The Hawaiian Islands offer vacationers an extraordinary range of experiences. Long one of the world’s must popular vacation destinations, each island has its own identity, ambiance, climate and geological features that make it unique. Many first time visitors find it difficult to decide which island to choose for their vacation. The adventuresome may opt for multiple islands hopping by commuter plane from one to another. Packing and unpacking, airport security and multiple car rentals can take a little of the enjoyment out of it though.
Deciding on your destination is not as easy as you might think. Most people do not realize that Hawaii's islands span more than 1,500 miles, creating the longest chain of islands in the world. In total, Hawaii is actually 130 separate islands if you include the atolls and coral reefs above sea level. However, the eight of these islands that cover 99% of the land area receive all of the attention, and of those, only six offer tourism opportunities (Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe was once a test range for the US Navy). The six major islands are Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii's Big Island.
For those who are having trouble deciding, there is a good option that gives you the best of the best. This is a voyage we did last November and I have to tell you it was one of our best Hawaiian trips ever. Cruising through the Hawaiian Islands really offers some great benefits. Currently, only Norwegian Cruise Lines has year round seven day inter-island cruises. NCL sails three ships there, the Pride of Aloha, the Pride of Hawaii and the Pride of America. We sailed on the Pride of America and found it to be a well appointed, amenity filled vessel that made for a very enjoyable trip. We had a balcony stateroom on the back of the ship for maximum viewing. The balconies on the aft (back) are typically bigger than those on the side making it more comfortable for casual relaxation.
Our journey began the day before the cruise embarked. We flew from Seattle to Honolulu and spent the night at the Outrigger on Waikiki Beach. This is a favorite of ours because of its central location and the fact that one of our favorite restaurants, Duke’s Canoe Club is right in the hotel. The following day we embarked on our cruise from the Pier downtown. We sailed over night and arrived in Hilo on the big island the next day. We had a full day to enjoy a variety of activities. Some in our group opted to tour the Kilauea Volcano National Park. Others shopped, did a botanical gardens tour or just enjoyed the beach. The ship left Hilo at 6:00PM and we were treated to a spectacular sight of the Kilauea Volcano at night. Watching the red hot lava flow down the mountainside in the dark and dump into the sea was incredible. It is totally different than visiting the park in the daytime.
We sailed over night to Kahului on the island of Maui. We spent two full days in Maui. We were able to take in Lahina and Kanapali one day and head down the 56 mile stretch to Hana the next. Parking is available at the Pier if you rent a car for both days.
The evening of the second day we set sail for Kona. A leisurely day of shopping, beach exploration or golf makes for a pleasurable visit. That evening we set sail for our favorite island of Kauai. We had two full days to enjoy the beautiful “Garden” island. A highlight in Kauai is to explore Waimea Canyon. The canyon is ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep. Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." With its deep reds, greens and browns, each created by a different volcanic flow over centuries, many feel that is much more colorful than the Grand Canyon. The second day marked the highlight of the entire cruise and what has to be the most awe inspiring end of the journey. A sunset sailing past the Napali Coast is as spectacular as it gets. The rugged beauty, deep colors and scenery make it something you will always remember.
Deciding on your destination is not as easy as you might think. Most people do not realize that Hawaii's islands span more than 1,500 miles, creating the longest chain of islands in the world. In total, Hawaii is actually 130 separate islands if you include the atolls and coral reefs above sea level. However, the eight of these islands that cover 99% of the land area receive all of the attention, and of those, only six offer tourism opportunities (Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe was once a test range for the US Navy). The six major islands are Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii's Big Island.
For those who are having trouble deciding, there is a good option that gives you the best of the best. This is a voyage we did last November and I have to tell you it was one of our best Hawaiian trips ever. Cruising through the Hawaiian Islands really offers some great benefits. Currently, only Norwegian Cruise Lines has year round seven day inter-island cruises. NCL sails three ships there, the Pride of Aloha, the Pride of Hawaii and the Pride of America. We sailed on the Pride of America and found it to be a well appointed, amenity filled vessel that made for a very enjoyable trip. We had a balcony stateroom on the back of the ship for maximum viewing. The balconies on the aft (back) are typically bigger than those on the side making it more comfortable for casual relaxation.
Our journey began the day before the cruise embarked. We flew from Seattle to Honolulu and spent the night at the Outrigger on Waikiki Beach. This is a favorite of ours because of its central location and the fact that one of our favorite restaurants, Duke’s Canoe Club is right in the hotel. The following day we embarked on our cruise from the Pier downtown. We sailed over night and arrived in Hilo on the big island the next day. We had a full day to enjoy a variety of activities. Some in our group opted to tour the Kilauea Volcano National Park. Others shopped, did a botanical gardens tour or just enjoyed the beach. The ship left Hilo at 6:00PM and we were treated to a spectacular sight of the Kilauea Volcano at night. Watching the red hot lava flow down the mountainside in the dark and dump into the sea was incredible. It is totally different than visiting the park in the daytime.
We sailed over night to Kahului on the island of Maui. We spent two full days in Maui. We were able to take in Lahina and Kanapali one day and head down the 56 mile stretch to Hana the next. Parking is available at the Pier if you rent a car for both days.
The evening of the second day we set sail for Kona. A leisurely day of shopping, beach exploration or golf makes for a pleasurable visit. That evening we set sail for our favorite island of Kauai. We had two full days to enjoy the beautiful “Garden” island. A highlight in Kauai is to explore Waimea Canyon. The canyon is ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep. Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." With its deep reds, greens and browns, each created by a different volcanic flow over centuries, many feel that is much more colorful than the Grand Canyon. The second day marked the highlight of the entire cruise and what has to be the most awe inspiring end of the journey. A sunset sailing past the Napali Coast is as spectacular as it gets. The rugged beauty, deep colors and scenery make it something you will always remember.