Travel

by Brian Mickelsen, Steve Dana,and Kristin Holt

What’s so appealing about cruising Hawaii with Meridian Trips?

• Fabulous LDS speakers will present seminars designed to appeal to every Latter-day Saint
• Meridian Trips offers a full-service package: pre-cruise tour to LDS temple & Polynesian Center, various shore excursions during cruise, and airfare options
• For a peak season cruise, our prices are outstanding – beginning at just $1069 per person (much less for children accompanying parents)
• Enjoy Hawaiian paradise in complete comfort! Travel between four islands, dine in luxury – and handle your luggage only once!
• Itinerary is ideal: no long days at sea, no foreign ports, we sail only in US waters.
• Pride of America will be two weeks new when we set sail on July 18^th
• Norwegian Cruise Line is very family friendly! This is an excellent trip for families!

     Meridian Trips, of Draper Utah, is delighted to extend an invitation to sail with us on July 18^th, 2004, on Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new ship, Pride of America.

     We are honored to have two extraordinary, fun-loving speakers as our guest hosts: David A. Christensen and Jack S. Marshall – both well-experienced, delightful lecturers. Their seminars, presented aboard the ship, are entitled “Putting it Together, In Paradise.”

     “Our message,” said David, “is designed for every member of the Church, whether single, married, widowed, or divorced. Our message focuses on putting it together, first, within ourselves. This helps to enhance our relationships with Heavenly Father and our Savior. As we come to better understand and know ourselves, all relationships are enhanced and strengthened.

     “This cruise is a chance to unwind and to hopefully diffuse the tremendous stress we all face in our home environments. Sometimes we’re able to think more clearly and be more receptive to the spirit when we’re out of the common and into a setting which provides that opportunity.”

     Both of our speakers have been religious educators for many years. Their personal, friendly style of teaching is entertaining, enjoyable, and invites the spirit. You’ll thoroughly enjoy their talks, and come away enriched and looking at your personal relationships from a new perspective.

     We’re delighted to have them join our company, as we cruise through the beautiful islands of Hawaii

     Wonderful news for families! This is an ideal vacation for the whole family. Comfortable accommodations aboard the ship include choices of Family Suites (interconnecting cabins), roomy staterooms with balconies, and more modest staterooms.
     This cruise line’s highly reputed children’s program offers plenty of extras for young passengers. A kiddie pool, sports games, video arcade, and teen disco are sure to keep younger family members happily occupied. Activities, games, pajama parties, kiddie cooking classes, t-shirt painting–just to name a few! The fun and action for youth guests never ends.

     Meridian Trips is delighted to offer a full-service package, including this magnificent visit to the Hawaiian islands. To begin with, our company will fly in to the big island of Hawaii on Friday the 16^th. We’ve arranged for overnight lodging in a fine hotel for Friday and Saturday nights.

     On Saturday, we’ll make an exclusive visit to the LDS temple at Laie, best recognized by its palm-lined reflective pool. We will travel by air-conditioned motorcoach up the gorgeous south shore. The beaches and view are outstanding. The grounds of this much-photographed building are a beauty to behold! We’ll have an opportunity, for those who wish, to attend this beautiful and historic temple, originally dedicated in 1919.     Our day’s tour will also include the Polynesian Cultural Center. Saturday night, we’ll have the privilege of attending the spectacular Night Show. “Horizons,” the largest Polynesian revue of song and dance in the world, features over 100 native performers from all corners of the Pacific. Dressed in native attire, Polynesians share their histories, traditions and spirit in the same way their ancestors did for centuries. The dynamic presentation is accented by fire walkers and fire knife champions. Quite a sight to behold!

     On Sunday, our pre-cruise tour will continue with church services, followed by a visit of Pearl Harbor. This will be a fantastic opportunity to visit this historically significant site. After all we remember, have read and heard, this personal visit is sure to add further dimension to our respect and reverence for this hallowed ground.
     Our company will board Pride of America in the late afternoon, ready to embark on a fabulous 8-day tour of Hawaiian paradise.

THE PORTS

     After a luxurious night’s rest aboard ship, Meridian Trips guests have the advantage of a special shore tour to the locales where The Testaments – Of One Fold and One Shepherd was filmed, near Nawiliwili, on the island of Kauai. Movie buffs will also recognize this beautiful, lush green landscape as the backdrop belonging to South Pacific (1958). A lengthy, impressive list of movies were filmed on this island paradise, almost from the time motion pictures became in vogue. Other big name films and television programs include Gilligan’s Island (1964), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1983), and Disney’s Dinosaur (2000).

     Locals consider Kauai to be Hawaii’s most beautiful island, ripe with lush vegetation, jagged mountainscapes, picture-perfect beaches, and fragrant fern groves. Waterfalls plunge from astounding heights within Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). The native mokihana berry permeates the air, intoxicating in its sweet fragrance. Paradise, eh?

     Later that afternoon, our tour will delight in a canoe ride up river, to swim at the incomparable falls. The adventuresome will enjoy swinging by rope over the frothy, crystal clear waters at the foot of the falls. This is a perfect place for a bit of rejuvenating swimming!

     On our second day in port at Kauai, we’ll fill our morning on a boat tour of the Na Pali coast, where the jade-green cliffs rise as much as 4,000 feet from the ocean’s surf. Picture those memorable, breathtaking scenes from Jurassic Park. This is the very place it was filmed!–as well as both sequels. We’ll glimpse sea turtles and dolphins in the azure waters and volcanic caves.

     Hilo is located on the lush, windward side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Evening rainfall is prevalent in this second-largest city in Hawaii, supporting tropical growth, waterfalls, and a proliferation of flowers. Hilo is an old sugar town and houses Hawaii’s largest historic core of buildings that date back to 1900. As a backdrop, the snow-capped volcano Mauna Kea stands as sentinel.

     Hilo is well-known for her magnificent black sand coasts. Surfers, sunbathers, swimmers, snorkelers, and picnickers frequent these picturesque beaches.

     Now, a side note of interest: Do you know why some beaches are white, and others black or green? (Yes, green!) White sand beaches, consisting of crushed shells and corals, are a familiar sight. Black sand beaches, on the other hand, are formed from granulated lava. Not too surprising, given all the volcanic activity in this part of the world. Now for the amazing dig on green sand: they’re made from olivine crystals (very rare!). The only green sand beach on the Big Island is located at the southern most tip, Ka u.

     During our day in Hilo, Meridian Trips is pleased to offer a guided tour up the tallest (and second largest) volcano on the Island of Hawaii–Mauna Kea. From sea floor to summit, it towers more than 5 and a half miles, and is large enough to be easily photographed from space! Although considered to be dormant today, Mauna Kea has erupted several times in the last 10,000 years (the most recent episode was about 3,500 years ago). A bit of interesting trivia: Mauna Kea is the only Hawaiian volcano known to be glaciated.

     A number of nations have observatories, telescopes, and stations on the peak of this tallest mountain in the Pacific. Our tour will provide unparalleled views of the ocean, tropical foliage, the city of Hilo below, and provide a fantastic opportunity to photograph this magnificent island.

     During our day in port at Kona, we offer a day visit to Hawaii’s Volcano National Park. We’ll make a must-see stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center, which shows a marvelous 20-minute movie on eruptions and has displays on volcanic formations and geologic processes. A detailed topographical model of the Big Island provides a wonderful feel for the island.

     Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile road, encircles Kilauea’s summit caldera (the vast, cauldron-like cavity) and meanders past steam vents, sulfur banks, recent lava flows, pit craters and areas recovering from cinder fallout. Kilauea volcano, nearly 4200 feet above sea level, is one of the most active on earth. Ancient Hawaiian legend believes Kilauea is the home of Pele, the volcano goddess.

     The current eruption of Kilauea (known as the Pu`u `O`o Eruption) started two decades ago, in January, 1983. Since then, it has produced two cubic kilometers of lava, covered more than 100 square kilometers of land, and added more than 200 hectares to Kilauea’s southern shore. This magnificent force of nature is a site to behold. Unfortunately, homes, roads, a National Park Visitor Center, and a 700 year-old Hawaiian temple were destroyed. There are no signs that the current eruption is slowing or will come to an end anytime soon.

     All in all, this day’s tour will be a truly magical glimpse into the volcanic activity that created (and continues to define) the geology of Hawaii.

     When Pride of America docks in Kahului on the island of Maui for a two day stay, Meridian Trips is delighted to offer a variety of shore tours, specifically for our guests.

     On the morning of the first day, we plan to travel together to the other side of the island of Maui, to the antiquated fishing village of Lahaina. Once westerners began sailing their tall ships into Lahaina’s natural port, the community’s focus of fishing began to shift toward commerce, embracing the lucrative business of whaling.

     Several of the historic buildings, including the Lahaina Whaling Museum, revolves around the early 1800’s and the impact of the western world. The museum is located on Front Street, amidst New-England style buildings. Whaler’s Village offers a variety of quaint cafs and shops selling ni’ihau shell and black Tahitian pearl jewelry.

     Our company will pay a visit to the small whaling museum, which features displays commemorating the whaling industry of the 19th century. Photographs, whaling implements, and an exhibit of scrimshaw (pieces of ivory carved by restless sailors) are spotlighted. This tour provides a fascinating glimpse of the men who contributed to Lahaina’s colorful history.

     On our second day in the port of Kahului, Meridian Trips is delighted to offer a shore excursion to Hana. This sightseeing tour is your opportunity to experience Maui’s spectacular tropical rainforests! We’ll meander through the best of Hawaii’s pineapple fields, coconut groves, bamboo jungles, and tropical vegetation. We’ll stop for pictures at waterfalls plunging from magnificent cliffs into pools below. This is paradise, at its best!

     Are you looking for something extra special? Meridian Trips has just the thing! Maui is famous for her 38-mile downhill bicycle ride! Combine this fun opportunity with a chance to watch a Hawaiian sunrise from Haleakala, Maui’s 10,000 foot volcano, and there’s nothing to compare. Haleakala means “House of the Sun” and there is no more spectacular place on earth to watch the sun rise. Pedal with us through the National Park, then coast downhill along the unparalleled Hawaiian scenic byway.

     At the conclusion of our cruise through the Hawaiian Paradise, our ship will return to Honolulu.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America

     Aloha! And welcome aboard! There’s no better way to experience the incredible beauties of Hawaiian paradise, than from one of Pride of America’s 660+ balcony staterooms. This ship is new. She makes her inaugural voyage a mere two weeks before our cruise departs Honolulu on July 18^th.

     This magnificent vessel is American through and through, from the Stars and Stripes proudly hoisted above, to the hull art depicting our banner melded with the national bird (the Bald Eagle).

     The ship has been created to celebrate our nation’s diversity; from an Alaskan Gold Rush Pub to a New Orleans Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge, to a Hawaii-themed Aloha Caf and Waikiki Bar. Passengers will immerse themselves in the aloha spirit of the predominately Hawaiian crew. Premium entertainment is available ship-wide, but you’ll particularly enjoy the European Opera House-style Stardust Theatre–spanning three decks.

     This new, beautiful ship offers three pools, extensive children’s facilities, and an abundance of spacious public rooms. The Atrium Gift Shop and a 20,000 square foot department store provide duty-free shopping. Of special interest, The S.S. America Library will feature memorabilia and artifacts from the historic ship.

     Your dining experiences are as varied as your whims! Eight restaurants provide an all-encompassing range of themes, decor, and menus; all sure to please. Whether you’re in the mood for a burger and fries or a kid-friendly buffet, you won’t be disappointed. The 1930’s style formal dining room is the perfect place for a relaxing, full-course, leisurely meal. Given your option of eight restaurants, you could try a new one every night, and never dine the same place twice!

     The full service Barong Spa includes a complete fitness center, indoor pool, aerobics, sauna and steam rooms, and beauty parlor. 24-hour Internet Cafs provide state-of-the art Internet and email services–an easy way to keep in touch with family and friends.

     The memories of this fantastic week, filled with a rainbow of images from Hawaii–from the LDS temple to the rainforests and beaches to the majestic volcanic peaks–will live within us forever.

     We hope you’ll join us, along with our guest hosts and speakers, in “Putting it Together, In Paradise.” This trip promises to be a fulfilling, uplifting experience for families and individuals alike.

     Please call Meridian Trips today! 1-888-537-8687.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST HOSTS:

     David A. Christensen received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree from Brigham Young University. He served as principal of the Ephraim seminary and as a CES division coordinator in Brazil. He also served as director of the Curriculum Preparation and Production Division for seminaries and institutes of the Church and was a faculty member at the Salt Lake University Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He is currently teaching adult religion classes for Brigham Young University.

     Brother Christensen has ben a counselor in the Brazil mission, a high councilor, and a member of the Melchizedek Priesthood General Committee of the Church. He has served as a bishop of the Jordan North 14th Ward, stake president of the Salt Lake Jordan Stake, and as mission president of the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. He is currently a temple ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple.

     He is the author of numerous talk tape titles, including:  Faith: The Power to Get through the Day; The Healing Power of Jesus; Maintaining Hope in a Day of Despair; and Discovering the Power of Personal Revelation (all available from Deseret Book).

     Referring to this last title, Deseret Book had this comment, “Filled with solid information, sound doctrine and personal testimony (leavened with Brother Christensen’s unique humor and sensitivity to tender things), Discovering the Power of Personal Revelation will enrich your understanding of God’s love and help you gain access to the inspiration he delights to give his children.”

     Brother Christensen is in the process of writing a book for Deseret Book.

     He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. He has recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, and is anxiously awaiting this upcoming cruise with Meridian Trips.

     “This cruise will be one of your most memorable experiences, not only because of the beauty of the islands and spirit of the people. Come one come all,” said Brother Christensen with a chuckle, in his characteristic good humor, “pay lots of money, and let’s go.”

     Brother Christensen is married to Patricia Williams of Missoula, Montana, and they are the parents of four children.

      Jack S. Marshall has worked as a religious educator for thirty years. He enjoys leading tours to Israel, Book of Mormon lands, Russia, Egypt, and various heritage and Church history sites. He enjoys visiting exotic places, “but teaching while on these tours,” he said, “is the best part.”

     His talents as a speaker and lecturer take him all over the country. He’s addressed audiences at various programs, such as Know Your Religion, Education Week, and Especially For Youth. He has written articles for The New Era and Ensign. In addition, he has produced numerous tapes and CDs of many of his talks to the youth of the Church. He has coauthored and been a contributing author to several books.

     He has traveled to Hawaii, and is looking forward to returning there with us.

     He and his wife, Liz, are the parents of five children. They live in Bountiful, Utah.