Experiencing Hawaii from both its sunny beaches and from the vantage point of a luxury cruise ship, gives travelers taking the sailing route a unique view, a double-edged experience.
And while those with a tighter schedule tend to fly in and out of the Hawaiian Islands to cruise it more quickly, vacationers should be encouraged to embark at San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Francisco and enjoy the four days of sailing on each end – the trip there to unwind and the trip back to let the experience sink in before you head back to reality. A Hawaii denouement, so to speak.
High season for luxury cruises to Hawaii in late December through April. However, the best time to go is summer and fall when the islands experience the least amount of rain. This despite the fact that school is out and the islands are a very popular summertime honeymoon destination.
Late September and October bring a lot of ships into the waterways here. The cruise lines add Hawaii to their rosters after the Alaska season ends before their ships head to their next seasonal home base. Going at this time may give you more choice of dates and itineraries.
With the exception of holiday cruises, the least expensive time to cruise to Hawaii is November through February, particularly the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas
As far as sailing weather goes, there are rarely hurricanes here, so you don’t have that to worry about, though they can occur in the Pacific anytime from June to December, sending hot, humid weather to Hawaii in the process.
And if your calendar is open enough, some cruise lines have routes to the Hawaiian Islands year-round so if you want, you can go whenever you like.
Best Time to Book a Cruise
Sunset on the Beach in Hawaii
The best time to make a cruise booking is from six months to a year in advance of the sailing. And as a general rule of thumb, booking early is your best bet.
The best cruise ship rates are those that are offered when fares are first released for sale. Booking right out of the gate also allows you to snap up the top-tier cabins or the most preferred routes and dates before they sell out. Know that there will definitely be sales to take advantage of by holding back, but biding your time is a bit of a gamble. You may not be comfortable waiting until the last minute and you may not get exactly what you want.
If you’re looking to cruise on popular dates such as during school holiday breaks, peak religious periods, or annual festivals, book extra early. With luxury cruises and new ships, the earlier the better, because the prices will increase as the ship fills up.