Hawaii.....New Super Ferry.....
 

A new super ferry will start service in July between Oahu/Maui/Kaui.........Now the airlines will have some competition........

http://www.hawaiisuperferry.com/

Looks like over all fares are lower than flying, although sometimes island airlines have sales which make it cheaper. For someone who get sea sick (even on the ferry to Catalina Island!), I'd rather take a quick flight.

I agree with taking a flight. It takes a long time to get to the other islands by the ferry. Very quick by plane.

The fares I saw had the lowest at $51 o/w inc taxes and unless the airfares go back up the ferry may not be much competition. My wife likes being out on the water enough she is likely to go at least once.

Lots of big negatives to the ferry.......Expense, schedule, weather, environmental impact, potential for spreading pests and non-native species from one island to the others. Lots of questions about rental car portability and expense. Many people are dubious about the business plan. It is so very much more convenient to fly.

This subject comes up a lot on fodors:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34956532

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34928604

I'll fly, thank you very much. We just got roundtrip air between Oahu and Kaua'i for $50 round trip. I hope nobody uses it and it goes belly up.

"ferries??? we dont need no stinkin ferries!!!!"

"Why are interisland flights so expensive?"

"Why do we have to go through security just to fly to another part of the state?"

"Why do I have to go to the airport so far in advance?"

"Do I really have to rent a car on that other island?"

"When did airplanes not put any noise or other things into the atmopshere?"

"When did all those interisland flight snobs get here?"

There's lots of talk on this subject, and people seem split on both sides.

I personally think that the ferry is going to have to do better than what they are proposing at this time. Go! Airlines has been running fares at $29 one-way, and you are basically there in 30 to 40 minutes (plus the time at the airport). Some people complain about the waiting time at the airport, but the ferry has waiting time as well... especially when you bring a vehicle.

To try and keep it neutral, I won't give my personal opinion on if I like the ferry or not... it would seem to "skew" my opinions here.

The only main advantage I see of the ferry over flights is being able to take your vehicle... and that would really only "pay off" if you were staying on the other island for several days... AND YOU LIVE HERE. If you are visiting, you are either renting a car or taking local transportation. If you go to a neighbor island, you'll spend money on transportation there just as you will on your "first island".

NCL just stated within the last month that they lost over $160 million in the last quarter of 2006... and that they are pulling the Pride of Hawaii cruise ship and sending it to Europe with a new name and new paint job.

Hawaii SuperFerry is going to have a rough go... and the airlines are going to hammer them with fare wars, even if they take a loss for a good amount of time. If they can keep the SuperFerry from getting any strong foundation under them, they'll lose them as a competitor.

DavidinHawaii
www.HowToDoHawaii.com