Hawaiian Islands Cruise Tour | Jan 22 – Feb 1

Immerse yourself in the rich culture, incredible landscapes, and delicious cuisine of Hawai`i on this one-of-a-kind 7-day cruise from Honolulu. As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, the Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to vacation on your schedule. Visit four Hawaiian Islands and five ports in seven days while you cruise through paradise in style. Explore an island every day of your vacation – from the lush, fragrant vegetation of Kauai to the Big Island’s dramatic volcanoes and the famous surfing beaches of Oahu. Enjoy overnight stays in Maui and Kauai, giving you even more time to discover the best of island living. Plus enjoy a three night stay at the spectacular Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki's only true resort destination located on the widest stretch of beach in Waikiki. The 22-acre paradise features the best pools and waterslides in Waikiki, as well as the only saltwater lagoon. This is how you Hawai`i!

January 22 – February 1, 2025  |  11-Days / 10 Nights

Itinerary

Jan 22 | Home to Honolulu

Today you board your flight bound for Paradise! Upon arrival at the Honolulu airport, you will be met by your Universal Travel representative and transferred to the  Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort for a relaxing three-night stay. Dinner is at your leisure this evening.

Jan 23 | Free Day in Paradise

Today is yours to enjoy exactly as you please at your resort on the shores of Waikiki Beach. Unwind and relax from your travels with a refreshing tropical cocktail at the pool, or a stroll along Waikiki Beach, with its white sands and turquoise blue waters. Take the Trolly to downtown Honolulu, where you’ll find shopping and dining opportunities everwhere.

Jan 24 | Free Day in Paradise 

Today is another free day in Paradise, so make the most of it! Take a dip in the warm and calm swimming area with a protective seawall in front of your resort, or relax by one of the 5 sparkling pools, a water lover’s dream. Tonight, you have the option to celebrate the colorful heritage of the Pacific Islands with live music, dancing, and an island-inspired luau feast conveniently located within the Hilton Hawaiian Village! Voyages Across the South Seas features the fiery drama of fire knife dancers as well as traditional Samoan, Tahitian, and Hawaiian dancers.

(Luau is not included, but is available at an additional cost)

Jan 25 – Pride of America | Sail away Party!

Enjoy a leisurely morning before you check out at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and depart for the pier where you board Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America just in time for lunch. The ship sets sail at 7 p.m.

Honolulu                (L,D)

Jan 26 & 27 | Kahului, Maui | 8 am – next day 6 pm

Welcome to Maui! Today you dock at Kahului and stay overnight. Maui, “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest Hawaiian island and is beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales, farm-to-table cuisine, and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala, Maui’s highest peak. This massive volcano rises more than 10,000 feet above the sea and provides spectacular views! It’s not surprising Maui has been voted “Best Island in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler readers for more than 20 years. From the highly scenic drive to Hana and beautiful Kaanapali Beach, you’ll have a tough time deciding what to do. Why not take an optional excursion to Lahaina? Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early nineteenth century, Lahaina was also a historic whaling village during the whaling boom of the mid-1800s. Up to 1,500 sailors from as many as 400 ships took leave in Lahaina, including Herman Melville, who immortalized the era in his classic novel Moby Dick. Don’t forget to set sail from the Harbor on an unforgettable whale-watching tour. The channel off the coast of Lahaina is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales.

Kahului, Maui       (B,L,D)

Jan 28 | Hilo – 8 am to 6 pm

This morning dock in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian chain. Nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined (hence, its nickname, “Big Island”), its sheer size is awe-inspiring. You can travel through all but four of the world’s different climate zones here, ranging from Wet Tropical to Polar Tundra, a result of the shielding effect and elevations of massive volcanoes. The Island is constructed of 5 major volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Loa (located within Volcano National Park), Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kohala. Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth. The entire city of Hilo is like one giant greenhouse with spectacular tropical flowers at every turn. You may opt to visit the town’s well-preserved historic buildings, or enjoy a tour of the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, with yummy samples at the gift shop! Once back onboard the Pride of America, enjoy a cocktail at one of the three swimming pools watching the sun set in paradise!

Hilo, Big Island       (B,L,D)

Jan 29 | Kona – 7 am to 5:30 pm  | Tender Port!!!

This morning your ship anchors on the Big Island’s “Gold Coast” of Kona. The sunny Kona District stretches almost two-thirds of the entire West side of the island of Hawaii. Along this expansive area, you’ll find everything from coffee farms to historic Hawaiian landmarks. In fact, King Kamehameha actually spent his final years in Kona. Home to shops, restaurants, and nightlife, you can conveniently take a walking tour of Kona’s history at places like Huliheʻe Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. Other significant historic places include Kealakekua Bay to the south, where Captain James Cook first set foot on the island in 1778 and where he was eventually killed. You may choose to visit Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, a well-restored Hawaiian “sacred place of refuge”. For water enthusiasts, the calm and clear waters of Kona are perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and spotting dolphins and sea turtles. Your visit to Kona won’t be complete without an optional visit to the cooler upland slopes, where you can sample the distinctive flavors of 100%  Kona coffee and learn how it’s grown, dried, and roasted.

Kona, Big Island        (B/L/D)

Jan 30 & 31 |Nawiliwili, Kauai | 8 am – next day 5:30 pm

Today at 8 a.m., you arrive at Nawiliwili, where you will be docked overnight. Named after the Wiliwili trees that once lined its picturesque harbor, this lovely port of Kauai is your gateway to what many believe to be Hawaii’s most beautiful island. On “The Garden Island,” nature is truly the star, from the dramatic mountains of Kokee to the cool rainforests of Haena. Hollywood adores this island, with scenes from Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and King Kong all filmed here. You may choose to sign up for an excursion to take a relaxing river cruise to the Fern Grotto where a Hawaiian chorus serenades you in a naturally formed amphitheater. Elect an optional helicopter ride and experience all of the natural wonders of Kauai on a guided aerial tour, as you dip low over razor-thin cliffs, flutter past sparkling waterfalls, and swoop into the valleys of fabled Waimea Canyon. The Pride of America sets sail at 2 pm and shortly after you’ll cruise along the dramatic Na Pali Coastline. The only way to see this stunning vista is via air or on the water. What a  wonderful way to end your Hawaiian Islands Cruise Tour.

Nawiliwili, Kauai & at Sea                 (B,L,D)

Feb 1/2 | Honolulu & overnight flight home

This morning your ship arrives back in Honolulu at 7 am. After breakfast and disembarkation, board your motorcoach for a panoramic city tour of Honolulu. View landmarks such as the National Cemetery of the Pacific, the Hawaiian State Capital, and the Pali lookout. You will have free time in Waikiki for lunch and shopping before you transfer to the airport and check-in for your overnight flight home. Fond memories of your Hawaiian Islands Cruise Tour program will last forever!  (B)

Inclusions: 

  • Roundtrip airport transfers (including gratuities)
  • Roundtrip airfare to Honolulu (baggage fees not included)
  • All transfers from hotel to pier & pier to airport
  • 3 pre-nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the beach at Waikiki
  • Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village
  • 7 nights onboard the Pride of America in your selected cabin category
  • All meals while onboard the Pride of America
  • Hawaii ultimate beverage and 2-night specialty dining packages – with gratuities included!
  • Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
  • Panoramic city tour of Honolulu on
  • Ship Service fees included
  • All driver & guide gratuities while in Honolulu
  • All cruise, port charges and government taxes
  • Service of a Universal Travel representative throughout the itinerary

With sufficient numbers, Universal Travel will offer Optional and Private Shore Excursions on all Ports of Call on this Itinerary

Payments

$1000.00 refundable deposit due within 5 days of reservation

Final Payment due Sept 24, 2024

Cancellation

50% non-refundable Sept 29, 2024

100% non-refundable Nov 1, 2024

 An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage  for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.

A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.

 

Contact Your Group Leader OR Armonde Maurras at Universal Travel