Summer weather prevails nearly year-round in Hawaii; but if visitors need to open an umbrella, it’ll likely be from November through March. Even when it’s drizzling, however, there’s plenty to see and do on Oahu. 

Rainy days are a great time to visit attractions such as the Bishop Museum; Iolani Palace; the Waikiki Aquarium; Queen Emma Summer Palace; the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design; and Capitol Modern, formerly known as the Hawaii State Art Museum.

And that’s just a short list. From art and cooking classes to concerts and museums, we’ve rounded up perfect options for keeping the whole family entertained on a rainy Oahu day.

Art Classes 

Art enthusiasts of all ages can find something to stoke their creative spirit on Oahu, whether it’s a still-life painting class, a sculpture session or a metalwork and jewelry-making workshop.

Honolulu Museum of Art: Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) each season for creatives — even for kids as young as 3 years old. The topics of one- and two-day workshops might include printmaking, sketching and ceramics. Sessions are held at HoMA’s main campus on Beretania Street and at the recently renovated Honolulu Museum of Art School.

Prices for short workshops start at $35, and clients can register in advance online or in person at the HoMA School’s front desk during hours of operation (Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Registration for one- and two-day workshops closes two days prior to the session.

Concerts

Jazz, pop, blues, folk, rock, reggae, country, contemporary Hawaiian and more — whatever a visitor’s preference, there are opportunities to enjoy concerts throughout the year on Oahu. Here are three of the island’s top venues for live music; check their websites for information about upcoming performances.

RELATED: 7 Things to Do After Dark on Oahu  

Blaisdell Concert Hall: The Blaisdell Concert Hall is currently undergoing an extensive renovation. When construction is completed in early 2025, the venue will again be a hot spot for plays, concerts, opera and symphony performances, as well as Broadway hits — “Wicked,” “Hamilton,” “The Lion King,” “Les Miserables” and “Phantom of the Opera” are among the award-winning musicals that have been staged here over the years. 

Blue Note Hawaii: Located at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaii offers table seating for 326 people, a gift shop and a full-service bar and restaurant in a chic dinner-club setting. Kealii Reichel, Henry Kapono, Paula Fuga and Amy Hanaialii Gilliom are among the local greats who have performed here, and Grammy winners who have drawn crowds include Dionne Warwick, Christopher Cross, Manhattan Transfer and Blood Sweat & Tears. Blue Note has also hosted top comedy acts such as Patton Oswalt, Rob Schneider and Amy Schumer.

Hawaii Theatre: Built in 1922 as an elegant movie house, Hawaii Theatre featured gilded Corinthian columns, a 75-foot-high domed ceiling and a 40-by-12-foot Lionel Walden mural over the proscenium. A victim of television’s growing popularity, it closed in 1984 and was in danger of being demolished. Concerned citizens launched a campaign to save and restore it. Reopened in 1996, the theater is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Community Theater

Community theater productions spotlight impressive local talent, many of whom are also volunteers or in roles ranging from ushers and dressers to stagehands and box-office staff. Check venue websites for more detailed information about performances.

Diamond Head Theatre: Founded in 1915, Diamond Head Theatre (DHT) is the third-oldest continually operating community theatrical company in America. Its productions were presented in various venues until it landed a permanent location in 1952: a movie house built in the 1930s at Fort Ruger, then an active army base on the slopes of Diamond Head. That was its home for 70 years. The old building was razed in November 2022, and DHT’s brand-new facility opened on an adjacent parcel in January 2023.

RELATED: Breathtaking Hawaii Temples Waiting to Be Explored 

Kumu Kahua Theatre: This nonprofit organization exclusively stages original plays written by Hawaii residents that are set in the islands and reflect the values, concerns, experiences and lifestyles of local communities. The theater’s cozy, 100-seat playhouse in downtown Honolulu was built in 1871 as the King Kamehameha V Post Office, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Manoa Valley Theatre: Construction of the famed Kawaiahao Church in downtown Honolulu — the oldest church on Oahu — was completed in 1842. Few know that in the 1800s, worshippers also gathered at Kawaiahao’s chapel in Manoa Valley, about 3.5 miles away. In 1969, the Stiehl Manoa Chapel became the home of the Manoa Valley Theatre (MVT), and in 1987, a new theater was constructed on the site of the old chapel, whose original bell and bell tower is displayed outside. Although MVT has been dubbed “Honolulu’s Off-Broadway Playhouse,” its productions also include Broadway musicals and mainstream contemporary works.

Cooking Classes

Foodie clients can take shelter indoors from the rain and channel their inner chefs with local cooking classes.

Wellness Kitchen: Registered dietitian Lisa Matsunaga welcomes visitors into her home for hands-on, three-hour cooking classes, where participants eat the delicious, healthful meal that they prepare. Guests can choose from a dozen different menus featuring dishes such as seasonal salad with pluots, avocado and a shallot vinaigrette; Asian-style crab and shrimp cakes; creamy braised chicken with garlic sauce; seared scallops with saffron-asparagus risotto; and fudgy vegan sweet potato brownies. Matsunaga shares valuable nutrition and food-shopping tips throughout each class, which includes a gourmet gift to take home. Prices begin at $385 for two guests.

RELATED: The 5 Best Poke Classes in Hawaii

Ukulele Factory Tours

In August 1879, after a four-month journey, the British ship Ravenscrag arrived in Honolulu with more than 400 passengers from Madeira, Portugal, who were about to begin new lives as contract workers on sugar plantations. Upon arriving at the island, Joao Fernandes picked up his braguinha (a small guitar) and began strumming and singing on the dock. His fellow passengers included Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito Santo, skilled craftsmen who would go on to develop the braguinha into the ukulele, a Hawaiian icon. Today, visitors can see firsthand how raw wood is transformed into beautiful ukuleles at these three factories.

Kamaka Hawaii: Kamaka Hawaii’s free guided factory tours, which last around 45- to 60-minutes, begin at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday through Friday. Groups larger than five people must schedule in advance.

Kanilea Ukulele: Daily tours (Monday through Friday) at the Kanilea Ukulele factory start at 9:30 a.m. and run 90 minutes. Each tour, which costs $30 per person, is limited to 10 people, and reservations can be made in advance. VIP Factory Tours can also be arranged.

KoAloha Ukulele: From Monday to Friday at KoAloha Ukulele, clients can watch world-class luthiers at work during complimentary 30-minute tours, which begin at 1 p.m.

Mexico Inaugurates First Tourist Train on Yucatan Peninsula

Image: The rail segment opened right now runs between the colonial Gulf coast city of Campeche and the popular tourist destination of Cancun (Photo Credit: Quintana Roo Tourism Board)

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Fri December 15, 2023

The Yucatan peninsula has welcomed the first part of a new tourist train that's being constructed to connect the region’s many resorts and archeological sites.

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador attended opening ceremonies on Friday for what will ultimately be a 950-mile train line, which has been named the Maya Train.

The $20 billion project is expected to be complete by February, according to a report from Associated Press. Once finished, the train will operate a rough loop around the Yucatan peninsula.

The rail segment opened right now runs between the colonial Gulf coast city of Campeche and the popular tourist destination of Cancun. It's a stretch of train line that amounts to about one-third of the entire project.

The train journey between Campeche and Cancun will take about 5 1/2 hours. The train will travel at an average speed of 50 miles per hour, Associated Press reported.

Plan for Maya Train. (Photo Credit: Rainer Lesniewski / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

There will be two trains per day in each direction on the new line, which will include a few stops along the way between Campeche and Cancun. The train will stop in the colonial city of Merida and at the popular archeological ruins of Chechen Itza, as well as at about 10 other towns.

Train tickets, which are currently available in first class and tourist class, go on sale tomorrow. There has also been discussion of charging lower fares for Mexicans using the line. But those fares were not listed as of today. A first-class ticket for the ride between Cancun to Merida will set you back about $68.

The new rail ine is ultimately expected to connect Cancun with other popular tourist destinations like Playa del Carmen and Tulum, as well as such ruins as Calakmul and Palenque.

“There are no public works projects like this in the world,” López Obrador said, according to Associated Press. “It was also done in record time.”

While the new mode of transportation on the peninsula is good news on many fronts, it’s not without controversy. Some parts of the line that are still to be built will cut through the jungle and constructed over sensitive, relic-filled cave systems. Environmentalists have objected the project. The project threatens many caves along the coastline, from which some of the oldest human remains have been discovered.

Princess Unveils 2024 Wave Sale With Up To 40 Percent Off Cruise Fares

Image: The Discovery Princess docked in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo Credit: Northstar Travel Group / Laurie Baratti)

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:25 AM ET, Fri December 15, 2023

Princess Cruises is offering its 2024 Wave Sale now through February 29, 2024, offering up to 40 percent off cruise fares, complimentary room upgrades and free sailing for the third and fourth guests. 

The perks are available for select 2024, 2025 and 2026 sailings across the globe, from the Norwegian Fjords to the Western Caribbean and Japan. Princess guests can also add inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier, which offer bundled savings on things like crew gratuities, WiFi, beverages and more. 

"Right now, is the best time for guests to book the widest selection of Princess cruises to their choice of exciting worldwide destinations," said Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer at Princess Cruises. "The great savings available with our exclusive 2024 Princess Wave Sale, makes this the perfect time for guests to choose the Princess cruise and accommodations with the premium vacation experience unlike any other.

The cruise line announced it would launch its largest-ever deployment in the Americas in 2025-26, offering 278 cruises across Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and North and South America. Bookings for this season open on December 20, offering plenty of time for travelers to enjoy savings on itineraries like Panama Canal journeys, as well as a special 60th anniversary cruise celebrating the line’s first cruise. 

Holland America Line Offering Free Fares for Kids and More for Wave Season

Image: The Westerdam ports in Cairns, Australia. (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)

by Eric Bowman
Last updated: 4:05 PM ET, Thu December 14, 2023

Holland America Line has a new “Time of Your Life” promotion, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

From December 14 through February 29, 2024, guests who book select summer 2024 through spring 2025 premium cruise package receive a free stateroom upgrade, fare discounts, free fares for kids, and reduced deposits required. Additionally, those who book by January 31, 2024, also receive onboard credits of up to $500 per stateroom.

“Not only is it the holiday season, but for cruising it’s Wave Season, making it the time of year when we put together our best offer with the most requested benefits and amenities,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Chief Commercial Officer for Holland America Line. “We have some exciting new itineraries for 2024 and 2025, and guest favorites around the world continue to be prominently featured, like Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.”

When guests book with the “Have it All” premium cruise package, four additional amenities are included: a shore excursion credit from $100 to $300, one to three nights of specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package, and a Wi-Fi Surf Package. With the new Time of Your Life promotion, these perks are in addition to the stateroom upgrade, reduced deposits, free fares for kids. and onboard credit.

With the Wave Season promotion, travelers can explore Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, South Pacific, South America and Antarctica, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the U.S. Pacific Coast. Alaska Cruisetours, which combine an Alaska cruise with an overland exploration to Denali and the Yukon, also are included.

This promotional offer is not valid on Grand Voyages nor cruises of five days or less. Kids traveling as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom do not need to book with Have It All to receive free fares. Upgrades are based on stateroom availability.

From the majestic peaks of Lovcen and Durmitor to the stunning Adriatic Coast, Montenegro offers picture-perfect scenery and spectacular views at seemingly every turn. Featuring one of Europe’s deepest canyons and its southernmost fjord, Montenegro is easily one of the world’s most beautiful countries — and one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

With a population that hovers around 600,000, Montenegro has yet to experience the same level of mass tourism as Croatia, its neighbor to the north. Other than when a cruise ship comes to town, the country is relatively quiet and retains a unique authenticity unspoiled by hordes of tourists — which means clients can easily find themselves in places surrounded only by locals. 

 

 

 

Here’s what to know about where to go, stay and dine in Montenegro.

Getting Around

 

 

 

Roughly the size of North Carolina, Montenegro is small, meaning you can see almost everything the country has to offer in a short time, but it’s best to stay at least three days.

Most visitors to Montenegro arrive via a cruise ship or by car during a day trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia. Although the roads are narrow and there’s a lack of street parking, driving is the most convenient way to get around. For accommodations located in Tivat or Budva, or south or west of Kotor, taking the car ferry across the Verige Strait will significantly reduce clients’ travel time. Ferries operate on a frequent schedule, take approximately 10 minutes to cross the strait, and cost about $5 per car. 

Other transportation options include buses, Ubers, taxis and the railway; however, the country’s mountainous terrain limits the railway to two lines, which both run through the capital, Podgorica, and travel to Serbia and Albania.

Visit Montenegro’s Coastal Towns

Journeying through Montenegro’s coastal towns provides centuries of history and culture. Built in the ninth century, Kotor Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers the chance to visit the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and explore the nearby San Giovanni Fortress for magnificent views of the city and bay.

Perast, with its charming promenade, has several historical sites that include more than a dozen Christian and Orthodox churches, such as the Church of St. Nicholas and the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, as well as Baroque palaces like Vukasovic-Kolovic Palace and Martinovic Palace. 

 

 

Budva is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Coast — a 2,500-year-old medieval walled city with a labyrinth of narrow streets and squares. Beyond the town's historical allure, it’s renowned for its gorgeous coastal area — also known as the Budva Riviera — which is the heart of Montenegro tourism and a popular cruise ship port in summer. Here, visitors can enjoy a multitude of beaches and a lively nightlife scene. 

Explore the National Parks

Montenegro is home to impressive national parks and natural attractions, such as Lovcen National Park, a national symbol of the country. Visitors can ascend a few hundred steps to the top of Lovcen Mountain for spectacular panoramic views and to visit Njegos Mausoleum, which houses the remains of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos, a prince-bishop and highly regarded Montenegrin poet and philosopher.

Durmitor National Park is another of Montenegro’s incredible national parks. Home to 18 glacial lakes, the Tara River and Tara Canyon —  the deepest canyon in Europe — the park offers a variety of outdoor activities, from kayaking to hiking. At the foot of Mount Durmitor lies Crno Lake, also known as Black Lake, which is a popular place for swimming and other recreational activities.

Lake Skadar in Lake Skadar National Park, is Montenegro’s largest lake and the largest lake in the Balkans, sprawling across both the Montenegrin and Albanian borders. It’s one of the country’s most popular nesting grounds for birds, hosting more than 280 different species.

Luxury Hotels 

While Montenegro may be a small country, it certainly doesn't lack in five-star resorts. From Kotor to Budva, the options for luxurious stays with sea views, fine dining and all the perks of a five-star property are plentiful. Kotor Bay has some of the best offerings, such as The Chedi Lustica Bay,Heritage Grand Perast,Huma Kotor Bay Hotel and Villas,Villa Geba and Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort. 

In Budva, book clients at Dukley Hotel & Resort,Vissi d’Arte Boutique Hotel,Iberostar Slavija or Villa Milocer at Aman Sveti Stefan.  

 

 

For those looking for something extra special, the two upscale mixed-use marina communities of Porto Montenegro and Portonovi can't be beat. Here, Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro overlooks a luxury superyacht marina, while the ultra-luxe One&Only Portonovi is situated on a private sandy beach.

Where to Eat 

Montenegrin cuisine is a distinct blend of regional flavors, with seafood and Mediterranean influences dominating its coastal region. Vista Vidikovac stands out for its remarkable location overlooking Budva Old Town and its menu of traditional Montenegrin dishes alongside international favorites such as pizza and pasta. Housed in an old flour mill in a beautiful setting along the water’s edge, Restaurant Stari Mlini serves delightful seafood dishes with fresh, organic produce from the owners’ garden. Cesarica, another quaint spot tucked away in Kotor Old Town, offers specialties that include Montenegrin black risotto and homemade cheeses. 

In Montenegro, clients will also find a multitude of delicious treats from local pekare (bakeries), as well as dessert shops such as The Cheesecake Heaven and Marshall’s Gelato.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils New Fall and Winter Itineraries for 2025-26

Image: TravelPulse Canada was onboard for the first commercial sailing onboard the all-new NCL Viva. (Photo Credit: John Kirk)

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by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:25 PM ET, Wed December 13, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line is rolling out new itineraries in South America, Asia, Africa and beyond during the fall and winter of 2025-26, the company unveiled today.

With the newly released itineraries, the cruise line is hoping to capitalize on continued demand for its cruises heading into wave season. November sales were strong for Norwegian, which suggests that early 2024 will also be a positive period for the line. 

 

 

“In recent years, we have begun to offer more diverse and longer itinerary options, and this positive momentum is a sure sign that our guests are delighted with our offerings and are looking forward to exploring the world with us,” says David J. Herrera, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president.

 

Norwegian Sun will visit new ports in Asia for the first time in 2025-26 (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

 

 

 

The new 2025-26 sailings include a variety of itineraries around the globe—including a few firsts. Norwegian Sun will be visiting a handful of ports in Asia for the first time, including Kyoto, Japan, and Jeju, South Korea. Norwegian Viva, the line’s newest ship, will set sail for the Caribbean from her new homeport of Galveston.

Other highlights include 11- to 14-day voyages in Australia and New Zealand aboard Norwegian Spirit; 12-day sailings in Africa on Norwegian Dawn; 14-day itineraries in South America aboard Norwegian Star; and 11- to 17-day cruises through the Panama Canal on Norwegian Jade. Meanwhile, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Sky will all sail to the Caribbean.

“Our new 2025 and 2026 itineraries will bring [travelers] more of what they want and more opportunities to enjoy their ideal vacation visiting their dream destination aboard any NCL ship,” says Herrera.

 

Princess Cruises Unveils Largest Americas Season for 2025-26

By NewsdeskDec 12, 2023 3:26pm

Cruise InformationPrincess CruisesSun PrincessStar Princess

Princess Cruises has introduced a "monumental" 2025-26 Americas season, headlined by the winter/spring itineraries for its newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess. The vessels will sail seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale). The year-round season totals 278 cruises departing from seven home ports: San Francisco; Los Angeles; Galveston; Ft. Lauderdale; Port Canaveral; New York City; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Highlights and deployments of the 2025-26 Americas cruise season include:

 

Caribbean

• 10 ships—the largest deployment ever—including Star Princess sailing its inaugural season from North America, joining sister ship Sun Princess, as well as Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess, Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess and Sky Princess
• 29 destinations in 22 countries throughout the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean
• 178 total departures of 25 itineraries, ranging from four to 20 days.
• Star Princess and Sun Princess sail seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises on Saturdays and Sundays
• Majestic Princess sails a new program, including eight-day Southern Caribbean sailings to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), eight-day Eastern Caribbean and six-day Western Caribbean voyages
• Enchanted Princess continues its popular 10-day Southern Caribbean with Martinique or Eastern Caribbean with Tortola or St. Kitts
• Regal Princess returns to Galveston for a third season of seven-day Western Caribbean voyages with Mexico
• Sky Princess sails its first season from Port Canaveral with eight-day Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings and six-day sailings to the Eastern Caribbean.
• Enchanted Princess departs on a 12-day New York to Ft. Lauderdale voyage visiting the ABC Islands

Panama Canal

• Five ships—Caribbean Princess and Island Princess, Coral Princess, Emerald Princess and Sapphire Princess
• 27 destinations in Central America and the Caribbean
• 28 total departures on eight itineraries

Mexico

• Three ships—Emerald Princess, Royal Princess and Ruby Princess
• 31 total departures on four itineraries departing from Los Angeles or San Francisco with voyages from seven to 14 days
• Royal Princess departs on a 14-day Mexican Riviera sailing December 6, 2025, to commemorate Princess Cruises’ 60th anniversary
• Emerald Princess departs on 10-day Baja Peninsula and Sea of Cortez cruises from Los Angeles
• Ruby Princess offers 11-day Mexico cruises round-trip from San Francisco

California Coast

• Seven ships—Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess
• 21 total departures on nine itineraries from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver
• Royal Princess returns for a West Coast season, including seven-day Classic California Coast voyages and more
• Ruby Princess returns to San Francisco with five- and seven-day cruises along the California Coast, plus a seven-day Pacific Northwest Coast cruise
• Coral Princess takes guests on an 11-day California Coast round-trip cruise from Vancouver
• Seven-day Pacific Wine Country cruises between Vancouver and Los Angeles

Hawaii & South Pacific

• Five ships—Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess
• 23 destinations in 11 countries on 20 total departures and five itineraries from 16 to 54 days
• A choice of three voyages to Hawaii and the South Pacific, including one that ventures all the way to Australia and New Zealand