Wanting to go to hawaii...cruise or fly?

Question

I want to go to Hawaii next year but I'm not sure if I want to take a cruise there or fly and stay in a hotel. If I go, I want to stay for about a week or two. Which would be the most reasonably priced? A two week cruise? Or plane+hotel? Also, I know some cruises do military discounts, do hotels do the same?

Please answer based on experience.

(I'm not sure how much the hotels are in Hawaii, plus I know I'd have to count in food, and small things like travel fares)

Answer 1

My husband and I just got back from Hawaii. After checking into all of the possibilities on ALL of the travel sites. We went with a cruise. We Flew to Hawaii and took the Norwegian Cruise line cruise around the islands. We flew into Honolulu,  boarded the ship. Stopped 1 full day in Hilo, went from there to Maui, stayed 2 days then 1 day at Kona, and 2 days at Kauai and then back to Honolulu. IT WAS WONDERFUL we are going back next year.We already made our reservations on the ship.  After all the research we found it to be the least expensive. Food and lodging is included in the price of the cruise as is all entertainment on the ship. Even with the price of the flight round trip from Reno NV. We spent less than 5000. And we got to see more than just one island. We couldn't decide which island we wanted to stay on so this was better for us. The price of the nice hotels was really high. And food on the islands is high too. Even burger King wanted 12.00 for just a hamburger meal.  So we ate on the ship. Do some searching on the travel sites like orbitz and travelocity. That way you can compare.

Good luck and Aloha!!  lol

Answer 2

Hotelling and eating in Hawaii is expensive, but you would only be on each island for a few hours (anywhere from 4-12) if you take a cruise.

If you really want to explore, then hotel. If you want to see a lot of islands relatively quickly and get a nice taste of everything, then cruise.

Answer 3

It's up to you.......

Both cruises and hotel usually offer military discounts and many businesses in Hawaii also offer military discounts if you have your id.

Good luck and happy travels!

Answer 4

well its up to you!

but i suggest going there like 3 days earlier and then taking a cruise! :]

i recently wen to hawaii on a cruise! it was a lot of fun :]

and we got too visit a lot of nice beaches and some of hawaiis main attractions. the cruise is a also a good choice because u dont have too worry about the cost of food,which is gooood :]

Answer 5

taking a cruise would be cheaper but if you fly, you have more independence and aren't on a time schedule. my husband and i are going to Hawaii next year and will fly & stay in Maui at the Diamond Hawaii condos

Answer 6

There are very few cruises to and from hawaii from California anymore.  When you do find one it is usually a repositioning cruise and does not make the round trip.  The round trips from Calif to Hawaii have all been 32-35 days and cover many polynesian islands.

Generally there is enough to keep you occupied for a week on any one island in Hawaii.  I would not recommend Oahu just because of the crowds but there are some great places to go there, hence the crowds.  I like the island of Hawaii, and have been several times.   I have found the best deal is to find a timeshare you can rent by the week, so you have a kitchen and can then save on some meals.

Any of the islands are great though.

Answer 7

The plane ride is long enough--a cruise that long in open water would be excruciating!  I've been on long Caribbean cruises that have nice island stops every day, those are WAY fun.  

I love Hawaii, but you have to plan it.  Get yourself a travel agent or go online and pay attention to package deals.  Then when you are ready to pay you will know what a good deal looks like.  Pay attention to what people say about hotels.  I stayed at the Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, very nice but FREAKING expensive. (I didn't have to pay, but yikes!)  

Don't go to Honolulu, stay somewhere else, preferably a smaller island with less tourist traffic.  It was just SO touristy.

Answer 8

well if you want to get to hawaii in TWO WEEKS  take a cruise!   if you want to get there in ONE DAY! take a flight.