Cruise Vacations vs. Land Vacations

If you're trying to decide on a cruise vacation vs. a land vacation, well, we clearly have a strong opinion. In our book, the best Hawaiian cruise vacations take place at sea on a Princess Cruises ship, where you‘ll experience far more of Hawaii in 15 days for less than the cost of just 7-days on land. Plus, from the moment you step onboard, you’ll be immersed in the color, culture and flavors of the “Aloha Spirit.”

Whether you've been to Hawaii before or you're crossing items off your bucket list, Princess Hawaiian cruises sail to the most popular islands, so if you've always dreamt of getting a tan on Waikiki Beach or lounging on the white sands of Maui, there's an itinerary to take you there. There’s also no need for long and expensive trans-pacific flights, or island-hopping flights, when you choose Princess, as every cruise takes you to the four most popular islands. We offer regular roundtrip sailings from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, and sailings between islands are included in your total cost. Can you picture it? Those are just a few benefits in the great “cruise vs. land vacation” debate. Read on for more.

Stretching Your Dollar on Hotel Costs

One of the biggest expenses you'll need to consider for any Hawaiian vacation is your hotel; where you stay can be a big indicator of how the rest of your trip goes. If you opt for a Hawaiian cruise vacation with Princess Cruises, you can save hundreds of dollars with competitive rates for premium accommodations.

Meals, Flying and Entertainment

Flying from Los Angeles to Honolulu is expensive and doesn’t include the cost of food and entertainment en route to your destination. You’d also need to coordinate and pay for airfare from island to island—not with Princess.

Princess is the only cruise line offering regular roundtrip sailings from the mainland, with the choice of sailing from Vancouver, San Francisco or Los Angeles. Plus, sailings to Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island are included in the itinerary, so you can fully enjoy the destination and journey to each unique island without the hassle and expense of getting there. And, as the Consummate Host, Princess Cruises includes freshly prepared, locally-inspired cuisine and dazzling entertainment options in your cruise fare so you can get an authentic Hawaiian experience without leaving port.

Explore the aromas and flavors of Hawaiian cuisine and inspired drinks at your leisure, whether you choose to dine in the main dining room, or at one of the many casual restaurants onboard. Have a slice of the Best Pizza at Sea at Prego Pizzeria; treat yourself to burgers and fries at the Trident Grill; or enjoy all-day soft serve ice cream, light sandwiches, soups and salads at the International Café. Then, get closer to Hawaii than ever with locally-inspired and led onboard entertainment and activities. Sign up for lei-making classes, ukulele and hula lessons taught by locals, to expert-led naturalist presentations and live music.

When you can enjoy more authentic Hawaiian cuisine and entertainment on a 15-day Princess Cruise for less than the cost of a 7-day land vacation, it’s easier to relax, unwind, and come back new® as you sail from one awe-inspiring Hawaiian island to another.

Exploring the Hawaiian Islands

While island-hopping flights require minute planning and significantly increase the cost of your vacation, sailing to four islands on a Princess Cruise is simply a part of the trip, all included in the initial cost of your Hawaii cruise fare. As an added bonus, you only have to unpack once and let Princess Cruises handle the rest. With so many rich and immersive excursions available, there are plenty of ways for the whole family to experience the natural beauty of Hawaii whether it’s snorkeling off Kauai’s famed Na Pali Coast for fantastic fish, coral and sea turtles, or hiking among the surreal and eerily molded lava trees in Hilo’s Lava Tree State Park.

All expenses considered, we feel there's a clear winner in the cruise vacation vs. land vacation show down. If you decide on a Hawaiian cruise vacation, we're sure you'll agree: our cruise experiences speak for themselves. View Hawaii cruises.