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American Hawaii

SS Independence

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Shannon Holderfield
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: July 7, 1999
Itinerary: Hawaii

This cruise was my graduation present from my grandmother, and it couldn't have been any more perfect. I was amazed that in 7 days we had been to five different islands. Maui had Mount Haleakala, one of the tallest mountains in the world, and the Maui Ocean Center. Kauai is the Garden Island and home of Waimea Canyon, I took 192 pictures of scenery on this island! The Big Island is the most astonishing. At night, when passing by on the ship, you witness lava flowing under the sea!! Never will you have that opportunity in any place but The Big Island, and it is also home to the Volcanoes National Park. And, we even had time to go to Pearl Harbor upon our return to Honolulu. I would recommend this cruise line to ANYONE wanting to have a great time and make ever lasting memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. I left my heart in those Hawaiian Islands!!!

While on the ship, at departure (port of Aloha) we had a party! It reminded me of New Year's. Every night they had something on deck, like Luau's and bands. In the showroom they had theatrical shows, and we even got to have dinner with the captain. I really loved all of the shopping on board. We ran up a tab of nearly $1700.00 just on souvenirs, I was only 17 at the time, and grandma is a goody goody, so we didn't drink or gamble.

Oh the buffets....breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We only had like three meals off the ship. But one thing that REALLY stuck out to me was this juice that they had, peach, banana, strawberry.....and I haven't had any since the cruise. I don't know where they get it from, but it is awesome. The food was really good. For dinner they do have a formal dining room, everything was great, they set the table for you, and you have waitresses and waiters.

Our room was perfect for us. It had three beds, a bathroom, and a closet. I was only sea sick for one evening, but I got really aquatinted with the bathroom! It definitely had enough space for me. I liked the shower because it was round, and now I have one in my house just like it. We really didn't spend that much time in our room though. My grandmother did what she wanted, and I made friends on the ship!

The cruise staff was, well....Wonderful. You can tell that they are appreciated by this company. They were always smiling, they are very very outgoing toward their guest, and they really make you feel at home. And entertainment wise, we'll just say I didn't have to go very far to find something to occupy my time, even in the middle of the ocean!

Before you arrive to any ports, you have the opportunity, while on board, to book your car, expedition, or whatever, this way you don't waste your time while off the ship with frustrating car rental places and what not. One of my most favorite parts was when you get off the ship, they have vendors in the ports selling lai's of all kinds, but most the time they just slip one on your neck as you are departing the ship. My favorite island was Maui, because of the Maui Ocean Center. All of the islands are so beautiful, it just brought peace and serenity to my soul.

I didn't meet anyone that wasn't having the time of their life. There was this kid who fell out of his bed and broke his arm on the ship. The doctors on the ship took care of him and put a cast on his arm, and he never even had to leave the ship. Even though he couldn't swim, the next day I saw him on deck and he was still having a good time.