Hawaiian vacations on the cheap

Say aloha to warmer temperatures sooner than you expected. Some of the best deals for a tropical island getaway.

By Summar Ghias,?Contributor / October 7, 2012

Tourist leap into the air for a souvenir picture as the sun sets over Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in this January 2012 file photo.

Jason Reed/Reuters/File

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Home to storybook waterfalls, sputtering active volcanoes, vibrant vegetation, and some of the most coveted surf spots in the world, Hawaii has 'ideal destination' written on every islands' sands ? or at least it does in our minds. With our latest deals to this most northern set of Polynesian islands, the worn-out budget vacay-hunter in you can find peace. After checking out our Hawaii vacation deals, you may find yourself saying aloha to warmer temperatures sooner than you expected.

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Hawaii consists of six distinct islands that entice surfing enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and beach junkies alike. Get a glimpse of what the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu have to offer aboard the newly renovated?Celebrity Millennium?on an?11-night cruise for two?(from $1,588, a low by $510; expires October 22). This sea adventure comes bundled with a?$75 onboard credit?and includes visits to picturesque Hilo, the active Kilauea volcano, the historic town of Kailua Kona, the Maui hotspot of Lahaina, and the state's capital, Honolulu. At well under $1,800, this rate is a steal compared to average cruises to the area; it's the lowest total price we've seen for any Hawaiian cruise in the past two years, to boot.

For those without their sea legs, why not visit Oahu, Hawaii's most visited island with more than 4.5 million incoming tourists a year. The "The Heart of Hawaii" and enjoy the island's historic attractions including Hawaii's last reining monarch, a replica of a Buddhist temple at Valley of the Temples, and the infamous Pearl Harbor. To see it all and more, stay at the family-friendly?Aston Waikiki Banyan?in Honolulu. The hotel offers?nightly stays?for just $137 (a low by $9; expires October 31) and is located one block away from the beach at Kapiolani Park, the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Honolulu Zoo.

There are plenty of equivalent lodging alternatives in the area. Enjoy the former stomping grounds of Hawaiian royalty via a?room at the Prince Hotel Waikiki?(from $189, a low by $20; expires October 31). Located on the south shore of Honolulu along the main drag of hotels and resorts, guests here will enjoy panoramic oceanfront views, island cuisine, and a 27-hole golf course. Or, unpack at the nearby 4-star oceanfront?Ilikai Hotel and Suites, which offers?3-night stays?which includes?in-room WiFi?for prices that start at $447 (a low by $20; October 7).

Once you've settled in, enlist in the help of the experts at?Hawaiian Surf Adventures?for your water sport of the day: a?2-hour group standup-paddle boarding lesson and tour of Maunalua Bay($49, a low by $50; expires October 7). Nestled between Diamond Head and Koko Head on the southeast shore of Oahu, the bay is relatively secluded, so instructors can give you the time and space to learn just how to stay erect while paddling.

After you've had your fill of Oahu, why not island-hop over to Kauai via plane, where you'll find towering cliffs, the Waimea Canyon, and 50 miles of amazing beaches. You'll find your very own beach-lover's haven at one of the?Aston Hotels and Resorts, which offers?stays at select properties?that start at $79 a night (a low by $9; expires October 31). Hotels include the reasonableAston Aloha Beach Hotel?? which sits on 10 beachfront acres adjacent to Kauai's only protected swimming and snorkeling beach ? and the pricier, more secluded?Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages, which serves as a romantic hideaway amidst a serene coconut grove.

Hawaii's warm spirit and tropical beauty offers all of us land-bound folks of the 49 states the perfect jolt of rejuvenation. So, pack those bags and get ready to get lei'd! But, if you've got different ideas for a vacation, though, be sure to check out our daily?travel deals?for other airfare, hotel, and vacation packages.

Summer Ghias is a contributor to?dealnews.com,?a website devoted to finding the best deals on consumer goods. The site pledges to list the best deal, whether or not it's from an advertiser, although it does work with advertisers to craft deals for readers.?This feature first appeared in?dealnews.com.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/y8A1oh6C9k8/Hawaiian-vacations-on-the-cheap

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