Honolulu (Oahu)

United States (Hawaii)

"Waikiki Surf, Diamond Head & Island History on Oahu"

Honolulu is the gateway to Oahu and the most urban of the Hawaiian islands, with a real downtown, a long resort beach, and wild coastline a short drive away. Mornings on Waikiki, a hike up Diamond Head, and an afternoon at Pearl Harbor cover the icons; the North Shore and Hanauma Bay are easy day trips when the surf and the reefs cooperate. Food ranges from plate-lunch counters to hotel luaus. Like Maui, it feels far away without requiring a passport.

Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona, Hanauma Bay, North Shore, Iolani Palace, Manoa Falls

April–June & September–November

Reserve Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head entry ahead; a rental car helps beyond Waikiki

No passport required. Norwegian's Pride of America is the ship actually based in Honolulu.