|
|
 |
|
|
Hawaii Heats Up
By Susan Milne
February 2, 2005 |
| |
Cruising around the Aloha State is becoming more popular, with ships of the
major cruise lines spending time in Hawaii every year. Norwegian Cruise Line has
stepped in creating the NCL America division devoted to year-round, inter-island
cruising. In addition, there are several other options for cruising Hawaii.
Passengers on a Hawaii cruise can enjoy the natural beauty of the
islands, Hawaiian history, Polynesian culture, and many adventure and sporting
activities. A major attraction is Kilauea, the world's most active volcano on
the "Big Island" of Hawaii, which has been continuously erupting since 1983.
Cruise ships pass the coast at night so passengers can watch the molten lava
flowing into the ocean. Whale watching is popular from mid-December to
mid-April, when 2,000 to 3,000 humpback whales winter in Hawaiian waters, having
migrated from summer feeding grounds in Alaska.
Cruising Hawaii lets you
see up to four different islands while only unpacking once. Although the islands
are volcanic in origin, the four main islands are very individual, each one
offering its own distinct charm.
Oahu - Port of Honolulu:
Oahu is the
busiest island, known as "The Gathering Place". It is home of the state capital,
Honolulu. Famous landmarks include Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head volcano, Pearl
Harbor, Hanauma Bay and the scenic Nu'uanu Pali Pass.
Since 1926, ships
have been greeted by the 10-story Aloha Tower, which stands at the port in
downtown Honolulu.
Kauai - Port of Nawiliwili:
Kauai is "The Garden
Isle" and home of Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Fern
Grotto on the Wailua River is a beautiful cave, popular for Hawaiian weddings.
Valleys, caves, gardens and beaches, a spouting horn, museum and Russian fort
are found here. Lumaha'I Beach was chosen as the setting for the nurses' beach
in the movie 'South Pacific,' while the wedding scene in Elvis Presley's 'Blue
Hawaii' was filmed at the coconut grove.
The dock at Nawiliwili is in an
industrial area, but it's just a few tenths of a mile to dining, shopping and
the beach.
Maui - Ports of Kahului and Lahaina:
Maui is "The Valley
Isle," formed by two dormant volcanoes, with 10,023-ft. Haleakala being the
largest. Haleakala National Park, 'Iao Valley, Wailua lookout and numerous
beaches and excellent golf courses are found here. Lahaina was an important
provisioning stop for whalers in the mid-1800s, and today is a base for whale
watching boats. Also historically significant as a missionary and plantation
center, Lahaina is recorded on the National Registry of Historic Places.
In Lahaina, passengers tender to the marina at the center of town. Ships
calling at Kahului dock at this commercial center, which is adjacent to Wailuku,
24 miles from Lahaina.
Hawaii - Ports of Hilo and Kailua, Kona:
The
"Big Island" of Hawaii is also "The Orchid Isle," known for Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, established in 1916. With its volcanic formations, giant fern
tree forests, lava tubes and museum, the park is one of the top visitor
attractions in the state. It stretches from sea level to the summit of the
earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. The port of Hilo is
closest to the park, and is also convenient to Akatsuka Orchid Garden, Rainbow
Falls and Akaka Falls.
On the Kona coast, accessible from the port of
Kailua, are the Kona coffee plantations, the historically significant Puuhonua o
Honaunau (Place of Refuge) built in the 12th century, the painted church, and
Hulihe'e Palace, summer home of Hawaiian royalty. Kealakekua Bay marine
sanctuary is popular for snorkeling. On the shore stands a monument to Captain
James Cook, the first British explorer to visit the islands, who was killed
here. The town of Kailua is the base for the Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon
competition.
Passengers tender to the marina at the center of Kailua,
Kona. At Hilo, ships dock at the port.
Molokai - Port of
Kaunakakai:
The island of Molokai opened later than other Hawaiian Islands
for tourism. The island was to receive her first cruise ship calls in 2003 when
Holland America introduced Molokai as a port on several 16-night cruises,
round-trip from San Diego, however high seas prevented the initial calls.
Subsequent visits have been put on hold, while the impact of cruise ship visits
to the island are investigated. Molokai will be added to some itineraries in the
future pending a successful outcome to the talks. The plan is for passengers to
tender ashore to visit the town. Tours would include whale watching, deep sea
fishing, island drives to the tallest sea cliffs in the world and Kalaupapa
National Historic Park where the former leper colony is located, famous for the
work of Father Damian.
ITINERARY OPTIONS:
The most port-intensive
Hawaii cruises sail round-trip from Honolulu or between Honolulu and the west
coast. Note that foreign-flagged vessels cannot embark and disembark passengers
in American ports without calling at a foreign port. That's why Ensenada, Mexico
or Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati are included in many itineraries.
Longer, more exotic itineraries calling at Hawaii include transpacific
voyages to Asia or Australia and segments of a world cruise.
For
specific itinerary details see the links to CruiseMates' itinerary pages at the
end of this article.
Round-trip from Honolulu:
Norwegian Cruise
Line has re-introduced inter-island sailings with its NCL America division.
Congress passed a bill in February, 2003 granting Norwegian Cruise Line
exclusive rights to operate year-round, inter-island Hawaii service without
having to call at a foreign port. In order to do this, the ships must sail under
the U.S. Flag, with American crews and will be subject to all U.S. laws,
including taxation and environmental regulations.
Pride of Aloha, the
former Norwegian Sky, entered year-round Hawaii service on July 4, 2004
following a re-flagging ceremony which added her to the U.S. registry. Her
seven-day Hawaiian itineraries sail round-trip from Honolulu year-round on
Sundays. The port intensive route calls at Nawiliwili, Kauai (overnight); Hilo,
Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii and Kahului, Maui (overnight). The ship is in port every
day and offers scenic cruising on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The
design of Pride of Aloha embodies the history, art and culture of Hawaii and
includes the first Hawaiian Cultural Center at Sea. Public rooms on board
feature artwork and memorabilia from Hawaiian history and include the Kumu A`o
Cultural Center, Blue Hawaii Night Club, Outrigger Lounge, Mark Twain Library,
Captain Cook's Bar and Cigar Club, the Plantation Club and a sports bar inspired
by Duke Kahanamoku, the four-time Olympic swimming winner and world renowned
surfer. Hawaiian cuisine will be available in the Pacific Heights alternative
restaurant, one of six restaurants on board.
The colorful art displayed
on the hull of Pride of Aloha illustrates Hawaii's symbol of welcome, the
Plumeria lei. It was designed by Hawaiian artist Linda Umstead.
Pride of
Aloha has an intersting history. The vessel was rushed into service after Pride
of America was delayed. Pride of America, the first 'Project America ship' taken
over by NCL from now defunct United States Lines was, to be completed in Germany
and enter service in Hawaii in July, 2004. However, Pride of America foundered
in the ship yard during a major storm in January 2004 forcing the delay of her
delivery. This delay prompted NCL to re-flag Norwegian Sky into the U.S.
register ahead of schedule. She underwent a multi-million dollar remodeling in
May and began sailing weekly cruises from Honolulu as the Pride of Aloha on July
4, 2004.
The sudden change of plans caused problems with staffing the
vessel and numerous complaints about service brought the success of the venture
into question. The line has been busy sorting out the problem and much improved
service levels have been reported recently.
The 2,146-passenger Pride of
America is now scheduled to enter year-round Hawaii service on July 23, 2005
sailing seven-night cruises from Honolulu on Sundays. (Plans for three and
four-night sailings have been scrapped.) Ports of call are Hilo, Hawaii;
Kahului, Maui (two days); Kona, Hawaii; Nawiliwili, Kauai (two days); Kona,
Hawaii and Nawiliwili, Kaui (two days).
Send this Article to a
Friend
The 72,000-ton Pride of America will feature 660 balcony staterooms,
extensive children's facilities, and several firsts for NCL - a Conservatory,
Family Suites, a tennis court and an art gallery. Dining options are many with
eight restaurants and nine different menus every night. The S.S. America Library
will house memorabilia and artifacts from the historic ship. Pride of America
will feature hull art depicting the Stars and Stripes combined with the United
States' national bird - the Bald Eagle.
NCL's Norwegian Wind offers
longer sailings round-trip from Honolulu year-round in Honolulu. The 10 and
11-night cruises sail to Fanning Island, Kona, Hilo, Lahaina and Nawiliwili with
overnight on board in Lahaina on the 11-night itinerary.
The 50,764-ton
Norwegian Wind carries 1,748 passengers. The ship entered service in 1993 as the
Windward. In 1998 she was stretched with a 130-ft. midsection inserted, adding
more cabins, suites, a restaurant and purser's lobby. This vessel always had
some of the most interesting terraced dining rooms afloat. In 2001 Norwegian
Wind was redesigned for NCL's freestyle cruising concept with its flexible
dining options and resort casual dress code. There are five permanent
full-service restaurants on board. Freshly baked pizza is always available at
the Cafe and Pizzeria, and the 24-hour room service features an extensive menu
with a section just for kids.
In summer, 2006, Pride of Hawaii, sister
ship of Pride of America, is scheduled to enter service year-round in Hawaii.
Itineraries are t.b.a.
|
|
|
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Mon-Fri 7AM - 9PM (Hawaii Time)
Saturday 9 AM - 12 noon
Sunday 9 AM - 12 noon
|
HAWAII ALOHA TRAVEL
377 Keahole Street D-10
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
Call: 1-808-589-2000 1-800-843-8771
support@hawaii-aloha.com
|
 |
|
