Rolling waves, beaches framed by tall palm trees, roast pork on a luau and women wearing grass skirts swaying and dancing on the beach. Whatever your visions of Hawaii are, it's definitely a destination many people dream of visiting at least once in a lifetime. Hawaii itself has 8 major islands, each with its own unique flavor, and no better to taste them than by going on a lovely cruise.

Cruising the Hawaiian Islands has been around since the 1900's and has enjoyed a decent amount of popularity since then. It can be a tricky affair planning such a trip, but doing a fair bit of research, and with our help, you'll be relaxing in no time.

1. Pick the Best Time for a Cruise

The most popular time to do a cruise to Hawaii is during the Christmas holiday seasons, between December and February. This is generally considered the best time for whale watching, but is smack dab in the middle of the rainy season. Because of this period's popularity, plane tickets are generally more expensive this time, too. Summer, on the other hand is also a popular time to visit Hawaii when you have a family and tend to be more affordable. Visiting Hawaii off-season could also net you some good discounts. Choosing the best cruise to Hawaii will be made even better if you put the extra effort into researching the optimal time for your trip.

2. Go Rental

If you prefer to go on your own during shore excursions, or just don't find the cruise-organized ones appealing at all, renting a car is usually a good way to get around. They're generally cheap, and they offer a good variety of cars to choose from. Unlike Caribbean ports, it can be difficult to find vendors on the docks themselves, so you'll need to drive around to reach certain points of interest or if you need to buy some supplies for your trip.

3. Expect a Chill Crowd

Unlike the cruises you'll take in the Caribbean, Hawaiian cruises generally have a more laid-back crowd, as opposed to the large number spring breakers you'll see on other cruises. People who prefer taking Hawaiian cruises tend to be in their 40's or 50's, so if it's a mellow environment you're looking for, then Hawaii is a good place to go.

4. Gambling in Hawaii is Illegal

If you're expecting to do a bit of Vegas-style gambling on your cruise trip, you'll be out of luck. It may come as a surprise to some folks, but gambling is illegal in Hawaii, which means a lot of the cruise liners available don't have much in the way of entertainment that's centered around casinos or gambling in general. There are some liners that offer games onboard, but the prizes generally don't have any monetary value attached to them.

5.The Weather May Not Always be Perfect

A sad reality, most people are greeted with is that the postcard-perfect weather in Hawaii isn't always what you'll get, even if you visit in the best season. Rainy weather and clouds do have a chance of obscuring your view during the scenic cruise, but it's not always going to be rain or cloud all day. Take advantage of the sunny hours whenever you can of move your outdoor plans a few hours ahead. You might get lucky.

Regardless of whether you plan on having a short cruise or a longer trip, Hawaii has some pretty good options for you. It doesn't matter if it's your first time or your tenth, this pacific paradise is bound to surprise you one way or another. Because cruises themselves only offer just a short taste of Hawaii, don't be surprised if the islands call you back for a longer stay one day.