In that part of the world I don't think it makes that much difference. The cruise ships tend to pick good times.

Hi Ray,
I've never cruised around the Hawaiian Islands, but have been there numerous times and my favorite time to go to Hawaii is ANYTIME other than June, July, August (and that's only because everyone else is there). The weather is going to be great anytime.
Last year we cruised around the Tahitian Islands in June and it was fantastic - warm, but not exceptionally humid, absolutely perfect. That's the only time i've been there, so I don't have any other time to compare it to.
Whatever you decide, it will be beautiful! Have fun!

The conventional wisdom (not my personal opinion) is that the best time to travel to French Polynesia is June-October, as that is the "Dry" season there (their dry season is in the "winter" (such as it is)). Note that this is also the "Dry" season in Hawaii (summer there). So, if maximum sun/minumum rain is your biggest criteria, then those are the months to travel to both places. Personally, as a resident of cool, gray Seattle I have little desire to travel to the tropics at the one time of the year where we get great weather here at home. I prefer to travel there in late March/early April.

Ken

Hi Ray

I will just comment on Hawaii. I love summer best, the hotter the better. The sun shines stronger and longer in summer. There is always a trade wind breeze to take care of the humidity. Actually most times of the year are great. You have more rain the Windward and Mauka (mountain) sides of each island in winter. However this is an El Nino winter and they are predicting a dry one. You also will see whales (all islands) and albatros on Kauai. So I do think the islands are special year round.

I am not a cruiser but I have noticed on the American forum that many advise against this in Hawaii. Seems they don't give you the freedom. The islands really are so accesible on land.