Honolulu and the Island of Oahu

Whether you come to Honolulu as a stop on your cruise ship itinerary or you fly in to Hawaii, there is plenty to see and do in this beachside city and beyond. Ships dock right next to the five-story tower of the Aloha Tower Marketplace, which is a shopping center, cruise terminal and focal point promenade all rolled into one.  When you disembark from your ship, you will see the Hawaii Maritime Center next to the pier, with exhibits on all sorts of maritime history, from sailing and whaling to a real Polynesian canoe. Just a short walk away you'll find Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in America, where the last Hawaiian monarch ruled until 1893. Other sights you will find just a short walk away include Kawaiahao Church, which houses a royal burial ground, Mission House Museum, and America’s oldest Chinatown.

If beautiful - and famous - beaches are your passion, it doesn't get any better than Waikiki Beach. Located  just a few miles  south of the cruise ship terminals, Waikiki Beach boasts everything from white sand and tall palm trees to trendy restaurants, shops and hotels. For a less social beach experience, Ala Moana Beach Park has beautiful sand and calm waters perfect for swimming. Serious surfers prefer the north shore of Oahu, where beaches from Haleiwa to Kahuku offer the best surfing during the winter months. The beaches of Lanikai and Kailua are just a twenty-minute drive from Honolulu, and the clear turquoise water and white sand – along with the spectacular drive along the cliffs of the Kalanianaole Highway to get there – are a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. For a magnificent view of the beaches - as well as of the surrounding area - consider climbing up the famous Diamond Head Crater. Take a taxi or shore excursion to Diamond Head, where you can look down into the extinct volcano, or out to the amazing scenery.

For a moving experience -as well as quite the history lesson - don't miss the chance to visit Pearl Harbor. Here you can stand on the Arizona Memorial, which is built right above the shallow water where the USS Arizona was sunk in 1941, or step aboard the USS Missouri, where peace was declared four years later. You can also visit the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, where you can see first-hand what life is like for sailors onboard a submarine. Beware if you are very tall – or claustrophobic!  Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.Cruise-to-Hawaii.net, as well as http://www.NewYorkCruises.org and other cruise websites. She and her family are avid cruisers - her 3 children especially love the chocolates at night!