The Best Time to Plan your Hawaii Cruise

Thousands of tourists flock to the Hawaii in search of good surf, golden sun, and breathtaking scenery. But to get the most of your Hawaii cruise, you should plan your vacation so that it’ll fall on the island’s most beautiful months—not when it’s so rainy and damp that you’ll spend most of your time huddled indoors.

Hawaii’s winter falls on October through April, and it’s very wet, at least in some areas. The northern and eastern parts of the island tend to get the brunt of the storms, but Kona (on the big Island) tends to have perfect weather all year round. So if you’re trying to escape your own cold winters, get a cruise for the western part of Hawaii. (Unfortunately, Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park tends to get covered with snow during these months, so factor that into your itinerary.)

You’ll get the best rates on Hawaiian cruises and the Hawaiian Hotels if you go during the summer. This is also the time of the year that’s perfect for island weddings or honeymoons. Book ahead to avail of good rates, and look for package deals.

June to November is hurricane season—but don’t cancel your Hawaiian cruise just yet. The islands are generally not affected by strong hurricanes. This is because normally the storms begin at the west coast of Mexico, before drifting north and west, and by the time they reach Hawaii (crossing hundreds of miles of cold water) they’ve whimpered to a harmless wind. The volcanoes also tend to shield the islands (and its tourists) from really bad weather.