Cruising Hawaii

September 14th to September 24th, 1998

Crown Princess, Princess Cruise Lines

Lahaina, Maui  

"Maui no ka io" exclaim the locals: "Maui is the best". Needless to say, many visitors agree. Formed by two massive volcanoes, Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. These volcanoes are joined by a rich valley, which give Maui its nickname, the "Valley Isle".

The island's varied topography accounts for Maui's scenic and climatic contrast, culminated by the spectacular Haleakala Crater, the world's largest inactive volcano, towering 10,032 feet above sea level.

"It was the most sublime spectacle I ever witnessed, " wrote Mark Twain after watching the sunrise at Haleakala in 1866, "and I think the memory of it will remain with me always."

There's much more to Maui's natural splendor, including the lush Iao Valey, the magical waterfalls of Hana, and the endless sea of sugarcane and pineapple fields. With more that 80 beaches, Maui has more miles of swimmable beach than any other island. Ancient volcanic activity has left sands in a rainbow of colors: white, gold, black, green and garnet.

A popular tourist destinations, Maui welcomes more that 2 millions visitors a year, second only to Oahu. A colorful waterfront town, Lahaina is Maui's most popular resort area and was once the Pacific center for American's whaling feet. Today the town, preserving the spirit and architecture of the 1800s, is designated as a National Historic District.

Hilo, Hawaii   

With its varied terrain, diverse climate, lush vegetation and rich array of attractions, many find Hawaii the most interesting of all the islands. In a single day, you may travel from black-sand beaches to lava flows, from snow-capped mountain peaks to tropical jungles, from tranquil bays to volcanic craters.

More than 4,000 square miles, the 'Big Island' is the largest in the archipelago. In fact, each of Hawaii's five districts is larger than any other island in the chain. Its dormant volcano Mauna Kea is the highest point in the entire Pacific Basin.

Hawaii is also home to two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on earth, rising more than 30,000 feet from seabed to its summit; that's more that 100 times the mass of Mount Everest.

The largest town on the island, Hilo serves as your gateway to Kilauea Volcano. Kilauea's most recent series of eruptions started in 1986 and are still underway

Kona, Hawaii   

Situated on the western coast of Hawaii, Kona is best known for sport fishing, coffee and more recently, the Ironman Triathalon. A charming town, Kona is well worth a visit on its own, and servers as the gateway to some of the best sights on the Big Island.

What is called the Kohala-Kona coastline is a series of bays, coves, and small lgoons perfect for every water-related activity imaginable. And you'll find an array of colorful beaches, from the black sands of Kaimu to the grean of Ka Lea.

Intimately connected with Hawaiian history, the Kona Coast is the site of Puuhonua 'OHanaunau, the Place of Refuge, a sanctuary for ancient Hawaiians. Here you'll see some of the most magnificent sunsets in Hawaii. Locals call it 'chicken skin time' because of the goose bumps you get watching these glorious sights.

Ancient Hawaii has also left us the awe-inspiring Puuloa petroglyphs, and nearby Kealakakua Bay is where the legendary Captain James cook, reputedly the first European visitor to Hawaii, lost his life. Everywhere you wander on this beautiful coast, you're sure to find a vibrant, tropical adventure.

Nawiliwili, Kaui   

For many visitors, Kauai is the Hawaii they dream of. Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai offers breathtaking scenery, sandy beaches and charming villages, all combined with a sense of aloofness from the other Hawaiian Islands.

This separateness has both geographical and historical roots. Geographically Kauai along with its mysterious neighbor, Niiahu is the one island that cannot be seen from any of the others. And historically, Kauai was never physically conquered by King Kamehameha. Rather, Kauai's king voluntarily submitted to Kamehameha's sovereighty and, as a result, kept much of the island's autonomy.

Nature has full reign in Kauai, the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands. In the center of the island is the dramatic Mt. Waialeale, a remnant of the long extinct volcano that gave birth to Kauai. Along the north shore are the spectacular Na Pali cliffs, 14 miles of rich green valleys and steep, narrow cliffs. There's also the desert-like palette of beautiful Waime Canyon, the lush tropical sanctuary of Fern Grotto, the splendid Lumahai beach and so much more. Incidentally, the wettest spot on earth is Waialeale, with 450 inches of rain a year.

Lihue is the commercial and governing center of the island. It has a country-style charm characteristic of Kauai and serves as a gateway to this special place

Honolulu, Oahu   

Honolulu is called the 'The Gathering Place' ever since Hawaii's royalty assembled here, Oahu has drawn visitors with its gentle surf and pristine sands. Secluded coves and sheltered shores lure swimmers, snorkelers and water lovers of all kinds. Surfers take to Sunset Beach and the North Shore to catch some of the world's most-perfect waves. And serious fishermen are rewarded with record-size marlin and yellowfin tuna.

Oahu is home to Waikiki, the most famous beach in the world, as well as infamous Pearl Harbor. Here you'll also find the Iolani Palace, America's only royal palace, as well as the world's only wholfin, a cross between a killer whale and a dolphin; it's at Sea Life Park on Makapuu Point. In betwee, a glorious island paradise awaits you in every direction.

The capital of the islands, Honolulu is actually the biggest city in the world. Its municipal boundaries reach across 540,000 square miles of the Pacific, most of which in underwater.

Aloha

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Number of visitors since March 18, 2000