HONOLULU - OAHU - HAWAII - USA
PORT INFORMATION
photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Chuck Painter
Honolulu and the other Hawaii island ports are now the base for year-round, inter-island cruising, with Norwegian Cruise Lines in particular intent on making Hawaii a major player in the cruise industry.
Honolulu is the capital and largest community in the state of Hawaii and is located on the island of Oahu. Also located on the island are the navy base of Pearl Harbor and the famous Waikiki Beach.
Cruise Terminals in Honolulu
Honolulu is served by two cruise terminals at the Oahu Dock: the Honolulu Cruise Terminal at the Aloha Tower Marketplace and the newer Pier 2 Terminal.
The terminal complex is centred round Aloha Tower allowing passengers to step right into the heart of the city.
Transport to and from the cruise terminals is easy with handily available taxis and TheBus, Oahu's reliable mass public transport system. The Waikiki Trolley has 4 lines to/from major island attractions.
The Port of Honolulu at the Aloha Tower Marketplace is located about 5 miles from the Honolulu International Airport and takes about 10-15 miutes by car, depending on traffic.
Luggage storage facilities are available at the cruise terminals for a nominal fee.
Cruise Lines using Honolulu Cruise Terminal as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
Hawaii cruises are busiest during the summer months and at Christmas, but there are cruises available all year round from cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises using the port of Oahu in Honolulu as their port of embarkation and disembarking.
As well there are a number of local cruise lines offering day trips to less visited destinations about the islands.
Must See Attractions in Honolulu
Aloha Tower: Located right at the cruie pier, and so the first attraction mose cruise passengers head for, this Hawaiian landmark is now part of a marketplace complex with more than 70 stores featuring contemporary boutiques and unique local merchandise.
Pearl Harbor: This national landmark is also home base for three historic attractions. The USS Arizona Memorial was constructed above the sunken ship, the USS Arizona, as a memorial to honor those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum that offers guests a glimpse into life on the historic USS Missouri or “Mighty Mo.” The USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum features a renovated World War II submarine and museum that introduces visitors to some of the sailors during the war.
Polynesian Cultural Center: Hawaii’s number one paid visitor attraction on Oahu's naturally stunning North Shore is just an hour away from the Honolulu cruise port passenger terminal. The center features seven Pacific Island villages on 42 acres with hands-on cultural experiences and interaction. Visitors can also enjoy a canoe pageant, hula show, lu‘au and the spectacular evening show, “Horizons!”
Waikiki Beach: Often thought of as one beach, Waikiki Beach is actually a collection of contiguous beaches stretching two miles long along the shoreline of Waikiki. Each has its own characteristics, and is generally popular for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and beginner level surfing.
Other major attractions in Honolulu are the Bishop Museum, the principal museum of the Pacific and one of the world's leading scientific institutions, and the ‘Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States. The Hawaii’s Plantation Village is a collection of 30 original and replica plantation homes and buildings and the Manoa Heritage Center is a historic site which preserves Hawaii’s natural and cultural heritage.
Families can explore Hawaii’s mysterious undersea world at Atlantis Submarine Adventures and the Children’s Discovery Center, across from the Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park in downtown Honolulu, offers children of all ages a “window to the world”.
