Episode Details

A Different Way to Think About Hawaii
Hawaii is already on most people's bucket list — but the default plan of flying in, picking one island, and paying resort prices for a week leaves a lot on the table. Ryan and Julie make the case for cruising as a smarter alternative: multiple islands in one trip, no inter-island flights to juggle, and the cost of dining, drinks, and accommodations built in. This episode walks through three distinct cruise options for Hawaii, from a brand-new round-trip itinerary out of Los Angeles to the only inter-island cruise currently available, plus a bucket-list option that keeps going all the way to French Polynesia.

Why Cruise Hawaii at All?
For past cruisers especially, the appeal is clear: skip the long haul flight exhaustion, avoid the logistical headache of island-hopping by air, and see more of the archipelago in less time — all while sleeping between destinations. Hawaii is an expensive place to visit independently, and having dining, drinks, and onboard activities included makes a cruise a genuinely competitive option on price. Ryan and Julie note that comfort and familiarity on the ship is a real advantage too, especially for first-time visitors who don't yet know which resort on which island will suit them.

Option 1: Celebrity Cruises Round-Trip from Los Angeles (Brand New)
This newly released itinerary is getting attention for good reason. It departs and returns from Los Angeles — no international connections, no Vancouver routing — and includes a stop in San Francisco before heading out across four sea days to the islands. Once there, guests spend two days on the Big Island (Hilo and Kailua-Kona — the rainforest and volcano side, then the beach and surf side), followed by two days on Oahu. The return includes a stop in Ensenada, Mexico before arriving back in California. Ryan and Julie note the pricing surprised them — this itinerary is not significantly more expensive than a standard cruise, and concierge-level rooms are available at an accessible price point. One client was already booked before it officially released.

Option 2: Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America — Inter-Island Cruise
This is the only inter-island cruise currently available, and it's genuinely unique: a seven-night round trip departing from Honolulu on Oahu and returning to Honolulu. No sea days — every day is a port day, which means it's a go, go, go itinerary best suited to travelers who want maximum island time. Days two and three bring an overnight in Maui — Road to Hana on one day, beaches and water activities on the other. Days four and five cover both sides of the Big Island: Hilo for waterfalls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and rainbow falls, then Kona for beaches, surfing, kayaking, and deep sea fishing. Days six and seven bring an overnight in Kauai — Ryan's personal favorite island, known for dramatic landscapes, the Waimea Canyon (Hawaii's Grand Canyon), helicopter tours, and north shore kayaking and catamaran sailing. Julie's recommendation: add a few days in Honolulu before the cruise, not after. Get acclimated first, then let the ship be the relaxing finish.

Option 3: The Bucket-List Extension — Hawaii to French Polynesia
Julie's actual pick if the choice is wide open: the itineraries that continue past Hawaii into French Polynesia — Moorea, Bora Bora, Tahiti. More days at sea, more time to settle into the ship, and one of the most stunning combinations of destinations in the world. Ryan agrees that extended sea days are an underrated luxury, and this style of trip suits travelers who want to truly unwind between ports rather than sprint from island to island.

A Note on Kauai
Ryan extends his thoughts to Kauai, which was dealing with storm damage and infrastructure recovery at the time of recording. He's eager to return — and reminds listeners that the island will be ready to welcome visitor