How Much Is A Cruise To Hawaii? A Complete Breakdown Of Costs

Dreaming of a cruise to the tropical Hawaiian islands but wondering what it will cost? With flight, accommodations, food, activities and more to budget for, planning a Hawaii cruise vacation can quickly get complicated.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Most 7-night Hawaii cruises start around $600 per person for an interior stateroom, but expect to budget about $1,500 to $2,000+ per person when you factor in flights, pre/post hotels, tours, drinks, tips and more extras.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down every component that goes into the cost of a Hawaii cruise so you can set an accurate vacation budget.

Cruise Fare Costs

Interior Stateroom Prices

Interior staterooms are the most affordable option for cruise accommodations. The average price for an interior stateroom on a 7-night Hawaii cruise is $600-$800 per person. However, prices can be lower during shoulder seasons.

Interior rooms offer comfortable accommodations without a view to the outside of the ship.

Some tips to find the best interior room rates include:

• Book early for the lowest fares before prices start increasing closer to sail date
• Be flexible with travel dates if possible to take advantage of sales or special promotions
• Consider repositioning cruises when ships are moved between regions with very low rates to fill the ship

Oceanview & Balcony Stateroom Prices

Average prices for oceanview rooms range from $800-$1200 per person, while balcony staterooms start around $1000-$1500+ per person for a week-long Hawaii sailing. These rooms offer additional amenities like a window to the sea or a private veranda to relax on.

Ways to save on oceanview and balcony rooms:

• Book a Guaranteed room category to receive a discount over choosing a specific room location
• Watch for occasional two-for-one balcony promotions or reduced deposits
• Sail during shoulder seasons like April/May and September/October for lower rates

Suite Prices

Cruise ship suites offer extra amenities, upgraded furnishings, and plenty of space. Prices for basic suites generally range from $2000-$4000 per person. Larger specialty suites with unique features can cost upwards of $10,000 or more for an luxurious experience.

While suites carry a premium price, they offer plenty of extra comfort and amenities. Ways to save include:

• Book far in advance when suites first open for booking
• Inquire about special perks included like free airfare or exclusive suite guest areas

Additional Cruise Costs

When budgeting for a cruise to Hawaii, it’s important to factor in costs beyond just your fare. From drink packages to shore excursions, you’ll likely be opening your wallet for various add-ons during your voyage. Being prepared can help avoid sticker shock.

Onboard Beverage Packages

Quenching your thirst on a cruise often comes with a hefty price tag if you pay per drink. According to Cruise Critic, a soda can cost around $3, beer about $6, and mixed drinks from $8-15 each. To save money, many cruisers opt for beverage packages covering unlimited drinks for a set daily rate.

Prices vary by cruise line, but expect packages to run roughly $60+ per person/per day.

Specialty Dining

While cruises include meals in main dining rooms, specialty restaurants onboard come with an extra fee, typically $20-50 per guest. From teppanyaki to French cuisine, these upscale venues offer elevated dishes and white tablecloth service.

If you want to indulge on your Hawaii cruise without overspending, specialty dining 1-2 nights is often sufficient.

Shore Excursions

One of the best parts of cruising Hawaii is exploring its gorgeous islands. Booking shore excursions through your cruise line provides ease and peace of mind.

According to AFAR, average costs range from $50 for a brief island drive to $200+ for snorkeling adventures or helicopter tours.

For budget-friendly sightseeing, opt for self-guided excursions instead of those with guides.

Spa Treatments & Salon Services

What better place to pamper yourself than on vacation in paradise? From massages to manicures, cruise ship spas offer extensive menus of relaxation and beauty services.

Per SmarterTravel, industry averages are $129 for a 50-minute massage, $45 for a basic manicure, and $105+ for hair services.

While gratifying, these personalized treatments add up fast, so set a budget beforehand if you plan to partake.

Photos

Capturing memorable moments during your Hawaii cruise likely ranks high on your priority list. However, all those professional photos sold onboard come at fairly steep rates.

According to Cruise Line, print photo prices typically start at $20 for a 6×8′′, scaling up to $35 for two 8×10′′ prints.

To save, purchase just 1-2 favorite photos instead of entire folios.

Gratuities

Showing your gratitude via tips is customary on cruise ships. Guidelines provided by cruise lines suggest gratuity amounts around $14-16 per person/per day for room stewards and dining waitstaff.

At the end of your sailing, these recommended gratuities are automatically applied to your onboard account, but can be adjusted as desired.

Ultimately, how much you tip comes down to your satisfaction with the service.

Miscellaneous Extras

By understanding additional expenditures that may arise, cruisers can allocate funds accordingly and enjoy their Hawaiian getaways without fiscal frustration. The destination’s natural splendor and onboard hospitality make any extra costs worthwhile!

Also read: What Cruise Lines Go To Hawaii: A Comprehensive Overview

Pre & Post-Cruise Hotel Costs

Waikiki Hotels

Waikiki is a top destination for pre or post-cruise stays due to its beautiful beaches, dining, and shopping. Hotel prices can vary widely based on location, amenities, and time of year, but some average costs are:

• Budget hotels like Waikiki Beachside Hostel or Aqua Bamboo & Spa – $100 – $250 per night
• Moderate hotels like Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel or Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort – $250 – $400 per night
• Luxury hotels like Moana Surfrider or Royal Hawaiian Hotel – $500+ per night

The most expensive periods are typically during holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, and spring break. Early December and January see lower average prices. Many hotels offer cruise packages with discounted rates and perks like free breakfast and airport transfers.

Luxury Resorts in Maui or Kauai

For a more lavish pre or post-cruise vacation, travelers should consider Maui or Kaui’s luxury beach resorts. Some top options include:

• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea – Rooms from $895 per night
• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – Rooms from $559 per night
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui – Rooms from $899 per night

These resorts provide amenities like multiple pools, hot tubs, spas, golf courses, fine dining, kids clubs, and stunning grounds. Rates fluctuate less compared to Waikiki hotels but are higher on average. Many also offer cruise packages.

So whether you’re looking for an affordable pre/post-cruise stay in lively Waikiki or a luxurious, relaxing resort vacation on Maui or Kauai, Hawaii has excellent options to fit a range of budgets.

Airfare to Hawaii

When planning a cruise to Hawaii, one of the major expenses to consider is airfare. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when booking flights:

Departing from the Mainland US

Flights from major mainland airports like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, etc. can range from $300 to $800 roundtrip during off-peak seasons. Expect to pay more during popular travel weeks like spring break and summer vacations, where rates often exceed $1,000.

Try searching for deals on low-cost carriers like Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines. Their nonstop routes to Hawaii are very competitively priced.

Inter-Island Flights

If your cruise itinerary has port stops across multiple islands, you’ll likely need to purchase inter-island flights too. One-way fares between islands average $70-$150 per person.

Island hopper passes can offer discounts if you are traveling to more than one neighboring island. Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines offer these special multi-island tickets.

Tips for Saving

Here are some tips to keep airfare costs in check:

• Book early – Prices usually start high and come down as departure approaches, but they can also rise if demand increases
• Be flexible with dates/airports – Leaving a day earlier/later or using alternate airports can reveal much lower fares
• Use miles/points – Most airlines allow redemptions to Hawaii, which can help offset cash fares
• Consider connecting flights – Though less convenient, stopping in cities like San Diego first before continuing to Hawaii can mean huge ticket savings

Following some of these guidelines can lead to substantial discounts, making a Hawaii cruise vacation more affordable.

Ground Transportation in Hawaii

Taxis & Rideshares

Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are convenient ways to get around the islands of Hawaii. Prices can vary depending on the island and destination, but expect to pay around $3-5 per mile. The base fare just to get in a taxi usually starts at $3-5 too.

For example, a 10-mile taxi ride on Oahu could cost around $30-50. The same ride using UberX might be a little cheaper at around $25-40. And on smaller islands like Lanai or Molokai, fares may be higher due to less competition among drivers.

Surge pricing can also impact costs with rideshares, especially during peak times. And highway tolls may apply on certain routes, adding a couple extra dollars per ride. Islands like Maui also assess a small excise tax on rides. So be sure to budget accordingly.

The convenience of taxis and rideshares comes at a premium. But when weighed against the cost of renting a car, they can still be an affordable ground transportation option in Hawaii for shorter trips and airport transfers.

Rental Cars

Rental cars provide maximum flexibility for getting around Hawaii’s islands. Major car rental companies like Alamo, Budget, Hertz, Avis, and National all have locations across Hawaii.

Compact cars are available for around $30-70 per day depending on the company, location, and time of year. Expect rates to be a bit higher on some islands. For example, renting a car on Lanai or Molokai for a couple days could easily top $100 per day with limited competition.

When estimating your rental car costs, be sure to account for taxes and fees which can add $5-10 extra per day. Optional add-ons like GPS rentals, additional drivers, and child safety seats will also increase your rate if needed.

And while basic liability insurance is usually included, most visitors opt for added Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) to lower liability for damage to the rental car – costing around $15-25 extra per day.

By combining the base rate, taxes, fees, and insurance, renting a compact car for a week could easily top $350 per week or more. While not cheap, having your own set of rental car wheels still often beats relying on buses, taxis, or tours while exploring Hawaii’s scenic highlights.

Also read: When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Hawaii?

Conclusion

As you can see, the starting price for a Hawaii cruise is just the tip of the iceberg. But while the total costs may be higher than you initially expected, a Hawaiian cruise vacation remains an incredible travel experience that’s well worth the splurge.

By knowing all the potential expenses involved with a cruise to the islands and budgeting accordingly, you can avoid any monetary surprises and simply relax and enjoy paradise afloat in the Pacific. Aloha!

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