NORWEGIAN
CRUISE LINE purchased Polynesian
Adventure Tours, a tour bus company in Hawaii, for approximately $5
million. Polynesian Adventure Tours has been in business for 25
years and owns over 100 motorcoaches. They are licensed to run
tours on four Hawaiian islands. NCL said that all 200 employees
will remain with the bus company, which will provide transportation
for passengers on both NCL ships that sail full time in Hawaiian
waters.
ORIGINS: The newly-opened
Sheraton Keauhou on Hawaii's Big Island is readying to launch its
twice-weekly luau, entitled "Origins," starting on Dec. 23. The
luau will be held Thursdays and Sundays on a grassy bluff
overlooking the Kona Coast's Keauhou Bay. After an hour-long mai
tai reception, guests can browse Hawaiian crafts for sale, learn
how to hula dance, have professional photos taken and play the
ukulele. A sit-down dinner with tableside service or a buffet
option then ensues, with a Hawaiian dance and song revue
throughout. Tickets begin at $65 per person, half price for
children ages 5 to 12. Go to www.sheratonkeauhou.com/luau.htm for more
information.
The FAIRMONT
ORCHID is offering complimentary
amenities sent to the rooms of clients and free nights to agents
who book hotel stays prior to Feb. 28. The "Gobble Gobble Comp
Nights for Me" form must be filled out prior to guests' arrival.
Agents will receive one free night for every two bookings in any
room category. For bookings on stays through Dec. 20, every fifth
and seventh night is free. Through Jan. 5, every fifth night is
free. Contact The Fairmont Orchid's director of leisure sales,
Krista Bentley, at 808-887-7350, or e-mail her at [email protected] with questions or to
request forms.
ILIMA
HOTEL: The condominium-style
hotel is offering 25% off rates starting in 2005. The 99-unit hotel
has rates ranging from $99 to $195 that fall under the "New Year
Aloha" packages, and are valid from Jan. 3 to Feb. 1. Located on
the Ala Wai Canal, a three-block walk to Waikiki Beach and two
blocks from the shops on Kalakaua, the hotel offers
studio-apartment-style rooms, one-bedroom units and a pair of
three-bedroom penthouse suites. "New Year Aloha" rates are
commissionable. Visit https://ilima.securesites.com/reservations.html for
more information.
HOTEL HANA
MAUI partnered with Pleasant
Holidays to offer a free night to guests traveling through Dec. 23,
2004. A four-night minimum stay is required in an oceanview
sea-ranch cottage or higher, which begin at $886 per person,
double. Daily rental car and taxes are included. A Radisson Kauai
Beach Resort package offers agents booking through Pleasant a $25
bonus (on top of commission) through Dec. 24 on five-night
land-only packages beginning at $593 per person. Go to www.pleasant.net for booking
information.