amhaw-independence3

Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Wesley Paulson
Email: wesp@juno.com
Age: 43
Occupation: College President
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: April 17, 1999
Itinerary: Inter-island Cruise
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 75
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 89
TenderService: 70
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 79
EntertainmentLounges: 75
WheelchairAccess: 70
ExerciseFacilities: 79
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon: 79
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 79
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 31 May 1999
Time: 19:46:24
Remote Name: 204.hobbes.intr.net
Remote User:

Comments

Our only previous cruising experience was a New Orleans – Memphis trip in April 1996 aboard the Steamboat Delta
Queen. Since the Delta Queen is in a class by herself, we considered our vacation on SS Independence to be our
first real cruise experience. The Delta Queen and the Independence are both owned by American Classic Voyages
and we found many similarities in shipboard life. If you are looking for a relaxed cruise in breathtaking setting,
without a lot of “action” (casino, disco, nightlife), then this is a trip for you.

The Independence is almost 50 years old and is well cared for. The décor of the ship provides a classic ocean liner
atmosphere with some modern touches. Our outside cabin on Maui deck offered a double bed and adequate room
for the two of us to move about. The round shower stall and the original sink fixtures reminded us daily that they
don’t build them like this anymore! We enjoyed the food service from the breakfast and lunch buffet and the dinner
service in the dining room. There was also open seating available in the dining room at breakfast and lunch, but we
liked sitting out on deck for those meals.

Some hints and comments: Try to get dinner seating in the Hibiscus Dining Room. This is the forward dining room
and was the first class dining room when Independence was in transatlantic service. The atmosphere is much nicer
here. The ship tends to roll in even mild swells. The elevators were designed for a three-class service so not all
elevators go to all decks. Spend an evening in the Constitution Lounge listening to the jazz pianist. The show lounge
is small and early birds always claimed the best seats for others in their groups. Seriously consider the sunrise
shore excursion to Haleakala Crater on Maui followed by the downhill bike ride. This was the highlight of the trip.
The ship offers bridge and engine room tours, but these are not publicized. Sign up at the purser’s desk. The
engine room is a museum piece. Spend some time in a rocking chair on the starboard veranda of the Kama’aina
lounge. The water at Kona is the clearest and bluest I’ve seen. You can see the ship’s rudder and propellers as the
tender approaches from shore. Rent a car on Kauai to see Grove Farm Homestead in Lihue. You must write for
advance reservations (required)for their tour.

Overall this was a great experience and a good value. Enjoy a cruise on Independence while you can. Her
replacement is on order and she will be retired in 2004 at the latest. (Take the engine room tour and you’ll see
why!)

Name: Dana Gough
Email: oncld9@home.com
Age: 40
Occupation: Underwriting Service
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: September 27, 1997
Itinerary: island cruise
Cabin: B51
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 100
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Oct 1999
Time: 20:53:40
Remote Name: proxy1-external.salem1.or.home.com
Remote User:

Comments

Like other cruise reviewers, I had heard very negative comments about the Independence. Even a travel agent
stated that she never recommended this cruise because everyone is so old on it. I think if people go with an open
mind and not expect a Club Med atmoshpere, they will enjoy it immensely. My husband and I, along with my parents,
went to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We with with the American Hawaiian air package, and it was the same as
what we could get by booking it ourselves out of Portland, Oregon. Hawaiian Airlines is the only non-stop airline. But
I appreciated that I didn't have to do the legwork. We did notice quite a few senior citizens, but don't let that disuade
you if you are younger. Think of it as less people on the excursions! We enjoyed the excursions that we picked.
They were very well detailed, with a planning meeting for those who just couldn't decide and needed questions
answered. There is a family pool on one deck and an adults only pool on the deck above for those who aren't
traveling with youngsters. Tradewind Tom is the bardenter and was a great one for remembering your cabin
number and last initial (your code for billing purposes). He also was quick to suggest a new cocktail to try. The wait
staff were fantastic. Catered to our every need. We didn't go out of there hungry. It isn't dressy attire, except for
one night, but even then, it's sport coats for men and pant suits/skirts for women. As for the ship's appearance, it
was in the midst of a makeover when we sailed. They were very busy sanding and varnishing the teak hand rails all
week long. That was sometimes inconvenient, but they turned out nice! This cruise is designed like a sampler
platter. Just enough of everything to whet your appetite. If fact, we just bought a vacation place in Maui, because we
loved it the most. We are planning to be return cruisers for our 25th anniversary, but without my parents. A word of
advice: if you go with your parents, you might want to ask for nonadjoining rooms! Aloha!

Name: J. D. Thornton
Email: jthorn@gte.net
Age: 66
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: February 12, 2000
Itinerary: Hawaiian Islands
Cabin: 145 - B Outside
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 40
CabinComfort: 20
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 50
CabinAmenities: 20
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 70
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 70
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 50
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 20
TenderService: 80
GoodForSeniors: 70
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 20
EmbarkDisembark: 60
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 30
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 50
SpaceRatio: 20
OverallCruiseValue: 40
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Mar 2000
Time: 15:32:08
Remote Name: calnet14-99.gtecablemodem.com
Remote User:

Comments

Sailing from island to island without packing and unpacking sounds wonderful. And probably is the best
reason to take S.S Independence. Sure the ship is old and small but we sailed on other ships almost as
old. The islands were wonderful to see and at each port we saw something new and different. Saturday
evening, we left Honolulu. Sailed all day Sunday. Monday was Kauai were we saw the land tour of the
Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaii) and the rain forest of the Koke’e State Park and museum.
Tuesday and Wednesday was Maui and it’s Mt. Haleakala National Park with its world largest dormant
volcano, the historical ‘Ioa Valley State Park, and Tropical Gardens of Maui. Thursday was Hilo, the first
stop on Hawaii and saw the Volcanoes National Park and lava tube, a village destroyed by a 1990 lava
flow, and its popular black sand beach. Friday was Kona, the second port on Hawaii, and saw the “Place
of Refuge” National Historical Park and the Kaloko Cloud Forest Sanctuary. Saturday morning back to
Honolulu as our seven-night cruise was over.

The ship is another story. Our class was the smallest cabin that you have ever seen. Besides its small
size (10-by-15-feet including closet and bathroom), you needed to pass through a maze to reach the
cabin, and the cabin lacked of furniture. We, my wife of 45 years and I, carefully selected the outside
cabin classification Stateroom B based on the photographs of the cabin as shown in the 1999 American
Hawaii Cruises brochure over six months in advance of our sailing date. When we arrived, on the day of
departure, Saturday, February 12, 2000, and saw our cabin (cabin 145 on the Ohana deck) and we were
horrified.

The cabin contained a queen-size bed, two small bedside tables (one with two drawers and the other with
three sticking drawers), and single upright chair. The only lights in the cabin were two over-the-bed, too
hot to touch reading lamps and a dim ceiling light near the cabin door. The brochure’s photograph in
contrast shows a bed, a couch, a chair, two standard table lamps, and lots of space between the
furniture. It was so dark in our cabin that it was impossible to read unless the reader was laying on the
bed under one of the reading lights. The bathroom was very small and realistically no room to turn
around. There was absolutely no bathroom counter space and large empty spaces on either side of the
small sink. I could go on and on about the black paint splashed on the gray bathroom wall, the
brownish-colored sealant sloppy applied between the bathroom floor and door, the bathroom door that
wouldn’t close, etc. And we were told that the ship had recently been refurnished – apparently not this
cabin.

When we visited other friends aboard the ship who had the same cabin classification (outside stateroom
B), we were shocked to see the size of their cabins as their cabins looked like the brochure’s
photographs. Their cabin numbers were 103 and 223. We were told that cabin classification is
determined by square footage. Those other cabins are at least one and a half times larger! I believe that
cabin 145 is misclassified as a stateroom B and that it should be classified to the lower classification of
stateroom D as are the adjacent cabins (147 and 149).

When I approached the personnel in the Purser’s Office, I was promptly told that the ship was full and
that there was nothing that they could do! Later, we were returned from dinner and attempted to use the
key in our cabin door lock, it wouldn’t open. I went to the Purser’s Office again to report this problem; I
was told that I was trying to open the wrong cabin. I had to show the front office personnel my cabin key
with number 145 stamped on it; my shipboard boarding pass, and my driver’s license believe they would
replace the original key. It (the replacement key) didn’t work either! But by chance, the cabin attendant
saw my wife standing outside our cabin and was able to open our door with her master cabin key. This
same routine happened for the next two days and each time that I reported the problem to the Front
Desk, I was told that I was attempting to open some other cabin door. Finally, I insisted that a
maintenance report form be initiated. But the lock was never fixed and we just gave up and left the cabin
unlocked for the rest of the cruise.

We are experienced travelers with cruises on the Holland America, Norwegian, and Delta Queen ships. In
fact, we were so impressed with the Delta Queen ship and personnel that we wanted to see Hawaii from
ship that was part of the Delta Queen family. But I must confess that I was sadly disappointed with the
cabin, the Purser’s Office personnel of not caring and their don’t bother me attitude. The final straw was
the strange lounge policies of not raising the large window shades in the Constitution Lounge as it gets
too hot for the bartender and he doesn’t have any hors d'oeuvres as he didn’t have time to order them
from the ship’s stores to the frequent closing of the Hapa Hoale Bar and Kama’aina Lounge for private
parties. I’ve never seen anything like this on any of the other cruise ships.

The cabin attendant, dinning personnel, and entertainment were great.

Would I recommend the S.S. Independence to my friends and employees – only with great reservations.
Would I recommend any of the Delta Queen cruises – in a heartbeat!

Name: Betti Walrod
Email: bwalrod@fenwick.com
Age: 44
Occupation: legal secretary
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: April 8, 2000
Itinerary: 7 days
Cabin: 2
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 40
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 80
CabinSteward: 50
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 70
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization:
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 10 Jan 2001
Time: 17:05:02
Remote Name: 222-131users.fenwick.com
Remote User:

Comments

My husband and I were first time cruisers and first time visitors to Hawaii in April of 2000 when we cruised with
American Hawaii Cruise line. Simply put we had an incredible time. So good in fact we are returning and
cruising again this summer with our children and my husband's parents. Except for a few minor problems with
our cabin steward, we felt truly spoiled with the service and experience. The shore excursions were so
plentiful to pick from that we wore ourselves out trying to do everything, but we went to sleep with smiles on
our faces. This coming year we plan to stay more on the ship so that we can enjoy more of the ship's
atmosphere, which is delightful. The Hawaiian teacher of folk lore that the cruise line has on board is a
hypnotic, well versed speaker that I couldn't get enough of and there can be no comparison to the experience
of watching the ship sneak up on Kauai or of having coffee on the Aloha deck watching the sunrise or set.
The ship is old and some of our fellow passengers were older but that seemed to only add to the experience.
Besides there are young people on board especially seasonally as the schools open or close depending on
vacation schedules. Surprisingly, at least at the time we cruised, we were amazed at the number of
passengers from the east coast. My husband and I are from the west coast and only ran into a hand full of
people from California. In my opinion this is the east coast’s best kept secret from the west coast. I simply
cannot imagine visiting Hawaii any other way.

Name: R, Cottrell
Email: rcottrell@hcfa.gov
Age: 48
Occupation: Manager
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: August 12, 2000
Itinerary: Hawaiian Islands
Cabin: Budget
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 70
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 80
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 70
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 06 Mar 2001
Time: 10:44:32
Remote Name: conpx02.hcfa.gov
Remote User:

Comments

From reading previous reviews for the Independence, it appears that people either love it or hate it.
Count us among the ones who loved it. Sure, there were things that could be improved upon, but
combine the ship with the ports of call and it’s a winner.

This cruise was our honeymoon cruise. However, when we originally booked our cruise we did not
know that this was going to be our honeymoon cruise, and we booked a cabin with an upper and lower
berth. After we decided to get married in Honolulu prior to the cruise we tried to upgrade our cabin, but
were unsuccessful. As it turned out, the cabin was small, but adequate. We both would have liked to
have had a larger cabin, but we were able to do many extras with the $1,000 difference in cost.

The service, entertainment and food (in the dining room) were excellent. The lunch buffets on deck
were average, but they always had wonderful fresh fruit. Each evening at 10:00 there was a late-night
buffet, but since we had the late dinner seating we never tried the buffet. There was a lavish midnight
buffet one night of the cruise, but it was so crowded it wasn’t worth the effort for us.

It was difficult to find a quiet/private spot on the deck or in the public areas. However, we found that the
front of the ‘Boat’ deck was usually quiet in the evening. TIP: On the first night of the cruise, there is a
lifeboat drill immediately prior to sailing. Instead of returning to your cabin, you should go secure a
table and/or chairs on deck in order to view the Bon Voyage entertainment both on the ship and on the
shore. They even have a helicopter drop flower petals on the ship!

The most difficult problem we had during the cruise was getting from lower decks to upper decks.
Because the ship is an older ship, it was designed for 2 or 3 classes of service and not all elevators
and stairs go from lower levels to upper levels. Also, the Main deck has the two dining rooms in the
middle of the ship with no passageway through or around. We were in the Hibiscus dining room
(forward) and our cabin was on the Main deck (aft). To get to the dining room from our cabin, we either
had to walk through the other dining room or go up one level, cross over, and come back down.

We made prior arrangements (independently) to rent a car at each port. We paid an average of $26
for a compact car. If you go through the cruise line it costs about $40 for a compact. The only
advantage to using the cruise line is that in one port they had the cars waiting and you didn’t have to
use the airport shuttle. In all other ports, there was no difference.

The only shore excursion we signed up for was the Zodiak rafting/snorkeling trip in Kona. We had
checked out the prices prior to our cruise and the excursion package was actually less than we would
have paid independent of the cruise line. This excursion was wonderful and it was handled great by
the cruise line.

Name: Paul Bjorlin
Email: pbjorlin@hotmail.com
Age: 48
Occupation: Computer Operations
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: AmericanHawaii-Independence
SailingDate: February 24, 2001
Itinerary: Hawaiian Islands
Cabin: G191
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 70
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 80
TenderService: 75
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 75
ShopsOnBoard: 65
SpaceRatio: 80
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 20 Mar 2001
Time: 15:58:55
Remote Name: host2.advanstar.com
Remote User:

Comments

This was our second time ont the Independence. I wanted to sail on her one more time before she is gone.
We picked the time of year to whale watch.

We arrived two days before we would board the ship. We stayed in a hotel that is in the same bay as the ship
would dock in. I was up early to see the Independence as she sailed into port. To me she looked beautiful as
she steamed in. When we finally boarded everything went very smooth. We had been given priority boarding
for being past passengers. We were escorted to our room.

Our room was 191 which is a small inside cabin with bunk beds. This is what I had requested because I do not
spend much time in my room. There was plenty of storage and the beds were very comfortable. Everything
was kept very clean and in good working order.

We ate breakfast and lunch in the buffet and dinner in the main dining room at a table with two other couples.
I can honestly say I did not have a bad meal on the ship. Our waiter and his assistant did an exceptional job
also.

The entertainment was very good. I have seen better but I have no complaints about what I did see. I went to
the shows with the comedians this is what I prefer. They did get the audience involved and everyone seemed
to have a good time.

I only took three tours from the ship the rest was on our own. The tours I took were great but a little pricey.

Disembarkation was very smooth. You can leave your carry on luggage in your room and go have a leisurly
breakfast. When you are done eating you just pick up your luggage and walk off the ship. They have seating
and entertainment if you want to wait for a shuttle, taxi or tour.

Overall the ship is old but she is in good shape. You can find spots that could use some work if you want to
look for it. I had a great trip and I am glad I got to sail on the ship one more time. I will miss her when she is
gone. I would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants a relaxing look at several Hawaiian Islands and
they want to hear the history and the myths of Hawaii.

Feel free to contact me at pbjorlin@hotmail.com with any comments or questions.

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