| The
S. S. Independence has been running around the islands for
decades. Built
in 1951 for the Trans-Atlantic trade the well-maintained
ship runs to larger than usual staterooms,
a friendly Hawaiian "no problem" crew and a
rather new focus on the real, as opposed to the
"cellophane hula skirt" Hawaiian culture. It's
about 30,000 tons and haw 23,000 feet of open deck space in
a traditional ocean liner design.
There was a fairly recent renovation.
Call 800-513-5022 for questions.
The
typical trip that ran for over 20 years left Oahu's Aloha
Tower at nine on Saturday evening, arrives in Kauai Sunday
evening, Arrives at Kahuli on Maui early on Tuesday,
overnights, and arrives in Hilo on the big island early
Thursday. Then dives around the South Point of Hawaii to
Kona to stay all day Friday.
Saturday morning it's back in Honolulu.
IMPROVED
HOME PORT OPTION
Improved
in November,2000 with the new home port at Kahului in Maui
so the pre and post-trip hotel options obtain on what most
consider is a more "Hawaiian" and less urban
island than Oahu. Shuttles from the airport to the ship are
shorter too.
The
ship will leave Kahului at 9 p.m. Cruise along past Lahaina
and duck around the Big Island to Hilo with a 7:30 a.m.
arrival. You
leave at 5 p.m. and dock in Honolulu on Wednesday at 7 a.m.
This allows plenty of time to enjoy Waikiki or drive
around the island AND enjoy the Don Ho or other big shows.
The ship pulls into Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai at 4
p.m. on Thursday and stays 24 hours before leaving for
Kahului with a 7 a.m. Saturday morning arrival.
The advantage of this program is pace.
You enjoy the Big Island in two sections, get a long
look at Oahu, and spend more time on Kauai. A two or three
day post trip is suggested, if you add more days you might
take the ferry from Lahaina to Lanai
or pop over to Molokai. Fares start at about $1,335
each based on double occupancy and inexpensive air
supplements area available.
Do,
when booking cabins, realize that the whole ship arrives at
once, most people spend most of their cruising time on deck,
in the pool or eating so you may want to get a budget cabin
and try the golf package,
shore tours or a pre- or post-cruise trip.
Courses
include The Waikele, Sheraton Makaha and Luana Hills Country
Club on Oahu, Kiele, Mokihana Course at Kauai Lagoons, and
both the Princeville Prince and Makai Courses on Kaual. The
Wailea courses on Maui, Kaanapali North and South Courses
and Pukalani on Maui, the Dunes at Maui Lani,
(Golfers
who don't want to fight the tee time and transport route can
consider the American Hawaii Cruise Golf package that offers
a choice of 19 courses on five islands with
details like tee times and car rentals handled on board.) |
