Editors' Travel Deal Review

Save up to 68% on Hawaiian cruises, from $999

Sail Holland America, Carnival or Norwegian

By ShermansTravel Staff

October 28, 2008 11:34 am EDT

Book By: October 31, 2008

Travel By: Various dates through 2009

Hawaii is one of those destinations that’s breathtaking virtually year-round. Mix the allure of the islands’ natural beauty, indigenous culture and tropical climes with the perks of a cruise and you have a swoon-inducing vacation on your hands any time, any season. With no real calendar limitations, we scoped out good-value journeys to the picturesque 50th state with as much island time as possible. Our findings: Travel as soon as November or as far in the future as October and you can scoop up significant savings. Discounts on these sailings range from 39% to 68%, while prices start at $999.

Early-bird discount of 50% with Carnival 
If you can sail in the spring, you may be able to pocket savings of more than half on a 12-night westbound cruise from Carnival. Departing Ensenada, Mexico, on April 12 aboard the Carnival Spirit, you’ll have five opportunities to see stunning sunsets as the ship make its way across the Pacific Ocean. The first stop: Hilo, Hawaii, followed by two ports of call on Maui: Kahuliu and Lahaina. Looping back to the Big Island, the ship spends a day in Kailua-Kona before moving on to Nawiliwili, Kauai. You’ll have two days in Honolulu, Oahu – the final destination. Reflecting price reductions of 50%, interior staterooms cost $1229 and up, with oceanview rooms just $210 more. Cabins with a balcony run from $1729.

Seven nights, Hawaii only, from $999
Norwegian Cruise Line has five 2009 sailings from Honolulu reduced by as much as 39%. Choose between the February 7 through October 10 departures for interior rooms priced from $1249 and discounts up to $800. Balcony units on trips start at only $1799 – that’s significantly less than rack rates on inside cabins. The itinerary for the seven-night roundtrip excursion aboard the Pride of America details one day each in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, both on the island of Hawaii. In between, there is also a two-day stop in Kahului, Maui. Nawiliwili on Kauai is the last port of call. You’ll have a day and a half there before the ship makes its way back to Oahu.

Save 68% on a 15-day roundtrip sailing 
For a Thanksgiving cruise this year, take the Zandaam to the South Pacific from San Diego. The 15-day Holland America Line sail provides ample time to luxuriate at sea before island hopping in Hawaii. Hilo is the first port of call, followed by Honolulu, Port Allen (Nawiliwili), Lahaina and Kailua-Kona. You’ll have another four days cruising the Pacific before an evening in Ensenada, Mexico, and a morning return to San Diego the next day. Rates on interior staterooms, normally priced from $3129, have been slashed 68%. You pay $999! Discounts can be found across the board on the November 22 odyssey: Oceanview cabins are going for $1299 and up, and balcony rooms are priced from $2599.

All quotes are per person and based on double occupancy. Rates cover accommodations, meals and entertainment on the ship. Fees and taxes, as well as shore excursions, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages and tips are additional.

Grass skirts not included.

For the Carnival Spirit sailing, go to www.orbitz.com or call 1-888-656-8184.

For Norwegian’s Pride of America journey, visit www.cruisesonly.com or call 1-800-CRUISES. 

For the cruise aboard the Zandaam, check out www.vacationoutlet.com or call 1-800-TAKEOFF.