Hawaii Repositioning Cruises
The islands on a one-way voyage to or from the Alaska season.
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Hawaii repositioning cruises link the islands with the Pacific Northwest as ships move to and from the Alaska season. They combine several days of open Pacific with island calls, one way, and they appear in the schedules each spring and autumn.
In autumn, ships leaving Alaska may sail from Vancouver to Honolulu, sometimes continuing to the South Pacific or Australia. In spring, the direction reverses, with voyages from Honolulu to Vancouver. Our sister site Cruise Hawaii covers the islands themselves, including round trips from California.
Sea Days, Clocks and the Islands
Between the mainland and Hawaii lies one of the longest stretches of open ocean on any regular cruise route. The ship sets its clocks back or forward an hour at a time on the way, because Hawaii keeps its own time zone and does not use daylight saving. In summer that makes Hawaii three hours behind the West Coast; in winter, two.
Once in the islands, ships usually call at several of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, depending on the itinerary. Ending in Honolulu leaves time for a hotel stay in Waikiki; RoomsCheap.com lists Honolulu and Waikiki hotels.
Which Way to Sail?
Autumn, toward the islands
You leave cool Pacific Northwest weather behind and arrive in warm sun. Ending in Honolulu makes it easy to add a beach stay before flying home.
Spring, toward the mainland
The island calls come first and the sea days follow. You land in Vancouver just as the Alaska season begins, which suits anyone planning a cruise or rail trip there next.
Staying on further
Some autumn ships keep going to French Polynesia, Fiji or Australia, turning a Hawaii repositioning into the first leg of a transpacific.
Either way, the open-ocean stretch is the heart of the trip. Travelers who love reading on deck, long lunches and enrichment talks tend to rate these voyages highly; anyone who needs a new port every morning may find the crossing slow.
Judging the Deal
- Count the sea days and choose a ship you will enjoy for them; pools, lectures and good dining matter more here.
- Price the one-way flight from Honolulu or to Vancouver at the same time as the cruise.
- Consider ending in Hawaii and staying on: an island stay after the cruise uses the one-way ticket you need anyway.
- Check whether the voyage continues to the South Pacific; staying on can turn a short deal into a longer one.
Hawaii Repositioning Questions
How many sea days does a Hawaii repositioning cruise have?
The open-ocean stretch between the West Coast and the islands usually takes several days in each direction, so expect a run of sea days before or after the island calls.
Can I take a repositioning cruise from Hawaii to Alaska?
Yes. In spring some ships leave Hawaii for Vancouver to begin their Alaska season, and a few itineraries call at Alaska ports on the way.
Why do some Hawaii cruises from California stop in Mexico?
Round trips from a U.S. port must call at a foreign port, and Ensenada is the closest. A one-way trip between two U.S. ports would need a more distant foreign call.
Sail to or From Hawaii One Way
Tell us whether you want to start or finish in Honolulu and which season suits you. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Hawaii repositioning cruises and send free quotes.
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