Table Of Content
Lahaina is a major tourist destination for its restaurants, shops and boat tours, but ships must anchor and transport passengers to shore via tender boats. The area is also home to numerous waterfalls you can visit, such as Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls, as well as black-sand beaches. Kayak or snorkel in Hilo Bay, or — for something different — visit the Volcano Winery to sample vintages made both with grapes and local fruits.
Best Hawaii cruise ports
The winter months in Hawaii bring cooler temperatures, more rain, and higher surf. However, this is an amazing time for whale watching, as thousands of humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters to mate and give birth. The best months to visit Kauai are in April, May, August, September, or October.
Don’t start planning without our cheat sheets
The weather on Kauai is consistently warm (highs in the mid-70's to mid-80's °F [24-29 °C]) year-round and visitors will enjoy the driest weather on the south shore and western portions of the island. Annual events include the May Day Festival (May) and Eo E Emalani I Alakai Festival (October) and the Chocolate & Coffee Festival (October). The best prices for Hawaii flights can vary dramatically throughout the year, depending on a variety of factors.
Norwegian Cruise Line
With pleasant weather and smaller crowds, fall is an excellent time to find cruise deals. September through early December tends to have clear sunny days, with a bit more rain by November and rougher ocean conditions in December. Spring is one of the best times to visit Hawaii as crowds have not yet reached their summer peak. Flower blooms decorate the islands in March and April, adding vibrant color.
Round-trip Hawaii cruises from the West Coast
But if you’re planning a cruise to the islands, there is the best time to cruise Hawaii. Sea turtles can be spotted on all the islands in spring, but especially around Maui and Lanai as the waters warm with the approach of summer. With roundtrip cruises from Vancouver, San Diego and San Francisco ranging from 14 to 18 days, Holland America Line represents the ultimate way to experience Hawaii in luxury.
Related Cruises
You may also want to avoid traveling during school spring break, which can fall somewhere between March and April. The exact cost of your cruise will depend on the cruise line, length of trip, and room category. But generally speaking, the cheapest Hawaiian cruises are usually during the shoulder season. If you want to see more than one island during your trip, we recommend one of their 15- or 16-day Hawaiian cruises. With multiple departure ports (Vancouver, BC, Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles) and travel dates from December to April, there are plenty of options to choose from. Trips are between 9 and 11 days and are scheduled to visit Oahu, the Big Island, and Maui (unfortunately, they do not offer a Kauai stopover).
Hawaii Cruise Itineraries
Generally speaking, to find the best rates, we advise visitors to start searching for flights four months before your trip and to book no later than one month before your planned departure. Using this approach should provide you the best opportunity to find a good deal. As a rule of thumb, book early - no later than 2-3 months before you go! It's not uncommon for the Best Accommodations in Hawaii to get booked quickly, especially during the summer months over holidays. Be sure to check our Hotel Rates for the best prices and to compare all the top travel sites in one quick search.
As a general rule, we continue to advise travelers to book their flights well in advance of their trip. Shaka Guide uses your GPS to guide you to interesting places along the way on each of the main Hawaiian islands. Automatic audio tours with turn-by-turn directions mean all you need to do is to turn on the tour and drive. Check out driving Tours for Circle Island Oahu, North Shore Kauai, and Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Coast. This isn’t a typo; you can ski and snowboard in Hawaii - though conditions will have to be just right.
The Best Month to Cruise Hawaii
Rainfall averages just under one inch a month in Honolulu, but certain ports are more likely to experience showers than others. These include the aforementioned Hilo on the island of Hawaii and Nawiliwili on Kauai, where monthly rainfall averages 4-5 inches in December and January. For travelers seeking a more upscale cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, Holland America Line’s fleet of premium ships offers unparalleled luxury and service.
If you visit early enough in May or late enough in November (into early December), you may even catch sight of the humpback whales that winter here, especially in the waters around Maui. If you’re visiting for whale watching, February is a good choice for peak season activity. Travelers looking for the best deals on Maui accommodations should also seek out travel periods in the spring and fall, as they will be the cheapest months to visit due to decreased demand.
During these periods, cruise lines lower prices to attract passengers when demand is slower between peak winter and summer dates. If you love the actual "cruising" part of cruising, many of the major lines offer round-trip sailings from West Coast ports on itineraries lasting two weeks or more. This means you'll spend extensive time on board your ship as you cross the Pacific Ocean, but only four or five days in port in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Honolulu Festival, which regularly attracts more than 80,000 visitors a year, also takes place during March. This festival honors the Pacific, Hawaiian, and Asian cultures with dances and various events held in downtown Waikiki. If you plan to go parasailing, then you will want to hold off on your Hawaiian cruise from mid-December through the beginning of May. Since the humpback whales are migrating during these months, Maui authorities do not permit parasailing. To get the best deal on your Hawaii cruise vacation, Norwegian Cruise Line's Free At Sea promotion can help you save up to $2,700 on your cruise vacation. All of the Norwegian Cruise Hawaiian cruise sailings on the Pride of America through Dec.19, 2020 include free offers for all stateroom categories.
As with everywhere around the world, the weather does fluctuate depending on what time of year you go. If you’re looking for a few more ways to save, check out how we book our Hawaii travel for tips that work no matter how you get around the islands. Hawaii is not a budget destination, especially if you’re going on a Hawaiian cruise. However, the time of year you travel can influence how much money you spend on vacation.
Shoulder Season Cruise Deals: 5 Tips to Save - Cruise Critic
Shoulder Season Cruise Deals: 5 Tips to Save.
Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The focus is on exploring the natural wonders of Hawaii via active, small-group land and water excursions, and itineraries include lesser-cruised islands such as Lanai and Molokai. There are two shoulder seasons, one in spring, from mid-March to the beginning of May, and the other in fall, from September to late November. Sure, it has luscious landscapes with cascading waterfalls, lava-spewing volcanoes and pristine beaches. One of the best ways to experience the islands is by cruise because you can unpack just once and go to multiple islands.
Skies during this period are mostly clear, temperatures are warm and crowds are smaller (with the exception of Christmas and New Years). That's true if you're after bright and warm Riviera Maya weather or optimal conditions in the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Coast as well. To avoid encountering a parched landscape, opt for a cruise during the shoulder season. This period offers plenty of sunshine with occasional rain, ensuring the scenery remains fresh and vibrant. Every year, from November to April, thousands of humpback whales can be seen around Hawaii as they migrate from Alaska to the warmer waters of the Hawaiian islands.
Remember, the weather can vary significantly depending on your island and location. Leeward sides tend to be sunnier and calmer, while windward sides often feature cooler temperatures and more rain. The annual, two-day Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor's popular Biggest Little Airshow in Hawaii happens in early June on Oahu. Also in early or mid-June, thousands of participants march down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki as part of the annual three-day Pan Pacific Festival. Annually in early- to mid-March, the three-day Honolulu Festival shows off Asia, Pacific and Hawaiian cultures, drawing huge crowds. For the highest chance of seeing these majestic creatures, we recommend booking your cruise from December to March.
No comments:
Post a Comment