Cruises

A cruise is the easy-mode vacation: unpack once, wake up somewhere new, and let the ship handle the hotel, meals, and transport. For island families it’s a great way to see a lot in one trip — the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, and Alaska are the big three, and most sail from West Coast ports that are an easy flight from Honolulu.

How it works from Hawaiʻi

For most of these, you fly to the port and cruise from there — Los Angeles, San Diego, or Long Beach for the Mexican Riviera; Seattle or Vancouver for Alaska; Florida or Texas for the Caribbean. Book the cruise first, then the flights to match. Compare sailings by date, port, and line:

The big three

• Mexican Riviera — the closest and easiest: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán, sailing round-trip from Southern California. Great for a first cruise or a shorter getaway.
• Caribbean — turquoise water, beaches, and lots of islands; sails from Florida and Texas (a longer flight, but the classic warm-water cruise).
• Alaska — glaciers, whales, and the Inside Passage in summer, from Seattle or Vancouver. See our Alaska guide for the full rundown.

Tips for a smooth cruise

• Fly in a day early. Never fly to the port the same day the ship sails — a delay from the islands can mean missing it. Spend a night near the port.
• Watch the season. Mexican Riviera is best fall–spring; Alaska is summer only; the Caribbean runs year-round but hurricane season (Aug–Oct) can bring itinerary changes.
• Book early for the room you want. Balconies and family cabins go first, especially on holiday and summer sailings.
• Budget for the extras. Gratuities, drinks, excursions, and Wi-Fi add up on top of the fare — factor them in when you compare.