Introducing The Patriot: United States Lines Is Reborn In The Hawaiian Islands

Cruise Travel, Dec, 2001 by Theodore W. Scull

Other outdoor spaces are located on Bridge Deck where the second outdoor pool and whirlpool are located, then one deck above for Sports Deck aft and forward-viewing from the Eagle's Watch. The Kohala Spa & Fitness Center is also on Bridge Deck, and one level below, small children will enjoy Kaleidoscope and teenagers can disappear into Graffiti's and a tiny video arcade.

The Patriot is a destination ship, and every day is spent in port with overnights in Kauai and Maui allowing for full days ashore. American Hawaii Cruises is known for its excellent shore-excursion program, and USL offers much the same, a choice of 80 widely varied trips costing from $30 to $235. The information about them is presented by the staff early on in the main lounge, in booklet form, on the cabin TVs, and by a most helpful staff on hand at Destination Services.

The choices include motorcoach and van tours, nature walks, hiking across a volcano, biking down a mountain, visiting a leper colony on Molokai, horseback tiding on the beach, parasailing, helicopter rides, snorkeling, scuba diving, attending a Polynesian Lu'au, or doing the islands yourself by car--renting one is easy, and frequent vans run between the ship and the agency. Additionally, free shuttles operate in all ports to shopping malls and specialty shops. As an added treat, whales appear between January and April, and the officer on watch drew our attention to humpback whales spouting and breaching in several different locations.

For touring the Hawaiian islands, there are an increasing number of choices, but none can equal the Hawaiian cultural focus aboard the Patriot and running-mate Independence-revealed in the entertainment, native activities, shore excursions, ship decor, and among many of the locally based Hawaiian crew-members.

The Patriot sets sail every Saturday from Honolulu (on the island of Oahu) on weeklong roundtrips, with overnight calls at Nawiliwili (Kauai) and Kahului (Maui), plus all-day visits to both Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Per person/double occupancy brochure fares, cruise-only, range from $1,599 to $4,099. (The Independence sails a similar itinerary, also departing Saturdays, but from her homeport of Kahului, at rates from $1,349 to $3,549.)

For more information contact your travel agent or United States Lines (Cruise Travel Magazine), 5835 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami, FL 33126; or log on to www.unitedstates lines.com.