Hawaii vacation: How much does a cruise cost compared to a resort

In dollars and cents terms, Hawaii cruises are typically less expensive than all-inclusive resorts on the islands, although a variety of variables can drive the price of both dramatically up or down.

“Hawaiian cruises typically cost between $1,200 and $3,000 per week per person, depending on the company, type of accommodation, luxuries and included services such as meals and entertainment,” Rizwan said. “In Hawaii, on the other hand, you can find a mid-range, all-inclusive resort for about $2,500 to $5,000 per person including flights for a week-long vacation.”

That’s just the average. Some resorts cater to the super-rich and have eye-watering prices. Others cost less than $200 a night.

Not only do Hawaiian cruises and resorts vary in price, they also offer different experiences during your stay in the American tropics.

Cruises have incorporated island hopping into the itinerary

The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of eight main islands (137 in total), each with its own culture, cuisine, heritage and natural landscapes. The price of a cruise gives you access to several or even all eight islands on one trip.

“The value is that you can visit several islands without having to commute between islands by boat,” Rizwan said.

And then, of course, there are the amenities on board the floating city that takes you from one island to the next.

“Cruises provide entertainment options,” Rizwan said. “They also provide visitors with food and drinks as well as various activities that take place inside the ship.”

If the hustle and bustle of getting in and out, coming and going, and squeezing as many things as possible into tight itineraries doesn’t sound like your ideal vacation, the relaxed and exclusive atmosphere of a resort could provide your ultimate Hawaiian experience.

“The value here is living alone on an island, being able to use private resort facilities that others don’t have easy access to, and getting a vacation that is tailored specifically to them,” Rizwan said.

In addition, you can enjoy many of the same amenities on land that a cruise offers you on board.

“All-inclusive resorts offer, among other things, unlimited food and drinks, swimming pools and spa facilities, as well as the option of guided tours or excursions,” said Rizwan.

Once the essential differences have been clarified, the better value for money is in the eye of the individual traveler.

“Cruises offer more bang for the buck when it comes to the desire to effortlessly explore multiple islands with countless onboard activities,” Rizwan said. “In contrast, resorts offer more intimate and opulent experiences that focus on relaxation and exclusive amenities. All in all, cruises offer a more convenient and potentially more cost-effective way to explore multiple Hawaiian islands, while resorts offer a more stationary yet comprehensive Hawaiian experience.”

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