'Hawaiian Heritage' Cruises Featuring Don Ho!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from the American Classic Voyages Co.
and thought it may be of interest. If you have missed any of my news'
postings, they are archived on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
United States Lines and American Hawaii Cruises Announce 2001
'Hawaiian Heritage' Cruises Featuring Don Ho
MIAMI FL, July 2
United States Lines and American Hawaii Cruises, subsidiaries of
American Classic Voyages Co. (Nasdaq: AMCV), will jointly celebrate
Hawaii's statewide Aloha Festivals with three weeks of special
Hawaiian Heritage cruises departing Sept. 15, 22 and 29, 2001. The
cruise vacations, which showcase the diverse beauty of Oahu, Maui,
Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii, are a past winner of the Hawaii
Visitors and Convention Bureau's Kahili Award as ``Best In Show'' for
preserving the authentic culture of the 50th state. This year, the
Hawaiian Heritage cruises are offered at a two-for-one price in
conjunction with the lines' popular ``Summer of Freedom'' promotion.
During the Hawaiian Heritage cruises, passengers aboard United States
Lines' 1,212-passenger Patriot or American Hawaii Cruises'
860-passenger Independence will be entertained during a performance by
Hawaiian music legend Don Ho, with stories and songs including his
famous ``Tiny Bubbles.'' Photo sessions precede each show.
Passengers on both ships can enjoy the talents of ``living treasures''
and experts in Hawaiian culture, dance, art, music and story telling.
They can learn hula from award-winning kumu hula (hula teachers) from
the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, and take part in classes offered by
ukulele masters, expert crafters, internationally known island
watercolor artists and Hawaiian language specialists. Monday evenings
will be set aside for performances by Hawaii's leading headliners.
Each week will include a selection of Hawaiian films, including a
premiere presentation of the feature-length film ``Waikiki.''
Performers and activities on the cruises vary by ship and departure
date, but highlights include:
* Musical entertainment by the popular contemporary Hawaiian group
The Poi
Boiz.
* Concerts, hula shows and classes by Hawaii's famous Beamer
Family,
featuring Keola Beamer.
* Watercolor classes by renowned artists Garry Palm, Peggy Chun
and Peggy
Gupton.
* Workshops on ancient petroglyph rock art, taught by island
printmaking
artist Lynn Cook.
* Hula by the award-winning halau Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani under
the
direction of Kapu Alquiza Kinimaka, accompanied by Na Kapu Mele.
* Island legends, language and cultural talks by Kaliko Trapp,
Hawaiian
history authority.
* Hawaiian handicraft classes by Terry Green, renowned for craft
and
clothing design work.
* Contemporary Hawaiian music by island recording star David Kaeo
with
Anuhea.
* Hula shows and lessons, crafts classes and a tribute to Hawaiian
fire
goddess Madame Pele by Kumu Hula Blaine Kia and the Ladies of
Halau Ke
Waikahe Lani Maile.
* Stories and songs about Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani, by Puanani
Medeiros Higgins.
* Quilting sessions with former Miss Hawaii, Patricia Lei Anderson
Murray,
now a Hawaiian crafts gallery owner and internationally known
singer.
Although both United States Lines and American Hawaii Cruises feature
year-round seven-night itineraries, the Patriot sails from Honolulu
and offers a relaxing resort-style Hawaiian ambiance while the
Independence sails from Maui and offers culturally enriching cruises
that explore Hawaiian myths, legend and lore. The ships visit
Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Kahului, Maui; and both Hilo and
Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, and spend more than twice as much
time in port as other cruise lines' week-long Hawaiian itineraries,
including overnight stays in the most popular destinations.
All Hawaiian Heritage cruises are offered at a two-for-one rate as
part of the ``Summer of Freedom'' promotion. Vacationers who purchase
a cruise and accompanying round-trip airfare at brochure rates will
receive a free cruise and round-trip air ticket for their companion.
Brochure fares including air for 2001 cruises aboard the Independence
start at $1,758 per person, double occupancy, and $2,008 aboard the
Patriot. In each case, the cruise and air for the second person are
free; both passengers are responsible for port charges of $90 per
person, plus Hawaii state sales tax. ``Summer of Freedom'' promotional
rates are subject to cabin and air availability.
To make a reservation, contact a travel agent. For a complimentary
brochure, call American Hawaii Cruises toll-free at 888-404-5527, or
United States Lines at 888-404-5524.
American Hawaii Cruises and United States Lines are subsidiaries of
American Classic Voyages Co., the world's largest U.S.-flag cruise
company with a fleet of seven U.S.-crewed vessels. Two additional
1,900-passenger U.S.-flag ships are under construction for delivery in
2003 and 2004 for United States Lines. For more information, visit
www.cruisehawaii.com; www.unitedstateslines.com; or www.amcv.com.