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Cruising the Hawaiian Islands on NCL's American-flagged ocean liner means never packing and unpacking the kids as you tour around a state made to be seen by sea.

Is exploring Hawai'i by sea the best way for families to gain in-depth knowledge of the destination? Okay, probably not, but first-timers to the region can get a taste of the major attractions and a sense of the Aloha spirit for which the islands are famous. We tested this theory recently on a week-long cruise aboard the Norwegian Star, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship that incorporates Hawai'ian influences in its dining, entertainment and, of course, shore excursions.

Because we live in Boston -- about as far from Hawai'i as you can get and still be in the United States -- we approached our visit with a sense of purpose. After all, with young children and long airplane rides to look forward to - not to mention a whole ocean full of Caribbean islands much closer to hand - who knew when we would be back?

So, with guidebooks in hand and a determination to make the most of the experience, we set off with our 10-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son to our embarkation port, Honolulu. By the second day, we realized that being off the ship - and selecting the appropriate daily shore excursion - was the key to a successful cruise.

Aboard The Norwegian Star

Once onboard, there are hands-on Hawai'ian arts and crafts projects to do on at-sea days - including make-your-own-leis and hula lessons - as well as Polynesian shows with singing, chanting, costumes and dancing that rival some of the pricey extravaganzas that tourists flock to on shore.

The Kids Crew children's program, which is broken into four age groups, also gets into the island spirit with Hawai'ian themed activities and crafts. The 2- to 5-year-old Junior Sailors, for example, take part in a Hawai'ian Beach Bonanza party one night with hula dancing, while the First Mates (6 to 9) go all out with a Hawai'ian Adventure Night. The Navigators (10 to 12) make beaded necklaces, play cards Hawai'ian style and enjoy a rousing game of Steal the Coconuts. Even teens, the only group allowed to come and go from the programs without parental signatures, participate in an activity where they learn their Hawai'ian names.

This Aloha atmosphere lends itself to the island experience and prepares young passengers for the ports of call, which offer everything from straightforward sightseeing to active sports. The restaurants on the Norwegian Star are worth mentioning, too.

Unlike most mainstream cruise lines, there is a host of specialty restaurants (with no obligatory formal nights) and no set seating in the main Versailles dining room. We especially enjoyed the Endless Summer - a specialty restaurant with a Hawaiian-themed cuisine - and the Teppanyaki, which features kid-pleasing steaks cooked to order (and in front of you) by knife-wielding Japanese-style chefs.

Another culinary highlight was our farewell dinner at Le Bistro, a French restaurant with elegant food, gorgeous place settings and unflappable wait staff willing to offer children's menus and ketchup. We also liked being able to eat at odd hours at the Blue Lagoon, open 24 hours, and the Market Café, which has a Kids Café at one end. Choice and quality have a price: many of the NCL theme restaurants impose a surcharge and a la carte pricing applies at the Sushi bar and Teppanyaki.