Whether you want to go it alone or have everything taken care of, AMA Travel can help you get the most out of your Hawaiian vacation with these five ways to visit Maui.
CRUISE & SAIL
Experience all of Hawaii’s islands—while only unpacking once. Take in striking island scenery from the comfort of your stateroom balcony. And go ashore for day trips to sample the character of each island, from Maui’s farm-to-table cuisine to Oahu’s shopping scene. For those who don’t like flying, try a round-trip cruise from Vancouver aboard Holland America (Sept. 29–Oct. 15, 2019, from $2,374 + $244 taxes) or Princess Cruises (Oct. 7–22, 2019, from $2,211 + $215 taxes). To set sail after landing in Hawaii, book a seven-day itinerary with Norwegian Cruise Line (Feb. 23–30, 2019, from $1,873 + $288 taxes). You’ll travel round-trip from Honolulu, docking in Hilo and Kona, plus overnight stays off of Maui and Kauai. Visit AMATravel.ca or call 1-866-989-6594.
RESORT LIVING
Maybe it’s the hibiscus-scented air or the soothing rhythm of ocean waves, but few places in the world do laid-back luxury better than Hawaii. Resort properties have mastered the art of combining relaxation with quality cultural programming. Excellent dining, cool bars and activities, like cocktail classes and sailing, are a given at many Hawaiian hotels. But some resorts also offer island pastimes like ukulele lessons and lei-making work-shops. At the newly renovated Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, guests can witness an iconic Hawaiian tradition: rock diving. Watch death-defying divers leap off Black Rock daily at 6 p.m., then grab a table at the hotel’s ROCKsalt restaurant to dig into the local catch of the day. AMA members save 5% or more, and earn Marriott Rewards or SPG points.
GUIDED TOURING
The roadways of Hawaii are a driver’s delight, with sprawling vistas, black-sand beaches and food trucks serving roadside treats. For travellers who want to take the scenic route without worrying about gas and directions, guided tours are ideal. With the perfect balance of well-planned activities and low-key downtime, the tours are popular for groups, couples and solo travellers. Try Trafalgar’s 10-day Best of Hawaii tour. Travel aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, while your tour director points out highlights. The trip includes four-star hotels with breakfast, plus some lunches and dinners. Jan.–Dec. 2019 departures, from $4,304 (tour only) when you pay in full by Jan. 17, 2019. Call an AMA Travel specialist at 1-866-667-4777 to learn more.
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CONDO RENTALS
Wildly popular with snowbirds, families and locals alike, rentals allow visitors to really immerse themselves in island life. Condos are particularly appealing to groups looking for multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. Rentals are also perfect for the curious traveller: They provide an affordable home base to unwind after a day of hiking in Waimea or sampling craft beer in Kihei. It’s best to book with an AMA Travel agent, who works with island condo providers—many have even stayed in the rentals themselves. Your agent can confirm key info like proximity to the beach, house-keeping options and check-in details.
ISLAND HOPPING
With daily flights and ferries connecting the major islands, it’s possible to enjoy several vacation styles in a single trip—a seaside getaway on one isle, jungle camping on another. Start in Honolulu to tour Pearl Harbor, followed by Kauai for a traditional luau. Later, touch down in Maui for some wine tasting before ferrying to Lanai for snorkelling. Helicopter tours are also available on most islands, providing access to areas otherwise inaccessible to humans. Island-hopping can be very complicated to organize, so turn to an AMA Travel expert—they’ll handle ground transfers, inter-island flights and hotel reservations, so you can focus on your hula dancing.