SHORE EXCURSIONS

The luau is an essential part of the Hawaiian experience, and the cultural extravaganza at the historic Kilohana Plantation is a feast for all the senses. You’ll have the option to gather around the traditional fire pit and watch the roast pig emerge, a special treat to accompany the already lavish buffet of local delicacies and desserts. While torches blaze, graceful hulas and energetic fire dances will entertain you, and the ancient sea voyages that brought the original Hawaiians to these islands from Polynesia will be brought to life in story and song.

Gain an understanding of the Big Island’s history through attractions that highlight the life of the early Hawaiians and the influence of Catholic missionaries. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will offer a glimpse into the early culture, as it was a place of refuge for those that had violated the sacred laws known as kapu. There, you will see a temple where criminals could be absolved of their transgressions and safely return to society. To complement the experience, you will visit the 19th-century Painted Church. Its interior features frescoes and murals of biblical scenes that a Belgian priest painted to teach the islanders Catholicism. The missionaries were also instrumental in dismantling the harsh kapu laws. You will also learn how coffee was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s and how it is processed today at the Royal Kona Coffee Center. It is an excellent setting to enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Kona coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one Hawaii’s most sacred sites, where criminals could find safe refuge.
• View the biblical murals and frescoes that adorn the Painted Church.
• Enjoy a cup of Kona coffee and learn about its production at a coffee mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sit back and enjoy the sights along the famed Hana Highway without having to navigate the twisting, curving road yourself. With an expert driver at the wheel, you won’t miss any of the incredible scenery of lava cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, the rugged northern coastline, lush hillsides of feathery ferns and trees laden with tropical fruits. You’ll stop to explore various sites along the way to "Heavenly Hana," in this wonderfully natural and pristine landscape. This tour goes to Hana and returns on the same route. A box lunch is included at the start of the tour.

Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.

Explore Honolulu’s highlights – from Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to Hawaii’s first Christian church, and Iolani Palace and Washington Place, both former residences of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Pearl Harbor is one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks and the scene of the devastating aerial attack by Japan that drove the U.S. into WWII. The Pearl Harbor Visitor's center exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. These galleries display personal memorabilia, dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits.

In central Honolulu stand face to face with the larger-than-life statue of King Kamehameha I, the leader who united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom. Just across the street you’ll see the Iolani Palace, residence of Hawaii's last two monarchs. European in design, it boasted Hawaii’s first electric lights, flush toilets and internal phone system. Also nearby is Kawaiahao Church, Hawaii's first Christian house of worship, built of coral slabs from the offshore reefs.

At the heart of the downtown historic district you will notice the elegant Washington Place, now a museum, and once home to Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s last queen. Drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in the extinct volcanic crater known as the Punchbowl. It is the final resting place of some 53,000 veterans who lost their lives in 20th century wars, including those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Enjoy panoramic city views on your drive to the airport.

Raft down the gently flowing Chilkat River through a bald eagle preserve known for its virgin wilderness and abundant wildlife. Depart from the pier by coach and drive along the Haines Highway, a stretch of road so beautiful it has been designated a National Scenic Highway. The Highway follows the equally picturesque Chilkat River, the location of your rafting adventure. Upon arrival at the launch site, you will exchange your shoes for rubber boots and receive a life jacket. Following a safety briefing, you will board an 18-foot raft and begin slowly floating down the river. Surrounded by the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, the world's largest concentration of bald eagles, you will no doubt be awed by the natural beauty and serenity. The waters here are teeming with salmon that come here to spawn and their sheer numbers provide an endless supply of food for the eagles. You will have a front-row seat to observe this annual rite of nature, which ensures a healthy and abundant eagle population. The Chilkat Valley is home to 200 to 400 bald eagles, and more than 80 nests have been spotted in the preserve alone. You may also see bears and wolves along the riverbank, feasting on salmon. Enormous moose, some weighing up to 1,600 pounds, also frequent the preserve to feed on the summer vegetation. After approximately an hour and a half on the river, you will find yourself back at the launch site where you will disembark your raft and transfer back to the pier in Haines.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Float down the meandering Chilkat River in an 18-foot raft.
• Pass through a preserve with the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles.
• Watch for bald eagles feasting on salmon by the riverside.
• Try to spot other wildlife such as bears and moose.
• Travel a National Scenic Highway on the way to and from the preserve.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Cruise into waters teeming with humpback whales and other marine life, and then dine on traditional Alaskan dishes at a seafood feast. Point Adolphus has the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. They will be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, curious Harbor Seals and Orca whales, which sometimes feed on infirm or wounded humpbacks. Be sure to look skyward for majestic bald eagles, too. Following the whale-watching adventure, you too will have the opportunity to feast. A sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes awaits you back in Hoonah. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can roast marshmallows around the campfire.

Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. Your experience begins with a short walk along the fishing pier of Ketchikan, a historic fishing port and the gateway to Alaska. On board you’ll find comfortable, heated theater style seating and modern amenities. As you head out on the calm waters of the Inside Passage, your seasoned crew will begin fishing and you’ll be up close to all the action! Crabs, octopus, eels, sharks, rockfish and prawns are all a possibility, as the crew demonstrates their expertise. Be on the lookout for whales, eagles, porpoise, and seals along the way. Admire the scenic beauty that surrounds you as the crew haul and set long line, barrel pots and huge king crab pots to reveal the catch of the day. The amazing marine life is placed in an on-deck aquarium so everyone can get up close look. This educational and interactive experience is perfect for all ages and is packed with stories and adventures shared by the men and women who risk their lives fishing the Bering Sea.

PREBOOK ONLY. NOT AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING ONBOARD. The luau is an essential part of the Hawaiian experience and the cultural extravaganza at the historic Kilohana Plantation is a feast for all the senses. You’ll gather around the traditional fire pit and watch the roast pig emerge, a special treat to accompany the already lavish buffet of local delicacies and desserts. While torches blaze, graceful hulas and energetic fire dances will entertain you, and the ancient sea voyages that brought the original Hawaiians to these islands from Polynesia will be brought to life in story and song. Enjoy the Luau Kalamaku with your premium seating, second row back from the stage.

OVERVIEW

Gain an overall understanding of Hawaiian history and culture by browsing the Kaua’i Museum, a perfect introduction to seeing the island’s natural beauty in person. Opened more than a century ago, the museum displays a remarkable range of artifacts from early Hawaiian life, the Hawaiian monarchy that continued until 1893 and Kauai’s volcanic formation. The guide will elaborate on the significance of the collection, which will make the attractions to come all the more relevant. One of the highlights will be seeing Opaeka’a Falls, which flows over a basalt cliff created after a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Its source is the Wailua River, one of the few navigable rivers in all of Hawaii, which you will also behold from an elevated lookout. You will enjoy a cultural immersion at Lydgate Beach, where you will learn to hula, a uniquely Hawaiian dance accompanied by a chant or song.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See museum exhibits that showcase Hawaii’s unique history and culture.
• Take in sweeping views of Opaeka’a Falls and the Wailua River from scenic overlooks.
• Learn the basics of hula dancing at Lydgate Beach near the mouth of the Wailua River.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Tour the island’s only cacao farm and see how beans from the trees are made into custom chocolates. Now the largest chocolate factory in Hawaii, the Maui Ku’ia Estate sustainably produces chocolates from the seeds of the cacao trees that thrive on its 20 acres of farmland. As you walk through the orchard, a guide will describe the chocolate-making process step by step, show you how the cacao seeds are harvested and explain how the farm maintains a net-zero carbon footprint through solar power and eco-friendly packaging. During the tasting that follows in the shade of a thatched hale tree house, you will sample an assortment of milk and dark chocolates that may be flavored with mango, cappuccino, peppermint and coffee. You will also have the opportunity to purchase sweets in the gift shop. To support the local community, 100% of the farm’s net profits are donated to Maui charities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover how chocolate is made from cacao seeds at a farm on the outskirts of Lahaina.
• Sample a variety of milk and dark chocolates, some flavored with tropical ingredients.
• Gain an understanding of how the farm and factory achieve a net zero carbon footprint.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

After a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui, you’ll arrive at the zipline course, which sits near the edge of Haleakalā National Park at 4,200 feet above sea level. An experienced guide team will outfit you with safety gear before leading you through an active conservation restoration area being replanted with native trees. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge about the history of Haleakalā National Park, its delicate ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the area. When you arrive at the first zipline, you’ll be clipped in for the first of five exhilarating rides down the slopes of Haleakalā. The adrenaline journey culminates in a thrilling zip on Hawaii’s only pendulum zipline, where riders reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour! While pausing on the elevated platforms between ziplines, you will enjoy views of Haleakalā National Park, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and Kaho‘olawe just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride five separate ziplines, including the only pendulum zipline in Hawaii.
• Enjoy the adrenaline rush of riding ziplines as high as 90 feet over a canyon.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of Maui and surrounding islands as you race between zipline platforms.
• Hike through an active conservation restoration area that is being replanted with native Hawaiian trees.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear athletic or hiking shoes with a fully enclosed toe and heel.