Port Guides
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu Harbor sits between downtown and Waikiki, minutes from the beach and close to Pearl Harbor, so the islands start before you ever board. Our advisors have sailed Hawaii aboard Pride of America and know the terminals, the hotels, and how to make your days on Oahu count.
Honolulu is where Hawaii cruising begins. Every Saturday, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America sets out from Pier 2 on a seven-night loop around the islands, and throughout the year transpacific and Hawaii voyages from other lines begin or end at the harbor’s Aloha Tower piers. The port sits right at the edge of downtown, a short drive from the hotels of Waikiki, the historic sites at Pearl Harbor, and the green ridges of the Koolau Mountains. It’s a city where you can surf in the morning, stand on the deck of the USS Missouri after lunch, and watch the sunset from Waikiki Beach before dinner. Because Pride of America overnights in Maui and Kauai, you’ll see more of the islands in a week than almost any land itinerary allows, but Oahu deserves its own time too. Give yourself a day or two before or after you sail. Our advisors have sailed these islands themselves, and they love sending guests here.
Honolulu is also a midcruise port for sailings from the West Coast, as well as a turnaround port for many repositioning cruises. There are many ways to cruise to and from Honolulu, and we love them all!
Honolulu at a Glance
Getting to Honolulu
Getting to Honolulu almost always means flying, and the good news is that the airport sits remarkably close to the ship. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is just west of downtown, so a taxi or rideshare to Pier 2 typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the time of day. Most guests, though, head first to a hotel in Waikiki, about 8 to 9 miles from the airport, and then make the short hop to the harbor on embarkation day. TheBus, Oahu’s public transit system, also serves the airport, but with cruise luggage most guests find a car far easier.
Renting a Car
A rental car is worth considering if you’re spending a few days on Oahu before or after your cruise. It makes the North Shore, the windward coast, and Pearl Harbor easy to reach on your own schedule. Just know that hotel parking in Waikiki is limited, and there’s no long-term cruise parking at the piers, so most guests return the car before boarding.
Shuttle Services & Car Services
Taxis and rideshare are readily available at HNL and throughout Waikiki, and the ride to the pier is short. Norwegian also offers transfers for Pride of America guests, and private car services will meet you at baggage claim. For larger families or groups with plenty of luggage, a pre-booked van is often the smoothest way to go.
Staying Overnight
We always recommend arriving in Honolulu at least the day before your cruise. Flights from the mainland are long, and a single delay could cost you your sailing. Arriving early also lets you shake off the time difference, enjoy a sunset on Waikiki Beach, and board relaxed instead of rushed.
Guest Recommendations
A selection of our guests’ favorite Honolulu hotels, grouped by location and style.
Waikiki Beachfront Luxury
Waikiki Resort Favorites
Near the Port & Downtown
Things to Do Near the Port
One of the joys of sailing from Honolulu is how much history and natural beauty sits within a short drive of the harbor. Whether you have a free afternoon before boarding or a few days on Oahu, these are the places our guests talk about most.
Pearl Harbor & Downtown History
Pearl Harbor National Memorial is about a half-hour drive from the port, and for many guests it’s the most meaningful stop of the whole trip. The USS Arizona Memorial program is free but requires a reservation, so book it before you travel, then add the Battleship Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum for a full day. Closer to the ship, downtown’s Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, offers guided and audio tours that sell online only, and the King Kamehameha statue stands right across the street.
Waikiki & Diamond Head
Waikiki is the classic Honolulu experience, and it’s only a short ride from the pier. Take a surf lesson or an outrigger canoe ride, stroll Kalakaua Avenue, or simply settle in under an umbrella with Diamond Head on the horizon. The hike to the summit of Diamond Head is short but steep and rewards you with sweeping views over the city and coastline. Non-residents need advance reservations, and walk-ups are turned away, so book your time slot online as soon as your plans are set.
Honolulu as a Port of Call
Stopping in Honolulu for the day? Here’s how to make a few hours count.
Honolulu is a regular stop on Hawaii round-trips from the West Coast and Vancouver with Princess, Holland America, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, and on transpacific and world cruises passing through. Ships dock downtown at the Aloha Tower piers or nearby Pier 2, and most calls run eight to twelve hours, with the odd overnight. That’s enough for Pearl Harbor or a slice of the island, not both done well. Pick a focus, book ahead and keep an eye on all-aboard.
Pearl Harbor, with time to take it in
The USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri and the visitor center exhibits make this the island’s most meaningful half day. Arizona Memorial boat programs fill fast, so a tour that handles reservations takes the guesswork out.
Diamond Head
The crater hike is short but steep, with big views over Waikiki. Visitors from outside Hawaii need an advance reservation, and entry is an extra charge, so plan it before you sail.
‘Iolani Palace and old Honolulu
The only royal palace on US soil sits a few blocks from the harbor, near the King Kamehameha statue and the State Capitol. Guided palace tours are an extra charge and well worth booking.
Around the island
A full-day loop takes in the windward coast, the Byodo-In Temple and the North Shore. It fits a long port call best, on a guided tour with a firm eye on the clock.
- All-aboard is firm. Your ship won’t wait for independent travelers. Ship-sold tours wait for you if they run late, and our Project Expedition picks below carry a Back to Ship Guarantee.
- Pack light for Pearl Harbor. Bags, purses and backpacks aren’t allowed at the Pearl Harbor sites. Bring a wallet, phone and camera, or a small clear bag, and check current rules before you go.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Pack a mineral version, a hat and water; the sun is stronger than it feels with the trade winds blowing.
- Keep valuables close. Don’t leave anything in view at beaches and lookouts, and keep your passport onboard unless your cruise line asks otherwise.
Shore excursions we’d book
Bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change.
Pearl Harbor with USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri
A small-group day covering the USS Arizona Memorial boat program, the Battleship Missouri and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. About six hours, with pickup from the cruise pier.
View on Project ExpeditionPearl Harbor with USS Arizona Memorial Boat Tour
The same operator’s four-hour version: the Arizona Memorial boat program, the visitor center galleries and a pass through downtown landmarks, with cruise pier pickup.
View on Project Expedition
Danny’s Insider Tips
Haleakala sunrise on your Maui overnight
“What’s so great about what Norwegian does in Hawaii is they give you unparalleled access to the islands from a cruise ship. You unpack one time, you overnight in several ports, and you get about 96 hours in port during your seven-day cruise. So if you want to get up early in the morning and go all the way to the top of the Haleakala volcano to see the sunrise, you can do that in a way you almost never get to do on a cruise ship.”
Don’t miss the Na Pali Coast
“Pride of America departs Honolulu every single week and cruises the islands for seven days, and you get nearly a hundred hours of port time. On top of that, you get some incredible scenic cruising, including the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, something people pay a lot of money to head out on a boat and explore.”
Embarkation at Honolulu
Honolulu Harbor has two cruise terminals, and knowing which one your ship uses makes embarkation day simple. Pride of America sails from the Pier 2 Cruise Terminal at 521 Ala Moana Boulevard, with the entrance at the west end of Channel Street off Ala Moana Boulevard. It departs on Saturday evenings, and guests check in according to the boarding time they select during online check-in. Other lines beginning or ending voyages in Honolulu typically use the Aloha Tower Cruise Terminal at Piers 10 and 11, right beside the historic Aloha Tower downtown, though they can also be assigned to Pier 2 when the berths are busy. Confirm your terminal with your cruise documents or your Harr Travel advisor, and have your ID, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any required forms in hand. Porters take checked luggage at the curb.
Disembarking at Honolulu
Pride of America returns to Pier 2 early on Saturday morning, and disembarkation follows a familiar rhythm. You’ll be assigned a time or color group, or you can carry your own bags off with self-assist if you have an early flight or want a head start on your day. The airport is close, usually 20 to 40 minutes by car, but morning traffic and long security lines at HNL can add up, so we recommend booking flights home no earlier than about midday. Many mainland flights depart in the afternoon or evening, which leaves time for Pearl Harbor or one last swim. If you’re staying on, Waikiki hotels are a short ride away, and many will hold your bags until check-in.
Cruise Lines Sailing from Honolulu
Norwegian’s Pride of America is the only large cruise ship sailing Hawaii year-round. Because she’s US-flagged, she doesn’t need to visit a foreign port, so every seven-night roundtrip from Honolulu is pure Hawaii: overnights in Kahului on Maui and Nawiliwili on Kauai, calls at Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and scenic cruising along the Na Pali Coast. Norwegian also offers cruisetour packages that pair the cruise with hotel nights on Oahu.
Princess has a long history in Hawaii, and its roundtrip Hawaiian voyages from California typically call at Honolulu for a full day with a late-evening departure, alongside Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Some longer sailings and transpacific voyages begin or end in Honolulu, making Princess a strong fit for guests who want sea days and a classic big-ship experience.
Holland America offers longer Hawaii voyages from the West Coast as well as seasonal transpacific and South Pacific itineraries that can begin or end in Honolulu. Expect elegant, mid-size ships, strong enrichment programming, and a relaxed pace that suits guests who enjoy days at sea as much as days ashore.
Royal Caribbean uses Honolulu for seasonal repositioning and transpacific voyages, often in spring and fall, as ships move between Alaska, the West Coast, and Asia or Australia. These one-way sailings bring big-ship amenities and plenty of onboard activity, which makes them popular with families and guests who love a long stretch at sea.
Celebrity offers seasonal Hawaii and transpacific sailings, including voyages that begin or end in Honolulu as ships reposition across the Pacific. The line’s modern design and strong culinary focus suit guests who want a refined, adult-leaning atmosphere without stepping into ultra-luxury.
Honolulu is also a regular stop and occasional starting point for premium and luxury lines, including Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Viking, Seabourn, and Silversea, often on long Pacific crossings or world cruise segments. These voyages emphasize all-inclusive amenities and smaller guest counts, and they typically book 12 to 24 months ahead, so early planning matters.
Your Honolulu Questions, Answered
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