Pearl Harbor was a must-see for us while we were in Honolulu — but not in the usual “tourist attraction” kind of way.
We actually visited Pearl Harbor during a land vacation on Oahu, not from a cruise ship. But as we walked through the visitor center, waited for our USS Arizona Memorial time slot, and watched other travelers checking bags near the entrance, I kept thinking about how many cruise travelers could easily add this to a trip to Honolulu. You can absolutely visit Pearl Harbor before or after a Hawaiian cruise – even during a port day in Honolulu.
It does take a little planning, though.
This is not the kind of place I would want to rush through, and it is definitely not the place to show up with luggage, a full backpack, and no reservation. But with a little preparation, Pearl Harbor can be one of the most memorable and meaningful days of your Hawaii trip.
Our Visit to Pearl Harbor
I’ll admit, visiting Pearl Harbor was a priority for me. It felt important before we went, and even more so once we were there.
It’s hard to read the plaques. It’s hard to stand in that place and take in the words of leaders at the time. The warnings, the uncertainty, and the reality of what was unfolding in the world, and, unfortunately, problems that still seem familiar today.
Before our short boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial, we were reminded of something I will never forget:
This is not a tourist attraction.
This is a gravesite.
Those words stayed with me.
So did the lives lost there, many of them barely old enough to be serving. And the civilians who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Pearl Harbor opened my eyes even more to the ways of the world, and it filled them with tears.
So yes, I do think it is worth making time for if you are visiting Honolulu. And, Pearl Harbor, before or after a Hawaiian cruise, is very doable.
Go ready to pause, to learn, and to remember.
Why Pearl Harbor before or after a Hawaiian cruise Works Well
It is easy to visit Pearl Harbor before or after a Hawaiian cruise because it is relatively close to the Honolulu airport and cruise port. That makes it especially helpful if you are flying in before your cruise or flying home after disembarkation.
If your cruise starts or ends in Honolulu, you may be able to visit Pearl Harbor on embarkation day, disembarkation day, or as part of a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay.
For cruisers sailing NCL’s Pride of America, which sails year-round from Honolulu, Pearl Harbor can be a great add-on before or after the cruise. Other cruise lines may also stop in Honolulu during repositioning cruises, transpacific sailings, or longer itineraries that include Hawaii.
If Honolulu is simply a port day, Pearl Harbor is still very possible. If you’ve planned transportation, reserved your time slot for the USS Arizona Memorial, and reviewed the other opportunities available at Pearl Harbor, you can have a low-stress “excursion”. Just follow the tips below and plan accordingly.
Need help planning your cruise? Send me an email. I’d love to help.
Related Post: When to book Excursions through the Cruise Line – And when NOT to.
Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial
You do need a reservation for the USS Arizona Memorial program. The memorial is free to visit, but reservations are made through Recreation.gov and currently have a small service fee.
If visiting the USS Arizona Memorial matters to you, do not leave this part to chance. Book your time in advance, especially if you are working around a cruise schedule, flight time, or excursion pickup.
The USS Arizona Memorial was the most emotional part of our visit.
The program includes a brief introduction, a short Navy-operated boat ride, time at the memorial, and a return boat ride. The boat ride itself is only about five minutes each way, and we had around 15 to 20 minutes at the memorial. Altogether, with the intro in the auditorium, I would estimate it at about 45 minutes.
What Else Can You See at Pearl Harbor?
The USS Arizona Memorial and visitor center are only part of the Pearl Harbor experience.
There are several other historic sites and experiences nearby, including the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, narrated tours, and virtual reality experiences.
Most of these cost extra, so it is worth deciding ahead of time how much you want to see and how much time you realistically have.
If you are visiting before or after a cruise, you may have more flexibility. If you are visiting during a port day, I would be careful not to overschedule yourself. Pearl Harbor is not the kind of place I would want to race through just to say I saw everything.
Food, Restrooms, and Facilities
There are several buildings at Pearl Harbor, and we found plenty of restrooms around the main visitor center.
The main exception is the time you are out on the USS Arizona Memorial program. You will want to use the restroom before your scheduled time, as there are no restroom stops during that portion of the visit. It’s only around 45 minutes in total.
There is also food available on-site. I would not necessarily plan your day around eating there, but it is helpful to know there are options, especially if you are visiting between cruise disembarkation and a flight. Since we brought in minimal items, it was nice to know we could buy a bottle of water and a snack if we wanted to.
The Bag Policy
One important thing to know is that Pearl Harbor has a strict bag policy. Regular purses, backpacks, camera bags, luggage, and other larger bags are not allowed inside. Small clear bags may be allowed if they meet the current requirements, but you should check the official policy before your visit.
There is paid bag storage near the entrance. We saw people checking purses and luggage, and some were clearly stopping at Pearl Harbor on their way to or from the airport.
If you are visiting before or after a cruise, do not assume you can (or should) bring your luggage. Have a plan before you arrive. If you do bring luggage, it’ll cost you. At the time of our visit, a single small bag cost $7, and a large bag cost $20.
This is one reason a post-cruise excursion can make a lot of sense. If you are disembarking in Honolulu and flying home later that day, look for an excursion that includes Pearl Harbor, holds your luggage, gives you time to visit, and then takes you to the airport.
Related Post: Port Day Bag Essentials
Worrier’s Guide: Visiting Pearl Harbor Before or After a Hawaiian Cruise
Book your USS Arizona Memorial reservation in advance.
Bring as little as possible.
Use the restroom before your USS Arizona Memorial time. Otherwise, don’t worry. There are plenty of clean restrooms available.
Plan for time to wander and read. There are so many descriptive plaques on the property that provide so much of the story. You can even rent an audio guide, which is very helpful.
Check the bag policy again right before your visit – especially if you are planning to visit on the way to/from the airport. I was so surprised at how many people paid to store their luggage onsite.
If you are visiting on a cruise port day, make sure you have a very comfortable transportation plan back to the ship.
Helpful Planning Links
Pearl Harbor is very doable, but it is much easier if you think through the logistics before you go. Pearl Harbor is conveniently located between the Honolulu cruise port area and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. In normal traffic, it is roughly a 20–30 minute drive from the cruise terminal to Pearl Harbor, and about 10–15 minutes from Pearl Harbor to the airport.
Before your visit, I would check the official sites for the most current reservation information, ticket prices, hours, and bag policies.
For the USS Arizona Memorial, use Recreation.gov for reservations.
For the Battleship Missouri Memorial, check the official Battleship Missouri site.
For the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, check the official Pearl Harbor Historic Sites information before deciding whether to add them to your day.
Final Thoughts
Pearl Harbor is a must-see in Honolulu, but not because it is another attraction to check off a vacation list.
It is a place to pause.
To learn.
To remember.
To respect.
I am grateful we made time for it during our Oahu trip, and I do think it can be a meaningful addition for cruise travelers visiting Honolulu before, after, or during a sailing.
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