Hawaii Superferry to begin this summer

OK, so it's not exactly a cruise -- but for those of us who prefer sea travel to air travel in general, the Hawaii Superferry Alakai promises a pleasant, inexpensive way to travel between the most popular Hawaiian islands.

Now en route from Mobile, Alabama, to Hawaii, the Alakai is expected to enter service later this summer, offering daily catamaran trips between Oahu and Maui and six-day-a-week service between Oahu and Kauai. Travel time will be three hours each way on these routes -- probably not much more (if any) time than it would take to fly, if you include trips to and from the airport, going through security, waiting for luggage, and any flight delays.

A second ferry is scheduled for 2009, offering four-hour service between Oahu and the Big Island, as well as a second Oahu-Maui voyage daily.

Fares for the Alakai will range from $17 to $62 one way, depending on the passenger's age and time of travel. Most fares range from $41 to $54. The Superferry will also transport cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles, for additional fees. So while it won't have all the relaxation and amenities of a cruise ship, it's a way to spend time on the water in Hawaii at an affordable price.

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