Hawaii is a popular destination on almost everyone’s bucket list. But with multiple different islands–each with their own flair–it can be difficult to choose how and where to visit. One of the first things you’ll have to decide is whether you want to take a cruise or a land-based vacation. And each have their pros and cons.
Cruise
Probably the most important benefit of a cruise is the ability to visit multiple islands…while only having to unpack once! Unfortunately, this also means that you have only a limited time at each port which means you won’t be able to see everything that an island has to offer. Many cruise lines offer a round trip from the mainland which does spare you the long flight time to Hawaii, but it often results in more sea days than days in Hawaii as the ships need to visit an international port along the way (usually Canada or Mexico). Norwegian does offer an inter-island cruise on a US flagged vessel–the Pride of America–which can maximize time spent on the islands (with overnight stays on Maui and Kauai).
A cruise is probably a great choice for people who want to see multiple islands in a single trip, groups who can’t all agree on which island to visit, and travellers who enjoy a more fast paced vacation.
Land Based
Probably the best benefit of a land-based vacation is the opportunity to slow down and enjoy an extended period of time on the island(s). However, while island hopping is uncomplicated, it does eat up a lot of time (getting to the airport, flights, settling in on a new island), so unless you have an extended time you’ll want to narrow your selection down to just 1-2 islands to visit…which can be hard to do as they’re all amazing! Extra time does mean extra exploring though. You can visit places outside of peak hours (such as when cruise ships are docked) and also take in evening activities that aren’t available to cruise ship passengers (luaus, sunsets, etc.).
A land-based vacation is probably a great choice for people who know which island(s) they want to visit, those who prefer a more laid back vacation style, and those who want to experience something in particular that doesn’t align with cruise ship schedules (night snorkeling with Manta Rays…visiting Volcano National Park after dark to see the lava glow…etc).
Combining the Two
If you want the best of both worlds, consider combining either an inter-island or one-way cruise with a land-based vacation!
