Hawaii Offers New Upscale Cruise
November 7th 2011 -
Seattle-based American Safari Cruises, long known for its intimate, wildlife- and nature-focused sailings in Southeast Alaska, is kicking off its first Hawaii trips on one of its three small yachts.
The line's 36-passenger Safari Explorer will operate a series of 24 voyages between Lanai and the Big Island through May 2012 before heading back to Alaska for the summer season. The seven- and 10-night trips include stops in Maui as well as the little-visited Hawaiian islands of Lanai, Molokai and Molokini.
American Safari is promising an off-the-beaten-path and culturally-rich experience as the Safari Explorer ties up in places that see just a small fraction of the tourists that travel to Hawaii's big resort areas.
Among the activities planned for American Safari passengers is a visit to a waterfall in Molokai's pristine Halawa Valley with a local resident whose family has been on the island for dozens of generations. On Maui, passengers will have the option of an early morning tour to catch the sunrise from atop the island's 10,000-foot-high Haleakala Crater. At Molokini, passengers can drift snorkel at a nearly submerged crater, go dolphin and whale watching off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island and snorkeling near Kealakekua Bay.
Fares start at $4,995 per person for the seven-night voyage and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise, both based on double occupancy. The fares include the cost of excursions, transfers; wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees.
Tags: American Safari Cruises, Cruise News, etravel, Hawaii, insider, travel news
