Getting ashore
Kailua-Kona is usually a tender stop.
Build in extra time at both ends of the day, especially if you are planning an independent tour or want to be first ashore.
United States
Kailua-Kona Cruise Port
Kailua-Kona is a long port day with frequent tendering and lighter cruise traffic throughout the year, but concentrated in February and April.
Usually tenders
Usually quiet
~11h typical visit
Mid-size ships
What to expect in Kailua-Kona
How much time will you have?
About 11h is typical
Most cruises spend 9h to 11h 15m in Kailua-Kona, which makes it a relatively long port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Kailua-Kona get?
This is usually a quieter cruise stop.
Multiple ships overlap on roughly 7% of days, so most dates should feel manageable.
- Typical day: ~2,250 passengers
- Busy day: 4,150+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 7% of days
Check your date
September 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Where Kailua-Kona fits into a cruise
Kailua-Kona is most commonly visited on Hawaii itineraries, often alongside Hilo and Honolulu .
Commonly arrives from
Kailua-Kona
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Kailua-Kona
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from February and April.
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from February and April.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
23
29
16
34
22
9
10
12
22
20
21
17
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Kailua-Kona typically carry around 2,252 guests, with Pride of America, Emerald Princess, and Koningsdam calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Pride of America 53 calls
- 2 Emerald Princess 7 calls
- 3 Koningsdam 7 calls
- 4 Norwegian Spirit 7 calls
- 5 Royal Princess 5 calls
- 6 Celebrity Solstice 4 calls
Next port calls
Sep 16 Pride of America
Sep 20 Norwegian Spirit
Sep 23 Pride of America
Sep 24 Ruby Princess
Sep 26 Celebrity Edge
Cruises that visit Kailua-Kona
Once the port-day tradeoffs look right for you, here are some good sailings that feature Kailua-Kona.
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Sep 19 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 5
Exceptional value
$1,255 oceanview · $179/night
33% below typical · 6-month low
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Sep 26 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 5
Exceptional value
$3,359 suite · $480/night
30% below typical · 6-month low
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Oct 10 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 4
Exceptional value
$3,675 suite · $525/night
26% below typical · 6-month low
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Oct 24 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 4
Good value
$1,361 inside · $194/night
16% below typical · 6-month low
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Nov 14 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 4
Exceptional value
$1,361 oceanview · $194/night
39% below typical · 6-month low
Pride of America
Honolulu → Kahului → Nawiliwili → Honolulu
Nov 21 · 7 nights
Visits Kailua-Kona on day 4
Exceptional value
$1,361 oceanview · $194/night
29% below typical · 6-month lowCruise routes that include Kailua-Kona
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Kailua-Kona, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Hawaii Loop via Kahului & Hilo
From $1,203
$1,203
·
53 upcoming sailings
·
1 ship
53 upcoming sailings
1 ship
View itinerary →
Tahiti & French Polynesia Repositioning via Nawiliwili, Kailua-Kona & Bora Bora
From $1,269
$1,269
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Hawaii Loop via Hilo, Honolulu & Ensenada
From $1,298
$1,298
·
3 upcoming sailings
·
2 ships
3 upcoming sailings
2 ships
View itinerary →
Hawaii Loop via Hilo, Kailua-Kona & Ensenada
From $1,328
$1,328
·
2 upcoming sailings
·
1 ship
2 upcoming sailings
1 ship
View itinerary →
Hawaii Loop via Nawiliwili, Honolulu & Ensenada
From $1,799
$1,799
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Transpacific Crossing via Tauranga, Auckland & Papeete
From $2,442
$2,442
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Related ports near Kailua-Kona
Compare nearby cruise ports with active sailing coverage.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Kailua-Kona
Short answers for common search intent around the best time to visit, itinerary patterns, and how to compare cruises that include Kailua-Kona.
What is the best time to visit Kailua-Kona on a cruise?
The best time to visit Kailua-Kona depends on both schedule density and live pricing. Use the calendar above to compare exact port-call dates and the featured cruises section to see which sailings currently stand out.
When is Kailua-Kona busiest for cruise traffic?
Traffic patterns are still building as more schedules get indexed. Jibhop will surface the busiest months as upcoming port-call coverage expands.
Which cruise itineraries usually include Kailua-Kona?
Common upcoming itinerary families that include Kailua-Kona include Hawaii Loop via Kahului & Hilo, Tahiti & French Polynesia Repositioning via Nawiliwili, Kailua-Kona & Bora Bora, and Hawaii Loop via Hilo, Honolulu & Ensenada. Open any itinerary card to compare route mix, next departures, and which sailings look strongest on price.
How should I compare cruises that visit Kailua-Kona?
Start with the best cruises section to see today's strongest pricing signals, then use the port-call calendar to find the exact visit dates that fit your trip. Once you narrow the timing, compare itineraries and ships rather than choosing on this stop alone.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Kailua-Kona
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Kailua-Kona in your trip.