. Learn A Bit Of Hawaiian

While you certainly won’t need them to successfully navigate the islands – nearly everyone speaks English – learning a few words and phrases in Hawaiian will add to your experience and you’ll notice crew members and locals using many of these:

Aloha (pronounced a-lo-ha): hello, goodbye, and love

Mahalo (pronounced mah-hah-loh): thank you

‘A’ ole palikir (pronounced ah-oh-leh pee-lee-kee-yah): you’re welcome or no problem

A hui hou (pronounced ah-hoo-wee-ho-oo-uu): until we meet again

Howzit? (pronounced how-zit): how are you?

Waina (pronounced wy-nah): wine. Don’t confuse this one with the English slang word “wino” which is used in jest to describe my mother-in-law who will be embarking on her own Hawaiian cruise soon. This one’s for you, Gigi!

‘Ono grinds (pronounced oh-no grinds): delicious eats.

8. Pack Wisely

Don’t forget to pack these essentials for your cruise to Hawaii on the Pride of America:

Binoculars: you’ll appreciate having a good pair of binoculars for your shore excursions and for your scenic cruise along the Nāpali coast. I have these and love them – they’re compact and inexpensive. I got them for Alaska, but they worked great in Hawaii too.

A quality camera: gorgeous photo opportunities are everywhere in Hawaii! Invest in a good camera to use in addition to your phone. Here’s a great starter camera for travelers (I have it and love it):

Reef safe sunscreen: be sure your sunscreen is reef safe – it’s the law in Hawaii! Here’s a list of reef safe sunscreens available on Amazon .

Bug repellant: I forgot my bug repellant wipes and returned to Seattle with dozens of itchy bumps to prove it! I prefer the wipes to spray because they’re easy to pack and apply.

Extra outlets: the number of outlets in Pride of America cabins is extremely limited. If you have multiple devises you want to charge at once, consider bringing a cruise approved power strip like this one :

Cheese: I mean, matching Hawaiian outfits ! I promise, no one is laughing behind your back. Yes they are. But who cares, you look adorable!

9. Fly To Honolulu The Day Before

Do as I say, not as I do. My teaching/travel assistant and son, “H,” would point to “don’t eat so much sugar” and “brush your hair” as examples of this for which I am admittedly guilty. “Fly to Honolulu the day before your cruise” would be another. Due to work obligations, we couldn’t fly to Honolulu until the day of sail away and our flights, booked by NCL’s EZ air, didn’t have us arriving into Honolulu until 2:30 in the afternoon.

While I normally love planning a cruise almost as much as the cruise itself, my regular pre-cruise excitement was tainted with worry that we’d miss the boat. If you do elect to fly in the day of, be sure to buy travel insurance that will cover the cost of any possible delays. I always use this site to compare plans and rates. I’d advise against booking insurance through the cruise lines – it will be costlier and may not cover everything you need.

10. Don’t Purchase A Lei At The Airport, You’ll Receive One At The Cruise Terminal

While you might see people wearing beautiful leis at the airport in Honolulu and be tempted to purchase one, hold your horses (or your luggage in this case). You will receive a free fresh flower lei for women (pictured above) or a shell lei for men as you enter the cruise terminal. You’ll also have the opportunity to make additional leis later in the cruise (I’ll get to that shortly).

Pride Of America Ship Tips

11. fish on hallway carpets swim toward the front of the ship.

Look closely at the above photo and spot the tiny red fish swimming in the wrong direction near where the carpet transitions to a different pattern. That would be me. Lost. Thankfully, the fish on the carpet on the Pride of America will point you in the right direction. They swim toward the front of the ship.

12. Relax On The Sun Decks

The photo above may cause introverts to run, hyperventilating, to the nearest paper bag (I’m breathing into one right now!). If you prefer a more private and serene place to relax, hit the sun decks above the Lido for comfortable and more secluded lounging options.

13. Pick Up A Beach Towel At The Beach Shop Or As You Exit The Ship

Beach towels will not be provided in your cabin or freely available on loungers like you may be used to on other lines and ships. Instead, they must be borrowed (by providing your state room number to ensure you return them – your account will be charged if you don’t) at either the Beach Shop (located midship on deck 11, right next to Dolce Gelato) or as you exit the ship on port days.

14. Walk Or Jog On The Promenade Deck

One of my very favorite things to do on a cruise is to walk the promenade deck while listening to an audio book and stalking wildlife. And, if allowed, I’ll also jog out there early in the morning to justify the 45,000 calories I consume in an average cruise day. Like minded poʻe (people) will be thrilled with the expansive promenade deck wrapping all the way around deck 6 on the Pride of America. Just be sure to walk in the right direction. I didn’t notice the tiny arrows on the wall (I told you, I’m that red fish!) and got cussed out by an aggressive power walker for going the wrong way. E kala mai (sorry)!

15. Arrive 15 Minutes Early To Theater Shows To Score A Good Seat

This is important on nights at sea when the shows are more widely attended and prime seats fill up fast. When staying overnight at a port, shows and restaurants will be less crowded as many passengers will choose to eat and recreate off the ship.

16. Smoke At The Waikiki Bar

Or avoid the Waikiki bar on deck 13 aft if you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke or just think it smells worse than dog farts (I’m currently opening windows in my apartment thanks to Henry, my rescue mutt, and wishing I was at the Waikiki Bar even though I don’t smoke, but that’s just me). This is the only designated smoking area on the ship.

17. Don’t Look For The Casino

You’ll waste your whole vacation seeking something that doesn’t exist, like me on my never ending quest for a career that allows me to cruise for free. Because gambling is illegal in Hawaii, the Pride of America doesn’t have a casino. There’s always the claw machine in the arcade though or you can place bets among your friends on how many free hot dogs you can eat at the Key West Grill on deck 12. #loopholes

18. Attend Enrichment Programs Hosted By Your Hawaii Ambassador

A variety of enrichment lectures, activities, and crafts will be hosted by the ship’s Hawaii ambassador, a local resident of the islands. We particularly enjoyed the flower lei making class, offered for free, that included plentiful and beautiful fresh flowers. We each made one and used them to decorate our cabin for the remainder of our voyage. Their lovely smell almost masked the stench of my gym clothes. Almost.

19. Double Check Your Final Bill

We found a mistake on our final bill – we were charged for several drinks that should have been included in the Hawaii Beverage Package. No biggie, I called guest services and they refunded our credit card. But double check your own bill for errors. It actually pays to do this every few days (you can view it on the TV in your cabin) or even daily as lines and waits for guest services can be longer toward the end of the cruise.

Dining And Drinking Tips For The Pride Of America

20. consider the value of the hawaii beverage package.

As I mentioned earlier, due to the port heavy itinerary, it may not be worth paying the service charges to receive the Hawaii Beverage Package as a perk and definitely wouldn’t be worth it for most people to purchase it outright. But depending on how much you plan on drinking, this is something to consider.

The Hawaii Beverage Package includes most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including boxed water which is nice to have for port days) up to $15 (and you’ll just pay the difference for any drinks over $15). Note that you will pay tax on the retail price of each drink while at port in Hawaii. Most of the items on the bill I have posted above are tax charges on our drinks.

You can take a look at the bar menus here to get an idea of the drink prices so you can weigh the package versus an à la carte approach. We did elect to receive the Hawaii Beverage Package as one of our “free” perks and believe we got our money’s worth. But not everyone will with so little time spent on the ship.

21. Understand How To Get Free Espresso Drinks With The Hawaii Beverage Package

The Hawaii Beverage Package generally does NOT include espresso coffee drinks, such as those on the menu at the John Adams Coffee Bar:

However, there are a few exceptions to this. First, you CAN order a from a limited selection of espresso drinks (espressos, double espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos) while dining in the restaurants and they WILL be covered under the Hawaii Beverage Package. For breakfast, I’d recommend a double shot of espresso paired with a shot of Bailey’s. Start the day off right!

You can also order an Irish coffee (I like to add a shot of Bailey’s to mine) or an espresso martini – both of these ARE covered under the Hawaii Beverage Package. However, note that the espresso martini is currently priced at $18, so you will have to pay the $4 extra above the $15 covered by the package. Try at least one of these though, they’re amazing!

22. Try The Free Alternative Restaurants

In addition to the buffet and main dining rooms, there are three additional complimentary restaurants worth trying at least once: Key West Bar and Grill, Cadillac Diner, and East Meets West. Key West Bar and Grill is a small buffet style grill on deck 12 offering burgers, hot dogs, fries, and salads. Both the Cadillac Diner (American classics) and East Meets West (Asian) are small, sit down restaurants and can get crowded at popular times. I recommend going at off times, like in the afternoon on a port day for the Cadillac Diner and early evening on the first night of the cruise for East Meets West. The menus for both can be found here .

23. Eat Breakfast In The Dining Room To Avoid Buffet Crowds

The Aloha Cafe (buffet) on the Pride of America was very crowded during breakfast hours as everyone was trying to grab a quick bite before heading out to port. For a more relaxing experience (and better food, in my opinion), eat breakfast in the Skyline dining room. There was never a wait to be seated and service was fast. You can preview the breakfast menu here .

24. Order The Pound Cake French Toast

I was happy to see three daily breakfast specials on the menu in the Skyline Dining Room on the Pride of America (this hasn’t been the case on some of the other smaller NCL ships I’ve sailed). And I was thrilled (and drooling) when I saw the pound cake french toast, my all-time favorite breakfast item on NCL, as a one of the specials. I’d dine at Skyline every day just so you don’t miss it. Trust me, it’s that good!

25. Book A Luau Instead Of A Specialty Restaurant

Because Hawaii is the main attraction on this cruise, I would encourage you to sample local Hawaiian ‘ono grinds (delicious food) by eating some of your meals in port, perhaps skipping the specialty restaurants on the ship if cost is a concern. And I especially recommend booking a luau. You can book the popular Luau Kalamaku through the ship, but I suggest you to shop around to get a better price. Here are some options available through Viator .

26. Reserve Specialty Restaurants Early

If you do decide to dine at a specialty restaurant, be sure to book your preferred time early as the popular times fill up fast. You can book certain restaurants before you sail by going to your reservation online or you can book via the reservations desk (right next to guest services on deck 5 midship), via the NCL app, or by placing a call to reservations from your stateroom after you board.

27. Don’t Miss The Puddings Behind The Dessert Station In The Buffet

While I’m the last person (or dog for that matter) you should come to for fashion advice (the average Fido strutting the streets of Seattle or riding in a designer purse is better dressed than I am), I’m the premier expert when it comes to dessert. And I consider the bread and rice puddings available in the buffet on the Pride of America some of the very best at sea. I particularly love the chocolate chip bread pudding (covered in caramel sauce and vanilla soft serve) and the honey rice pudding.

They’re easy to miss though, hidden on a counter behind the dessert station and next to one of the soft serve machines. You’re welcome – I was tempted to keep this one to myself.

28. Choose The Main Dining Room (MDR) For Dinner That Best Fits Your Style

The Pride of America has two main dining rooms open for dinner (both of these are included at no extra charge in your cruise fare): the Skyline restaurant (deck 5 aft) and the Liberty restaurant (deck 6 aft). While their menus are identical, the decor and dress code will be different. For cruise casual attire (where shorts and T-shirts are common and acceptable), dine at the Skyline Restaurant. If you prefer a more elegant dining experience, opt for the Liberty Restaurant which requires a collared shirt for men and does not allow shorts.

29. Make A Reservation For Dinner In Your Chosen Main Dining Room

While you can show up at either of the main dining rooms (Liberty or Skyline) for dinner at any time during operating hours without a reservation and wait in line to be seated, I’d strongly recommend making a reservation. The line for those without a reservation can be long and there’s a separate podium and hostess for those with a reservation. I always felt a little guilty bypassing the huge line as the reservations hostess walked us right in to be seated. But I overcompensated for my guilt by childishly taunting my fellow passengers: neener, neener, neener!

30. Order Multiple Items In The Main Dining Room

Portions in the main dining rooms can be small for Prof. Cruise, Mr. Cruise, and others with big appetites. Thankfully, you can order as many items as you want! On one night none of the entree selections appealed to Mr. Cruise, but he liked the sound of all the appetizers. So he ordered them all! Be sure to specify to wait staff if you want them brought out one at a time or all together. And consider offering them an extra tip for the effort it takes to bring out all those dishes!

I always bring along a pack of these cruise staff thank you cards and pass them out with cash inside to anyone who has made my vacation extra special (I gave out a lot of these in the Skyline Restaurant on the Pride of America – service was fast and excellent!).

31. Get A Nightly Crepe From The Buffet

Even if you’ve already eaten multiple desserts from the restaurant, there’s always room for a made-to-order crepe. Hit the buffet during dinner hours each night so you can try all the delicious combinations. Or just order the Nutella and fresh cream for seven consecutive days like I did.

Port And Excursion Tips For Your Hawaii Cruise On The Pride Of America

32. book private excursions.

Cruise line excursions are expensive and sometimes feel crowded and rushed. However, many cruise passengers are nervous about booking tours or exploring ports on their own for fear of missing the ship and becoming an unwilling youtube star as they desperately flail around on land, “wait, wait!,” before jumping into the sea as a last ditch attempt to rescue their vacation (the biggest incentive to book cruise line excursions is that they guarantee to either hold the ship for you or transport you on their dime to the next port in the event of a late return).

But if ever there were a time to skip the expensive ship excursions and book tours through private local companies or venture out and explore on your own, it’s this cruise! Why? Because you’ll be staying overnight at two ports – Maui and Kaua’i . So if you book tours or explore on your own via a rental car or public transportation, you don’t need to worry about what time you get back to the ship – the gangway will stay open all night and into the next day. Here are my top shore excursion picks for Maui and Kaua’i offered by Viator (owned by Trip Advisor).

33. Pick Up Tender Tickets For Kona Near Guest Services Beginning At 6:30am

Kona is a tender port, meaning the ship will anchor out in the open ocean and you’ll need to board a smaller boat to ferry you to shore. To avoid thousands of people lining up at once, you’ll need a tender ticket with an assigned time (unless your latitudes level is Gold or above in which case your ship card will serve as your tender ticket and you can line up whenever you want or if you’re booked on a ship excursion in which case your excursion ticket will serve as your tender ticket).

In order to get the time you want, you’ll want to pick up your tender ticket as soon as they start offering them at 6:30am at a table near the Guest Services desk. I’d even suggest arriving a bit before 6:30am as a line will begin to form between 6-6:15am.

34. Save Money In Kaua’i And Kona

If you have limited funds for port activities and are not comfortable renting a car, prioritize booking excursions and tours in Maui and Hilo as there is nothing to do near the cruise terminals at those ports. Go here for my top recommendations for shore excursions in Maui and here for my top recommendations for shore excursions in Hilo.

In both Kaua’i and Kona there are free or inexpensive things to do within walking distance of the ship (or near Kailua Pier where your tender boat will deliver you, in the case of Kona).

Go here for my recommendations for things to do near the terminal in Kaua’i.

For Kona I recommend snorkeling (or just relaxing) at Kamakahonu Beach and checking out the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark (both located right next to Kailua Pier where your tender boat will drop you), shopping or dining along Ali’i Dr, and visiting historical sights such as Hulihe‘e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. All of these suggestions are a very short walk from your tender boat. If you feel like venturing out a bit further, you can catch a $2 (cash only and the driver cannot make change) open-air trolley that will take you around town. View a printable schedule of stops here .

35. Look For Rainbows

I think I saw more rainbows on this trip than in all of my prior 35 (+7) years of life. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find the Pride of America at the end of one! Better than a pot of gold if you ask me – because I’d just use it to buy a cruise anyway!

And with that…

Mahalo for reading. A hui hou!

Class Dismissed.

Don’t forget to PIN this post so you can refer back to it later!

Optional Homework: Check out my Hawaii port posts , preview all the r estaurant, bar, and room service menus on the Pride of America , see my review and ship tour of the Pride of America , and read my Guide to the Hawaii Beverage Package.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if using a computer or just keep scrolling down if you’re on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on social media:

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Hey, I can’t get the links to pull up your tour recommendations for the islands. It just links to the generic Viator site. Would love to see what your recommendations were! Thank you!

A great read as we are thinking of booking Hawaii for 2022 as we have 3 cruise coming up before that. Your article has so much good useful info.

The date you published this post we were actually ON the Pride. It was the most expensive vacation ever, but worth every penny for the once in a lifetime trip. Sure enjoyed reliving our trip thru your blog!!

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Maui day one suggestions, maui day two suggestions, best tours and excursions to take from hawaii (big) island – hilo side , best tours and excursions to take from hawaii (big) island – kona side , kauai day one suggestions, kauai day two suggestions, best tours and excursions from honolulu, oahu , what to bring with you on your hawaii tours and excursions.

Cruises are a great way to see many Hawaiian islands in a short period of time. With so many options and such little time in each port, it’s a daunting process to choose what you will see and do.

When each Hawaiian island offers so much to see and do for a week-long land vacation , how do you best spend your limited hours at each port? The options can be overwhelming! We’ve gone on many land vacations in Hawaii and we’ve taken the NCL Pride of America cruise of Hawaii , so we know Hawaii very, very well. As such, we’d like to share some thoughts and suggestions on the top tours to do in each port.

With our suggestions, we’ve aimed our focus on the places considered to be must-see . Along with outstanding scenery, we’ve also included some recommendations for learning about the culture.

As the Pride of America cruise of Hawaii is quite popular, we’ll roughly follow their itinerary as we look at each port. Note that this cruise is the only one that continuously cruises within the Hawaiian islands. Every Saturday afternoon, it sets sail from Honolulu. Within a week, the Pride of America goes to Maui, Hawaii (Big) Island, Kauai, and then returns to Honolulu for disembarkation on Saturday morning. See the following image for that itinerary.

If you are not taking the Pride of America’s cruise of Hawaii and are visiting from another ship, please verify that our suggested tours and activities align with the time constraints of your cruise ship’s itinerary.

One more point regarding time and tours, don’t try to be overly ambitious with the tours you choose that are outside of what the cruise ship offers. If your tour runs late, you might risk missing the ship, and getting back to the ship will be at your own expense. A good way to eliminate this risk is to build in a time buffer and/or book your excursions through the cruise company.

Best tours and excursions to take from Kahului, Maui

The road to Hana is one of Maui’s top attractions. This rainforest drive offers lush, tropical scenery, a black beach, waterfalls and beautiful coastal views. (One caution – if you are prone to carsickness, prepare with your preventative measures or skip this tour.)  Though we’ve taken the road to Hana many times before, when we cruised Hawaii on the Pride of America , we chose a guided tour.

Most excursions offered through the cruise ships only go to Hana and turn around, but there’s much to see beyond Hana. We opted for a tour with Valley Isle Excursions , which took us well beyond Hana in a long loop back to Kahului.

The reason we chose the road to Hana for day one of our two-day stop at Maui is that this tour takes all day. If, for some reason, your tour gets delayed, you won’t miss the boat if you have an overnight stay in port. Note that if your cruise only has one day for Maui, you might have to opt for the tours that go to Hana and back due to time constraints.

If you prefer to DIY, it is possible to rent a car and drive the road to Hana. You’ll want to do a lot of research first to make sure you use your time wisely. See our advice for the road to Hana . Note that we have a mini-guide to the road to Hana that allows you to see some awesome sights but doesn’t go to Hana and doesn’t take the entire day.

Alternatives for Day One on Maui

If the road to Hana doesn’t appeal to you, consider other tour options provided by the ship or rent a car and sightsee on your own. Look for an organized or DIY tour that might include the following options:

• Historic Lahaina is a neat town to walk around, check out the shops, see their large banyan tree, and have lunch.
• If it’s humpback whale season in Hawaii , which runs roughly from December-ish to April-ish, consider going on a whale-watching tour. Maui is one of the best islands for humpback whale watching.
• The Iao Valley is a fascinating place to see, so if you can, squeeze that in on either day one or two. It only takes about an average of 30 minutes to see this valley, so it can be combined with other sightseeing.
• Maui and Hawaii (Big) Island are our favorite islands for snorkeling. The crescent-shaped crater of Molokini is a top spot for snorkeling in Hawaii. Look for a tour that includes “turtle town” which may give you an opportunity to see honu (Hawaiian sea turtles.)
• We really like the  luau options on Maui , so if your ship has an overnight stay on Maui, the evening of day one would be a very good evening to enjoy a luau. 

Seeing sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level on a dormant volcano is quite a unique experience. Haleakala sunrise is one of the top activities for Maui. If your ship stays overnight on Maui, day two would be your only option for seeing sunrise from Haleakala.

If you toured the road to Hana on day one, check out the other suggestions we listed above under “Alternatives for Day One on Maui”

One of the most fascinating attractions in all of Hawaii is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . It’s a park that is worthy of exploring for more than just a day, but as you’ll likely only have a day here, you’ll get to see some of the park’s highlights. Don’t miss it, especially if you have the opportunity to see volcanic activity.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about a 50-minute drive from Hilo. So, you’ll need a tour or rent a car. The ship will offer tours, but if you want to consider an independent operation, we had a great tour with Keikana Tours’ Hoppa On Hoppa Off .

From the Kona side, our number one pick would be seeing Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park . It’s often referred to as the Place of Refuge. This park offers an opportunity to learn about ancient Hawaiian culture with a stunning oceanside backdrop. At the moment, we’re not seeing a tour to this park being offered by NCL, so you’d have to rent a car or get a private tour guide to get here. It’s about a 40-minute drive from where the tenders drop off passengers. If you opt to see this place of refuge, you will also be able to make time to tour a coffee farm for which Kona is famous. We’ve enjoyed visits to Greenwell Farms . If you still have time available, visit Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park

Alternative ideas for Hawaii (Big) Island, Kona :

• If you did not snorkel on Maui or would like to do so again, Kealakekua Bay is a great place to snorkel. You’ll need a tour to get there.
• The Kohala waterfalls tour is an excellent waterfall tour. Plus, the drive to and from north Kohala offers you the chance to see more of the island.  I’m not certain, but I believe the Kohala waterfall tour offered by the cruise companies is this same one .
• Walk around Kona to check out the historic sites, shops and restaurants.

Best tours and excursions from Nawiliwili/Lihue, Kauai

Choosing what to do on Kauai seems to be a bigger challenge than the other islands. There’s so much to see and do! Here are our thoughts for day one:

– Our number one suggestion would be to rent a car. This would give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Years ago, we wrote this article — I only have one day on Kauai. What should I see? It’s still good advice as you’d get to see the Kalalau Valley Lookout , Waimea Canyon , Spouting Horn and two of Kauai’s most iconic waterfalls — Opaeka’a and Wailua Falls . Those are all must-see places in Kauai, in our opinion. If you are on the NCL Pride of America cruise, you should have plenty of time to see all of this on the first day of your stop at Kauai, which includes an overnight stay.

If you don’t want to rent a car, look for a guided tour that includes some of the sites just mentioned.

Alternative ideas for Kauai day one :

– Kauai is a spectacular island for a helicopter tour. See this link to review Kauai helicopter tour companies and read reviews .

– A Kauai movie sites tour takes you to some beautiful spots where movies have been filmed in Kauai.

– For some fun, we love the Mountain Tubing Adventure . See our review . (If you do this on day two, get the first morning tour in order to allow enough time to get back to the ship before departure.)

– Another one of our favorite tours is the Kauai Secret/Sacred Falls Kayak and Waterfall Hike .

Other notes about Day One on Kauai

If you are on the Pride of America , this is the port where the ship has arranged the option to go on a luau. They advertise it a lot. We have not been on to this luau, so we cannot speak from experience, but the feedback we heard from a handful of other passengers is that they were slightly disappointed. Our favorite luaus are on Maui and Oahu. See Maui luau options and Oahu luau options .

If you are on the Pride of America , this is a short day as you are only in port until 2pm. So taking tours could be tricky on this day. Here are some thoughts:

– Kalapaki Beach is a nice beach and just a short (approximately 0.5 miles) walk or shuttle ride from the cruise terminal.

– Consider a helicopter tour, as we mentioned above. Kauai is our favorite island for a helicopter tour. Most tours only take an hour and the airport is only about five minutes away from the cruise terminal.

– As we mentioned above, for some fun, we love the Mountain Tubing Adventure . See our review . You would need to get their first tour at 9am to make this feasible for day two of your stop in Kauai. Double-check the timing as that can be subject to change.

If you are on the Pride of America, the ship will make its way around Kauai to cruise by Kauai’s stunning Na Pali Coast. You will have some time, probably a couple of hours, from when you leave the dock to when you can see the Na Pali Coast. Check with guest relations for their estimated timing for that day. You will definitely want to take in those views.

We hope you’ve allowed at least an extra day or two to explore Oahu either on the front end or the back end of the cruise. Here is our Oahu vacation itinerary that you can adjust to your available days.

The cruise companies have excursions to see Pearl Harbor and some Honolulu sites with an airport drop-off. That is worth doing if you can fit it in and if you didn’t allow extra days on Oahu.

Here’s a list of general items you’ll need or want for your excursions.

• Your identification and key card
• Tour vouchers
• Fully charged smart phone and/or camera
• A light jacket, preferably waterproof, in case of a rain shower. Additionally, some of the places like Waimea Canyon, Haleakala summit and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are in elevated, cooler climates.
• Water to stay hydrated
• A hat or visor
• Comfortable walking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty as you might be walking on some dusty or muddy trails.
• Some tours may necessitate beach towels.

Sheila Beal

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter , Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook , or Instagram .

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Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

A Hawaii cruise offers a convenient way to island-hop as you experience Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii from both sea and land — but what exactly should you do while ashore? Choosing a cruise shore excursion in Hawaii can be tough since the 50th State offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling and whale watching, visits to historic landmarks and sacred Hawaiian sites, and scenic excursions to breathtaking canyons and volcanoes. Foodies, fans of Hollywood blockbusters and thrill-seekers can easily get their fix, too.

With an average of eight to 10 hours on each island — although some cruises do stay overnight in select ports — it's possible to enjoy experiences that not only explore Hawaii's best-known natural, cultural and historic sites but also satisfy your own personal interests.

While shore excursion offerings, itineraries and prices vary by cruise line, here are our overall picks for the best Hawaii cruise shore excursions and what you can expect to pay.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Prices may vary among third-party sellers, and from cruise line to cruise line. To account for that, we are using the following price key to help you get an idea of the costs to expect for each tour.

• $ = under $70.
• $$ = $70-$140.
• $$$ = $140-$200.
• $$$$ = over $200.

Honolulu, Oahu

Pearl Harbor

Price: $$-$$$

Pearl Harbor, one of Oahu's best-known sights, can be tricky to visit on your own because the historic World War II memorials commemorating the Dec. 7, 1941 bombing by the Japanese are located on an active military base with stringent security protocols. (No bags of any size are allowed and phones and wallets must be carried in a clear plastic bag or in a pocket.) A guided tour will get you into Pearl Harbor in a hassle-free manner and make it easy to visit the multiple sites — the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri battleship, USS Bowfin submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — with the required reservations already arranged.

Some cruise lines offer multiple Pearl Harbor excursions with variations in the sites visited, so be sure to read tour descriptions carefully. If your cruise begins or ends in Honolulu, Pearl Harbor visits are often offered on embarkation or disembarkation day packaged with a hotel or airport transfer. Other Pearl Harbor shore excursions include a Honolulu city tour that visits Diamond Head Crater and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Important to know: Most Pearl Harbor shore excursions last five to seven hours and are appropriate for all ages. There is quite a bit of walking involved and some stair climbing is required to visit the USS Missouri, where the formal surrender ceremony by the Japanese took place on Sept. 2, 1945, ending WWII. The somber USS Arizona Memorial, where 1,177 sailors and civilians died (many of them entombed in the sunken wreck) is reached by a short boat ride.

Related: Shore excursions: What new cruisers need to know

Diamond Head Crater hike

Diamond Head Crater, the photogenic volcanic landmark seen in many images of Waikiki Beach, isn't just amazing to look at — it's also incredible to climb. Active cruisers can take on the challenge during a guided Diamond Head adventure hike to its 763-foot summit. The payoff? Stunning 360-degree views of Waikiki, downtown Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

This excursion requires you to ascend a series of moderate but sometimes uneven switchback trails followed by a walk through a narrow 200-foot tunnel. You'll then climb up two sets of steep stairs (76 steps and 99 steps, respectively). Those who choose the more difficult route to the summit will need to climb the 99 steps and an interior spiral staircase to reach the historic lookout bunkers. If you choose the easier route to the summit up the scenic Loop Trail, you'll then descend into the bunker and down the spiral staircase and 99 steps. You can also retrace your steps and descend on the Loop Trail.

Important to know: Book an early morning tour if it's offered, since temperatures escalate quickly by midmorning; wear sneakers and a hat and bring sunscreen and water. The hike is about 1.6 miles roundtrip and takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the group and the number of people on the trail; total tour time is three to three and a half hours.

Oahu's North Shore tour

If you've visited Honolulu before or simply prefer scenic locales to cities, a good option is a tour that whisks you away from the bustle of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki and through the Ko'oalu Mountains to the immersive beauty of Oahu's North Shore. This lush and dramatic coastline is known for the big waves that pound its beaches from October to March and for its waterfalls, sugarcane fields and historic fish ponds. The region is visually stunning and its small towns offer a chance to sample Hawaiian cuisine, especially garlic shrimp, and shop for locally grown products such as macadamia nuts and pineapples.

Highlights include big-wave surfers riding the famed Banzai Pipeline (during winter months); the Byodo Temple, a Buddhist shrine built amid towering green peaks in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii; the waterfalls of Waimea Valley; and historic Haleiwa Town.

Important to know: North Shore excursions are typically five to seven hours in length with at least half the time spent on the tour bus. On sailings that end in Honolulu, some cruise lines offer panoramic North Shore tours combined with an airport drop-off (available for those with flights departing after 5:00 p.m.).

Iolani Palace and Hawaiian Monarchs tour

If Hawaii's royal history intrigues you, some cruise lines offer excursions that visit Iolani Palace, the final residence of the islands' kings and queens, and other sites of royal significance. Constructed in 1882, Iolani is the only royal palace in the United States; it was home to King Kalakaua, who built it, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, who was imprisoned there after the U.S. annexed Hawaii. A circa-1883 statue of King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810, and Kawaiahao Church, completed in 1842, are also nearby in downtown Honolulu.

Other royal sites that might be visited on a more extensive tour include the Pali Lookout, where Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu in 1795, and Mauna Ala, the royal mausoleum where six of the last eight Hawaiian monarchs are entombed.

Important to know: Most Iolani Palace and royal-focused shore excursions last about four hours and combine a bus tour with a self-guided audio tour of the palace.

Related: 10 cruise ship excursions to avoid

Kahului, Maui

Haleakala Crater

Price: $$$-$$$$

Experiencing Haleakala Crater is on many Maui visitors' must-do lists and there are several ways to visit the slumbering 10,023-foot-tall volcanic peak that dominates the island's landscape. (Don't worry – it last erupted in 1790.) A few shore excursion options require that your cruise ship overnights in Kahului, the main port, or Lahaina, or has a late sail-away time.

Haleakala means "House of the Sun" and perhaps the most surreal experiences are tours at sunrise or sunset (available on sailings that overnight in Maui). To experience sunrise high above the clouds you'll need to depart the ship before 3:00 a.m. and wind your way up Haleakala's curving roadway in total darkness before watching the sun brighten the horizon and illuminate the vast 3,000-feet-deep crater with its dramatic orange-hued cinder cones. In contrast, a sunset tour lets you survey the crater and then watch as the sun disappears below the clouds and the night sky fills with twinkling stars. If you just want to experience Haleakala's scenic slopes and crater in daylight, panoramic sightseeing tours are also available.

If you're more adventurous, there are also Haleakala downhill biking tours, which transport you by minibus to an elevation of 6,500 feet and let you ride 14 miles down the switchback road on Haleakala's slopes amid the farms of Upcountry. Most bike tours do not offer access to the summit and crater.

Important to know: Haleakala tours typically last four to seven hours. Because of Haleakala's high altitude and volcanic nature, they aren't recommended for anyone with respiratory or heart problems. Temperatures are much cooler (45 to 65 degrees) at the summit, so bring a sweater or jacket.

Road to Hana

Driving Maui's legendary Road to Hana, a narrow, twisting, 52-mile route with more than 600 hairpin curves and 59 one-lane bridges, takes considerable concentration — but a Road to Hana tour on a professionally driven minibus frees everyone in your travel group to relax and enjoy the epic scenery along the way. Most cruise lines offer full-day excursions to Hana, a low-key hamlet located on the island's east coast amid jagged volcanic rocks and black-sand beaches.

Besides the thrill of this one-of-a-kind drive, which takes two to three hours to navigate, a Road to Hana excursion offers a chance to experience Maui's splendid bays and lush landscape of lava pinnacles, tropical fruit trees, giant ferns and rushing waterfalls. Highlights include the black-sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park, Pua'a Ka'a State Park and the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe'o Gulch with its multiple cascades and soothing natural pools.

Important to know: Road to Hana excursions typically take nine to 10 hours, include lunch and aren't recommended for anyone prone to motion sickness. Sites visited vary by cruise line and some tours allow time for swimming.

Molokini Crater snorkel

Maui is home to one of the premier snorkel spots in Hawaii: Molokini, a mostly submerged crescent-shaped volcanic islet located about 2.5 miles off Maui's southern coast. This protected marine conservation site is reached via a scenic catamaran sail, during which guides will outfit you with snorkel gear and provide instructions for exploring these crystal-clear reef waters teeming with colorful sea life. Some excursions also visit Turtle Arches, lava formations known for frequent sea turtle sightings, and during humpback season (December to April), it's also possible to spot whales in the area.

Important to know: Molokini Crater snorkel tours are generally four hours long and all equipment, as well as breakfast, lunch or snacks and beverages, are provided. Water conditions can vary, so if seasickness is a problem, take that into consideration before booking.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Whale watching

If you're cruising Hawaii between December and April and you're fascinated by whales, Maui offers a terrific opportunity to see pods of humpbacks in their winter playground. More than 10,000 of these charismatic giants migrate here annually to mate and give birth. Their activities — tail slaps, breaches and calves swimming alongside their mothers — are all on display as you venture out in a whale-watching boat, or perhaps a more adventurous Zodiac. Most tours are led by naturalist guides, and in some cases a portion of the cost is earmarked for conservation through the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Important to know: Expect to spend about three hours at sea as guides search for whales; sightings, while likely, aren't always guaranteed. Water conditions can also vary and seasickness is a possibility.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Waimea Canyon tour

Price: $-$$

Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is a 10-mile-long gorge known for the dramatic red and green hues of craggy cliffs that extend up to 3,000 feet below its rim. Located within Waimea Canyon State Park, which now requires reservations for individual visits, this scenic treasure can be viewed from lookout points.

A shore excursion that allows for about 30 minutes of viewing and picture taking is certainly the easiest way to see the canyon from a cruise ship. These tours include lots of scenic touring during the 90-minute drive each way between the cruise terminal and the canyon; many stop at the Spouting Horn blowhole or small towns in Kauai's Koloa district.

But there are caveats, namely that rainy conditions on Kauai, which is Hawaii's wettest island, can fog in the gorge and make for a disappointing outing. Kauai's driest months are April to September.

Important to know: Most Waimea Canyon excursions take four to five hours; some longer Best of Kauai excursions combine a visit to the canyon with a Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

Hollywood in Hawaii tour

Fans of "Jurassic Park" probably know that much of the 1993 Steven Spielberg movie was filmed on Kauai — but a number of other big-screen and TV classics were, too. Movie-set tours are popular excursions, especially for film buffs. These tours take place on minibuses or motor coaches outfitted with TV screens, so you can watch snippets of Hollywood movies where they were filmed and, in some places, get out and snap photos yourself.

Besides "Jurassic Park," other movies and TV shows filmed on the island include "Tropic Thunder," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Six Days and Seven Nights," "Blue Hawaii," "South Pacific," "Donovan's Reef," "Gilligan's Island," "Fantasy Island" and "The Amazing Race."

Important to know: Most movie-set excursions take about five to six hours and primarily involve scenic touring — so even if you haven't seen the movies, it's an entertaining and comfortable way to sightsee Kauai.

Wailua River cruise and Fern Grotto

Price: $$ - $$$

Kauai is home to Hawaii's only navigable river, the Wailua River, which offers access to one of its lushest hidden spots: the Fern Grotto. This excursion combines a relaxing cruise with insights into Hawaiian culture and entertainment in the form of Hawaiian song and dance. The tourist boats that navigate this peaceful river through Wailua River State Park are run by a local family with members providing commentary.

Access to the Fern Grotto, a natural lava-rock cave covered with lush tropical vines, requires a 10-minute walk along a mostly flat, paved and shaded path. Upon arrival at the Fern Grotto, photo ops and additional entertainment await. Wailua River cruise tours also generally stop for picture-taking at Opaeka'a Falls, a 151-foot cascade that plunges into a secluded pool.

Important to know: Most Wailua River and Fern Grotto excursions are three to four hours long. Tours that combine those sights with a tour of Waimea Canyon last about seven hours and include lunch.

 Hilo, Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

While Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of Hawaii's most popular tourist attractions, is accessible from both cruise ports on the island of Hawaii, it's a quicker trip (about 30 to 35 minutes' drive each way) from Hilo. Most cruise lines offer excursions, but almost all of them are just a basic introduction that only touches on what this 505-square-mile national park has to offer.

The main activity involves visiting several viewpoints and steam vents on the rim of Kilauea Crater with a guide who offers commentary on this active volcano's history, geology and current status. It's unlikely you'll see molten lava, and most tours do not drive out along the famous Chain of Craters Road. Some tours, however, do include a walk through the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube.

Other longer and more costly excursions of up to seven hours combine a visit to the national park with a helicopter flight-seeing tour and/or stops at various waterfalls or gardens near Hilo.

Important to know: Standard Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours are about four hours long, and many also make a stop at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center for tastings and shopping. The walk to the rim of the Kilauea crater is mostly on gravel or dirt pathways, but some areas overlooking the crater have potential trip hazards. Also, because the crater emits volcanic gases, these tours aren't advised for people with respiratory issues.

Hilo waterfalls and gardens

Hilo's location on the island of Hawaii's lush leeward side makes it a mecca for cascading waterfalls and verdant gardens. Cruise ship excursions that visit several falls or combine a visit to a single waterfall with a stop at a botanical garden, tropical zoo or orchid farm are popular.

The two major falls near Hilo are the 100-foot Rainbow Falls, which earned its name from the prismatic effect that takes place on sunny mornings, and the powerful Akaka Falls, which is reached via a walk through a tropical forest and tumbles a breathtaking 442 feet. Other tour stops could include Hilo's Liliuokalani Gardens (the largest Japanese garden outside of Japan), the Nani Mau Gardens or the Pana'ewa Rainforest Gardens and Zoo.

Important to know: Waterfalls and gardens shore excursions vary in length from four to seven hours, and participants should expect to be on their feet for a good portion of the tour. Rainbow Falls is easily accessible from the parking lot. To see Akaka Falls, you must navigate quite a few steps and walk a half-mile circular path.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Volcano Winery

The island of Hawaii is home to Volcano Winery, the southernmost winery in the U.S. If sipping vino is a favorite pastime — and you have a curious palate — an excursion here could be a relaxing way to spend a few hours. Volcano Winery, which is family-owned and located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, specializes in tropical blends by mixing distinctive local fruits such as yellow guava and even tea and honey with grape varietals that include Pinot Noir and Cayuga to produce uniquely flavored wines. It also produces some 100% grape wines.

Important to know: Excursions to Volcano Winery are generally three hours long and include a tour of the winery and a tasting.

Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coast snorkel

For passengers who didn't get a chance to snorkel in Maui, the waters just off Kona's rugged lava coast offer another excellent opportunity to spy on Mother Nature's underwater handiwork. Most cruise lines offer a snorkel excursion by catamaran that will allow even novices to don a mask and fins and behold the intricate coral and dazzling reef fish that call the area's tranquil bays and coves home. Dolphin spotting is also possible.

A more adventurous option is a snorkel tour by Zodiac, which combines the thrill of zipping around in a 24-foot motorized raft with enjoying up-close views of coastal caves and lava tubes — and some snorkel time, of course.

Important to know: Most catamaran snorkel excursions are appropriate for all ages, last about four hours and include either breakfast or lunch; all equipment, including flotation aids, is provided and some catamarans are equipped with a diving board and waterslide for added fun. Zodiac excursions are more physically demanding and are not recommended if you have back or neck problems; you also need to be able to climb back into the raft via a small four-rung ladder.

Atlantis Submarine

Price: $$-$$$$

If you've never been in a submarine, Kona offers a chance to see the area's abundant sea life as you venture 100 feet below the surface of the Kona coast's crystal-clear waters. The Atlantis Submarine (also operating on Maui and Oahu) is U.S. Coast Guard-certified, fully air-conditioned and offers individual viewing portholes.

Important to know: Atlantis Submarine excursions last about one and a half hours and are not recommended for anyone prone to claustrophobia or motion sickness; you must be at least 3 feet tall and able to climb a vertical 12-step ladder into and out of the submarine. Excursion costs vary widely from cruise line to cruise line.

Kona coffee tour

Kona is famous for the coffee that grows in its rich volcanic soil, so if you want to taste a cup of Joe right at the source, this port is the place to do it. Cruise lines offer a variety of coffee-themed excursions; some are geared to education about the farming and production process while others focus more on sampling the goods and buying souvenirs to take home.

Some foodie-focused tours combine coffee sipping with locally grown chocolate tastings and visits to Kona-based breweries, while other full-day excursions pair a visit to a coffee farm with a cloud forest tour or a tour of Kona's top historic sights and a snorkel in Kealakekua Bay.

Important info: Kona coffee excursions are mostly three to four hours long. However, costs vary widely depending on the type of excursion, from a simple tasting room visit to a farm-based roasting experience.

Place of Refuge and Painted Church

History buffs will find plenty to love on this guided bus excursion, which visits cultural and religious sites along the Kona Coast. Three key locations are on the itinerary, the first being Kealakekua Bay, where legendary Captain Cook met his demise at the hands of local Hawaiians in 1778 and is memorialized in a monument.

Nearby is the second stop: St. Benedict's Painted Church. While the outside of this small Catholic church built in 1899 looks traditional, the inside dazzles with the artwork of Father John Velghe, a Belgian priest who drew the murals in an effort to teach local Hawaiians how to read.

The third is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, which means "Place of Refuge at Honaunau." Built in 1650 and carefully restored, this cultural site is an ancient Hawaiian religious sanctuary where the bones of Hawaiian chiefs were once stored. It later became a place of refuge for defeated warriors.

Important to know: Place of Refuge and Painted Church excursions are typically three to four hours long and involve a minimal amount of walking.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Where can I cruise without a passport?

At TPG, we always recommend cruising with a passport, but there are many reasons why you might want to set sail without one.

What if an opportunity pops up on short notice, and you don't have a passport yet? Or what if you forgot to renew yours when it expired? What if it's only a three-night cruise to the Bahamas, and the passport application fee is almost as much as the cruise fare? Or, maybe you have children nearing age 16 and can't justify paying for passports that will only be good for five years.

First of all, do you even need a passport to cruise ? The answer is often but not always. You have options to cruise without a passport because not every sailing requires them. Thanks to an international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative , U.S. citizens can cruise on certain itineraries within North American countries using government-issued identification (like a valid driver's license) and proof of citizenship (like a government-issued birth certificate).

The cruises that you don't need a passport for are closed-loop sailings, which depart from and return to the same port within the U.S. One-way sailings from one U.S. port to another or from a U.S. port to a foreign one would require a passport.

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Before we go further, let's clarify that when we talk about cruising without a passport, we're referring to pricey passport books that some travelers do not wish to purchase. Passport cards can also be used for identification when cruising in all the places we are about to discuss; these cards are a low-cost alternative to traveling with your driver's license and birth certificate.

Let's look at the options for where you can cruise without a passport.

Cruising to Alaska is one of the easiest ways to experience all the state offers. You'll have opportunities to see glaciers and wildlife; stroll the streets of charming coastal towns; eat your fill of local crab legs and salmon; and enjoy nature on a kayak, zip line or hike.

If you're interested in cruising to Alaska without a passport, look for itineraries that begin (and end) in Seattle , San Francisco or southern California ports, such as Los Angeles or Long Beach, California. The most common length for these closed-loop Alaska cruises operated by the major cruise lines is seven nights. Cruises early or late in the season might be only four or five nights, and trips departing from LA are usually 14 nights.

What if you really want to cruise one-way from Canada to Alaska (or vice versa)? Although Canada prefers U.S. citizens who arrive by sea or land to have a passport book, it is not required as long as they have proper identification and proof of citizenship. The U.S., however, requires one of the following WHTI-approved forms of identification for entries by land or sea: passport card, enhanced driver's license, I-872 American Indian card or trusted traveler program IDs like Nexus, Sentri and Fast.

Technically, if you have one of those forms of ID but not a passport book, you can take a one-way Alaska cruise — as long as you don't have to fly to or from Canada.

More complications arise for non-passport holders who book shore excursions that involve crossing from Alaska to Canada. White Pass and Yukon Route train rides are good examples. White Pass and Yukon Route allows cruise passengers to go on the three-hour train excursion without a passport but doesn't allow them to take any longer routes. That's their policy, not a legal requirement.

This means that Alaska cruises are one instance when the passport card would be a handy alternative to traveling with both an ID card and a birth certificate. It opens up one-way itineraries.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

A cruise to the Caribbean transports you to tropical islands bathed in turquoise waters. Whether you seek warm beaches, cool drinks, water sports or cultural education, you can find a Caribbean cruise to fit the bill.

It's easy to cruise without a passport in the Caribbean: Just book one of the many closed-loop, round-trip sailings departing from a U.S. port. Most major cruise lines offer sailings that range between three and 15 nights from ports like Galveston, Texas; New Orleans; multiple ports in Florida (including Miami and Fort Lauderdale); Charleston, South Carolina; Baltimore; Bayonne, New Jersey; and New York City.

Most Caribbean islands participate in the WHTI, but it's always best to check the details specific to the ports of call included in your itinerary. Don't forget that islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are U.S. territories, so visits never require passports for U.S. citizens.

Related: The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, lying 643 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Hop on a cruise ship for a direct route to the island's famous beaches and golf courses. Spring and summer are the prime seasons to visit, but cruises are possible throughout the year.

Cruising without a passport to Bermuda is also easy. Apart from a few isolated cruises stopping in Bermuda as they come or go from other destinations, there are no one-way Bermuda cruises to confuse the situation. If you plan to sail without a passport, be wary of any Bermuda cruise longer than 10 nights. Those are likely to be point-to-point cruises that happen to include Bermuda.

Passport-free cruises to Bermuda include ample five- to 10-night sailings from the East Coast ports of Baltimore, Bayonne, Boston and Manhattan. Occasional itineraries also pop up throughout the Bermuda season departing from Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston; and the Florida ports of Miami, Port Canaveral (near Orlando) and Jacksonville.

Related: Does it make sense to take a short cruise to Bermuda?

Long known for delightful strands of beach and access to every imaginable form of water fun under the subtropical sun, the Bahamas are the ideal destination for easy and quick cruise vacations.

Skip the passport on three- to five-night Bahamas cruises sailing round-trip on most major cruise lines from the eastern Florida ports of Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades and Miami.

A few longer, seven- to 15-night itineraries stop in the Bahamas on their way into the Caribbean. Departures from Bayonne, Manhattan, Baltimore and Charleston will often get you weeklong Bahamas itineraries, as will sailings from Tampa, Galveston and New Orleans.

Related: Best Bahamas cruise tips for first-timers and repeat visitors alike

Our southern neighbor boasts two coastlines of cruise fun. Like most tropical cruise destinations, the top draws are the beaches and the ocean; however, cruise ports in Mexico also give you access to ancient Mayan ruins, delicious cuisine and an abundance of land activities.

Mexico's Caribbean and Pacific coasts are both accessible to cruisers who do not hold passports. If you want to visit Mexico's eastern shores, you can find three- to 15-night cruises to Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progreso. Sailings depart Florida from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral; you can also find itineraries from New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Alabama.

Western Mexico, often referred to as the Mexican Riviera, includes the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Ensenada, among others. Cruises with several major lines depart San Diego, San Pedro port in LA and Long Beach for voyages lasting anywhere from three to 10 nights.

Related: The best Mexico cruises for every type of traveler

From water sports to American history and Hawaiian culture, there's a lot to experience on a Hawaii cruise . The best part might be the ability to hop from island to island, sampling the flavors of each as you go.

Closed-loop Hawaii cruises that don't require passports come in two varieties. The short option is to fly to Honolulu and take a seven- or 10-night cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line 's Pride of America. This is the only large cruise ship allowed to operate entirely within the Hawaiian Islands without visiting a foreign port.

Small-ship cruise operator UnCruise Adventures also offers seven-night, inter-island Hawaiian sailings. The American-flagged ships only cruise to and from U.S. ports, so no passport is needed, as would be the case on any domestic trip.

The long-cruise options consist of 14- to 18-night round-trip sailings from San Diego, LA (Long Beach and San Pedro) and San Francisco. You won't need a passport for these closed-loop sailings, but you do need to be prepared for multiple days at sea as you cross the Pacific from California to Hawaii.

Beware of 20-plus-night cruises that are round-trip sailings from the West Coast and would seem to fit the bill for closed-loop cruises that don't require passports. Most of these cruises don't work because they also include stops in French Polynesia, which is outside of the WHTI agreement. Passports are required for the islands in the South Pacific, which means they're required for the entire cruise.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

Canada and New England

Cruises up North America's East Coast allow you to take in historical sights of early Americana, stand atop rugged cliffs on the coast of Nova Scotia or revel in the French culture of Quebec.

Mainstream cruise lines operate numerous cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coasts that don't require passports. These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan, Brooklyn and occasionally Norfolk. The majority of these New England and Canada cruises are weeklong fall sailings; however, a handful depart at other times of the year or are a touch longer, ranging from eight to 10 nights.

Related: The best cruises to Canada and New England

Some cruise lines also offer one-way cruises in both directions between Canada and New England. These itineraries, like Alaska cruises, might be possible without a passport book. This is the case as long as your plans don't include flying into or out of Canada and your cruise line allows you to cruise with either a passport card or other acceptable form of identification and proof of citizenship.

We checked with a few lines for you. Princess, Holland America and Celebrity all strongly recommend passport books, but they allow one of the WHTI forms of identification. Again, the passport card opens up one-way possibilities, assuming you aren't flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S.

Bottom line

While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport. In these cases, government-issued identification and proof of U.S. citizenship are acceptable alternatives to a passport book.

Passport cards are an affordable and unquestionable alternative to carrying an ID and birth certificate. If you want to go this route, know they are not valid for travel by air into or out of any foreign country, including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or Caribbean countries — which is the primary reason most travel advisers urge cruisers to have a passport book.

As we've shown, you have plenty of options for where to cruise without a passport, and many travelers do so without incident. However, anything from engine trouble on your cruise ship to bad weather or an accident in port might necessitate a flight home from a foreign country. This would put you in an awkward position if you didn't have a passport.

Plus, as much fun as simple round-trip cruises are, passports open up additional vacation possibilities in the form of longer, point-to-point and overseas trips. Don't dismiss registering for a passport, even as you consider where you can cruise without one.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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• 3 hrs Estimate Duration

Join a hands-on cooking class and learn to prepare authentic Mexican dishes for your lunch, after which you can relax on San Juan Beach. The venue for your culinary adventure will be Buccanos, a waterfront restaurant known for its innovative menu and casual ambiance. The chef will welcome you with a freshly mixed margarita – which you can help prepare if you wish – and an enlightening overview of the local cuisine. Everything you need to make a delicious three-course meal will be waiting at your work station. The chef will be standing by to offer guidance, cooking tips and answers to any questions you may have about the preparation. After dining on your concoctions, you will be treated to a sampling of tequila, the quintessential Mexican spirit. Beach time follows, during which you will be free to do whatever you please, even if it is nothing more ambitious than basking in the sun.

• Learn to prepare authentic Mexican dishes in a hands-on cooking class. • Dine on the three-course meal that you have prepared at Buccanos restaurant. • Enjoy a tequila tasting that will reveal the complexities of this Mexican spirit. • Relax on San Juan Beach, the beautiful stretch of sand that Buccanos fronts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Need to Know:

Check out the, activity attributes, excursion type:.

Local Food-Wine Tasting

Activity level:.

• 3 Challenging

Norwegian Cruise falls as raised profit outlook fails to impress

 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. plunged after its improved profit outlook disappointed investors’ high expectations amid an industry boom that’s caused record demand for sailings.

Earnings for this year will now be about $1.32 a share, the company said in a statement. That was up from its prior outlook of $1.23 a share and above the average analyst expectation of $1.28, but failed to impress zealous shareholders wanting more from surging ticket sales.

Shares fell as much as 9.46% as of 9:50 in New York, extending this year’s decline to about 14%. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Carnival Corp. also fell.

Record post-pandemic demand for cruises has ratcheted up expectations. Royal Caribbean, the largest ship operator by market value, last week raised its full-year profit outlook above even the highest Wall Street estimate tracked by Bloomberg.

“We view this as a solid update, but not as strong as peer Royal Caribbean’s first-quarter update, nor what we believe were elevated expectations heading into the print,” Barclays analyst Brandt Montour wrote in a note Wednesday morning.

Norwegian’s revenue grew 20% in the first quarter to $2.22 billion, falling short of analysts’ $2.19 billion projection. Earnings per share excluding some items was 16 cents, beating an expected 11 cents.

Only a third of analysts covering the cruise operator recommend buying the stock, compared to at least three quarters for both Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

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