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American Hawaii

SS Independence

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Scott Kennedy
# previous cruises: 4
Date of Trip: August 14, 1999
Itinerary: Hawaii

Basically, this boat is one of the last old luxury liners of its day. The only American built cruise ship still in operation today. You truley get a taste of what it was like to cruise the ocean in the old days. This boat offers everything that the new ships do not. Its staterooms are not small and laid out like a cookie cutter. It also offers more deck space than any cruise ship does today with plenty of room to lay out to soak up a few rays. The food was excellent, the entertainment was 5 star, and the staff outstanding. You might hear that the boat is old and tinny. It was built in 1951 but was completely refurbished in 1994. I could go on and on forever about this boat so if you would like more info about it than you can E-Mail me @ lr35drivr@aol.com. (2nd time on this boat)

There is no casino on this ship, But there are plenty of beautiful lounges with plenty of history in them. There are two pools that are fresh water not salt water like some of the other boats. There is so much deck space that when we passed the lava flow there was enough room on the ship for every passenger and crew member to stand on one side and watch it go by, with plenty of room I might add.

There are 3 dinning rooms on this ship I believe. They were all very comfortable and beautiful. All I can say about the food and buffet was that it was one of the best weeks of dinning out I have ever had and I am a pilot that eats out at least 15 times a month all over the world.

The cabins are a bit bigger than the new ships today. The showers are a little small but I am 6'4" 220lbs. So to me anything is small. The rooms are a little behind in times but very comfortable, and besides, who spend a whole cruise in their room.

There was so much great entertainment on the ship that I had to pick between 3 different shows a night on which one I wanted to see. I found myself running from one to the next trying to see it all. I would rate the cruise staff and entertainers perfect "10"

I know they a youth program but I was not involved since I do not have kids. Who can say that there is truley a better itinerary then the Hawaiian Islands. 7 days, 4 ports With pristine beaches and plenty of the best scuba diving or snorkeling in the world. Whatever comes to your imagination you can do on the cruise!

To top it off we meet the most pleasant people on this ship and made lots of friends.