Hawaii is an incredible vacation destination packed with pristine beaches, lush tropical rain forests, gorgeous waterfalls and spectacular volcanoes. For the average person, with so much to see and so little time to see it on their one or two week vacation, planning an unforgettable Hawaiian vacation can be a challenge. For that reason and others, Hawaiian cruises have become one of the more popular Hawaii vacations, especially for those who have not yet experienced the islands.

To help you decide whether or not a cruise is the best choice for your Hawaiian vacation, we've outlined some of the pros and cons that you should consider:

Pros:

? Cruises take all of the hard work out of planning for your Hawaii vacations. As with all cruises, planning meals, entertainment, and logistics become somebody else's concern- not yours! All you have to worry about is getting yourself to the ship.

? A cruise can be one of the most time-efficient and cost-effective ways to explore all of the major islands in one trip. Most cruise companies make sure that at least three islands are built into your cruise itinerary. The ship generally travels while you are asleep, so you save valuable beach time, as well as the airfare you would have spent to fly between islands

? Hawaii cruise vacations ensure that you'll get the opportunity to sample the local cuisine and participate in a traditional Hawaiian Luau. The downside to most Hawaiian cruises is that you eat the majority of your meals on the boat.

? Nightlife on Hawaiian cruises generally tends to trump the quiet scene onshore. If you're bringing the kids or just like to live it up at night, a cruise could be the way to go.

Cons:

? Sightseeing on cruise ships is limited to the time you spend on shore each day. Some of the best sight seeing requires at least a full day trip, which often is not possible from a cruise ship.

? Although Hawaii is beautiful, its ports unfortunately are not. If first impressions tend to color your impression of a place, this might be a reason to avoid a cruise on your Hawaii vacations.

? On a cruise, you'll miss out on some of Hawaii's great dining options. That said, the food on most Hawaiian cruises is not too shabby!

Now that you've got some of the pros and cons behind taking a cruise for future Hawaii vacations, you can choose whether or night a Hawaiian cruise would give you the best Hawaiian vacation experience.

Here's our suggestion:

Whether or not you're a first timer to the islands, combine a cruise package with a few nights on land. That way, you can experience the best of both worlds with your Hawaii vacations.