Looking For Smaller High End Cruise

I am looking for a recommendation on a smaller high end Hawaiian cruise. We are a couple around 60 who have travelled quite a bit but never been to Hawaii. I have only done one cruise which was a luxury Aqua Amazon cruise and my wife has done that one plus one other fairly standard Mediterranean cruise. Since we have never been to Hawaii before I am thinking we would like to see a number of the islands in one trip which is why I am thinking cruise. Another advantage is not having to change hotels and constantly move from island to island . I am looking for a smaller cruise preferably one that will stay in port for more than one day and visit at least 4 or 5 islands. I don't know much about cruising but I don't think we need a lot of ship board activities besides good food. If there are shore excursions that's fine but otherwise I have no problem renting a car or finding tours or what not on the islands we visit. I have done some searching online but have not found a whole lot for what I am looking for.

By your description of your requirements, Azamara would be ideal, but I don't think they visit Hawaii.

I would go to the port schedules for the islands and note which ships are in port. You could then research any ship you are interested in.

Uncruise receives great reviews for its Alaska itineraries and also cruises Hawaii, so definitely a small-ship cruise. This cruise line emphasizes outdoor activities, which is what makes Hawaii special. It may meet your needs.

https://www.uncruise.com/destinations/hawaiian-islands-cruises

That said, it is easy to fly between the various islands. Airports are small and easily navigated; inter-island flying time is nominal; there are scheduled flights; airport car rental is easy; there's a variety of lovely tropical (even luxury) accommodations and touring opportunities on each island. If you chose to visit the big island of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, you would have a good overview and not too much island hopping and too many hotels. The three islands are all quite different, but very much represent the essence of Hawaii.

Not many of the larger ships go to Kauai, which is such a shame, as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific can be seen at Waimea. I had never heard of it , but it was stunning. Also made famous by Elvis Presley, as Blue Hawaii was filmed there.

If you want a high-end cruise and can be flexible about tropical areas, consider the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia.

Also consider the small ships of Oceania with some interesting ,diverse cruises over there. Great food too.

By your description of your requirements, Azamara would be ideal, but I don't think they visit Hawaii.

I would go to the port schedules for the islands and note which ships are in port. You could then research any ship you are interested in.

Azamara looks interesting. I'd never heard of them but will keep them in mind for another time. I'll try to find the port schedules. Thanks.

Silver, Sweethearts and zoncom:

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at those lines for future reference but this this trip is going to be Hawaii. Still I've always been reluctant to cruise because I just had an image of a big crowded ship so it's good intel for the future.

PNW Traveler

Thanks for that link. Uncruise looks like what I was looking for and hoping to find. The size of the ship and number of passengers is what I was hoping to find. Also 7 days is a good length. I'll think some more about a land trip on a few of the islands. Maybe combine the cruise with a few days on one of the islands.

Not many of the larger ships go to Kauai, which is such a shame, as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific can be seen at Waimea. I had never heard of it , but it was stunning. Also made famous by Elvis Presley, as Blue Hawaii was filmed there.

Thanks. That looks like something I would want to see.

Crystal does a RT cruise from Los Angeles. Unfortunately there are not a lot of options once you are in Hawaii. Cherie

Crystal does a RT cruise from Los Angeles. Unfortunately there are not a lot of options once you are in Hawaii. Cherie

Thanks. On this trip I do not want to spend the extra days going RT from LA

That said, it is easy to fly between the various islands. Airports are small and easily navigated; inter-island flying time is nominal; there are scheduled flights; airport car rental is easy; there's a variety of lovely tropical (even luxury) accommodations and touring opportunities on each island. If you chose to visit the big island of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, you would have a good overview and not too much island hopping and too many hotels. The three islands are all quite different, but very much represent the essence of Hawaii.

The first time we took a land trip to Hawaii we spent 2 weeks on three islands. The low point was the transit days between islands. Yes the flights were easy but with packing up, checking out, checking in and all the rest, the day was shot. Now if we take a land trip we take shorter one week and stay on one island.

The first time we took a land trip to Hawaii we spent 2 weeks on three islands. The low point was the transit days between islands. Yes the flights were easy but with packing up, checking out, checking in and all the rest, the day was shot. Now if we take a land trip we take shorter one week and stay on one island.

I totally agree about the travel days being shot. I've always found it hard to do much more than breakfast and/or go for a run on most travel days. My wife does not like hectic vacations to begin with and I definitely want this Hawaii trip to be as relaxing as possible.