My associates all recommend cruises and say that once and you are hooked. I'd rather go to places and have a local experience. In Oahu, they serve Haole pizza (pineapple and ham). On Maui's north shore, kids 6 years of age have a surf contest in the ocean. Meanwhile, kids at the resort are terrified just listening to the waves crashing on the jetty. If you backpack, expenses can be quite manageable. I believe the cruise ship around Hawaii is a small one. When in Honolulu, a last minute cruise could be less than staying in a hotel.