Travel: New cruise line focuses on Hawaiian islands

Cruise ships have made port in Hawaii for years. Matson, White Star and other lines cruised regular San Francisco-to-Honolulu routes in the '30s, '40s and '50s (war years excepted), but these were less cruises than transport to the islands in the years before jets took the steamship lines' passengers away. All of these grand old shipping lines have now gone away, but a new American line is now providing service to the islands even though it doesn't carry passengers from the mainland.

This cruise line is American Classic Voyages, sailing ships owned by Americans and registered in the United States. The first ship, the Independence, has been plying Hawaiian waters for several years, and it has now reached a level of popularity that requires booking four or more months in advance. The company has added a second and larger ship in an effort to meet demand.

The Patriot is the former Holland American Nieuw Amsterdam which many cruise passengers over the years will remember fondly. Since American Classic Voyages purchased the vessel, it has undergone a $21 million renovation and taken on the U.S. flag. The Patriot carries 1,212 passengers and a staff of 470. Many are new to the business, so extensive training has been needed.

There were some rough edges on the maiden positioning voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu. Some clients complained about service and incomplete maintenance work. Rod McLeod, president and chief operating officer, admitted to a rocky road on the first voyage, in part because the new crew had been recruited from sources not usually tapped by the cruise industry.

The new ship is now well into its break-in period, and by the busiest season this summer, it should have minor staffing problems solved. And the newly announced Mahalo Fares on the ships, with reductions of up to 55 percent off of regular cruises-only fares, should entice many new and experienced cruisers to try the line. The ships sail seven-night cruise vacations among the Hawaiian islands, with stops at each of the main islands Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai and offer pre- and post-cruise stays on the islands.

Now American Classic Voyages has some competition, with Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship scheduled for an itinerary in Hawaii. The competition may lower the fares on both lines' cruises, a benefit to all interested cruisers.

An inter-island cruise offers passengers the opportunity to visit the main islands, spend a day or two on each, and not have to bother with packing and unpacking at each island, finding hotels and restaurants at each stop, and arranging flights or ferry transportation between islands. Since the ships travel at night, there are no daylight hours wasted in transport.

We think that people who enjoy cruising will find these Hawaiian itineraries pleasant, restful ways to experience the islands in comfort and to get a sample of each island visited during the week's adventure. And for those who've never cruised, the American Classic Voyages ships might be a nice way to be introduced to the pleasures of cruising.

(Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency formed by the merger of Ozark World Travel, Consulting Travel and Thomas Travel.)