A Hawaii travel agency has opened bookings far earlier than usual for island cruises and Japan tours, which is good news for families trying to plan and budget ahead.

• Pride of America Hawaiian island sailings are now bookable through Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
• The early release gives families, reunions and class organizers months of lead time instead of the usual few weeks.
• Cruise line rules bar advertising the discounted fares publicly, so prices are only shown on the website or by phone.
• Japan is the other big draw for 2027: Okinawa and spring cherry blossoms, the Hokkaido snow festival, summer family trips, and fall foliage tours coming in two weeks.
• The pitch to Hawaii residents is to redirect money normally spent on repeat Las Vegas trips into one bigger trip to Japan, Korea or Alaska.

Outlook: Remaining cabins on the Japan cherry blossom and snow festival trips are filling up, and fall foliage itineraries go on sale within two weeks.