Cruise vacations have recently become a very popular way to see the islands of Hawaii

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Hawaii has recently reopened its ports to cruise ship tourism. Before 2001, it was illegal for cruise ships to dock in Hawaii unless they were from a foreign port, or included a foreign port as a part of their itinerary. Now the laws have changed, and vacationers from all over can visit the Aloha Islands by way of cruise ship.

The reason for such strict regulations of Hawaii's ports of call emerged from the tragedy at Pearl Harbor in 1936. This historical moment forever changed cruise tourism to the islands, and ended regular passenger-ship travel to Hawaii. Following these events, the most popular means of travel to get to the Hawaiian islands was by plane, instead of by ship. In recent years, Hawaii began letting cruise ships dock in their harbors and ports. This has sparked a renewed interest in cruise ship tourism on the islands.

Hawaii's Cruise Lines

The popularity of cruise vacations to Hawaii has extremely increased, as many travelers want to experience all of the islands in one trip. Cruise ship travel is also a relatively inexpensive way to tour the Islands of Aloha, and several cruise lines provide service to the region. Here are the cruise lines that call on the ports of Hawaii:

• Carnival Cruises -- This cruise line is most popular for providing lively and entertaining cruise vacations. Carnival provides plenty of activities for kids and adults both on board the ship and on shore. Their ships depart from Ensenada, Vancouver, and Honolulu. Cruises stop in Maui at Kahului and Lahaina; the Big Island at Kailua-Kona and Hilo; Oahu; and Kauai. To contact Carnival Cruises visit their website www.carnival.com or call 888-227-6482.
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• Celebrity Cruises -- The primary concern of Celebrity Cruises is top-notch service, which can be seen in their waitstaff, activity directors, and Hawaiian cultural experts. Celebrity caters to the needs of adult travelers, so this may not be the cruise line with which to plan a family vacation. To get in contact with Celebrity Cruises call 800-647-2251 or check them out on the web at www.celebrity.com .
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• Holland America -- This cruise line is esteemed for elegance, luxury, and outstanding service. Holland America's ships go to and from San Diego, CA, and make stops on Maui at Lahaina; the Big Island at Kailua-Kona and Hilo; Oahu; and for a half day on Kauai. To make your reservations with this cruise line call 877-724-5425 or contact them on web at www.hollandamerica.com .
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• Norwegian Cruise Line -- Traditionally, Norwegian Cruise Line is known for being casual, and for offering an assortment of services, activities, and trip options. The atmosphere of the cruise line's boats is family-friendly, and there are no casinos on board. You can also find luxurious and expensive suites aboard some of their ships. Norwegian is the only cruise line that doesn't have to stop at a foreign port. Their trip schedule starts at either San Francisco, Kahului in Maui, or Honolulu, with stops on Maui, Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line call 800-327-7030 or visit them online at www.ncl.com .
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• Princess -- This cruise line is ideal for travelers looking for luxury at an affordable price. With this cruise line, you get personalized service and plenty of extra perks for your trip. Small children may not enjoy vacationing on a Princess cruise, but teenagers will find a lot of things to occupy their time. Cruises to Hawaii last 15 days, which includes round trip from Los Angeles with a service call in Ensenada. The ship makes stops on Maui, the Big Island, Oahu and Kauai. For further details call 800-774-6237 or go online to www.princess.com .
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• Royal Caribbean -- This cruise line features plenty of variety in activities and services, as well as plenty of things to do on and off the ship. Royal Caribbean cruises to Hawaii only leave from Los Angeles, and stop on Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island. To book your cruise vacation call 800-521-8611 or go to their website at www.royalcaribbean.com .

Cruise Classes

Vacationers will find plenty of choices for their cruise vacation, including cruise lines and prices, so it's important to know the differences between them. The most popular type of cruise line is the contemporary or value cruise line. Premium and luxury each provide a step up in terms of luxury level, and specialty cruises are just like they sound.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean dominate almost 90 percent of the cruise industry, and they're the most recognizable names in contemporary/value cruises. These cruise lines frequently call on Hawaii's ports. Contemporary/value is by far the largest class of cruising, with reasonable prices and package deals.

Cruise lines like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America offer top-notch service and have smaller, more luxurious ships, which make them premium cruise lines. Fewer passengers or larger staffs are important in making these ships what they are.

Luxury liners offer upscale service and the best amenities, but also charge the highest prices. Still, travelers looking for the most luxurious cruise ship accommodations feel the experience is worth the additional expense.

Specialty ships often sail to unique destinations, but may also offer specialized cruises for specific groups. Contact your cruise line to find out more about cruises for specific groups, such as homosexuals, senior citizens, or singles, traveling to Hawaii.

Ships

Cruise ships are available in all sizes and styles, so keep in mind that when booking a vacation the size may matter quite a bit. The largest cruise ships are called Panama-class ships. They were given this name because they're almost too large to pass through the Panama Canal. These gigantic liners hold a maximum capacity of 3,000 passengers and can only visit major ports due to their large size. However, larger ships offer more stability on the ocean, especially during storms or turbulent weather.

Ships are classified based on the following criteria:

Cabins

One of the most important choices that you will have to make after choosing a particular cruise line to travel with is what type of cabin you want to stay in. Travelers who want a specific room or a "perfect" cabin should expect to pay a little more. But you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you'll get the kind of room that you want. "Run of the ship" rooms, on the other hand, mean you'll choose between an inside or outside cabin. The rest is up to luck, as they're assigned one week before departure – however, these are a less expensive option.

Consider the following suggestions prior to selecting your room:

• Avoid choosing cabins that are near anchors, bars, casinos, elevators, engine rooms, gyms, nightclubs, public rooms, stairways, pools and hot tubs, theaters, or thrusters. These areas can be particularly noisy.
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• If you'll be accompanied by young children during the cruise, do not select an outside cabin, especially one with balcony access.
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• If you're prone to getting motion sickness, consider a cabin on the lower decks. The further into the middle of the ship you are, the less ship movements you'll feel.
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• Keep money and valuables safely stowed away in your room, and always remember to lock your cabin door. Also, avoid carrying unnecessary cash around the ship.
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• Find out before your trip what kind of view you?ll have in an outside cabin, so you can be sure that you're getting what you expect. You may want to request a view of the ocean.
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When to Go

Icy cold weather and holidays influence many northern travelers to head south to seek the warmth of the Hawaiian islands, and cruises between December and early April are particularly popular. Because this time of year is so popular, it will cost more to book your cruise vacation during this high tourism season. New Year's Eve, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter are the most popular times for cruises.

Traveling during the springtime, or off tourism season, is one way to cut costs and still enjoy a cruise to Hawaii. However, don't forget hurricane season. Some travelers avoid tropical regions all together, but the risks are generally low, and you'll find the lowest costs during this time. Budget-conscious travelers especially should not rule out this season, which takes up much of the year.

What to Bring

Cruise ships don't offer a lot of extra space in their cabins, so it's important to know exactly what you'll need to bring. Pack your bags with bathing suits and lightweight clothing from shorts and shirts to cover-up clothing. Also, bring flip flops, sunglasses, and a hat for additional protection from the sun.

Evening attire for the dining room may fit into several categories depending on the meal on each ship. Evening casual attire are clothes such as slacks and a collared shirt for men, or sun dress or nice pants with a blouse for women. "Informal" on a cruise will usually mean a suit and tie or cocktail dress, while formal dinners require passengers to wear "black tie" dress.

Don't forget to bring clothing that will be appropriate on the Hawaiian islands as well as on the cruise ship. Hawaii's fashion environment is generally pretty laid back. But there are places on the island where formal dress is more appropriate.