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News MenuCruise Passengers in Hawaii "Go
With The Flow,"
Watching the World's Most Active Volcano Erupt
Mt. Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, began erupting in 1983, three years after American Hawaii Cruises brought the SS Independence to the Hawaiian Islands. The volcano, now in its 16th year of eruption, spews 4000,000 cubic yards of lava a day, according to scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The spectacle of the eruption creates a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience for passengers aboard the Independence, the only ocean liner that sails in Hawaii year-round.
Views of Mt. Kilauea can vary by cruise, depending on weather conditions, but all travelers from the SS Independence can get closer by taking optional shore excursions to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located 30 miles from the ship's port of Hilo.
Litton's Ingalls Shipbuilding
Division & American Classic Voyages Co.
Sign Major Contract for Luxury Cruise Ship Construction
Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton Industries (NYSE:LIT), Pascagoula, Miss., and American Classic Voyages Co. (Nasdaq:AMCV), Chicago, signed a contract for the construction of the first major cruise ships to be built in the United States in more than 40 years.
Under the terms of the "Project America" contract, which has a potential value of $1.4 billion, Ingalls will initially build two 1,900 passenger cruise ships for AMCV, with an option for a third vessel. As many as six ships could ultimately be built in the Project America program.
These will be the largest cruise ships ever built in the U.S., with the first scheduled to enter service in 2003. Ingalls delivered the last American-built large cruise ships, SS Brasil and SS Argentina, to Moore McCormack Lines in 1958, and the passenger ships are still in service.
"The signing of the Project America contract is an historic step for both the U.S.-flag cruise industry and our nation's shipbuilding industrial base," said Phil Calian, president and chief executive officer of AMCV. "Today, we are showing that American shipyards can compete in the construction of U.S.-flag oceangoing cruise ships, and that the U.S.-flag cruise industry has an exciting future."
"This contract is a key element of Ingalls' integrated strategic business plan," said Jerry St. Pe', president of Ingalls and senior vice president of Litton Industries. "Of all the commercial ship projects available, cruise ships require a level of complexity, and a mix of skills, most closely matched to those inherent in the building of complex naval vessels, and already available at Ingalls."
Ingalls will perform the contract in a teaming agreement with Kvaerner Masa-Shipyards of Turku, Finland, one of the world's most experienced and successful designers and builders of large, modern cruise ships. Under a fixed-price contract to Ingalls, the European company will provide design and planning expertise, and advise Ingalls on commercial manufacturing techniques.
"Through our industrial relationships," St. Pe' said, "we are working together to implement exciting new approaches to commercial shipbuilding, including major improvements in our facility that will enhance our processes and bring increased efficiencies to every ship we build -- including ships for the U.S. Navy."
In a separate announcement, Ingalls and Litton announced plans to invest $130 million over the next two years in a major facilities program at the company's shipbuilding and marine production operations: "This contract, while important as a stand-alone element of our business base, will significantly enhance Ingalls' competitive posture for future Navy and commercial programs," St. Pe' continued.
"This is a unique opportunity available to our shipyard and U.S. shipbuilding to implement practices and processes required for this and other commercial programs that, in the coming years, will significantly stabilize Ingalls' workforce into the 21st century. As many as 2,300 Ingalls employees will be involved in cruise ship work during peak construction periods."
Tee Off In Paradise with American Hawaii Cruises
Golf enthusiasts can "tee off in paradise" by playing at some of the world's most challenging and difficult courses -- on four different Hawaiian islands -- in just one week through American Hawaii Cruises' "Golf Hawaii" program
Through the program, tee times are arranged at the preferred courses by American Hawaii's onboard shore excursions staff. The selections include 18 golf courses on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai. Passengers can golf on courses designed by top professionals, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Trent Jones, Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Many of the courses offer features found only in Hawaii, such as black lava roughs and lava rock formations incorporated into the fairways, a Pacific inlet water hazard and more. The panoramic views feature the ocean, magnificent mountains, tropical gardens, waterfalls and towering volcanoes.
Prices for 18 holes range from $50 to $145 and include cart and greens fees. Transportation and rental clubs are included in the rates for a few of the courses; otherwise, car rentals can be arranged on board and clubs are available at most courses for an additional charge. Tee times are subject to availability.
"Most golfers dream of teeing off in Hawaii," says Lei Fountain, American Hawaii Cruises' vice president of shore excursions. "We make it easy to play at all the best courses and still have time for exploring Hawaii's famous attractions."
The Golf Hawaii courses are: Waikele, Sheraton Makaha and Luana Hills Country Club on Oahu; Kiele, Kauai Lagoons, Princeville Prince and Princeville Makai Courses on Kauai; Wailea Gold, Blue and Emerald Courses, Kaanapali North and South Courses and Pukalani on Maui; and Kona Country Club Ocean and Mauka Courses, Makalei, Waikoloa-Kings and Waikoloa-Beach Courses on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Click HERE to request further information or to book any of these cruises.
Call Abigail Best if you are ready to book and deposit Now.
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