Honolulu Cruise Terminal: Pier 2 and Pier 11
Find the right pier, get there with your bags and know what happens inside.
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The Honolulu cruise terminal you will use is almost always at Pier 2, which the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division names as the primary cruise ship terminal. Its entrance is at the west end of Channel Street, off Ala Moana Boulevard. When two passenger ships are in at once, or the berth is otherwise in use, the alternate Honolulu cruise terminal at Pier 11 comes into play; its entrance is on the north extension of Aloha Tower Drive, next to the Aloha Tower area.
The two piers are on the same downtown harbor front but are not side by side, so give your driver the pier number rather than just “the cruise terminal.” Your cruise line lists the pier in your boarding documents and app. If you want to see what else is in port, the state links to a public Hawaii ports ship schedule with the arrivals and departures for Honolulu and the other islands.
Pier 2 and Pier 11 Compared
| Pier 2 | Pier 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Primary cruise terminal | Alternate cruise terminal |
| Road entrance | West end of Channel Street, off Ala Moana Boulevard | North extension of Aloha Tower Drive |
| Nearby | Kakaʻako and Ala Moana Boulevard | Aloha Tower area and downtown office district |
| Who uses it | Weekly Pride of America sailings and most other calls | Second ships on busy days and some port calls |
Neither terminal is a shopping mall. Expect check-in counters, security screening and a seating area. Food, coffee and restrooms with shorter lines are easier to find in downtown Honolulu before you arrive than inside the building.
Getting to the Terminal
The state lists several ways to reach the harbor: TheBus, the Biki bike share, Hui car share, the LeaLea Trolley, Uber and Lyft, and taxis. With suitcases, a taxi, rideshare or the cruise line’s own transfer is the realistic choice. Ask the driver for the pier number and expect a short queue of cars at the curb on busy embarkation afternoons.
From Waikiki hotels the ride follows Ala Moana Boulevard west toward downtown. From the airport it runs east along the Nimitz Highway. Our airport transfer page compares the options in more detail.
Inside the Terminal
- Porters at the curb take checked bags and tag them for delivery to your cabin. Keep a day bag with you.
- Security screening works much like an airport, so pack liquids and electronics where you can reach them.
- Check-in confirms identification, takes your photo and links a payment card to your onboard account.
- Boarding follows the arrival time you chose during online check-in. Arriving earlier than your slot rarely gets you on sooner.
- Mobility help is available if you requested it in advance. Mention it to a porter on arrival.
Honolulu Cruise Terminal Questions
Is there Wi-Fi or food inside the Honolulu cruise terminal?
Treat the terminal as a processing building rather than a place to spend time. Arrive fed and hydrated, and plan to have lunch on board once you are checked in.
Can I park at the Honolulu cruise terminal?
Parking near the piers is limited to private and public lots and garages around the downtown waterfront rather than a dedicated cruise garage. Most visitors arriving by air do not need a car at all; if you are a local resident driving in, check lot rules for multi-day parking before you sail.
Can I visit the Aloha Tower?
The state’s harbors visitor page lists the Aloha Tower as closed indefinitely, so do not count on going up to the observation deck. The waterfront around it is still a pleasant walk on a port day.
Book a Sailing From Honolulu
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise confirm which pier and boarding window apply to your sailing and can add transfers and hotel nights. Quotes are free.
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