BEAT OF HAWAII AND BEYOND

Updated:  Superferry is now out of business.

Hawaii Superferry is out of annual drydock and has just announced a price reduction that will be available starting Monday and is effective through the end of the year.

The new walk-up rate is $39, but if you purchase your ticket at least 14 days in advance, it comes down to $34 one way.  Additional taxes and fees come in at just under $10.

Check their website for a list of (not too many) specific dates which have higher rates.

Tip:  The Hawaii ocean conditions will be far smoother starting in about 60 days.  I suggest sailing when it is calm, during the summer months.  If you want to see why, watch the video here.

Updated 11/18/08 PM:  Upgrade complete.  Thanks for your patience.

Today we’re in the process of upgrading our website hosting, in order to better handle additional visitor traffic.  We have tried to work though all of the potential issues, and are hopeful of no downtime.  Aloha and mahalo, Rob and Jeff

Okay, so here’s the bad news, first:

• Notice is short
• The price listed is for an inside room

This is, however, on a very well-regarded ship and cruise line, Celebrity Millennium.  Here are the details:

• Departs Ensenada, Mexico Monday, October 6
• 5 days at sea
• 2 days at Lahaina, Maui
• 1 day at Kailua-Kona, Big Island
• 1 day at Nawiliwili, Kauai
• 2 days at Honolulu, Oahu

This is an unbelievable deal at under $50 per night, including transportation, accommodations, meals and entertainment.  Wow!  There was still availability as of post time.

I found this at Hawaii Cruise Outlet.

As you know, we’ve been off-island in New York City, and planned to be back home in Hawaii earlier this week. However, Rob’s mom, who is 85, took a bad fall last week. So the Beat Guys have been derailed and are hold up in the state of Washington at the moment.

Mom is in the hospital and getting good care. We hope to be back home early next week, as soon as her situation is stable. When we get back, we have lots we plan to share from our travels.

Okay New Yorkers (and neighbors), here’s your chance once again.  This is a great deal, and one to jump on as quickly as you read this, if you are interested.

• Delta, Northwest and United Airlines
• Advance Purchase: 14 days
• Latest Travel:  October 27, 2008
• Minimum/maximum stay:  3/60 days

I used Travelocity flexible date search to find the flights.  Availability was very good.

PS:  The price doesn’t even come close to paying for the fuel.

When Fall airfare wars failed to materialize to Hawaii, I started turning my focus to cruise ships. I found some fabulous cruise deals that can really make sense, especially in light of current airfares.

Those I’ve listed below are round-trip from the West Coast which will eliminate or reduce expensive airfares.

Since airfare for Fall at this point could still run you in the $600+ RT range, you might consider your real cruise cost as little as $600 for a two-week voyage.

If these sound as good to you as they do to me, I’d follow up on them immediately.

• 17 days from Victoria BC to San Diego CA aboard Holland America’s Zaandam. September 21 sailing. From $1,305 (inside) with the exceptional deal being ocean view at $1,508.
• 17 days round-trip from Los Angeles aboard Princess’ Golden Princess. October 1 sailing. From 1,399 (inside).
• 15 days round-trip from Los Angeles aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas. October 3 sailing. from $1,499 (inside) and $1,799 (ocean view).
• 14 days round-trip from Los Angeles aboard Princess’ Golden Princess. October 15 sailing. From $1,399 (inside) and $1,598 (ocean view).
• 14 days round-trip from Los Angeles aboard Princess’ Golden Princess. October 29 sailing. From $1,199 (inside), $1,398 (ocean view), and $1,896 (balcony).

These deals are courtesy of Vacations To Go.

At first I was excited to share with our Canadian visitors the “half-price” offer to Hawaii on Westjet. I’ve received numerous requests for Canadian deals, and unfortunately they have been virtually non-existent.

On first glance this sale seemed good though not great. The prices are listed without taxes and surcharges of nearly CAD 100 each way. Unfortunately, that took the steam out of my sails and got me thinking about how this relates to a much bigger picture.

Airlines and customer dissatisfaction.

The greater problem I see in this offer is that because it isn’t a deal, it sets false expectations for Westjet’s customers. While this situation is Westjet specific, it relates to an industry-wide problem. The issue is that customers have become increasingly dissatisfied with airlines. That is true even without regard to ticket prices.

In any event, here’s what the Westjet deals portends:

Details:

• Monday through Wednesday travel
• Ticket by July 23 for travel September 3 through October 31
• One-ways permitted
• Surcharges/taxes extra (add approx. CAD 200 round-trip)
• Good availability to Honolulu, very limited to Kahului

To Honolulu, Oahu (RT)

• Calgary CAD 460
• Edmonton CAD 510
• Ottawa or Montreal CAD 638
• Toronto CAD 610
• Vancouver CAD 388

To Kahalui, Maui (RT)

• Calgary CAD 518
• Edmonton CAD 538
• London CAD 638
• Ottawa or Montreal CAD 670
• Vancouver (unable to find sale availability)

With the addition of their separately priced fuel surcharge, the Westjet deal is in fact no better than the American Airline offer (although the routing is more convenient). Lastly, I find the Westjet website to be among the most difficult to navigate airline sites I’ve encountered.

I promise to keep a lookout for something better, both in terms of price and honesty.

This doesn’t duplicate the great deals we saw recently, but it’s a fair deal (from LGA or JFK), is easy to find, and available for travel starting August 13 through September 30.

• Airlines: Northwest and United
• Advance purchase: 30 days
• Tuesday or Wednesday departure
• Minimum stay: 3 days

I found good availability using Travelocity’s flexible date search.

Two days ago, we published an article on smarterTRAVEL’s (Expedia) deal gone bad.  At the time, we were unable to locate the deal offered.  It was unavailable after checking multiple websites including Hawaiian Airlines.

Today however, on rechecking the Hawaiian Airlines website, I see that the deal offered has either been released or restored, I’m not sure which.

Here’s the Seattle to Maui deal:

• Book by July 4 (tomorrow)
• Travel through August 15 (availability is now wide open)
• Sign up for Hawaiian Miles to obtain an included $10 discount
• Dates beyond August 15 are available, for just slightly more.

Apology:

I want to apolize to smarterTRAVEL, while assuring them that I did everything to validate both their offer and the information in our article before publishing it.

Some amazing deals on UA and CO this morning. But they are hot and will definitely not last. Act immediately so you won’t be disappointed.

I used Travelocity’s flexible date search to find availability.

Newark or Houston to Honolulu or Lihue (Kauai) $237-$257 RT

United’s deal:

• Valid from August 20, 2008 through April 15, 2009
• Advance purchase: 21 days
• Minimum stay: 3 nights
• Travel: Applies to specific weekdays in each direction

Los Angeles to Honolulu $261 or $308 RT

Continental’s deal:

• Valid from August 20, 2008 through April 15, 2009
• Advance purchase: 21 days
• Minimum stay: 3 nights
• Travel: Monday through Wednesday

PS: These fares have started somewhat of a skirmish between UA, CO and US. So you might want to just check all east coast cities that are of interest.

PPS: We just booked a trip to New York for two over Labor Day from Kauai for $545 RT (total)!

Here’s a last minute Hawaii cruise deal that came across my desk this morning, which is too good not to mention. The cost is less than half of what we are now seeing for comparable cruises.

The caveat is that one person must be 55+ to get these rates. I’d give them a call, however, no matter what your age. Or grab your parent or other favorite senior (we’re available).

The ship is Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, which is highly rated on Cruise Critic.

• May 3, 2008 Depart Ensenada (Mexico)
• May 9-10, 2008 Lahaina (Maui)
• May 11, 2008 Kailua-Kona (Big Island)
• May 12, 2008 Mount Kilauea (Big Island) Evening Sail!
• May 12, 2008 Hilo (Big Island)
• May 13, 2008 Arrive Honolulu (Oahu)

Rates per person are $599 inside, $799 outside, and $999 balcony.

You can book at Online Vacation Center.

Have fun and let us know how you liked it!

This deal is too good not to mention. It can really help make your upcoming vacation much more affordable.

You can instantly get 20% off “any hotel stay” (not just Hawaii) from now through August 31 by using promotion code SEVENDAYSALE2 when making your reservation. A quick check found a huge number of Hawaii hotels in all ranges available.

Conditions: Book by April 20, 2008, for 1 or more nights.