Should Your Hawaii Vacation Package Include a Cruise?

So you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii, eh? Maybe a little overwhelmed by the possibilities? After all, the Islands of Aloha offer so many exotic things to do and places to see just reading the travel brochures can set your mind to spinning.

One really attractive option for many people is the Hawaii cruise. Depending on the cruise line you choose, you board the ship either somewhere on the west coast of the USA or at a Hawaiian port (usually Honolulu). You then spend around a week hopping from island to island, with a day or two at each port of call.

Here are a few good reasons to include a cruise in your Hawaii vacation package--

You get to sample each major island. From the high energy of Waikiki to the lush gardens of Kauai, you get a taste of all the islands have to offer. It’s a great opportunity to find places you’d like to come back to.

Your accommodations and most meals are already covered. You sleep in your cabin aboard the cruise ship. You eat breakfast and dinner in the dining room. You leave the ship to join a planned shore excursion or simply explore on your own.

You don’t have to keep packing and unpacking. Once you settle into your cabin, you’re free to enjoy your vacation. Island-hopping any other way means airport transfers, security screenings, hotel check-ins and check-outs eat a large chunk of your vacation, even if the actual flights are only a few minutes.

Your evening entertainment is taken care of. Most cruise ships offer a mix of Las Vegas-style stage shows, late night dancing and music and current movies in their onboard theater. Or you could choose to spend your evening hours sipping a cocktail while you try your luck in thte casino. (Note: Norwegian Cruise Line ships do not offer casinos because they never leave state waters and gambling is illegal in Hawaii.)

Okay, this sounds great. Why wouldn’t you book a cruise?

If you know you want to spend your entire vacation at one resort or on one island, a more traditional Hawaii vacation package may suit you better. For example, if you have a list of places you want to see on Oahu (Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the North Shore, etc.) you will probably want to book a hotel on Waikiki for your entire stay.

One thing for sure, Hawaii deserves a palce on your "places to see before you die" list whether your Hawaii vacation package includes a cruise or not.

This article is part of a chapter in the Web Guides Network special report "Your Hawaii Cruise Questions Answered." For the rest of the story, and more great tips on creating lifetime memories in this tropical paradise, go to http://hawaiivacationbuzz.com/1/

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