American Hawaii Cruises
 

We are planning a trip to Hawaii in July 2001, and I am looking for opinions on your experiences from anyone who has sailed on the S.S. Independence around the Hawaiian Islands recently. Would you recommend this trip to others?

Try the cruise Forum. The following is from my 'List of Selected Hawai`i Websites': <BR> <BR>American Hawaii Cruises <BR>http://www.cruisehawaii.com/html/index.html <BR> <BR>Note that I have seen people report that rough seas ruined their cruises. <BR>Most of the major cruise lines also run cruises to Hawaii but they all call <BR>at least one non-U.S. port, such as Ensenada, Mexico or Vancouver, B.C. <BR> <BR>

Noach, <BR>Thanks for the info. I have checked out American Hawaii Cruises on their website. We are considering this line, an well as United States Lines, ms Patriot, which will set sail in the Hawaiian Islands in December, 2000. If we do a cruise trip, it will be one of these, plus a few day extension on one of the islands. Does anyone else have any info on this subject? <BR>Sadie

I think that December (anytime b/w Nov. and May) you are more likely to encounter rough seas.

I cruised on the Independance in September of 1999. From what I gathered the Independance is now retired and the Patriot is taking her place. In either case it's a great way to see the islands. This is one of if not the only cruise line to fly under the American flag and thus can stop at as many consecutive US ports it wants. <BR> <BR>That's why you don't have to cross the Pacific on this cruise line to visit all the islands. It's a great itinerary that leaves Honolulu with the only rough water on the 1st night cruising up to Kaui. Other than that it hug's each island at night so you can spend the day at port. Think about adding day's in Honolulu before and after. <BR> <BR>Since I did the Independance and not the Patriot I can't comment on the ship but the whole expierence was wonderfull.

SF Ghost, <BR>From what I have read, the Independence and the Patriot will both be sailing the Hawaiian Islands until the United States Lines gets two new ships built in the next couple of years. I am glad you enjoyed your trip. If you have time, would you please write more details concerning your trip. Any info is appreciated. <BR> <BR>Sadie <BR> <BR>

Hi Sadie, without rambling on about everything tell me more about you (age, activity levels, interest) and you fellow travelers? <BR> <BR>ACL has a great web site with many layers of info that can answer most of your questions. I think it's <BR> <BR>cruisehawaii.com <BR> <BR>If your looking for unbiased real info Id be more than happy to help. Here are a few random memories. <BR> <BR>Optional excursions are extensive but a bit on the expensive side. Try to book your excursions on your own. Buffets are OK but the scheduled seating meals are spectacular. This is definatly a quality vs. quantity decision, go with quality for breakfast lunch and dinner. The cabins in the Independance varied in size and layout even within the same categories so plan and book as soon as possible. Performers were fine but the showrooms are small so if you really want decent seats get there early. Kona is the only port that you have to take a launch to reach shore. If you have balance problems you may wan't to play it by ear. The day we arrived the water was choppy and the crew loading people onto the floating dock and then into the launch was as much fun to watch as the bulls running wild in Pamplona. Had a problem with the toilet leaking on the 1st night but was quickly fixed and cleaned up. Staff was great and very helpfull. <BR> <BR>Talk to you soon

SF Ghost, <BR>Thanks for the info!I am looking for unbiased real info. I have researched the website and brochures. I am requesting first hand info. <BR> <BR>Our ages range from 39 to 55. We are all fairly active and have varied interests such as siteseeing, golf, snorkeling, walking tours, a luau, eating, show, etc. <BR> <BR>If you book your own tours, how would you get to the destinations that the tours leave from? <BR> <BR>Thanks for the tips on the meals and showrooms. <BR> <BR>Can you give me some suggestions on the locations of some of the cabins that you felt were in good locations. We would not be booking any of the high priced suites, but any info on the stateroooms or cabins would be appreciated. Unfortunately, the cost is a factor for us on this trip. <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your help. <BR> <BR>Sadie

Hi Sadie, 1st off we booked our trip through AAA travel agency in California. We were able to get a better rate (group, a $200 shipboard credit and a free Luau on Maui by booking through them. The travel agent (AAA) was able to show us all the available cabins in our price range and called the cruise line directly to ask about exact dimensions and sleeping set ups. Got an additional discount because our cabin was next to the crews staircase and had crew members opening and shutting a door all hours of the day and night. It didn't really bother us because we were dog tired each day. We stayed on the Maui deck and it worked for us because we were aprox. 20 feet from our dining room. Try to arrange your seating in the dining room ASAP. The dining room closer to the front of the ship is much nicer and used to be the 1st class dining room. The rear dining room did not have the same open feeling and lacked in ambiance. I would suggest the later seating to allow you to freshen up after your busy day on shore and give you a chance to have a cocktail or two before dinner. With the later dining you also saw the entertainment before the early group. That allows you to get better seating on deck or at one of the bar's. The lounge is wonderfull, full of Hawaiian artifacts. Take advantage of the cultural programs offered. <BR> <BR>We used the $200 shipboard credit to book the excursions. <BR> <BR>Gotta go...

F/U <BR> <BR>on how to book your own excursions. If you go with the cruise lines excursions you will get info on where to meet as a group to start your adventure. If you wan't more freedom to explore I suggest making a reservation to rent a car at the port. Usually the car rental agencies are waiting at the dock to wisk you away to their rental counter. The benefit is instead of each of you paying $40-$90 each to be led around waiting for the whole group to get together you can pay $19.95 pile into a nice rental car and visit the same sites. Now granted you don't get a tour guide and on some excursions a guide is invaluable (Volcano Ntl. Park and Kuai's Canyons) but places like the Fern Grotto and Hanalei Bay in Kaui, Haleakula, Iao Needle and Lahaina on Maui and the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu are all easy to reach via rental car and if you are a member of a club you can get additional discounts to visit them. With a rental you have freedom to stop and take your time. Choose the restaraunt you wan't to eat in. The other alternative is use your computer to research Tour companies that specialize on the places you are interested in. That's basically what the Cruise line does subcontract with a tour company to offer you the excursion (at a markup). Sometimes you get a better price sometimes you don't. <BR> <BR>Aloha <BR> <BR>