will I be allowed into america to join a cruise boat for the Hawaiin Islands if I have a conviction for drink driving. I have been told I need a visa but this can take up to 16 weeks and I am due to leave in 9 days time
you should get one but there's no chance it would be ready in time. You could fill out a visa waiver form on the plane and just not mention it. They probably won't know, but if they do you risk being sent back on the next plane.
Instead of asking here,why don't you contact the US embassy for clarification ,and, advice for getting a visa sharpish. Definitely not worth the risk of being sent home. US customs are paranoid