Special whale watching cruises are available January to March. The Independence offers one-week cruises departing Honolulu, Oahu, and visiting Maui, as well as Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, and Kauai. Three and 4-day cruise itineraries in the islands are also offered. S.S. Independence Towards the end of 1999, America Hawaii is scheduled to acquire an already existing ship. American Hawaii Cruises offers a seasonal program of supervised activities for children and teens between mid-June and late August, as well as during most major holidays.
Activities incorporate the arts and native culture of Hawaii.
Onboard counselors supervise kids in two age groups. Children under the age of 5 are welcome to participate with parental supervision. Activities include beach volleyball, pool games, disco party, ghost stories, late night movies, Hawaiian language lessons, hula lessons, Hawaiian arts and crafts, karaoke party, pajama party, toga party, and teen olympics. For families, there are storytellers, traditional hula dances done by a children's troupe and Hawaiian arts and crafts. American Hawaii Cruises chooses their youth counselors from the staff onboard the ship.