NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE will bring two new ships to
Hawaiian waters in the coming year, raising by 40% -- to nearly
200,000 -- the number of NCL passengers in Hawaii in 2004,
according to the company. Two will sail interisland cruises and two
will include Fanning Island in their interisland itineraries. All
will incorporate freestyle cruising. Norwegian Sky will be
re-flagged into the U.S. register with an all-American crew,
offering three- and four-night interisland cruises from Honolulu
beginning October 2004 (three-night cruises start at $499 per
person). Norwegian Wind will return to Hawaii in May 2004 and
resume its 10- and 11-day itineraries, continuing in Hawaii
year-round rather than seasonally. Norwegian Star will offer
seven-day Hawaii/Fanning Island cruises through April 2004. At that
time, the Star will redeploy to provide Alaska cruises, making way
for new seven-day interisland cruises on one of the new Project
America ships (starting at $899 per person).
AIRLIFT NEWS
• Hawaiian Vacations will offer nonstop flights from Boise, Idaho,
and Spokane, Wash., to Maui this winter via a contract with North
American Airlines. From November through April, the company will
operate charter flights on a 757-200ER aircraft, departing
Saturdays. Ultimately, Alaska-based Hawaiian Vacations plans to
offer the service year-round. Bookings begin June 5. www.hawaiianvacations.com
• Aloha Airlines is stepping up service between two western states
and three of Hawaii's major islands in its ongoing efforts to
provide service to smaller airports and the niche market that
prefers them. Beginning June 20, Aloha Airlines will offer nonstop
service between Oakland, Calif., and Lihue, Kauai, four times per
week. Nonstop flights between Oakland and Kona on the Big Island
will run daily. New service between Reno, Nev., and Honolulu via
Orange County, Calif.--which is still pending final government
approval -- would begin July 2. Introductory fares between these
cities and Hawaii run about $399 roundtrip. The carrier also has
last-minute deals from the West Coast to Hawaii for $318 round
trip, for travel 3-10 days from booking date. www.alohaairlines.com
• Delta Air Lines now has nonstop service between Atlanta and
Honolulu, and is selling advance roundtrip fares for $562 until
June 2, for travel before Nov. 15 (check for additional
restrictions). The new flights will begin Aug. 1, departing Atlanta
at 11:50 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 3:15 p.m. The return trip
departs Honolulu at 5:45 p.m. and arrives in Atlanta at 8:35 a.m.
www.delta.com
BUDGET RENT-A-CAR has a new location on Maui at
the Shops at Wailea -- its fifth office on the Valley Isle. Open
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Budget offers the standard selection of cars
in addition to specialty favorites such as convertibles, Jeeps,
SUVs and minivans. (800) 527-0700; www.budget.com
PUZZLES, PAINT, MAGIC: ArtSpree 2003 will take
place at the Contemporary Museum in Honolulu from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
on Saturday, July 12. Docent guides will lead guests through the
galleries, and plenty of artist-directed, hands-on activities--such
as painting and coloring, ceramics, wooden-landscape puzzle boxes
and mixed media--will amuse the kids. Improvisational theater and
other performance art (including magic shows and urban dancing)
will fill the expansive lawn. Free shuttle service is available
from King Kalakaua Plaza in Waikiki and from Punahou School in
Manoa. Admission is also free. (808) 526-1322; www.tcmhi.org
HOTEL HANA-MAUI has a new package
(commissionable at 10%) that includes five nights in a
Plantation-style Sea Ranch Cottage, daily breakfast, lunch and
dinner for two, a chilled bottle of champagne and a welcome snack
basket, two Hotel Hana-Maui bathrobes and wellness activities.
Prices vary depending on the cottage location. Ocean view Sea Ranch
Cottages are $2,875; ocean-view cottages with private spa on the
lanai and ocean-front cottages are $3,375; ocean-front suites with
private spa are $4,525. These rates are based on double occupancy
and are valid through Dec. 20. The 66-room resort is built on 67
acres and is part of a working ranch. (800) 321-HANA; www.hotelhanamaui.com