SHORE EXCURSIONS

Explore Honolulu’s highlights – from Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to Hawaii’s first Christian church, and Iolani Palace and Washington Place, both former residences of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Pearl Harbor is one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks and the scene of the devastating aerial attack by Japan that drove the U.S. into WWII. The Pearl Harbor Visitor's center exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. These galleries display personal memorabilia, dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits.

In central Honolulu stand face to face with the larger-than-life statue of King Kamehameha I, the leader who united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom. Just across the street you’ll see the Iolani Palace, residence of Hawaii's last two monarchs. European in design, it boasted Hawaii’s first electric lights, flush toilets and internal phone system. Also nearby is Kawaiahao Church, Hawaii's first Christian house of worship, built of coral slabs from the offshore reefs.

At the heart of the downtown historic district you will notice the elegant Washington Place, now a museum, and once home to Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s last queen. Drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in the extinct volcanic crater known as the Punchbowl. It is the final resting place of some 53,000 veterans who lost their lives in 20th century wars, including those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Enjoy panoramic city views on your drive to the airport.

Celebrate the honor, valor and courage of the World War II US servicemen on this special tour. This nostalgic journey takes you to the two places that marked the beginning and the end of the war for the United States - Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri.

The 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor will unfold in detailed narrations and photos. From here you'll travel across the Ford Island Bridge to the historic USS Missouri battleship, nicknamed the 'Mighty Mo.' Explore the passages, rooms and corridors on a self-guided tour.

OVERVIEW

Discover how volcanic eruptions have shaped the coastal landscape east of Honolulu by viewing its stunning natural attractions in air-conditioned comfort with occasional stops along the way. You will first drive past iconic Diamond Head, which the Hawaiians call Le‘ahi, which means “point of the ahi fish,” a reference to this volcanic cone resembling the dorsal fin of a tuna. Ahead lie the precipitous volcanic ridge Makapu’u Point and seaside Waimanalo, a homelands community whose residents are mostly of Hawaiian descent. Once you turn inland, you will ascend into the verdant Ko’olau Mountains, eventually stopping at Nuuanu Pali Lookout, which offers a sky-high view of Oahu’s beautiful windward coast. While still in the mountains, but at a lower elevation, you will pass Queen Emma’s 19th-century summer retreat.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive through the beautiful volcanic landscape east of Honolulu.
• Admire the gorgeous landscape from atop a lookout high in the Ko’olau Mountains.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Transfer to Honolulu’s spectacular Waikiki neighborhood and spend hours exploring on your own or observing the underwater wonders in an Atlantis Submarine. If you wish to meander about Honolulu independently, you will be dropped off and later picked up on Seaside Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, a hub for shopping and dining. You will find every imaginable store within easy walking distance, including shopping malls and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The same goes for restaurants as most every type of cuisine is available from authentic Polynesian to traditional Italian. If you would rather see the bountiful marine life that inhabits the ocean just offshore, you will be dropped off and later picked up at the Hilton Hawaiian Village bus stop, just a short walk from the Atlantis Submarine pier. The high-tech, air-conditioned submarine will descend to 100 feet below the water’s surface, where you will likely see countless colorful fish, sea turtles and even reef sharks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a short transfer to the upscale Waikiki neighborhood and explore it on your own.
• As an option, transfer close to the Atlantis Submarine pier for an underwater exploration.
• Focus on the experience that sounds most interesting to you with no need to rush.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover Oahu's North Shore – surf mecca and home to the perfect wave. Travel past pineapple and sugar cane fields to the island's well-known surfing beaches, stretching for seven miles along this coast. They include Waimea Bay, a prominent spot in the early days of big wave surfing in the 1950’s, two-mile-long Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline, where waves breaking over a sharp reef make it one of the world’s most dangerous surfing scenes. Continue past shrimp farms, and catch a glimpse of the small island known as Chinaman's Hat for its interesting shape. Shop for irresistible macadamia nuts and other local products at the Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet. On your way to the airport drop by the Byodo Temple, a scale replica of a temple in Japan constructed entirely without nails and surrounded by a lovely and tranquil garden.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

This tour offers guests the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the most notable sights in Honolulu and Waikiki, all from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Start off from the pier with a drive through Honolulu and the heart of Waikiki, viewing the legendary Waikiki Beach. Next, continue on to Diamond Head for a stop at the Diamond Head lookout where you can take in breathtaking views of this world-famous landmark. Making your way into the Koolau mountain range which rises above the city, you will stop at the Pali lookout for some spectacular views of the windward side of Oahu. Next, it's on to the Punchbowl National Cemetery for a drive through this beautiful yet somber reminder of the brave men and women who have served our country. Set in an extinct volcano, this cemetery honors America's fallen heroes from WWI, WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Traveling back to the center of Honolulu, you will view such attractions as Iolani Palace, the Royal palace of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the only royal palace located in the United States, as well as the impressive King Kamehameha statue, Honolulu City Hall, The State Capital Building, China Town, Kawaiahao Church and the quaint homes of the early missionaries. Following your city tour, you will be transferred back to the cruise ship pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the most renowned attractions in and around Honolulu.
• Drive past iconic Diamond Head.
• Glimpse Oahu’s verdant windward side from a mountain lookout.
• See the only royal palace in the United States.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Relive moments in history with a visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial during this tour that concludes with a view of the city's most notable landmarks. Traveling by coach from the pier, you will first visit the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center where you will view a film that depicts the events of the 1941 attack. Afterwards, board a Navy launch for the short ride to the Memorial itself, where you'll disembark for an unforgettable and thoroughly moving experience. Your tour continues with a drive through the Punchbowl Crater where you can experience the serenity of the Punchbowl National Cemetery, viewing from your coach the "Courts of the Missing," the chapel and detailed mosaic maps of the Pacific theaters in action in World War II and Korea. From Pearl Harbor, you will have a guided drive through Honolulu City’s highlights. See Aloha Stadium, the downtown district, Chinatown, the Kawaiahao Church, the City Hall, the State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion and Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Continue on for a drive through of Punchbowl, home to a National Cemetery honoring the fallen of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Following your city tour, your coach will return you back to the pier where your tour concludes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Better understand the attack on Pearl Harbor and its ramifications.
• Drive through Punchbowl National Cemetery, which lies in an extinct volcanic crater.
• View landmarks in Honolulu such as Chinatown and Iolani Palace.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Polynesian culture and cuisine by watching traditional music and dance performances and feasting on authentic Hawaiian inspired dishes. The venue for these festivities will be the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu’s northern shore, an attraction that you will first explore on your own. While meandering about the various Pacific Island villages, each of which is themed around a different Polynesian nation, you may see demonstrations of Tongan drumming, Samoan dancing and coconut tree climbing. An extravagant meal follows, during which you might dine on entrées ranging from slow-roasted Kalua pork to pan-seared fish. Even vegan and gluten-free dishes are available, along with classic Polynesian sides such as poi. The highlight of the evening will be the Ha: Breath of Life show, which features more than 100 costumed performers telling a saga of love, family, tragedy and triumph through song, dance and special effects. It will be a deeply moving experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the themed villages within the Polynesian Cultural Center on your own.
• Feast on a seemingly endless array of Polynesian dishes at an authentic luau.
• Marvel at the Polynesian performers in the evening show Ha: Breath of Life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Get to know Oahu as you circle the entire island, with views of the top sightseeing spots, including iconic Diamond Head, its 760-foot volcanic crater rim a part of the Honolulu skyline. View the coastal beaches along our South Shore, including Sandy Beach, a favorite for body surfers, and drive along the North Shore, home to the most celebrated surfing zones in the world, including the spectacular and treacherous Banzai Pipeline. Lunch is included.

Visit the Dole Plantation, and learn the story of James Dole, who established his first pineapple plantation on Oahu in 1900 and turned it into a worldwide agricultural empire. Stroll through the pineapple variety garden, sip some delicious juice, and shop for all sorts of local products, including Dole’s own specialty chocolates, and of course pineapples.

Before departing Honolulu spend some time at Pearl Harbor, one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks, and the scene of the devastating aerial attack by Japan that drove the U.S. into WWII. The Pearl Harbor Visitor's center exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. View dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits that invite visitors to imagine the experience of that tragic day. Enjoy panoramic city views on your drive to the airport.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a definitive look at the natural wonders of southeastern Oahu and enjoy an inspiring lunch and wine tasting. Along the way, you will pause at vantage points that present absolutely breathtaking vistas of the ancient volcano Diamond Head, the volcanically formed Halona blowhole and Hanuama Bay, a nature preserve within an ancient volcanic crater. Besides shaping the island’s landscape, volcanoes have left mineral deposits in the soil that make it exceptionally fertile. Your lunch at the Uahi Grill in Kailua will feature ingredients that flourish on the island’s farms and in the surrounding sea. The soil is also ideal for growing grapes for wine as you will discover at a tasting at Oeno Winery. The wines will be thoughtfully paired with handmade chocolates. Before taking off for the airport, you will see a statue of Hawaii’s first ruler, the legendary King Kamehameha I, and the battlefield where his victory in 1795 led to the unification of Hawaii.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the natural beauty of southeastern Oahu from several scenic overlooks.
• Enjoy a lunch of local favorites at a restaurant in Kailua with an island vibe.
• Savor a wine tasting paired with Hawaiian chocolates at the island’s only winery.
• See a statue of King Kamehameha I, the revered monarch that successfully unified Hawaii.
• Transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Oahu's North Shore – surf mecca and home to the perfect wave. Travel past pineapple and sugar cane fields to the island's well-known surfing beaches, stretching for seven miles along this coast. They include Waimea Bay, a prominent spot in the early days of big wave surfing in the 1950’s, two-mile-long Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline, where waves breaking over a sharp reef make it one of the world’s most dangerous surfing scenes.

Continue past shrimp farms, and catch a glimpse of the small island known as Chinaman's Hat for its interesting shape. Shop for irresistible macadamia nuts and other local products at the Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet. On your way to the airport drop by the Byodo Temple, a scale replica of a temple in Japan constructed entirely without nails and surrounded by a lovely and tranquil garden.