Updated 11. Aloha from Hawaii: Life as a Cruise Ship Crew Member

When I was working as Cruise Staff and later cruising as a passenger, I had the opportunity to visit Hawaii many times. It quickly became one of my favorite destinations. It’s worth noting that due to maritime law, all non-U.S. flagged ships must visit a foreign port during every sailing. This is why most cruises to Hawaii include a stop in Vancouver, Mexico, or Ensenada. As a result, those itineraries usually involve four or five consecutive days at sea. However, a cruise with NCL’s Pride of America is different. Because she is U.S. flagged, she is the only ship allowed to sail a round-trip Hawaii itinerary without needing to visit another country. This allows you to spend every single day in the Hawaiian Islands, maximizing your time in port without the extra sea days.

As Cruise Staff, our mornings in port usually started with a few hours of duty, assisting guests with their shore excursions and helping them disembark. Once the morning rush was over, around 9:30 or 10:00 a.m., we were often off for the rest of the day until the evening activities began.

That free time gave us the perfect opportunity to explore, and since I visited these ports so frequently, I got to know them like the back of my hand. After a while, these beautiful islands truly felt like a home away from home.

Ports of call during the Hawaii season

Honolulu (Turnaround)

Lahaina Maui (overnight)

Kilau Kona

Nawiliwi Kuaui

Hilo

My favorite island was Maui, especially Lahaina, where I made so many wonderful memories. Tragically, this beautiful town was changed forever by the devastating fires. I haven’t been back since, and it feels like such a profound loss knowing that Front Street is no longer there as I remember it.

My Experience of Crew Life in Hawaii

Honolulu Oahu

This port was our turnaround port, the end of one cruise and the beginning of a new one. We always docked next to the Aloha Tower, just a short taxi ride from the famous Waikiki Beach. I often visited the Ala Moana Center, a beautiful open-air mall surrounded by lots of greenery; it’s a truly amazing place to spend some time. In Waikiki, I loved visiting the shop with the aquarium inside and, of course, relaxing on the beach.

One of my favorite restaurants was Yanagi Sushi. Their sushi was incredible! Even Michael Jackson had dinner there, and the restaurant still has pictures from that moment on the walls.

I have visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is about an hour’s drive from Honolulu. It is absolutely worth the trip. And, of course, no visit to Honolulu is complete without a stop at Pearl Harbor.

On the North Shore of Oahu, you can see the vast Dole pineapple fields. Driving past these endless rows of ripe pineapples was truly a fantastic sight.

Lahaina Maui

Lahaina was always a tender port, and we would stay overnight , which made it amazing to explore the town in the evening.

When visiting Lahaina, a whale-watching tour is an absolute must. The tours all depart right near where the tender docks. I’ve seen so many whales here during the season, truly unforgettable! Front Street is charming, full of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance of the pier. And who hasn't tried a burger at Cheeseburger in Paradise? It had some of the best stunning views of the sea.

For dinner, I often went to Pacific'O, a romantic beachfront restaurant. Sadly, this restaurant no longer exists due to the fires, which is such a heartbreaking loss for the community.

One of my favorite spots to visit was the Ka’anapali Coast, which is easy to get to by local bus. It’s a resort area a little further up the road, home to a beautiful shopping center and lined with luxury hotels. We also rented a car to drive to the North Shore and the famous Road to Hana. Seeing the incredible surfers at some of the best surfing spots in the world was something not to be missed.

One of the more adventurous tours I tried was visiting the Haleakalā Crater at night to watch the sunrise. Honestly, it wasn’t really my thing! It was freezing up on the mountain, and we had to wait for hours to see the sun peek over the horizon. There was also a downhill biking tour from the crater which I never tried, but I’ve heard it’s an incredible experience for those who love adventure.

Renting Harley-Davidsons with a few colleagues was another memorable moment on Maui. We drove all around the island and even made it all the way up to the Haleakalā Crater!

Kailua-Kona

This was also a tender port, which could be a bit stressful for the guests, especially when we only had a half-day to visit. As Cruise Staff, we coordinated the tender procedures. Guests had to collect a number from the lounge and wait until it was called to head to the loading area. Of course, shore excursions booked through the ship were always prioritized, and this process could sometimes take quite a while.

In ports with half-day visits and tendering, I mostly stayed on the ship. But on some occasions, I went out to snorkel with the sea turtles at Kahalu’u Beach Park, one of the best snorkeling spots in Kona. Swimming alongside these magnificent creatures was unforgettable.

Just up the hill from the tender docks, there are lovely shops and restaurants, perfect for a relaxing lunch or even a manicure/pedicure. It was the ideal way to spend a few hours of leisure before heading back to the ship.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

The nature in this port is absolutely breathtaking; hiking and exploring are a must. I remember the beautiful resort areas and golf courses, and the island’s landscapes are so iconic they’ve been featured in movies like Jurassic Park and even an Elvis film (Blue Hawaii). Tours are available to visit the exact locations where these famous scenes were shot.

I went on some incredible hikes here and discovered a few remote beaches. Kauai truly makes you feel at one with nature. One of the highlights for me was a helicopter ride into the crater of a volcano. The views were stunning, towering cliffs, lush landscapes, and we even saw a rainbow appear over the scenery.

By far, Kauai felt the most untouched and undiscovered of all the islands—quiet, unspoiled, and not overly touristy. It’s a place where you can really connect with the natural beauty of Hawaii.

Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii

A trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an absolute must in this port of call. Here, you can see the active Kīlauea volcano, a truly unforgettable sight. The ship even passes by at night, allowing you to see the glowing lava flowing into the sea, an experience not to be missed.

Hilo is also home to several macadamia nut farms, which are well worth a visit. Sampling fresh macadamia nuts and learning about their production is a fun (and tasty!) way to explore the island.

In ports like Hilo, a stop at Walmart was a fixed routine for the crew to stock up on essentials for our cabins. There was also a small shopping center nearby, including Hilo Hattie, where you could buy the best Hawaiian shirts, even matching ones for couples! These shirts became a staple for our Hawaiian-themed nights on board, where everyone would dress up to celebrate the spirit of the islands.

The evening after departing Hilo was always our official Hawaiian Night. Hilo combines natural wonders with local charm, making it a unique and memorable stop on any Hawaiian cruise itinerary.

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Want to read more? Check out: 10. Crew Life on Auckland to Honolulu repositioning

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