I'd definitely recommend staying on the islands rather than cruising.
I love Big Island but due to its size you really need to stay for a minimum of 1 week, preferably more.
Just spent 8 days on Maui and would have loved to stay longer so no, one week isn't too long on either of these islands it's too short IMO!

The first time our family went to Hawaii we spent a week on Maui and cried when we had to leave!! Really!

Now we spend a minimum of three weeks on the Big Island and still hate having to leave. This time it's FIVE weeks.

When you go on a cruise you see plenty of distant scenery from the ocean, land in the middle of tourist souvenir land, maybe take a quick bus tour to some pretty site, and that's it.

Definitely stay on two islands and take time to enjoy all the things you say you like. Besides, life slows down when you are in Hawaii, and rushing around to see things becomes less important than just being there. Do your week on Oahu and a week on Maui and enjoy.

Rent a condo. See VRBO.com for one, and also Google vacation rentals Oahu or vacation rentals Maui for tons of choices.

Myself - I would do a couple days on Oahu - snorkeling/diving Hanauma Bay, http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hanauma-bay-nature-preserve.html and maybe driving around the isle (either up to North Shore - an hour - and then another hour plus back down the east side and back to Hono) or continuing on to Kailua from Hanamua Bay and then either back to Hono/Waikik through the Koolau's - or up to the west side to North Shore and back down the middle of the island to Hono.

Then - get thee over to say Maui - for 5 days - and a week on Big Island - or vice versa.

It's really not that hard getting from Island to Island - short flights (usually under half an hour to Maui - 45 minutes to Big Island) and the Inter-Island terminal on Oahu is much smaller/easier to manuver around than in the International terminal, and the outer island terminals are even more compact.

One of us usually gets our luggage (if we checked) while the other goes to get the rental car - and then we are off.

And even if you spent say 3 days on Oahu - and say 4 on Maui - and a week on the Big Island - I think you would still find time for kicking back on the beach. For me - I like to see as much as possible the first time and then have a better idea where I want to hang the next time we come back.

BTW - our favorite island is the lush Garden Isle - Kauai - but if you drive out to Hana on Maui - or get to Hilo on the Big Island - you will see some beauitful rain forests.

I would not cruise. I'd do a week each on Oahu and Maui. I think that's a perfect first trip to Hawaii.

Oahu and Maui..... that's how we did our first trip, with the next one in10 days, same 2 islands.
Mind you, in the intervening time, we have done the other islands also, but keep going back to Maui, and North Shore Oahu.
But one of these days, I have to get back to Kauai.... and Lanai, and.........
Hey, its hard to go wrong, on any of them!

Hawaii is definitely not a place to stop for a cruise ship destination. If you want to spend 2 weeks spend a week on the north shore of Oahu and a week on either Maui or the big Island depending on your interests. Oahu gets a lot of negative reviews but if you get away from Waikiki it is a fabulous destination!!
We have stayed North shore, Kailua, and Hawaii Kai area just so we could be at Haunama bay 1st thing in morning. Each Island is so beautiful,I change my favorite everytime!!!!

Part of the issue about cruising Hawaii is the specific cruiseline that does that route. It doesn't always get very good comments. So you might want to read some reviews of that specifically, to help make your decision.

Okay thanks everyone!

There are other options besides NCL to cruise in Hawaii, but I'd still avoid a cruise if you have 2 weeks. There's just no reason unless you want to visit all the islands and then spend a week on another. If you really want to do that, then definitely take the cruise.

If you think the cruise is expensive, I think you are going to be very disappointed trying to find a "house on the beach" in Oahu and Maui.

Most Hawaii accomodation is by hotel or condo. You can get an idea by looking at www.vrbo.com for condos and www.kayak.com or www.expedia.com to get an idea about hotels. You will also need a rental car on Maui and maybe on Oahu, if you are staying outside of Waikiki.

The NCL cruise is fine for some people. Some people like having the food and accomodation prices taken care of (although alcohol is not included in the price).

Wow ... yes, Placename, you have hit the nail on the head. The cruise is among the cheapest ways of visiting Hawaii. I think these posters are definitely in for some sticker shock. Though they will be able to save a little by cooking meals in.

Well the cruise is $4400 then you have to add in tips, drinks etc. Where as staying on land can be cheaper and wont be so rushed. If we stay in say a holiday inn or similar this will save us money. We can also rent a condo for about $250 per night. We have decided to not cruise as this is our first time to the islands and will spend a week on Oahu and a week on Maui. Does anyone have suggestions on areas to stay on these islands. We dont care about shopping or eating. We mainly want to relax on nice beaches away from alot of the hustle and bustle but not to far. We will also do some fun activities:
Here is what i am thinking
Day 1: Sleep in and adjust to time zone relax on the beach etc
Day 2: Go to pearl harbor spend morning there, grab lunch somewhere nearby then explore Honolulu and Waikiki
Day 3: More of a relaxing day spend time at beach maybe do one activity ie helicopter ride or hike diamond head
Day 4: Another fun activity(shark encounter etc) and some site seeing
Day 5: A do nothing do make no plans and do whatever comes our way
Day 6:Another activity or 2 some sight seeing
Day 7 what should we do this day?? take late afternoon evening flight to Maui
Where should we stay in Maui??
Day 8: Activity, beach
Day 9: Road to Hana
Day 10 RELAX
Day 11 sightsee relax activity
Day 12
day 13
day 14

So can anyone give me suggestions of places to stay on or near the beach. Also what sites are we missing that we should see? We dont really have specific sites in mind so suggestiosn are appreciated! What are fun activities to do? We are taking 2 grandsons (17,15) so they will want to do things that we are fine watching. Thanks!

On Oahu, if I were not staying at a nice hotel in Waikiki, I would rent a place in Kailua, near Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach. Another choice would be to rent up on the north shore, near Haleiwa.

For $250 a night - I would think you could find a decent 2 BR condo - but google away to be sure. Also check out the Turte Bay Resort - as they have some nice beachfront cottages. And friends of ours rent out their 2BR guest house -right by Waimea Bay on the north shore. Check VRBO for availability.

And we also loved staying over by Lanakai Beach.

The #1 thing I would recommend for the two grandsons would be snorkeling at Hanamua Bay - about 20 minutes south of Waikiki, and also other places you may travel. Recommend you go early - and they have food there but we prefer to take a picnic lunch - and sometimes pick up Sushi at the Hawai Kai shopping center. The local McDonalds also have good Saiman soup.

And if the grandsons don't board surf, they might like to try body suring.

Driving around Oahu is also fun. And you and they might like Sea Life Park if you haven't been to a Sea World type park, and it's about 10 minutes beyond Hanamua Bay: http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/

The #2 thing I would recommend on Maui - (after driving to Hana) - would be to get up early - oh dark thirty (be on the road at 4 am) - and drive up to greet the sun god coming up over the rim of the Halakeala Volcano.

Driving around the north end of Maui is also fun (narrows to one lane in a couple of places but incredible views) - and the Iao Needle is worth a visit.

Two of the more popular beach areas are Kaanapali and Kihei, and they would be a good fit for teenagers; I would start looking on-line at Costco packages or Expedia and see what you come up with in each area. We usually use VRBO for condos on Maui but we always stay longer than a week and eat in about half the time. For day trips on Maui, Haleakala is a top priority, as would be a snorkel trip to Molokini, which the boys would love, I'm sure.

Kaanapali is more resort oriented, but there are condos available...Kihei is a little more low-key as far as accommodations and you will find a wide variety at different prices. Another difference is that in Kihei, most places to stay are across a main road from the nicest beaches, so you aren't right on the beach usually. More options for staying right on the beach in Kaanapali. There are beautiful beaches in Wailea and Makena, south of Kihei, but this is also where some of the priciest beachfront accommodations in Maui are (there are options away from the beach, but not as much variety...again check VRBO for condo prices in each area). However, both Wailea and Makena are very lovely places to stay, and it's only about 2 miles into Kihei when you want more excitement. I wouldn't choose Lahaina if you want to be away from hustle/bustle. It always seems very busy.

The main thing is be sure to check out the places you are interested in on Google maps/Earth, so you can see exactly where you will be relative to main roads, beaches, the airport, Haleakala, etc. For example, Kaanapali is a good 40 minutes further from the volcano than Kihei, and most snorkel trips leave from Lahaina's harbor.

I'd stay somewhere like Outrigger Reef or Waikiki Shores condo next door in Waikiki by Fort de Russy park. On Maui I liked Lahaina Shores another not fancy condo/hotel property, walking distance to town in Lahaina (where there are things to see and do without getting in the car all the time, which I like).

Both these ARE busy, but places I personally enjoy a lot. And convenient for getting out and about to other more removed areas for the sights, beaches, smaller towns, natural wonders, etc. Rent a car both islands to smooth out your getting around.

Okay thanks for the suggestions on places to stay we will look at all our options!
How hard is the road to hana drive? What kind of car should we rent? How long does it take?
And would most of you recommend getting up early to see the sunrise over Halakeala Volcano? What time should we get there?
Also would anyone recommend just picking a day and driving around the 2 islands? Could that be fun?
THANKS

People have varying opinions about sunrise. For my family, no one wanted to get up in the middle of the night and do the drive in the dark. We waited and went up mid-morning. That worked fine for us. For some people it is worth the extra effort to see the sunrise. Some people like sunSET.

Some people like to just play it all by ear, depending on how everyone is feeling, the weather, the mood.

I am one of those. I really hate to end up in Hawaii on a schedule.

RTH is essentially a day-long trip. The dawdling along the route is part of it, so you could plan on 3 or 4 hours from Paia.

We left our condo around 8:30 and thought it was a perfect time to be on the volcano (around 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.)...that road is very difficult to drive, lots of curves and narrow; I can't imagine driving it in the dark, although I know a lot of people do it. And there is trying to get two teenage boys awake that early...not sure it's worth it. My son is 19, so I know the challenge.

I would get a Maui guidebook and read up on the road to Hana...Maui Revealed is a detailed one, and you will have all the info you need to make a decision.

As far as just driving around, it's not all that relaxing because there is traffic on both islands in different areas. I would choose a destination and make it a day or partial day with lunch. For example, we combined Haleakala with a visit to Paia and lunch at the Paia Fishmarket; I recommend that. Also close to Haleakala is the Kula Botanical Gardens.

Or you could also combine a Haleakala visit with a trip to the winery and lavender farm.

I have done the NCL cruise around the islands and enjoyed it. Although NCL isn't as plush as Princess or Royal Caribbean, it's better than Carnival, IMHO. What I liked about it was that we got a taste of all of the islands......

About what suze said regarding getting up gawdawful early (I avoid getting up early at all costs) to see the sunrise~if you do it, remember that it's COLD.

Even later in the morning it's FREEZIN up there. Excellent tip! I hadn't brought any cold weather clothes so had to pile on almost everything in my suitcase!

To each their own and getting the young ones up early can be a challenge - but they can sleep on the way up - and I think the sunrise is worth the extra effort to get up early. IMO - the drive isn't that bad, plus in the dark - you have headlights on so you know if somebody is coming down the hill - which rarely happens at that hour in the morning anyway. And you don't have the bike riders to possibly worry about.

Again, I don't think it's that scary of a drive - and doesn't really have any big dropoffs as I recall. Have driven much hairer/fun roads than that.

And for snorkeling equipment rental (assuming you don't take your own gear) - check out the Snorkel Bob's of this world. (Also check the tourist mags at the airport when you arrive). I believe you can even rent stuff on one island and turn in on another, and the weekly rentals are fairly inexpensive - for the basic stuff - which works just fine usually. If they haven't really snorkeled before - practice in a pool somewhere to get comfortable - and make sure there aren't any hairs underneath the mask - as that can lead to some water trickling down into the mask and mess up the visibility.

http://snorkelbob.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/boats.htm?E+scstore

One more thing. The drive to Hana takes time - what - with some 600 curves. If anyone is prone to car sickness - have them sit up front and also plan to stop along the way - which is fun to do anyway.

Start early - and on the way home - you can drive it in the dark - and some locals prefer that - as then they can tell by the oncoming lights if anyone is coming around the next curve.

We will play getting up early by ear dep on how everyone feels to see sunrise. Thanks for everything! Now what shouldnt we miss on oahu

On Oahu, you should not miss:

1) Kailua and Lanikai beaches (kayaking is great)
2) Hanauma Bay (snorkeling)
3) Hike up Diamond Head if it's a clear day
4) Drive across the middle of the island (spectacular) from southeast to northwest
5) Haleiwa for shave ice
6) North shore beaches
7) Pearl Harbor
8) Waikiki

Oahu, continued

9) Punchbowl Cemetery
10)Pali Lookout
11)Meal at Cheeseburgers in Paradise for the boys

Thanks all

Also for Oahu: Plate lunches, Thai food, Hono Chinatown great dim sum there too,, walking along Waikiki beachs, Sea-Life Park, and definitely snorkeling at Hanauma Bay - my #1 choice above all else.

And assuming you get over to the Kailua side - the Valley of Temples is cool: http://www.trekaroo.com/activities/valley-of-the-temples-memorial-park-kailua-hawaii

I second the Oahu votes for:

Hanauma Bay snorkeling
Pearl Harbor
shave ice (as often as possible!)
Punchbowl Cemetery

We can spend a week plus on the North Shore, never run out of things to do, and be sad when we leave. Our family of four recently spent 8 days there and the vacation total was $3761 (we flew with miles). Including taxes and fees, out condo near Turtle Bay was $158/nt. We did everything sf suggests but the Punchbowl, never felt rushed, spent lots of time snorkeling, lots of time reading, and pleanty of time relaxing. I love Oahu, but I am planning my 11 days on the Big Island right now. It was tough to not go back to Oahu, but we are looking forward to July in Hilo and Kohala.