Hawaii Superferry?

[MikeM132]

anybody been on this yet? I am looking into it, as my inter-island flight from Maui to Oahu was gone with Aloha Airlines. I booked on Hawaiian just in case, but might go on this ferry instead if it is OK.
Do you have to take a cab from the car rental return (and pickup on the other end) or do the car rental places take their shuttle to the dock?

 

[Cathyb]

Did Hawaiian Air wallop you price-wise like they did us? We needed a Maui-Kauai flight because of Alamo and we were charged almost $200pp for one way

 

[Icarus]

I haven't taken the SF yet, but it hasn't been very reliable so far. It's also in dry-dock right now, which was supposed to be for 2 weeks, but they did some damage to the vessel when they were putting it in dry dock, so they extended (at least twice) the restart date.

I'm pretty sure that most of the car rental companies will pick you up or take you to the dock. On Maui, the SF dock is about 5 - 10 minutes from the airport. I would call the car rentals company local number to make sure before you rely on that.

For now, I would stick with your Hawaiian Air rez.

-David

 

[nonutrix]

When I was on Oahu from March 8-16, there was long article in the Honolulu paper about all of the things that had gone wrong with the super ferry. It had been in dry dock for several weeks to be repaired after the rough seas of the Hawaiian winter. It also mentioned that a lot of people who had round trip tickets who only went one way with their cars were finding that they still had to find a way to get their cars back to the original island. Apparently the rides were so rough that many people decided not to make a return trip by water - even to the point of leaving cars behind! I think these seas must have been really rough! The author said that everyone forgets that, even though Hawaii doesn't have winter on land, it certainly has one on water!

As to the present situation of the ferry, I don't know. Maybe it can sail in the summer only?

nonutrix

 

[BocaBum99]

I took one of the first Ferries from Oahu to Maui last December.

It was REALLY rought. So rough that at least a dozen people were hurling their breakfasts. I had to sit back with my eyes closed so I wouldn't get seasick myself.

The trip back wasn't bad at all. I didn't need the bonine I purchased.

It definitely does get cancelled a lot.

I don't think it is going to make it as a permanent method of travel between the islands. Too unreliable, too expensive (except for the special rates) and too much time to get between islands.

Now, with Aloha gone, that may change things up a bit. We'll see if the prices come down to a reasonable number. If they do, I'll be using it more often, but only because I am flexible if I get bumped due to weather.

 

[nonutrix]

I took one of the first Ferries from Oahu to Maui last December.

It was REALLY rought. So rough that at least a dozen people were hurling their breakfasts. I had to sit back with my eyes closed so I wouldn't get seasick myself.

Warning: Be prepared for a gross out:

Yuk!!! I hope they have good cleaning crews!

Years ago in my previous life, I was a flight attendant with Eastern. Regularly, babies and children would barf during landing. Thirty 30 minutes later, after a very quick wipedown and spray, someone would be sitting in that same seat. We were told in training that coffee grounds would neutralize just about any odor. Guess what, it worked! So, if you sit in a seat and smell coffee...

nonutrix

 

[MikeM132]

Did Hawaiian Air wallop you price-wise like they did us? We needed a Maui-Kauai flight because of Alamo and we were charged almost $200pp for one way

We're going from Maui to Oahu and paid 59.00 (plus another 20 for taxes and stuff). It cost us 195.00 for 3 one-way tickets---not bad. I have to file forms to get my Aloha money back from Visa. As for the ferry, I was a little concerned about reliability since they only have the one ship. I won't worry about rough seas for myself, since I spent 4 years on a Navy WWII (ANCIENT!!) destroyer (back when a destroyer was "small", now they're huge). I think we'll stick with the plane as I don't want to be stuck without a place to stay in Maui.

 

[Icarus]

Superferry returns to service Monday (Apr 7)

http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/NEWS01/804040382/1001

Promotional fares have been extended through June 5.

-David

 

[FlyKaesan]

Has anyone used this service recently?
Are they still having lots of problems?
Is there trans bus or something from/to HNL to ferry dock?

 

[DeniseM]

Has anyone used this service recently?
Are they still having lots of problems?
Is there trans bus or something from/to HNL to ferry dock?

Especially with a baby - I wouldn't do it. The price is about the same, it can be rough, and it's a much longer trip.

 

[tompalm]

Especially with a baby - I wouldn't do it. The price is about the same, it can be rough, and it's a much longer trip.

Has anyone used this service recently?
Are they still having lots of problems?
Is there trans bus or something from/to HNL to ferry dock?

It seems to be working fine during the summer months. During the winter when the ocean is rough, they have problems. They don't advertise transportation to the airport or town. I think you will need to take a taxi or the city BUS will work, but that is not so easy to figure out after a long flight and trying to catch the right one. The Ferry is a good option if you are going from a TS to another TS with all day to travel. However, if you are going to or from the airport, making the time work for you will be difficult. The Ferry only makes two trips each day, and sometimes only one trip each day. You could spend hours sitting around waiting on the Ferry to depart.