All Hawaii cruises feature the island of Maui on their itineraries. Learn where the cruise ship docks or anchors along with some facts about the cruise port and tips for renting a car in Maui.
Hawaii Cruises to Lahaina or Kahului Maui
When choosing a Hawaiian cruise, consider that there are two different cruise ports in Maui. Depending on the cruise line, a cruise to Maui could mean either anchoring by the town of Lahaina or docking in Kahului Harbor. These ports are a 45-minute drive from one another.
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America and Crystal Cruises all anchor off the historic town of Lahaina. Alternatively, Carnival Cruise Lines and NCL cruises to Maui dock at Kahului, Maui's commercial center.
Facts about Cruises to Maui
Cruises to Lahaina Maui – Although the downside of this port is the fact that it is a tender port, its pluses outweigh the negatives. Hop off the ship's tender onto Front Street, a hub of shops, galleries and restaurants. Alternatively, learn to surf at the Lahaina Breakwater, perfect for beginners. Beautiful beaches and some of Maui's best hotels and resorts are located in Ka'anapali, just minutes to the north of the Lahaina pier.
Cruises to Kahului – Kahului is Maui's only deep water harbor and therefore the only place on the island where cruise ships can dock. Unfortunately this cruise terminal is located within an industrial area, requiring a taxi, shuttle or rental car to get to get around. Kahului is Maui's most populated town and therefore has many of the major shopping chains like Walmart and Costco.
Maui Car Rental Options
Rental Cars in Maui – Since there is no island-wide public transit (and taxis are expensive) a rental car may be the best option to get around Maui. One of the big reasons that cruise passengers book a rental car is to drive the Road to Hana on their own. Flexibility and cost savings are also big advantages, especially when there's three or more people involved. Just remember to get back to the ship in time.
Car Rental Maui Airport – There are two airports on Maui, Kahului Airport (OGG) and Kapalua Airport (JHM). Cruises that visit Lahaina need to take a shuttle or taxi to JHM Airport. From there, car rental agencies have shuttles to their offices that are located on Highway 30 in Ka'anapali. Car rental agencies will also send a shuttle to the pier for those that have requested a pick-up in advance.
Both cruise ports offer plenty of things to do in Maui, but where the ship docks or anchors will play a factor in how long it takes to get to major attractions or activities. Additionally, passengers can decide to explore Maui independently or book an excursion through their cruise line.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
