Hawaii Vacation: Here’s the Value of a Cruise vs. a Resort

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For most people lucky enough to visit Hawaii, the trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In that case, they’d better get it right the first time — so what’s the better island vacation package, a cruise or an all-inclusive resort?

Mohd Rizwan is a travel expert and the director of Travelosei, which curates custom luxury overseas tours, safaris, adventures and vacations. His online photo gallery shows him schmoozing in exotic locations with A-list celebrities such as Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio, British royalty such as Prince William and Princess Kate, tech titans such as Mark Zuckerberg and Eric Schmidt, and a bevy of other impressive movers and shakers.

For him, savvy travel is all about squeezing as much value as possible out of your budget, so which type of Hawaiian vacation gives you the best opportunity to do that?

“When comparing a Hawaiian cruise to a stay at an all-inclusive resort in Hawaii, there are several factors to consider in terms of value,” Rizwan said.

Here’s what you need to know.

Cruises Are Usually Cheaper, but They’re Both in the Same Ballpark

In terms of dollars and cents, Hawaiian cruises are typically more affordable than all-inclusive resorts on the islands, although a bevy of variables can force the price of both up or down dramatically.

“Hawaiian cruises are usually priced at approximately $1,200 to $3,000 per week per person, depending on the company, accommodation type, how luxurious it may be and what is included in the package, such as meals and entertainment,” Rizwan said. “On the other hand, you can find a mid-range all-inclusive resort in Hawaii for about $2,500 to $5,000 per person, including flights, for a one-week vacation.”

That’s just the average. Some resorts cater to the ultra-rich and come with eye-popping price tags. Others can run you less than $200 per night.

Each Has Its Own Unique Value Proposition

Hawaiian cruises and resorts don’t only have different price tags. They also both provide different experiences during your visit to the American tropics.

Cruises Have Island Hopping Built Into the Itinerary

The Hawaiian archipelago has eight major islands — 137 in total — each with its own localized culture, cuisine, heritage and natural landscapes. The price of a cruise offers you access to several or even all eight of them in one trip.

“The value here lies in the fact that one can tour several islands without having to make inter-island commutes on board a ship,” Rizwan said.

Then, of course, there are the amenities on board the floating city that ferries you from one island to the next.

“Cruises offer entertainment facilities,” Rizwan said. “They also accommodate visitors by providing food and drinks, as well as various activities that take place inside the ship.”

Resorts Provide a Luxurious Home Base Where You Control the Clock

If the hustle and bustle of boarding and disembarking, coming and going, and smooshing as much as possible into tight itineraries does not sound like your ideal vacation, the chill and exclusive vibe of a resort might provide your ultimate Hawaiian experience.

“The value here includes living on one island alone, using private resort facilities that others cannot access easily and getting a vacation that has been tailored specifically for them,” Rizwan said.

You’ll also enjoy many of the same amenities on land that a cruise offers on board.

“All-inclusive resorts have unlimited food and drink services, swimming pools and spa facilities, among others, with possible guided tours or excursions,” Rizwan said.

What Do You Consider the Best Value for Your Money? 

With the key differences established, the better value is in the eye of the individual traveler.

“Cruises offer more bang for the buck when it comes to the desire to explore multiple islands effortlessly with myriad onboard activities,” Rizwan said. “On the contrary, resorts afford more intimate and opulent experiences focusing upon rejuvenation and exclusive amenities. All things considered, while cruises offer a more convenient and potentially cost-effective way to see multiple Hawaiian islands, resorts provide a more stationary yet immersive Hawaiian experience.”

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