If you’re here because you’re planning for your ultimate cruise vacation to Hawaii then you must already know that one of  the most important decisions you’ll make in your trip is to decide when to go. The last thing you want on your vacation is where the weather is not cooperating. The good news is a rainy weather should not stop you from visiting the islands. Usually, the rains only last a few hours but give you enough sunshine to enjoy for the rest of the day.

Anyway, here is a guide for Hawaii weather that you might want to take a look at before you book your ticket.

January

• Wettest month of the year
• One of the coolest months of the year
• You can enjoy clear and warm skies in between rain
• Day Temperature: 78
• Rainfall: 4.6 in.
• High Season for tourists

February

• Cool month
• Warm and sunny days with rain showers
• Strong winds
• Day Temperature: 78
• Rainfall: 3.4 in.
• High Season

March

• Beginning of spring
• Strong northeast winds
• Day Temperature: 78
• Rainfall: 3.6 in.
• High Season

April

• Spring season
• Generally sunny in most areas
• Day Temperature: 79
• Rainfall: 3.0 in.
• Medium Season

May

• It’s already summer in Maui – a month early than the rest of the islands
• Skies with less clouds
• Expect less rainfall
• Day Temperature: 81
• Rainfall: 2.9 in.
• Medium Season

June

• It’s officially summer this month!
• This is the driest you can get in Hawaii
• Day Temperature: 83
• Rainfall: 1.8 in.
• Medium Season

July

• Warm temperature
• Winds will make the heat more bearable
• Day Temperature: 84
• Rainfall: 2.1 in.
• High Season

August

• Warm weather with partly cloudy
• Watch out for occasional tropical storm
• Day Temperature: 85
• Rainfall: 1.9
• High Season

September

• Warmest weather of the year
• Tropical storms rarely happen during this month
• Day Temperature: 85
• Rainfall: 2.7
• Low Season except on Labor Day week

October

• The high heat will be moderated
• Occasionally the first winter storms will come this month
• Most of the time the days are hot and dry
• Day Temperature: 83
• Rainfall: 4.3
• Low Season

November

• The weather will transition between summer and winter
• You will experience both summer and winter weather
• Rainy season begins
• Day Temperature: 81
• Rainfall: 4.7
• Low Season except Thanksgiving

December

• One of the wettest months of the year
• But don’t be fooled because you can still experience a fairly large amount of sunshine in some days
• Day Temperature: 79
• Rainfall: 4.8
• Low Season in the first 2 weeks then High Season from December 20 onwards

So when is the best time to go on your cruise? It is generally best to avoid the first and last quarters of the year because those are the wettest. The middle months can give you the optimum time to travel on a cruise. For me, September is the best time of the year to go because of it’s off peak season which can give you much savings. But if you don’t want to miss the whale season(December to May) then May is the best month to go.

Age Requirement for Infants for Hawaiian Cruise

You can take your infant on a cruise as long as he is already at least six months of age at the time of cruising. Keep in mind that this is only for cruises no more than 3 days. Because Hawaiian cruises typically last more than 3 days then that means that your child must at least be 1 year old by the time of sailing.

You can book your child less than 12 months old anytime as long as he has already celebrated his birthday by your cruise departure date.

Room Requirement for Minors
If you are below 21 years old you must be accompanied by another passenger 21 years old or older. You must also share the same room or must stay in a connecting stateroom with your companion.

Minors Traveling with Someone Not Their Legal Guardian
If you are traveling with a minor (under 18 years old) and you are not their parent or legal guardian you must submit the Parent/Guardian Consent Release Form at the time of embarkation. This is an important document that would authorize the minor to travel with you on a cruise. Do not at all cost forget this document because the two of you won’t be allowed to board Pride of America and your fare won’t be refunded too.

Travelers Under 21 Years Old Sharing Same Room
If you are under 21 years old, you can only share a room with a person under 21 years of age if both of you are married to each other. Bring your marriage certificate because it will be checked at the pier by an NCL representative.

Norwegian Cruise has offered more discounts for families with kids going on a Hawaii cruise vacation. In partnership with The Children’s Place, a popular clothing retailer for kids, you can get a 20% off your travel tickets if you purchase a minimum of $50 at the Children’s Place. This is valid for The Children’s Place stores in US and Canada.

You can use this discount together with the Free Excursion Promo of the Norwegian Line. The Free Excursion Promo will give your kids 12 years old and below a chance to explore the different Hawaii islands for free provided that they are sharing a room with their parents. Likewise, teens from the age 13 to 17 get 50% off in shore excursion fees.

The 20% travel discount and the Free Excursion Promo are valid for all 2012 bookings made until May 13 so hurry and book your tickets at Norwegian Cruise line now.

Good news to those going on a Hawaiian Cruise with kids this summer!

Book your 2012 Hawaiian cruise till May 13 at a Norwegian Cruise ship and your kids can enjoy free shore excursions. Kids are age 12 and below. But don’t worry because teens from age 13 to 17 years old can still enjoy shore excursions at half the regular price.

It’s important to note that the kids should be sharing a room with their parents. Meaning if you book an extra room for your kids then they won’t be eligible with this deal.

If you find yourself at Orlando, Florida before going on a cruise you will be surely delighted to find that there are nice Orlando Hotels to spend the night in. Orlando Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the US. That’s the reason why the hotel industry is booming and you have a lot to choose from. The presence of ports and airports around the area makes it easier for the tourists to visit.

That’s why it’s no wonder that Orlando, Florida is teeming with theme parks that you can visit. During the day you can spend time in one or more of their famous theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

Shoppers can shop at their hearts content at the Downtown Disney Market Place which has the largest Lego and Disney store in the world. I can already imagine the kids going wild in these places. Restaurants are plentiful so you can rest your tired feet after shopping.

For more information on things to do at Orlando, Florida please visit this Facebook page.

Here are the cruises from Seattle to Hawaii. Unfortunately, there really is no cruise where the ultimate destination is the Hawaii Islands if you’re from Seattle. The next best thing is to get a cruise that stops in two to three  ports of Hawaii. This way, you can enjoy the famous Hawaii islands plus also get to see other parts of the world.

Holland America Line-ms Oosterdam

23 Days Pacific Islands

Seattle, Vancouver, Hilo, Honolulu, Apia, Crossing the International Dateline, Nuku’alofa, Lifou Isle, Noumea, Sydney

1 departure date: Sep 30 2012

Prices from:
Inside $2499
OceanView $2999
Balcony $3599
Suite $5899

Holland America Line-ms Oosterdam

37 Days Australia/New Zealand
Seattle, Vancouver, Hilo, Honolulu, Apia, Crossing the International Dateline, Nuku’alofa, Lifou Isle, Noumea, Sydney, Hobart, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Sydney
1 departure date: Sep 30 2012

Prices from:
Inside $3899
OceanView $4699
Balcony $5949
Suite $8899

Holland America Line-ms Westerdam

35 Days Tahiti
Seattle, Vancouver, Astoria, San Diego, Lahaina, Honolulu, Hilo, Crossing the International Dateline, Fanning Island, Crossing the Equator, Crossing the International Dateline, Rarotonga/Cook Islands, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete/Polynesia, Nuku Hiva, Crossing the Equator, San Diego
1 departure date: Sep 29 2012

Princess Cruises’ Star Princess is offering a 15-night Hawaiian Cruise to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.
The Star Princess is one of the largest and with most amenities among the other cruise ships in the West Coast. It was built in 2002 and can hold 2,600 passengers and 1100 crews. It has 1,300 cabins(372 inside cabins, 928 suite cabins, 180 outside cabins), 18 decks, 3 dining rooms, 5 pools, and 9 jacuzzis.

Star Princess offers a 15-night Hawaii Cruise originating from San Francisco.
Here are the details:

15 night-Hawaiian Islands: Roundtrip San Francisco
15 Days – San Francisco, California, ports of call include, Hilo, Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii, Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii, Ensenada, Mexico, San Francisco, California
2012 Sails: Mar 19, Apr 13, Apr 28, Oct 6, Oct 21, Nov 5, Nov 20

14-Night – Roundtrip Hawaii – 14 Day Roundtrip Los Angeles

14 Days – Starting in Los Angeles with stops in Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Ensenada

2012 Sails: Jan 18, Feb 1, Feb 15, Feb 29, Mar 14, Mar 28, Apr 11, Apr 25, Sep 26, Oct 10, Oct 24, Nov 7, Nov 21, Dec 5, Dec 19, 2013: Jan 2, Jan 16, Jan 30, Feb 13, Feb 27, Mar 13, Mar 27, Apr 10,

Where to Go at Hilo, Hawaii

The most important place to check at Hilo, Hawaii is the Volcano National Park. Since Hilo is at the foot of two active volcanoes it’s the perfect place to see these majestic earth wonders  up close and personal. The volcanoes at Hilo has been erupting for years and years. All year round you will find active lava flow. Go to the park headquarters so you’ll know where the lava flows are. Park rangers can give you a hand to find the active flows.

For the more adventurous, why not take a helicopter ride? It might cost you more but a helicopter can give you a real bird’s eye view of the island. It can take you where your feet can’t – in the middle of a sea of hot molten lava. It can take you so close you can feel the heat in your face. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure you can only experience at Hilo.

Remember that once you arrive you might have trouble finding transportation around. Taxis are not easy to come by. So if you are not content hanging out at Hilo Bay then make sure you inquire at your cruise if they offer guided tours. It will save you more time and convenience traveling with the expert tour guides plus, bring an umbrella. With 144 inches of rainfall chances are there will be rain when you go there.

Are you looking for cruises from San Diego to Hawaii? You’re in luck because we have gathered the top cruises from Hawaii to San Diego based on reviews from actual passengers.

1. Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Century

15-Day Hawaii cruise

Ports of Call/Itinerary
San Diego
Honolulu
Lahaina
Kailua/Hawaii
Kilauea Volcano
Hilo
Ensenada, Mexico
San Diego

Price Range:
Inside $1099
OceanView $1349
Balcony $1799
Suite $3399

2.Holland America Line-ms Oosterdam
14-Day Hawaii

Ports of Call/Itinerary
San Diego, California
Lahaina, Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii
Ensenada, Mexico
San Diego, California

Prices Range:
Inside $1399
OceanView $1799
Balcony $2099
Suite $2999

3. Carnival Cruise Lines-Carnival Spirit
15-Day Hawaii Cruise

Ports of Call/Itinerary
San Diego, California
Hilo, Hawaii
Kahului, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kailua/Hawaii, Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii
Ensenada, Mexico
San Diego, California

Prices Range:
Inside $1409
OceanView $1779
Balcony $2059
Suite $4389

Carnival Cruise’s famous ship, Carnival Spirit, regularly embarks on a 15-night Hawaiian cruise. This 88,000 ton ship can easily carry more than 2,000 passengers. It boasts having 4 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, 4 jacuzzis, a fitness center, spa, and a lot more.

Carnival Cruise will depart from San Diego, California and will dock at the following Hawaiian ports: Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu, Kona Kailua, and Kauai. Check the table below for its complete itinerary:

Carnival Cruise’s Carnival Spirit Itinerary and Ports of Call

Holland America is one of the famous cruise lines with a dedicated cruise ship to Hawaii.

If you will be riding Holland America’s MS Oosterdam and is wondering what the ports of call are then here is a list for you:

A Hawaii cruise is highly recommended for the whole family. Cruising is not just for the mature travelers anymore. Ever since Disney cruises revolutionized the cruising industry and started offering cruises for the whole families, other cruising lines followed suit. Now the whole family can enjoy the cruising experience together and make it a memorable family vacation. Read more »

If you’re wondering what are the ports of call you may visit on a cruise to Hawaii then check out NCL’s Pride of America‘s ports of call itinerary for their 7-nights Hawaii cruise. Read more »

Cruise ships are either small, middle, or large-sized. For your Hawaiian cruise, choosing the ship size and not necessarily the cruise line is one of the biggest decisions you have to make. Your choice should reflect your lifestyle and the size of the ship is related to the amenities, the ambiance, and the luxury level of the ship. Read more »

Last minute cruise deals will give you the best value for your monet. Often it takes a great deal of planning to be able to go on a vacation but sometimes you find yourself with a few weeks off. This is the best time to get a cruise deal. Cruise ships give last minute cruise deals a few weeks before they are set to sail. Here are the steps on how you can grab yourself a last minute cruise deal.

1. Give your travel agent a call. Cruise lines inform them of bargains and they will be able to tell you about the available last minute cruise deals. A few days before the ship departs the price even drops lower and you can get yourself a nice bargain. Pick up the telephone and call your travel agent and more often than not you’ll find the a deal waiting for you.

2. If you prefer to check the last minute cruise deals yourself, the internet is a good way to find it. You can go to the websites of different cruise ships and find the deals under their special promos.

3. You can also check an online travel sites. They have great deals on last minute cruises. Cruise Direct in an example of such site and whether you’re looking for a last minute cruise deal or not, they offer a guaranteed cheapest price. That means if you book through them then later on find another cheaper deal then they are willing to adjust their price and match your find.

4. If you book a seven day Hawaiian cruise which will start in Hawaii itself then the next step is check that there is an available flight for you just before your cruise. You can do this through your local travel agent or you can also check and book flights online.

5. After getting your last minute cruise deal you can also check for inquire with the cruise line if they give discounts for upgrades. You can find yourself snagging a luxury suite for a sweet price.

Last minute cruise deals usually go quickly so be sure to be flexible in our choices. Once you see a great deal don’t think twice and book it deal fast otherwise your last minute cruise deal might be snagged by someone wiser.

Hawaii has always been a great vacation destination whether on board a Hawaiian cruise or not. Tourists have been flocking to this archipelago in the middle of the Pacific more than ever. They don’t normally go on a cruise but are they making a big mistake in doing so? One misconception is that a cruise is more expensive and won’t fit your schedule but contrary to what you may be thinking, here are some reasons why you might opt for a cruise instead on your next visit to Hawaii. Read more »

Choosing the best cabin for your Hawaiian cruise need not be a headache. Here’s my guide for picking the right cabin for you. Read more »

Hawaiian cruise cabins are generally grouped into two: outside cabins and inside cabins. The difference between the two is that the outside cabins have a view of the ocean and the coast (if you are in the right side of the ship) while the inside cabins do not. Read more »

Cruise packages are generally all-inclusive which will help you save money in the end but like any other family vacation there are things or services that you may want but are not included so therefore you will have to pay extra money on. Here are the things that you may expect will be some added costs to your cruise.

1. Travel insurance is not included in your cruise. A travel insurance can give you piece of mind in protecting your cruise vacation investment. It can cover trip cancellation in cases when an unforeseen crisis hit you and you may not be able to take advantage of your cruise, medical emergency expenses, expenses incurred because of travel delays, lost baggage and personal effects, and even extreme cases such as bankruptcy of a cruise line. It is up to you if you take advantage of the insurance packages that are offered by some cruise lines but for some people they can do without it. The cost of a travel insurance will ultimately depend on the cost of your package. It can range from $5 to $15 per $100.

2. Day care services is free but if you plan to spend a romantic night with you and your partner or to just go out alone at night you can hire in-room sitters for a fee of more or less $10 per hour.

3. Cruise lines have organized general shore excursions as part of your cruise package but if you want other specific excursions like a mountain climbing adventure at Mauna Kea, a helicopter ride to Haleakala, snorkeling in Kona, or a canopy zip lining tour at Kawai you must be prepared to shell out some extra dollars.

4. Beauty and spa services are available but the services can range from $25 to $40. Be prepared to give a tip to the attendants as well.

5. Meals are included in your cruise package but if you’re craving for something specific like a pizza or an ice cream or an espresso you can indulge all you want for a fee.

6. Some cruise packages offer complimentary champagne or wine but otherwise you will have to pay for it too.

If you are on a budget do not worry because a cruise package is enough for a complete Hawaii cruise experience.

Yes, you can take your whole family cruising in Hawaii! Family Cruises are becoming more and more popular as the ideal vacation that everyone in the family can enjoy. Gone were the days when cruising was only for the retired people. So pack your bags now and spend the best vacation your family will ever have in Hawaii. Read more »

You basically have two choices cruise lines for your Hawaiian cruise adventure: the mega-cruise lines and the smaller cruises. The mega-cruise lines have many ships under their name and since they have the money to upgrade their fleet, they’re ships are generally younger in age. Read more »

Major cruise lines offer the best honeymoon cruise packages. Aside from providing the perfect setting for your honeymoon – what can be more romantic than sailing across the sea with the best view of the sunset – cruises offer special services perfect for love-struck honeymooners. Some cruise lines will give you and your love one breakfast in bed, special champagnes, romantic dinner for two or even with other honeymooners aboard the cruise, a visit to the spa, long-stemmed roses, and chocolates complimentary of the cruise line. Read more »

One thing that might be holding you back in your Hawaiian cruise is concern on your health or safety so it’s time to talk about what services would you expect inside a cruise. Read more »

Cruise deals need not be hard to find. Cruise ships need to have a full capacity in order to make a substantial profit so they’d rather give discounts at even half the price than sail half empty. But the best cruise deals are not blatantly advertised because it may offend other passengers who paid the regular price. Here is a list of how to find the best cruise deals for your cruise. Read more »