This week I finally took the long awaited trip on the Hawaii Superferry. I give the vessel and its crew 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
Earlier in the year the Hawaii Superferry offered a $5 introductory rate. They immediately got tied up with a legal challenge and stopped sailing. I bought a couple of those tickets for a round trip voyage and for my vehicle. This last Tuesday I finally used them.
Let me start be saying I was anticipating this trip. The ability to bring my car and all my gear was so exciting. For those of you who go through the airports know it is impossible to bring even some of the basics for a short trip.
The check in process was so cool. I drove up with my car loaded. They checked our ID, the vehicles registration and insurance card. Popped the hood they checked with mirrors, etc. and checked the inside and back of the car. A quick scan of the vehicle tag and away we went on the ship. I had read that they have some new high tech security scanning equipment, that allows the process to go faster.
They were so efficient on both ends; we were unloaded in 5 minutes flat with our car on the other end.
The trip across:
I did see a few young children get sea sick going to Maui. One of the mom's had given her children orange juice. (I am sure she did not do that on the return trip). I felt a little nausea towards the end of the trip. The crew was giving out complimentary ginger pills. On the return trip they announced rough seas were expected. They also offered some type of drop you put behind your ears. I tried that ate a scone and drank some bottled water and did not feel anything at all the entire trip. I spent a fair amount of the trip taking pictures as we passed the islands. The return trip lasted about 2-1/2 hours.
Every employee of the Hawaii Superferry I came across was extremely friendly and helpful. I have decided that we will be traveling with them in the future. I am anticipating long weekends with the family on Maui and also Kauai once they start sailing there again.
If you are a resident of Hawaii the Superferry is charging about the same prices as the airlines to go to Maui. If you are going for more than a day or two the real savings is the ability to bring your vehicle loaded for $59 each way. For business people that is huge. I saw a few work trucks with their tools and supplies loaded aboard. A few other cars had canoes and surf boards strapped on top. Try taking them through the airport. The farmers will really be the big winners here. They can ship fresh produce the same day for a lot less money than on the airlines.
If you are a tourist you can also walk on the ship and enjoy seeing the islands from a different perspective.
Congratulations and good luck to the owners and employees of the Hawaii Superferry. What a great ship and wonderful service!
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Very cool, Randy. I won't have the chance to explore this on our first trip in a few weeks but definitely something for the future. We had great ferries back in Boston running from the city to the Cape Cod islands. Lots of fun. Very nice localism article.
Jeff