November 15-24, 2002
Cruise/tour from $1999.00
Join Rail Travel Center for a unique cruise and rail tour of the islands of Hawaii and Fanning Island, featuring a one-week cruise on the elegant, new NORWEGIAN STAR of Norwegian Cruise Lines with an added two-night hotel stay in Honolulu. This program is much more than a simple cruise. Participants enjoy a complete tour of the islands with included shore excursions and custom sightseeing spotlighting the history and little-known railways of our 50th state. Railroads once served each of the four larger islands and, surprisingly, trains still run on both Oahu and Maui. Indeed, on Maui the trains are steam-powered!
Our program begins with a two-night stay at the superb Radisson Prince Kuhio Resort one block off Waikiki Beach. While here we ride the restored line of the Oahu Railway on a beautiful run along bluffs above the sea. We also tour Pearl Harbor, visit the touching USS Arizona Memorial and have a full-day excursion to the northeast coast of Oahu. Here we visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and enjoy a festive luau as our "Welcome Dinner".
We then embark on the new NORWEGIAN STAR for a seven day voyage to the Islands of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai, plus a unique port call at Fanning Island in the isolated Republic of Kiribati. Two glorious days are enjoyed at sea, while the balance of the cruise is devoted to port calls: Kona on the "Big Island" of Hawaii; the historic whaling port of Lahaina on Maui; and Nawililwili (Port Allen) on Kauai. In each port, Rail Travel Center guests enjoy included shore excursions, with a special journey on the steam-powered three-foot narrow gauge Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific RY on Maui.
The NORWEGIAN STAR showcases NCL's new "Freestyle Cruising". Coats and ties are no longer required. You may dine when you wish (with no preset seating times) and where you wish, at your choice of ten different restaurants and cafes. Eleven different cuisines are offered during the voyage! This stunning new vessel offers 15 expansive decks, a seven-story atrium, 14 lounges, the Stardust Theater, a full cinema, a sports court, an Internet Café, and the fine Mandarin Spa. On-board activities are varied: relaxing with a good book in the fine library, computer classes, swimming in one of the multiple pools, fitness classes, talks on the folklore and legends of the islands and much more. NCL has attractively-priced airfares from most major U.S. cities as a further enhancement.
With ten or more paying passengers, the cruise will be fully escorted by Rail Travel Center staff. We consider this cruise/rail tour to offer exceptional value. Shore excursions (some of which are not offered by the cruise line), additional hotel nights and sightseeing on Oahu, port taxes and government fees are included in the price. Complete details follow. ALL ABOARD!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Day One, Friday, November 15
Independent flights to Hawaii, stay in Honolulu in Waikiki Beach district. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers attractively priced flights round-trip to Honolulu from most major U.S. and Canadian cities. Their air rates include transfers upon arrival. Optionally you may book your own flights, however transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the ship to the airport are not included. Accommodations are included for two nights at the fine Radisson Prince Kuhio Resort, just a block off Waikiki Beach. Enjoy the gorgeous sands and gentle waves this afternoon!
Day 2:
Day Two, Saturday, November 16 (D)
Tour Polynesian Cultural Center, Welcome "luau" Dinner. The morning is free to relax on Waikiki. About 11:00 AM we board our coach for the scenic drive over the central mountains to the rugged northeast coast of Oahu. We spend the balance of the day exploring the remarkable Polynesian Cultural Center, which contains re-created villages typical of the varied peoples of Polynesia, including native Hawaiians, the Maori of New Zealand, and the inhabitants of Fiji, Tahiti and Samoa. Activities include craft demonstrations, canoe rides, and a chance to see the various styles of housing adapted by Polynesians in their island homes. This evening we enjoy a superb Hawaiian "luau" as our "Welcome Dinner".
(D)
Day 3:
Day Three, Sunday, November 17 (D)
Tour Pearl Harbor, visit the USS Arizona Memorial, Honolulu City tour, ride the restored Oahu Railway. We depart this morning for a tour of the great Pearl Harbor Naval Base. We see "Battleship Row" and its new centerpiece, the "Mighty Mo" (the battleship USS Missouri). The surrender of Japan was taken on the Missouri's decks in August 1945. We also see the multi-media show about the attack on Pearl Harbor and go aboard the memorial to the sailors lost on the USS Arizona. Returning to Waikiki we tour the Honolulu city center, passing the Iolani Palace enroute. This is the only true royal palace in the United States.
This afternoon we ride the restored narrow gauge Oahu Railway. This three-foot gauge trackage is the last remnant of the very extensive lines of the Oahu Railway and Land Company, which operated from 1889 to 1947. The Oahu Ry. was so important during WWII, it carried frequent commuter trains and had block-signal protection on its main line near Pearl Harbor. We enjoy a 12-mile round-trip from Ewa to Nanakui. Enroute highlights include passing the ghost town of Gilbert and spectacular sea views as the tracks meet the coast on the "leeward" shores of Oahu. At the conclusion of our train trip, we transfer to the pier to board the NORWEGIAN STAR. Dinner tonight and all meals through breakfast next Sunday are included on the ship.
(D)
Day 4:
Day Four, Monday, November 18 (B,L,D)
Cruise to "Big Island" of Hawaii, tour Kona. We sail overnight to the "Big Island" of Hawaii, dropping anchor off Kona from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Rail Travel Center has included an interesting historic tour of the Kona area. This city was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom during the reign of Kamehameha the Great. Today it also has the distinction of being the only place in the United States where coffee is still grown commercially. A stop is included at the Royal Kona Coffee Mill. We also see St. Benedict's Church, with beautifully painted murals; the unique "City of Refuge", where ancient Hawaiians confined defeated warriors and lawbreakers who were "taboo"; and Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook (the English "discoverer" of Hawaii) was killed. After the tour there is free time to shop and explore on the Kona Coast. We sail this afternoon for the remote islands of the Republic of Kiribati.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Day Five, Tuesday, November 19 (B,L,D)
All day at sea. We spend a glorious day at sea enjoying the many swimming pools, open decks, shops, lectures, spas and great food of NCL's NORWEGIAN STAR. You may do as little or as much as you choose!
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Day Six, Wednesday, November 20 (B,L,D)
Port call at Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati. From 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM we enjoy a peaceful day at anchor for visits to the remote atoll of Fanning Island in the remote Republic of Kiribati. With Kiribati lying just to the east of the International Date Line, each day can be said to "begin" on these shores. The Polynesian people lead a remarkably unspoiled and peaceful life here. The islands are comprised of the Gilbert and Phoenix Island groups, which include Tarawa Island (bitterly contested in World War II at the Battle of Beito) and quiet Fanning Island. NCL has become the lifeline of Fanning Island. The first regular ocean passenger and freight service ever offered to Fanning Island is provided by NCL.
Fanning was first seen by Europeans in 1798, when Captain Edmund Fanning landed to replenish supplies. There were no permanent residents until 1814, when the first islanders arrived from the Gilbert Islands to establish a coconut plantation. Later a trans-Pacific cable relay station was established (and blown-up by the Germans during WWI). The Kiribati Islands were an English colony until gaining independence in 1979. Only 1304 people live permanently on Fanning atoll. In this quiet place there is no "organized" shore tour. Available activities include snorkeling, beach combing, bike touring, a beach barbecue, island walks, sailing, kayaking, beach floats, informal meetings with the islanders and a folkloric song and dance program. This very special port call is offered only by NCL!
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Day Seven, Thursday, November 21 (B,L,D)
Full day at sea. We enjoy another wonderful day at sea sailing to Maui.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Day Eight, Friday, November 22 (B,L,D)
Port call at Lahaina, Maui, with a ride on the steam-powered narrow gauge Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific RR. From 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM the NORWEGIAN STAR calls at the historic whaling port of Lahaina, Maui. Our group will enjoy a steam-powered narrow gauge train journey on the "Sugar Cane Train" of the Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Pacific RR. The route includes rustic wooden trestles and travels through vast fields of sugar cane, with distant views of the interior mountains and closer vistas of the south coast. The historic center of Lahaina offers the famous Pioneer Inn for optional tours and meals, while the lovely pink-sand beaches of Kaanapali beckon as well.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
Day Nine, Saturday, November 23 (BLD)
Port call on Kauai, tour Waimea Canyon. The NORWEGIAN STAR calls at the hauntingly beautiful island of Kauai. Our included tour takes us to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". We ascend to 3400 feet for an awesome view of the 2587-foot deep canyon. The remarkable coloration of the gorge is a vivid display of reds and browns contrasted with the deep green of the rainforest and the blue Hawaiian sky. Later there is free time to shop, swim or relax on this loveliest of islands. Kauai's exquisite beauty was showcased in the film version of "South Pacific". We enjoy our "Farewell Dinner" on the NORWEGIAN STAR this evening crossing back to Honolulu.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
Day Ten, Monday, November 24 (B)
Arrive back in Honolulu. Tour ends. Our ship returns to Honolulu this morning. We can arrange optional NCL post-cruise extensions to stay longer on Oahu or Maui. Ask us for pricing/hotel options. Transfers are included to the airport for passengers purchasing air travel through NCL.
All cabins have twin lower berths, private toilet/shower bath, TV, refrigerator, and safe.
Cabin Category Per Person Double Rate Single Occupancy
K Inside Stateroom $1999.00 $3049.00
J Inside Stateroom $2059.00 $3169.00
I Inside Stateroom $2099.00 $3249.00
G Outside Oceanview $2199.00 $3449.00
F Outside Oceanview $2209.00 $3469.00
E Outside Oceanview $2229.00 $3509.00
BD Outside with Balcony $2279.00 $3609.00
Other cabin categories may be available. Call us for pricing. We are holding block space for the categories listed above.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
CRUISE/TOUR PRICES include passage fares on NCL; all meals on the ship; the luau dinner at the Polynesian Cultural Center; sightseeing and shore excursions described as included above; rail fares and custom sightseeing. Our program will be escorted by Rail Travel Center staff with ten or more paying passengers but will operate with as little as one passenger, using scheduled tours and local hosts. Transfers and luggage handling are included from the hotel to the ship on Day Three. Transfers and luggage handling are provided from the airport to the hotel and the ship to the airport only for passengers purchasing NCL air tickets. Rail Travel Center rates include port taxes and government fees. Prices could be adjusted if additional taxes are imposed. As this cruise visits another country at Fanning Island, passports are required.
All cabins have twin lower berths, private toilet/shower bath, TV, refrigerator, and safe.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Hawaii
USA
Boating and Sailing
Railway Trips
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