Cruising is one of the easiest ways to see several Pacific islands on one trip. Hawaii offers volcanoes, beaches and US convenience, while Tahiti and the South Pacific bring lagoons, coral reefs and a more remote feel. These trips suit couples, honeymooners, families and travelers who want variety without packing and repacking.
When to go
Hawaii is a year-round destination. French Polynesia and the wider South Pacific have clear dry and wet seasons.
| When | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii, December to April | Slightly cooler and wetter, with big surf on north shores. Humpback whale season. | Whale watching, winter escapes |
| Hawaii, May to October | Drier and warmer with calmer seas on most coasts. Summer is busy with families. | Snorkeling, beach time |
| Tahiti, May to October | Dry season with lower humidity and steady trade winds. | Lagoon swimming, diving, honeymoons |
| South Pacific, roughly October to April | Many itineraries from Australia run in these months. Warm and humid, with cyclone risk mostly in mid-summer. | Island-hopping from Sydney |
Itinerary types compared
- Hawaii island-hopping from Honolulu: Norwegian’s Pride of America sails 7-night round trips from Honolulu, visiting Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Because it is US-flagged, it can sail entirely within Hawaii, with no long sea days and overnight stays in some ports.
- Hawaii round trips from the West Coast: Usually about 15 nights from California or longer from Vancouver or Seattle. Expect several days at sea each way and four or five Hawaiian port days. Under US cabotage rules, foreign-flagged ships sailing from the West Coast must also call at a foreign port, often Ensenada, Mexico.
- Tahiti and French Polynesia: Mostly small ships sailing round trips from Papeete to islands like Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a. Short distances, calm lagoons and lots of time in the water.
- South Pacific from Australia or long crossings: Sailings to Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu from Sydney, plus longer voyages linking Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific.
The choice often comes down to time and how much you enjoy sea days. Island-hopping from Honolulu packs the most Hawaii into a week. A West Coast round trip takes about twice as long but lets you skip the long flight and enjoy relaxed days at sea. Tahiti suits travelers who want quiet lagoons and smaller ships rather than busy resort towns.
Where cruises leave from
Island-hopping Hawaii trips start in Honolulu. Longer Hawaii round trips leave from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. Tahiti cruises start in Papeete, a direct long-haul flight from Los Angeles. South Pacific sailings often begin in Sydney.
Which cruise line?
Norwegian Cruise Line is the main choice for a week of port-intensive Hawaii island-hopping. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are long-time favorites for round trips from the West Coast, and Celebrity and Royal Caribbean also sail seasonal routes. In French Polynesia, Windstar Cruises sails small ships that suit the islands’ small harbors and lagoons. Luxury lines such as Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania include the South Pacific on longer voyages.
Packing and travel documents
- Pack swimwear, a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water shoes.
- Bring a light fleece and rain jacket for the Big Island’s volcano areas, Maui’s Haleakalā summit and breezy sea days.
- Sturdy shoes help on lava fields and hiking trails.
- A valid US passport is required for Tahiti and the South Pacific. On round trips that start and end at the same West Coast port, US citizens may be allowed other proof of citizenship, but a passport is strongly recommended. See our US passport page.
- Check current entry requirements for French Polynesia, Australia and other countries with the destination authorities and our advisors.
Compare island sailings on our Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific page or request a quote from our advisors.
