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American Hawaii

SS Independence

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Frank X. Prudent
# previous cruises: 10+
Date of Trip: February 10, 2001
Itinerary: Hawaii

I loved the S.S. INDEPENDENCE, and of the nine other ocean cruises that I have been on, my favorite is now the INDY! The ship is a classic, and when she goes there can not be another like her. Beautiful flowing lines, glass enclosed wood deck promenades, cozy lounges, and crew members that when passed in the halls say, " Aloha," all add up to a most enjoyable ocean cruise. Mind you she is an older vessel and does not have the flashy glitz of a new megaship. She has a charm that comes with her fifty years of carrying the ocean going traveler.

There are some wonderful public spaces. The old first class glass enclosed promenades on either side of the Kama'aina Lounge are great sheltered spaces to sit and watch the ocean, and pretend that Harry Truman or Ronald Reagan might come strolling by. The Constitution Lounge is an intimate bar with wood paneling and large glass windows that frame your view of the ship's fantail. The feel of the Constitution Lounge is right out of post WWII America. After dusk piano music adds a nice touch to this room. There are two fresh water pools aboard, but they were generally closed when out at sea as the water in the pools would start sloshing around. One of the pools, by the Surfrider Bar is reserved for adults; it is ironic that this pool was her first class pool when she was in the Trans-Atlantic trade.

Although there are not as many dining options as on a bigger newer ship, nobody need go hungry. Buffets and snacks are served most of the time in the Ohana Buffet. There was always juice, lemonade, Kona coffee, hot and iced tea,and hot chocolate available in this room too. The two main dining rooms, down low in the ship, midships, and built without windows (she was the first ocean liner built that was completely air conditioned), are the Hibiscus and Orchid Dining Rooms. The former was her first class dining room, but now both rooms have parity. The food leans toward Pacific-rim and for both lunch and dinner there are chef recommended Hawaiian meals along with vegetarian entrees. The food and service were both very good. The cold soups were fantastic, certainly rich enough for dessert. In fact one of the waiters suggested a scoop of ice cream in the soup makes a soupier dessert. They were right too!

I slept like the proverbial kitten while aboard. Although I have been in larger staterooms on other ships, never have I been in a room with as much cabinet or drawer space (including an outside first class room on the QE2). This was greatly appreciated. During the day one berth was folded into the bulkhead and the other berth converted into a sofa. This arrangement worked well during waking hours. There was plenty of space to walk around the room, but at night it meant that the beds could not be scooted together. There are staterooms that have double or larger beds though. The bath room was small, but it did have a medium sized tile shower and a commodious medicine cabinet. One neat feature in the bath rooms from her early days were three knobs labeled hot, cold, and ice water. Unfortunately the last is no longer functional. The stateroom was quiet except for the creak of the ship in rolling seas and when the steward closed the next room's berths in the mornings.

The entertainment was broad based and the other passengers I talked with all seemed to enjoy what was offered. The Ray Kennedy Dance Group was very good, and I particularly enjoyed their review of the top tunes of the fifties, sixties and seventies. In the art deco Ohana Lounge there was lip syncing and kerioke at night along with game shows that the resident DJ MC'd.. I really enjoyed sitting in the Constitution Lounge listening to the pianist and letting my mind wander each evening and hashing out the days events.

There are a wide variety of shore tours that were offered on land, sea, and air. The cost and length could meet all budgets. I opted for the "Captain's Shore Tour Package". At each port I could choose from a list of half day tours. I had never been to Hawaii before and this combination gave a nice over view of the islands. Visiting Volcanoes National Park was very interesting. The current eruptions are not on park property, but it still neat to visit. There are steam vents fuming and the Thurston Lava Tunnel that made this excursion interesting, especially after reading Mark Twain's ROUGHING IT. The more adventuresome can rent a car through the shore tour office on board and tour the islands. Next time I go on the INDY, and I will, this will be the route I take.

The boat is small by todays standards. She does not even carry 900 passengers double occupancy, but there were a diverse group of folks aboard. Young couples, entire families with children and senior citizens comprised most of the passenger list. It was a good mix and my table partners were very nice. I am even looking forward to perhaps making a Panama Canal cruise with a couple that I met at the dining table. If that happens we will be able to muse over our wonderful INDY trip while making new cruise memories!