American Safari Cruises Celebrates Inaugural Hawaii Season

Adventure cruise tour operator American Safari Cruises celebrated its inaugural season in Hawaii on October 26 when the 36-guest Safari Explorer began its first inter-island voyage. The upscale yacht will sail 24 voyages between Maui/Lana’i and the Big Island through May 2012.

The active adventure-style cruising of American Safari is available on seven or 10-night voyages that explore Lana’i, Moloka’i, Maui, Molokini and the Big Island. Itineraries sail between Maui/Lana’i and the Big Island and reverse; a scenic ferry ride also connects guests between Maui and the yacht on Lana’i.

A Hawaiian blessing for the yacht and crew took place on October 25 on Moloka’i. Cultural advisors from Maui, Lana’i, Moloka’i and the Big Island were invited to attend. Traditional Hawaiian protocols are also being arranged at each island to ask permission for entry. Others may choose to walk through ancient taro terraces. Guests will have a chance to help restore the terraces and make poi, a paste made from the root of the taro plant.

After a visit to the Moloka’i Museum and Cultural Center, a Hawaiian pa’ina celebration feast features locally sourced cuisine, including fresh fish and poi, seaweed, Moloka’i sweet potatoes and pork from the imu (underground oven), all staples of the Hawaiian diet. Local musicians join in the celebration along with a kumu hula dancer. On Maui, an early morning tour to catch the sunrise at Haleakala National Park takes guests up 10,000ft for a spiritual sunrise ceremony and stunning views of land, sea and sky.

In the afternoon, guests enjoy drift snorkelling at the nearly submerged crater of Molokini. Off the coast of Hawaii, the Big Island, the yacht spends time searching for dolphins, whales and whale sharks before anchoring offshore for water sports activities. On the second day, a skiff excursion takes guests snorkelling near Kealakekua Bay before going ashore for a bit of history at the place where Captain Cook died. In the afternoon, a local guide escorts guests on a historical walking tour of Kailua and Holualoa, a village filled with art galleries.

Fares start at $4,995 for the seven-night cruise and $6,495 for the 10-night cruise, both per person, double occupancy. Itineraries feature exclusive excursions and include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1 and includes Hawaii residents who have personal knowledge of the islands. Pre and post-cruise packages are available on Maui at Hotel Wailea and the Big Island at Mauna Lani.

For booking details in the UK, be sure to check with the adventure-cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd and their American Safari Cruises section on this link.

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