Rollin’ on the Ocean in Hawaii, on East Coast

American Classic Voyages Co., parent of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co., whose ships ply rivers in the South and Pacific Northwest, has big plans on the high seas.

On Dec. 9, the New Orleans company’s new United States Lines begins seven-day Hawaiian voyages out of Honolulu, with calls in Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. Initially, the line is using Holland America’s 1,212-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam, which it is buying and reflagging as the Patriot. But the company has ordered two 1,900-passenger vessels, being built in Pascagoula, Miss., to launch in 2003 and 2004 on the route. It says they are the first major oceangoing passenger ships to be built in the U.S. in more than 40 years.

Another American Classic Voyages line, American Hawaii Cruises, also runs weeklong itineraries in Hawaii. These will switch from using Honolulu to using Maui as the home port on Nov. 11.

Starting in May, the company’s new Delta Queen Coastal Voyages division will begin a series of one- and two-week trips along the eastern coast of the U.S. and Canada and in the Great Lakes region. The ports range from Halifax in Canada’s Nova Scotia province to St. Augustine, Fla., and inland to Buffalo, N.Y. The emphasis will be on local history and culture.

Two 226-passenger vessels are being built for the East Coast itineraries: the Cape May Light and the Cape Cod Light, patterned after 19th century coastal ships.

Brochure prices for weeklong cruises start at $1,599 per person, double occupancy, in Hawaii and $2,185 per person, double occupancy, on the East Coast. But early booking discounts can lower these rates. Telephone (877) 330-6600 or visit the Internet site https://www.unitedstateslines.com for Hawaii; call (800) 846-8000 or visit https://www.coastalvoyages.com for the East Coast voyages.