A week sailing round four Hawaiian islands from Honolulu, with volcanoes, waterfalls, snorkelling and the soaring cliffs of Kauai's Na Pali Coast. Here's what a Hawaii cruise is like, when to go and how long to stay.
Hawaii is a US state, so UK passport holders need an ESTA before they fly. Cruise prices are higher than in the Caribbean, and so are drinks and tours. Check entry rules on GOV.UK before you book.
Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
Hawaii is warm all year, around 27 to 31°C, so there's no bad time to sail. Humpback whales visit from December to April, which is also the wetter season with bigger waves on north shores. April, May, September and October are quieter and often cheaper. Summer and Christmas are the busiest. The Pride of America sails round the islands every week of the year, while other ships pass through on longer voyages.
Ships sail along this wild stretch of Kauai's coast, where cliffs rise more than 1,000 metres straight from the sea.
From Hilo, see steaming craters and walk through a lava tube on the Big Island.
Drive up Maui's huge volcano for sunrise above the clouds. Sunrise needs a booking.
The USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. Entry is free but you need to book a timed ticket.
Boat trips from Maui to a sunken crater with clear water full of tropical fish.
Learn to surf on gentle waves before or after the cruise.
Yes. It's an easy way to see four islands without packing up and flying between them, and the beaches, volcanoes and snorkelling suit all ages. The ship stays overnight in some ports, which gives you more time ashore.
Seven nights from Honolulu, calling at Maui, the Big Island (Hilo and Kona) and Kauai, with overnight stays on Maui and Kauai. Add a few nights on Waikiki at the start.
Fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, usually via the US mainland. The cruise terminal at Honolulu Harbor is about 15 minutes away. It's a long way from Europe, so allow a night to get over the jet lag.
It helps on Maui and Kauai, where the ship stays overnight and the best sights are spread out. Book well ahead, as hire cars near the port run out.
Put Hawaii cruise on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.