With the modern world making us busier and more stressed than ever before, it’s never been more important to just get away from it all and have some fun, and cruises are one of the best ways to get away, offering freedom, relaxation, and indulgence of all kinds. In fact, cruises are actually becoming one of the most popular ways to travel due to the ways in which they allow people to feel totally relaxed, not having to make a single bit of effort. With a cruise, all you have to do is climb on board the boat and let the crew do the rest.

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Cruises can be enjoyed all around the world, from North America to South America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. When it comes to listing the most popular cruise destinations in the world, Hawaii always seems to appear near the top of the list. The island state is home to some breathtaking beaches, gorgeous views, stunning scenery, and friendly people, with lots of wonderful landmarks to see, great food to eat, and fun activities to try out. If you’re planning a cruise to Hawaii, California is a great place to start.

Best Cruises to Hawaii from California

Cruises run to Hawaii from several different Californian ports including San Pedro, Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco, so it doesn’t matter where you happen to be in the Golden State, you’re never too far away from a major port city. There are a lot of different options for people who want to cruise to Hawaii from California, with several major cruise lines including Princess and Carnival operating along this route. Read on to learn all about a few of the best Hawaiian cruises you might like to try.

- Princess Cruises - 15 Night Hawaiian Islands

For a full, magical tour of the Hawaiian Islands and beyond, the 15 Night Hawaiian Islands from Princess Cruises is an incredible option. It's actually a very fairly-priced Hawaiian cruise, with interior rooms available for less than $70 a night if you book at the right times. This cruise sets off from San Pedro, which is easily accessible for anyone in the Los Angeles area, and travels straight over to Hawaii, calling at multiple spots around the Aloha State including Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Lahaina, and Hilo.

This gives passengers a lot of different options, with activities like water sports, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, exploration, sunbathing, and more all available at each stop. From there, the cruise makes one more bonus stop in Ensensada, Mexico, before returning back to California. This is a fully-featured cruise with a lot of different options for adventure and indulgence; passengers will be treated to a full, varied sample of Hawaiian locations, with magical memories guaranteed.

- Carnival - 14 Night Hawaii Carnival Journeys

Enjoy two full weeks of fun in the sun with the outstanding 14 Night Hawaii Carnival Journeys cruise from California to Hawaii with Carnival. Passengers will be traveling on the exceptional Carnival Splendor, fitted out with a huge range of exciting amenities and features in order to ensure that every single second of your trip passes by smoothly and seamlessly.

Its first port of call is Kahului, on Maui Island, where travelers can visit locations like the Kanaha Beach Park and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. From there, the cruise continues to Honolulu, Hawaii's capital city and cultural center, the home of locations like Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay. The next stops are Kailua-Kona and Hilo, both on the Big Island and both home to some breathtaking beaches and natural scenery. Finally, the cruise calls at Ensenada in Mexico before heading home.

- Holland America Line - 17 Night Hawaii Holiday

The 17 Night Hawaii Holiday is one of the most extensive Hawaiian cruises you could ever hope to find. Interior rooms are available on this cruise from as low as $90 a night, so it isn't just referred for the rich and famous. The cruise departs from the port of San Pedro in the LA area and makes a long list of stops around Hawaii. It first calls at the capital city of Honolulu, plunging passengers headfirst into the heart of Hawaiian culture.

From there, the cruise pushes on to Lahaina on Maui Island, home to some stunning beaches, a gorgeous harbor, and some interesting historical locations like the Baldwin Home Museum. After that, the Holland America Line cruise stops off at Hilo before traveling right past the Kilauea Volcano. You'll definitely want to head out to one of the observation areas and bring your camera along for this very special moment. After that, the cruise calls at Kailua-Kona on the Big Island before stopping off at Ensenada in Mexico on the way home.