Readers' Choice Awards - Best Hawaiian Cruises

While many travelers fly between the islands, taking a Hawaiian cruise allows you to experience the magic of the state from a different perspective. Instead of rushing between attractions or plane connections, you can enjoy views of volcanic peaks and black-sand beaches at a slower pace, all while unpacking just once. Whether you prefer a party atmosphere or more of an air of quiet luxury between excursions, there's an itinerary to fit your vibe (and budget).

Islands curated a list of the top 15 Hawaiian cruises based on their reputations among travelers. Key aspects like amenities, entertainment variety, opportunities to experience the state, and overall value for the price of the trip also factored in. To pinpoint the best of the best, we turned to you in our latest round of Readers' Choice Awards. Based on your votes, we identified the six standout picks, including the cruise that claimed first place. It doesn't matter if you're new to cruises or a seasoned island-hopper — these ships allow you to explore the wonders of Hawaii with less hassle.

A simply beautiful cruise ship with a reputation for overall quality and customer service, Anthem of the Seas offers 8-night, 9-night, and 12-night one-way Hawaiian cruises to or from British Columbia, starting at around $850 per person for couples. Depending on the cruise, which runs between Vancouver and O'ahu, the itinerary may include a stop in Seattle, Washington, and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with a jaunt down the Nāpali Coast. Guests of the nearly 5,000-passenger ship can experience a view of the ocean as they've never seen it before in the North Star capsule, a 360-degree glass-enclosed capsule offering mind-blowing panoramic vistas. At 300 feet above sea level, the mobile capsule earned a place in the "Guinness Book of World Records" in 2016.

This is the kind of cruise that has a little something for many types of travelers. Think accessible excursions that make it possible for folks with all levels of mobility to get out and explore Hawaii with everyone else. Non-drinkers also won't feel left out, as the cruise offers an add-on refreshments package that spans a wide range of milkshakes, juices, coffees, teas, fountain drinks, and exciting mocktails like an alcohol-free pineapple guava sangria or lavender daiquiri. A basic cruise booking is fairly all-inclusive and features dining at several complimentary restaurants and access to a host of entertainment options like waterslides, mini golf, ziplining, and live performances.

If you're looking for a reason to escape for weeks at a time, let Koningsdam be your sign. The 2,650-guest mid-sized Pinnacle class ship has just about every amenity you could want on a mega-ship: a range of dining options, award-winning service, plenty of entertainment to keep guests occupied while on board, and quality excursions to help make the most of your itinerary at port. Most importantly, the ship offers some of the best itineraries for longer Hawaii-bound cruises at almost unbelievable starting rates.

The 17-Day or 18-Day Circle Hawaii cruise runs several routes between San Diego and Vancouver, with inside booking starting just under $2,000. Stops include Hilo, Kahului, Nāwiliwili, and Kona. There's also a 24-day Mexico Riviera and Circle Hawaii cruise starting around $3,000, a 28-Day Circle Hawaii And Sea Of Cortez cruise starting at around $3,100, a 28-Day Mexico Riviera, Pacific Coastal, and Circle Hawaii cruise starting at $3,700, or a 35-Day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti, and Marquesas cruise starting at just under $5,000.

If you'd prefer a higher tier of luxury than you can get on a mega cruise ship but a yacht is just a little too intimate for your taste, Silversea Cruise's Silver Whisper offers a beautiful way to split the difference. With more than 300 crew members to the Silver Whisper's maximum guest count of 388, the service on this small ship is exceptionally attentive. The Silver Whisper's Hawaiian cruises start at around $4,500 per guest for an 11-day cruise between Vancouver and Honolulu. The small ship also offers a 14-day cruise between Tahiti and Honolulu.

Every room on the ship is a suite, and all come with walk-in closets, Wi-Fi, and gorgeous marble and granite baths. And there's a good chance you'll even have your own private veranda. Every guest also gets top-notch butler service, the kind of concierge-level treatment where the steward learns your name immediately. Activities include a tiny casino, golf putting, volleyball, and a handful of classes on subjects like cooking, bartending, and dancing.

With its patriotic stars-and-stripes design and an atrium meant to evoke the 18th-century Neoclassical design trend that inspired the White House and United State Capitol Building, Norwegian's Pride of America offers something few Hawaiian cruises do: a high-value trip that fits well for folks without a lot of paid leave to burn. The 7-day Inter-Island cruise cuts out all the extra days at sea with a journey that starts and finishes in Hawaii. Each day, the Pride of America stops in one of five ports of call: Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, Kona, and Nāwiliwili. At every location, guests can immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture and history with Norwegian's long list of top-tier shore excursions. Think luaus, Pearl Harbor, volcanoes, snorkeling, and local wildlife.

Norwegian has a reputation for outstanding customer service, and cruise guests say Pride of America is among the best in its fleet when it comes to guest experience. Bookings are also fairly reasonably priced. And it's easier than ever to contact the folks back home since Pride of America offers some of the highest-speed internet in the cruise industry thanks to its Starlink broadband.

Attention, aspiring world travelers. Nieuw Amsterdam has a long list of dreamy, port-hopping Hawaiian cruises with extended itineraries that take you far beyond the islands. Slightly smaller than many mid-sized ships, Holland America's 11-deck Nieuw Amsterdam is a sleek, contemporary cruise ship designed for about 2,100 guests that offers a fairly decent selection of Hawaiian cruises to choose from, most at shockingly good price points. The 17-day History Channel-curated Circle Hawaii itinerary travels from San Diego to Maui, Hilo, Kona, Kauai, and Ensenada, while an 18-day Circle Hawaii cruise through all four Hawaiian ports departs from Vancouver, B.C. The 22-Day Circle Hawaii & Pacific Northwest Collector cruise incorporates a trip to Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, B.C.

Add a trip to Mexico's stunning Riviera Maya with the 24-Day Mexico Riviera & Circle Hawaii cruise starting around $3,500. Or, starting at around $3,000, there's the 25-day Pacific Coastal and Circle Hawaii Collector, which sets out from San Diego with a stop at California's Catalina Islands en route north to Oregon, Victoria, and Vancouver before heading back south again to island-hop across Hawaii. Nieuw Amsterdam also offers the ultimate island adventure with the 35-Day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise (starting around $4,600), which stops at Maui, Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, and Kona before cruising to Fanning Island and then crossing the equator to visit five ports in French Polynesia.

For travelers dreaming of seeing Hawaii in ultimate luxury while getting up close and personal with the local dolphin population, the Safari Explorer is a 36-guest yacht with a 2:1 guest to crew ratio. This dreamy yacht can go loads of places a massive cruise ship cannot, creating opportunities unlike anything that could be experienced on a traditional cruise. The 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes cruise starts at $6,200 and runs between the Big Island, Molokai, Maui, and Lana'i.

Days filled with snorkeling, hiking, and other small boat adventures along the island coasts are all part of what makes the guest experience so unforgettable on the Safari Explorer. The yacht's 18 cabins are all on the outside, and two suites are available with balconies. The cruise booking rate includes unlimited wine and cocktails, and passengers can take advantage of fitness equipment, a book and movie library, and gear like inflatable skiffs, paddle boards, and kayaks.

A variety of cruise ships sail the waters surrounding Hawaii. Travelers will find everything from large, energetic vessels that are easier on the wallet to smaller, more intimate options that offer tailored services for a premium price. The cruise ships we've highlighted above all stood out among past passengers and reflect a range of needs, interests, and travel styles.

To determine which of our original Hawaiian cruise picks rises above the rest, we invited readers to cast their votes for their favorites. Based on the results of the poll, we pinpointed the six choices that had received the most votes. The resulting list is organized from least to most votes received, with Safari Explorer, UnCruise Adventures taking the No. 1 spot. Thank you to all of our readers who participated, and keep an eye out for more Readers' Choice polls in the future.

View the Islands Contest Rules for more information.