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Which Cruises Visit the Marshall Islands?
Dreaming of a remote Pacific cruise that takes you far beyond the usual island-hopping routes? The Marshall Islands might be one of the most off-the-beaten-track cruise destinations in the world.
Scattered across 29 coral atolls and five islands, this ocean nation offers a rare glimpse into Micronesian life, with turquoise lagoons, palm-lined islets, World War Two history and some of the most intriguing dive sites in the Pacific.
Most cruise visits focus on Majuro, the capital, while expedition-style itineraries may also reach outer atolls such as Mili and Jaluit. Expect a destination that feels less commercial than many South Pacific ports, where the appeal is in the culture, lagoon scenery, wartime heritage and the sense of reaching somewhere truly remote.
But here’s the thing: only a handful of cruise lines make the journey to the Marshall Islands, and departures are often part of longer expedition cruises, grand voyages or world cruises. So which cruises actually visit? We’ve done the research to bring you the most reliable cruise options for reaching this fascinating Pacific nation.
Before you book, don’t miss The Best Time to Visit the Marshall Islands: A Month-by-Month Guide to help you time your visit perfectly.
This article is based on real on-the-ground research, not on AI scraping old content from the internet. Learn how we use AI!
Table of Contents
1.Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
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If you're looking for a true expedition-style cruise to the Marshall Islands, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is one of the strongest options to have on your radar.
Their 26-day "Expedition Micronesia with Marshall Islands and Palau" voyage aboard the HANSEATIC Inspiration sails from Nadi/Lautoka in Fiji to Keelung in Taiwan, taking guests through some of the most remote corners of the Western Pacific.
What makes this itinerary particularly special is that it doesn't just stop at Majuro. The cruise includes three days in the Marshall Islands, with planned visits to Mili Atoll, Majuro Atoll and Jaluit Atoll. That's a rare opportunity to experience more than just the capital, especially in a country where many outer atolls are difficult to reach independently.
Expect a proper expedition experience, with Zodiac landings where conditions and permissions allow, expert-led lectures and interpretation, and access to Hapag-Lloyd's Ocean Academy for deeper insights into the places you're visiting.
Don't miss the chance to learn about life on the outer atolls, the country's WW2 history and the fragile beauty of low-lying coral island nations.
2.Phoenix Reisen
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For a classic ocean cruise that includes a rare call in Majuro, Phoenix Reisen is another reliable option to consider.
Their MS Amadea voyage, "Von 'Frisco' ins Land der aufgehenden Sonne", travels from San Francisco to Tokyo over 30 days, crossing the Pacific via Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Guam and Saipan.
The Marshall Islands stop is in Majuro, where the ship is scheduled to spend the afternoon and early evening in port. While it's not as in-depth as an expedition cruise, it's still a valuable opportunity to step ashore in one of the least-visited capitals in the Pacific.
Phoenix Reisen lists the Majuro stop with beach and swimming opportunities, making it a relaxed introduction to the atoll's lagoon scenery and tropical coastline.
Onboard, MS Amadea offers a more traditional cruise atmosphere, with comfortable service, varied dining and an entertainment programme across the voyage.
3.Holland America Line
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Holland America Line is worth checking if you're looking for grand voyages or longer Pacific itineraries that may include the Marshall Islands.
The cruise line has an official Marshall Islands destination page, focusing on Majuro, the capital of the country. Holland America highlights the atoll's coral reefs, WW2 historical sites, indigenous culture, beaches, scenic boat rides, birdwatching and the Alele Museum.
That said, we'd recommend checking the current itinerary carefully before booking, as Majuro does not appear on every South Pacific or world cruise and future sailings can change.
If a Holland America itinerary does include Majuro, expect a more classic cruise experience with the line's usual focus on destination-rich travel, shore excursions, dining, music and onboard enrichment.
4.Seabourn
Luxury travellers should also keep Seabourn on their watchlist, especially for grand voyages and longer South Pacific sailings.
Seabourn has visited Majuro on several itineraries in the past, focusing on the atoll's layered history, from German and Japanese rule to WW2 and the nuclear-testing era that shaped so much of the modern Marshall Islands story.
As with Holland America, we'd treat Seabourn as a cruise line to keep tabs on if you're looking for a cruise to the Marshall Islands.
Visiting the Marshall Islands by Cruise Ship: The Entry Process
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For cruisers, you'll be pleased to know that the entry process is about as straightforward as it gets. Because you're not spending the night, visa requirements are effectively waived, even for nationalities that would ordinarily need one, such as Chinese nationals. There's also no immigration paperwork for you to fill out at the port.
That's because, by the time your ship pulls into Majuro, most of the hard work is already done.
How Customs and Immigration Works Before You Even Arrive
Here's what makes the Marshall Islands clearance process a little unusual: it happens before you step off the ship. Customs and immigration officers actually fly out to the ship's port of origin, say, Hawaii or wherever the voyage began, and start clearing the vessel en route. By the time you arrive in Majuro, the bulk of the paperwork is already sorted.
Health officials may also join the clearing party if there are any outbreaks or health concerns at the time, so the process is thorough even if it's largely invisible to passengers.
A quarantine officer boards the ship as well to conduct biosecurity checks. Officers stand at the gangway as passengers disembark and check bags, so it's worth knowing what you can and can't take ashore (more on that below).
Arriving at the Port
Depending on the size of your ship and the itinerary, you'll either berth directly at the main commercial dock in Majuro or anchor in the lagoon and be tendered ashore. Either way, once you're cleared, you walk straight into the city; no queues, no forms, no fuss.
The Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism (OCIT) typically arranges a welcome reception for arriving cruise passengers, which often includes traditional dancing. It's a warm introduction to Marshallese culture before you've even had a chance to find your land legs.
What You Cannot Bring Ashore
Biosecurity is taken seriously here. When disembarking, please note the following:
- No fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat from the ship
- No live plants or soil
For more details about the arrival process, more aimed at air passengers but some applies to cruisers, check out Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Quarantine & Arrival Process.
More About Cruises to the Marshall Islands
That's it for our list of the best cruises that visit the Marshall Islands. For more information about the Marshall Islands, you can check:
- Where is the Marshall Islands Located?
- Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in the Marshall Islands?
- The Atolls of the Marshall Islands & The Best to Visit
Finally, find more ways of getting to the Marshall Islands in Getting Here: How to Get to the Marshall Islands and our Marshall Islands Transport Guide.
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