Discover the natural wonders of Hawaii’s gorgeous Big Island by exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stargazing atop the summit of Maunakea and standing in awe before mist-shrouded Rainbow Falls.
Note: this program is not suitable for guests with mobility restrictions or walking difficulty due to rugged terrain that will be encountered on the day tours.
DAY 1 - June 25, 2025
After disembarking the ship, you will be met by a representative at the gangway for the 45-minute transfer to the Honolulu International Airport. You will then check in for the flight to Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The festivities will begin with a luau shortly after you arrive. You will be greeted with a shell lei, a traditional Hawaiian welcome. As you feast on Hawaiian dishes and beverages, the sun will begin to set, making the setting even more memorable. Polynesian dancers will provide the entertainment, each song telling a story or legend through its composition, choreography and stage production.
After the luau, you will transfer to the Fairmont Orchid, a luxury resort on the Kohala coast. You will be welcomed with a cold Oshibori hand towel and a glass of champagne before proceeding to the private check-in.
A bottle of champagne awaits in your oceanfront concierge-level room, where you will spend the evening.
DAY 2 – June 26, 2025
Following breakfast on the hotel’s private lounge lanai, you can schedule your day around the activities that you find most appealing. Options for the one complimentary activity include hiking to a collection of ancient petroglyphs, snorkeling at Pauoa Bay, learning how to weave a coconut frond bowl, paddling a traditional Hawaiian canoe and fishing.
After lunch on your own, you will transfer from the hotel to the nearly 14,000-foot summit of Maunakea, the highest point in the Pacific. There, over a delectable picnic dinner, you will hear stories about the ancient Polynesians. In particular, you will learn how they traveled thousands of miles in double-hulled canoes, using only the stars as a guide. You will also discover how the early Hawaiians lived in mountainous areas such as Maunakea.
Once the sun sets, you will descend to a lower elevation and stargaze through an advanced Celestron telescope. The night sky will come alive as the telescope provides excellent resolution that makes the stars seem close enough to touch.
Afterwards, you will return to the Fairmont Orchid hotel for the evening with dinner on your own.
Note: Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain at Maunakea. The temperature can dip below freezing at high elevations on the mountain. Guests may encounter cold, wet or muddy conditions. Due to the high altitude, this activity is not recommended for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, or for those that are pregnant or in poor health. Guests that have scuba-dived within 24 hours should not travel to the summit due to its high altitude. Children under the age of 13 are not permitted on this tour.
DAY 3– June 27, 2025
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer east to Hilo to experience spectacular Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot cascade that drops over a natural lava cave. According to legend, the cave was home to Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess. The falls are most alluring on sunny mornings when vivid rainbows appear in the mist. Please note that swimming isn’t permitted at Rainbow Falls.
Continuing on, you will soon reach the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. An International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the national park contains an abundance of unique geological, biological and cultural landscapes. To enhance your understanding of the park, the guide will describe volcanic eruptions that changed the dynamic terrain.
While at the park, you will hike through a tropical rainforest, explore a large lava tube created centuries ago and look over the edge of a precipitous volcanic crater.
Afterwards, you will travel to the port of Hilo and re-embark the ship.
Note: Guests should wear comfortable shoes, hats, sunglasses and bring reusable water bottles for this day.
The morning snack will likely be banana bread and yogurt; however, this could change. A deli-style boxed lunch will be served at the national park.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations, which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once flights are confirmed. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1 - Timings will depend on flight time, which will be determined closer to operation date
TBA Disembark the ship in Honolulu and proceed to the airport
TBA Arrive at the Honolulu International Airport and check-in
TBA Fly to Kona (flight details TBA and subject to change)
TBA Arrive in Kona and transfer to the luau
5:30pm Enjoy the luau dinner and entertainment
9:00pm Check in at the Fairmont Orchid hotel or similar hotel
DAY 2
6:30-10:30am Breakfast in the concierge lounge
Varied times Spend the morning however you wish
3:15pm Proceed to Maunakea
4:30pm Dinner at Maunakea, followed by stargazing
10:00pm Depart for the hotel
11:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at the Fairmont Orchid or similar hotel
DAY 3
9:00am Check-out of the Fairmont Orchid
10:30am Arrive at Rainbow Falls
11:00am Begin tour of Volcanoes National Park
3:00pm Depart for the Port of Hilo
4:00pm Re-embark the ship in Hilo
Expected Weather
The weather changes drastically across the island due to elevation changes and the windward/leeward dynamics. Guests can expect moderately hot weather with high humidity and a 50% chance of rain at Rainbow Falls. The caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits at about 4,000 feet above sea level and extends to sea level encompassing several climate zones. In June, the average temperature at the caldera is about 75 degrees with a 30% chance of rain. Lower elevations in the park will be hotter and drier.
What to Bring
The weather at sea level may be chilly during early morning and nights. However, during the daytime it will be comfortable, so pack accordingly. Bring a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, warm socks, long pants and a sweatshirt or sweater for the activities at Maunakea. Hooded parkas and gloves will be provided.
Currency
The currency in Hawaii is the U.S. Dollar
Electricity
The standard voltage is 120 V, plug types A and B. You can use all your equipment in Hawaii if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 100V-127V. This is mostly the case in the U.S., Canada and South America. If you are travelling from outside North America, you may need an adaptor for your electric devices.
Luggage (subject to change)
Pack a carry-on bag that can fit in the airplane’s overhead bin or below the seat in front of you.
Should you wish to check a bag, the fees are payable upon check-in and are as follows (subject to change by the time of departure):
1. First bag per person is $25 per bag each way
2. Second bag per person is $35 per bag each way
The maximum dimensions for luggage: 62” (length + width + height). Maximum weight 50lbs. Bags exceeding 100lbs will not be accepted as checked baggage. Additional per bag fee of $35-$70, for bags weighing more than 50lbs or over 62”.
Carry-on Bags & Personal Items
Guests are limited to one (1) carry-on bag and one (1) personal item. The carry-on bag must fit safely under the seat in front of you or in an approved overhead compartment and is subject to these additional conditions:
•not to exceed 9L x 14W x 22H or 45 linear inches (114 cm) (length + width + height)
•limited to 25 pounds (11 kg)
The allotted personal item must be small enough to fit safely under the seat in front of you.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations).
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications, especially with regards to the type of batteries (lithium/dry or any other type)
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at OCI at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which neither Oceania Cruises nor our local ground operator will be responsible
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required. Please consult your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and visa must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation, including your first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel, and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
Aircraft type (subject to change)
Hawaiian Airlines - B717-200 - 128 passengers
Hotel
Fairmont Orchid
N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Phone: (808) 885-2000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes:
• Two nights at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel or similar – Fairmont Gold Ocean View Room
• Domestic flight in economy-class from Honolulu to Kona
• All tours, transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per program
• Two breakfasts, 1 luau buffet dinner (included beverages TBA)
• Touring in luxury private vehicles with A/C & PA-systems; maximum 12 passengers per vehicle
• Access to the exclusive hotel concierge lounge
• Your choice of resort activities on Day 2 (one activity per person)
• Porterage at the hotel and airports (2 pieces of luggage per person)
Not Included:
• Any meals and beverages not specified above
• Gratuities to drivers and tour guides
• Personal incidentals including mini bar and room service at the hotel
• Excess or overweight luggage fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
