The beautiful Bora Bora landscape.
Dana Neibert/Getty
Hawaii
The Ritz-Carlton’s Luxury Liner Is Debuting in French Polynesia and Hawaii in 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection wants to help you escape the cooler months.
The cruise line just unveiled itineraries for winter 2026–2027, providing travelers with an array of exciting new yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific. No sweaters needed, either. Running from October 2026 through April 2027, the season includes 32 new multi-night voyages to far-flung destinations.
The 623-foot Evrima will debut in the South Pacific, offering trips to the remote islands of French Polynesia and Hawaii for the first time. The 13 voyages, which range from seven to 12 nights, will spotlight true Polynesian gems, such as the breathtaking lagoons of Bora Bora, the soaring volcanic peaks of Raiatea, and the gorgeous beaches of Huahine. Evrima will also head to the Hawaiian Islands for the first time, allowing seafarers to explore the rugged landscapes and local traditions in Honolulu, Maui (Kahului), Hilo, and Kona. Each itinerary also includes immersive experiences, such as traditional Polynesian dance performances and guided tastings of regional fare.
As Evrima is more compact than the average cruise ship, the vessel can access smaller ports and anchorages. It is also equipped with a marina that can be deployed in calm waters to provide guests with direct access to the ocean. Evrima’s interior is similar to a ritzy hotel, offering 149 expansive suites that each come with private balconies, double-vanity bathrooms, and the Ritz-Carlton’s signature king-size beds. Guests can expect personalized service, curated cultural programming, and plush onboard amenities, too.
The aft decks of “Evrima.”
Edgardo Contreras
That’s not all the Ritz-Carlton has in store for the next two years. The upcoming 794-foot Luminara will stop at 10 new ports in Asia, including Cebu in the Philippines, Semarang in Indonesia, and Miyazaki in Japan. Ranging from five to 14 nights, the new voyages cover both vibrant cities and lesser-known destinations. Travelers can take a relaxed walk through Komodo National Park and meditate in a temple in Bali or explore the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh and tuck into some street food in Penang.
Set to launch on July 3, Luminara is a little larger than Evrima and the 790-foot Ilma that hit the seas in July 2024. The liner will offer 226 spacious suites for up to 452 guests, as well as world-class dining, an extensive wine collection, and a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa.
“Our winter 2026–2027 voyages represent an exciting next chapter as we expand into Polynesia and strengthen our presence across Asia-Pacific,” the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection president Ernesto Fara said in a statement. “Our commitment is to unlock the world’s most extraordinary places through exclusive privileged access and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
Reservations for the winter itineraries are now open. For more information, visit the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection website.
Authors
Most Americans grow up learning about European royal families, from the British monarchy to the kings and queens who shaped the history of countries like France and Spain. But what many don’t realize is that Hawaii was once its own sovereign kingdom before it become a U.S. state, and there’s still a royal palace right in O‘ahu.
During a recent visit to Honolulu’s ʻIolani Palace, I found myself standing in rooms that challenge the assumptions travelers make about Hawaii. Beyond the beaches, luaus and pineapple drinks lies the story of a nation that once had its own monarchs, government and global relationships. Walking through the palace’s grand halls—and later, the room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned—gave me a powerful reminder that Hawaii’s royal history is far more recent and more complex than many Americans realize.
ʻIolani Palace historian Zita Cup Choy tells Marie Claire that understanding Hawaii was once an independent nation fundamentally changes the visitor experience. That being said, Iolani Palace, built in 1882, serves as “both a royal residence and a place where a nation’s history, dignity and loss are held,” Cup Choy says.
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The palace is located in the heart of Honolulu.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned showcases a quilt she made while being held in the room, with the center reading, “Imprisoned at Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Oʻahu, we began this quilt there.”
(Image credit: Kristin Contino)
Queen Liliʻuokalani was the Hawaiian kingdom’s last monarch, and she was imprisoned for nearly eight months in the palace after being illegally overthrown by a coup of American businessmen in 1893. “The overthrow was carried out by a small group with significant economic and political power, despite broad opposition among Hawaiian Kingdom subjects,” says Cup Choy.
The queen was forced to abdicate and lived the rest of her life as a private citizen until she died in 1917, dedicating her time to preserving Hawaiian culture and causes related to women and children such as the Lili‘uokalani Trust.
For many guests, myself included, the most emotional stop on the tour is the room where the queen was held. In the center of the Imprisonment Room sits a glass case displaying the quilt that Queen Liliʻuokalani worked on with her companions during her house arrest, and it reads more like a diary, with the piece stitched with significant dates and names of her supporters.
Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian kingdom.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Portraits of Hawaii’s royal family line the rooms in the palace. (Image credit: Kristin Contino)
As a royal editor, one of the things that struck me the most was the similarity of ʻIolani Palace’s throne room to what you’d see at Buckingham Palace. The elaborate gowns on display reflect a Victorian style, and photos on display show the Hawaiian royals visiting the British royals.
Cup Choy says that “visitors are often surprised to learn that, despite Hawaii’s geographic isolation, the kingdom was modern, globally aware and intentional in how it presented itself to the world.” This includes innovations like electric lighting and telephones, showing how Hawaii was “an educated, literate and technologically advanced kingdom.”
Queen Liliʻuokalani remains one of the most revered figures in Hawaiian history, and Cup Choy says visitors are particularly moved by the monarch’s response to adversity.
Instead of encouraging violence, the queen “believed the wrong done to Hawaii should be addressed through diplomacy, international law, constitutional law, the courts and the Hawaiian Kingdom’s own governing institutions,” Cup Choy says. “She sought restoration without further bloodshed.”
The Friends of ʻIolani Palace commissioned historic dress designer Iris Viacrusis to recreate four of the gowns worn by Her Majesties Kapiʻolani and Liliʻuokalani, like this peacock-themed design on display in the palace.
(Image credit: Kristin Contino)
Marie Claire’s senior royal and celebrity editor, Kristin Contino, visits ʻIolani Palace in April 2026. Protective shoe coverings help preserve the building’s floors and carpets.
(Image credit: Kristin Contino) With its rich red decor, the palace’s throne room feels similar to Buckingham Palace.
(Image credit: Kristin Contino)
Walking through the palace, it’s hard not to feel moved by the story of Hawaii’s royal family, and Cup Choy says there’s a careful balance between being a tourist attraction and “a sacred place in Hawaii’s history.”
As I learned during my recent trip, O‘ahu is full of rich cultural offerings, and Cup Choy says ʻIolani Palace works with travel partners to encourage visitors to the island to explore outside its beaches. Select properties like the Halekulani Hotel, one of the Leading Hotels of the World properties where I stayed on the island, offer free admission to the palace as part of a broader mission to introduce travelers to Hawaii’s story.
“Hawaii is often seen first for its natural beauty,” Cup Choy says. “The palace invites visitors to see the depth of its history and the responsibility to care for its people, culture and environment.”
June 23, 2026, 6:00 PM HST
Maui musician Logan Kalawaia will headline the next installment of the Hawaiian Music Series from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the lawn of Waiola Church in Lahaina, according to concert series organizer Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
Parking is available onsite for the free concert, with additional spaces provided by the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission next to the Waiola Church lot. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, mats or low-back beach chairs for seating on the lawn.
Kalawaia was born and raised on Maui and comes from a family with deep roots in Hawaiian music, drawing inspiration from his father and uncles. He has performed professionally since a young age and is known in Maui’s music community for a contemporary sound grounded in the traditions and storytelling of Hawaiian mele.
Music has long played a role in bringing the Lahaina community together, and the organization, in partnership with Waiola Church, is continuing that tradition by providing a gathering space for residents to reconnect and celebrate Hawaiian music.
Now in its 18th year, the Hawaiian Music Series is supported by the Maui County Office of Economic Development and parking fee revenues. Waiola Church is hosting the series for 2026.
More information is available at lahainarestoration.org.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of Hawaii’s sweetest partnerships is returning with a larger footprint this year.
In celebration of National Pineapple Day and Dole’s 125th anniversary, residents who donate blood on Friday, June 26, will receive a free fresh Dole pineapple while supplies last.
The effort is a collaboration between Dole Food Company and Blood Bank of Hawaii aimed at boosting donations during a time of year when blood supplies traditionally decline.
According to Blood Bank of Hawaii, donations typically drop by about 15% during the summer months, even as hospitals continue to rely on a steady stream of lifesaving blood products every day. Organizers say all blood types are needed, with a particularly urgent demand for O-type blood, platelet donations, and AB plasma.
The campaign also comes during a milestone year for Dole.
The company is celebrating 125 years of pineapple history, commemorating the fruit that helped shape Hawaiʻi’s agricultural identity and introduced generations around the world to the islands’ pineapple legacy.
This year, blood donors will receive not only a pineapple, but commemorative Dole-branded anniversary gifts while supplies last.
National Pineapple Day recognizes a fruit often called the “fruit of kings.” Though pineapples originated in South and Central America, they became deeply intertwined with Hawaiʻi’s history after James Dole established commercial pineapple operations in the islands in the early 1900s. Today, Dole continues operating facilities in Wahiawā while promoting initiatives centered around nutrition and community wellness.
Unlike previous years, organizers are expanding the giveaway to every Blood Bank of Hawaii donor center and mobile drive location participating on Friday.
Donation sites include:
Young Street Donor Center
1907 Young Street, Honolulu
6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Waikele Center
94-849 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Windward Mall
46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalākaua Avenue, Honolulu
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pearlridge Center
98-1005 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea
Noon to 6 p.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made through Blood Bank of Hawaii’s website or by calling (808) 848-4770.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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