Princess Cruises to Hawaii - Arizona Memorial Closed

This might get moved, but I still wanted to promulgate it here. I just saw this on the news. Potentially bad news for those of us with an upcoming cruise to Hawaii.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/26/arizona-memorial-at-pearl-harbor-closed-indefinitely.html .....:(:(:(

Bob

Link does not work.

Try using https://www.google.ca/search?q=arizona+memorial+closed&oq=arizona+memorial+closed&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i61j0l2.14252j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Short summary: Cracks in the Memorial (the white building spanning the USS Arizona) have closed it indefinitely. So no boat rides out to it. The rest of the grounds and museums are still open and well worth visiting.

Link does not work.

 

Try using https://www.google.ca/search?q=arizona+memorial+closed&oq=arizona+memorial+closed&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i61j0l2.14252j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/26/arizona-memorial-at-pearl-harbor-closed-indefinitely.html

Sorry, try this one.....:):):)

Bob

That’s sad!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We were there a few years ago and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

Short summary: Cracks in the Memorial (the white building spanning the USS Arizona) have closed it indefinitely. So no boat rides out to it. The rest of the grounds and museums are still open and well worth visiting.

Yes, I agree 100%! The memorial itself is all that is closed and I second that there is so much else to see there. There is so much more to Pearl Harbor and I highly recommend the museum and the sub in the back for a self guided tour. No crowds at either, although there might be with the Memorial being closed indefinitely.

Short summary: Cracks in the Memorial (the white building spanning the USS Arizona) have closed it indefinitely. So no boat rides out to it. The rest of the grounds and museums are still open and well worth visiting.

It's great that the museum is still open. I just want to let cruisers know about the memorial itself.....:):):)

Bob

The Park Service is still providing the boat ride out to the Memorial. It's just not docking at the Memorial itself. Here's the full press release from the National Park Service:

"USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL CLOSURE UPDATE:

Due to a critical structural and safety issue impacting the USS Arizona Memorial dock and visitor loading ramp, the Memorial will remain closed to visitation for an undetermined period of time while repairs are made.

During the course of repairs, the free USS Arizona Memorial programs will proceed on schedule. Visitors will continue to see the 25 minute documentary film followed by a harbor tour of Battleship Row in close proximity to the USS Arizona Memorial. The National Park Service (NPS) will provide live or recorded commentary during tours to enhance our visitors’ experience to the greatest extent possible.

Following several weeks of analysis and continued consultation with structural engineers, the NPS has determined that what originally seemed to be a minor repair process, is in fact more significant than originally anticipated. The amount of time needed to implement the repairs is unknown, but the NPS will continue to provide information to the public as our team of specialists works together to restore access as soon as possible.

All other amenities within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center remain open and accessible. Visitors are encouraged to visit our two free museums, shore side exhibits, bookstore, and virtual reality center. Likewise, our partners at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor are open and ready to welcome visitors.

As Memorial Day approaches, across the nation the National Park Service strives to honor our fallen veterans as well as those who continue to serve. We understand the unfortunate nature of the USS Arizona Memorial closure during this period and ask visitors to understand that their safety is our primary concern. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience."

The Park Service is still providing the boat ride out to the Memorial. It's just not docking at the Memorial itself. Here's the full press release from the National Park Service:

 

"USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL CLOSURE UPDATE:

Due to a critical structural and safety issue impacting the USS Arizona Memorial dock and visitor loading ramp, the Memorial will remain closed to visitation for an undetermined period of time while repairs are made.

During the course of repairs, the free USS Arizona Memorial programs will proceed on schedule. Visitors will continue to see the 25 minute documentary film followed by a harbor tour of Battleship Row in close proximity to the USS Arizona Memorial. The National Park Service (NPS) will provide live or recorded commentary during tours to enhance our visitors’ experience to the greatest extent possible.

Following several weeks of analysis and continued consultation with structural engineers, the NPS has determined that what originally seemed to be a minor repair process, is in fact more significant than originally anticipated. The amount of time needed to implement the repairs is unknown, but the NPS will continue to provide information to the public as our team of specialists works together to restore access as soon as possible.

All other amenities within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center remain open and accessible. Visitors are encouraged to visit our two free museums, shore side exhibits, bookstore, and virtual reality center. Likewise, our partners at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor are open and ready to welcome visitors.

As Memorial Day approaches, across the nation the National Park Service strives to honor our fallen veterans as well as those who continue to serve. We understand the unfortunate nature of the USS Arizona Memorial closure during this period and ask visitors to understand that their safety is our primary concern. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience."

Thank you for the update, Much appreciated.....:):):)

Bob

Yes, I agree 100%! The memorial itself is all that is closed and I second that there is so much else to see there. There is so much more to Pearl Harbor and I highly recommend the museum and the sub in the back for a self guided tour. No crowds at either, although there might be with the Memorial being closed indefinitely.

Agreed as well- we spent nearly the entire day at the rest of the grounds. There are still many other experiences, museums, sub, movie prior to boat ride.

It is unfortunate that there is damage and hopefully it is repaired soon and can reopen. Its an incredibly moving experience going out to the memorial but would highly recommend still going despite not being able to step foot onto the memorial

Also, cruise ships (including Princess) have been skipping Hilo due to the volcano activity.

Short summary: Cracks in the Memorial (the white building spanning the USS Arizona) have closed it indefinitely. So no boat rides out to it. The rest of the grounds and museums are still open and well worth visiting.

We were just there last week and the actual memorial was closed but they still have boat rides out to see the memorial. Basically they stop over the Arizona then turn the noat so all can see and take pictures. Cracks are pretty bad they say.

Also, cruise ships (including Princess) have been skipping Hilo due to the volcano activity.

Flew out of Hilo Monday and saw cruise ships in port. All the volcano damage is currently in a limited area. The evonomy is hurting real bad and they want the ships to go there.

Flew out of Hilo Monday and saw cruise ships in port. All the volcano damage is currently in a limited area. The evonomy is hurting real bad and they want the ships to go there.

I'm hoping things calm down by November so we'll be able to port in Hilo.....:):):)

Bob

Flew out of Hilo Monday and saw cruise ships in port. All the volcano damage is currently in a limited area. The evonomy is hurting real bad and they want the ships to go there.

Crystal Cruises' 848-passenger Crystal Symphony on Wednesday dropped a visit to the Big Island port of Hilo and instead remained at sea.

Crystal joined Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line in canceling a call at Hilo, which is just 43 miles from the now-mostly-closed national park that encompasses the volcano.

Royal Caribbean's 2,143-passenger Radiance of Seas, Princess's 2,000-passenger Sea Princess and Norwegian's 2,138-passenger Pride of America also have steered clear of Hilo in recent weeks.

Crystal Cruises' 848-passenger Crystal Symphony on Wednesday dropped a visit to the Big Island port of Hilo and instead remained at sea.

 

Crystal joined Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line in canceling a call at Hilo, which is just 43 miles from the now-mostly-closed national park that encompasses the volcano.

 

Royal Caribbean's 2,143-passenger Radiance of Seas, Princess's 2,000-passenger Sea Princess and Norwegian's 2,138-passenger Pride of America also have steered clear of Hilo in recent weeks.

True, that Hilo is just 43 miles (acutally 33 mi per Google maps), but it's northeast of the volcano area and the lava is flowing to the southeast of Kilauea so no threat to the Hilo area.

I'm hoping things calm down by November so we'll be able to port in Hilo.....:):):)

Bob

We are booked for October, so we are hoping for the same.

Missing 2 out of 4 port stops doesn't sound great.:)

Patti

We are booked for October, so we are hoping for the same.

Missing 2 out of 4 port stops doesn't sound great.:)

 

Patti

I'm not sure what the 2nd port you're referring to is. But if you're referring to Honolulu where the Arizona Memorial is located, that closure would not keep your ship from stopping in Honolulu. While I can understand that the AM may be very important to you, there are lots of other wonderful things to see, places to go, activities to do in Honolulu. We've been there multiple times and only once were we there in connection to a cruise when it was our home port.

I'm not sure what the 2nd port you're referring to is. But if you're referring to Honolulu where the Arizona Memorial is located, that closure would not keep your ship from stopping in Honolulu. While I can understand that the AM may be very important to you, there are lots of other wonderful things to see, places to go, activities to do in Honolulu. We've been there multiple times and only once were we there in connection to a cruise when it was our home port.

While I would love to see the AM, there is plenty to see at PH. We have something planned for the evening, so have about 6 hours to spend. Would love to see Might Mo and the Pacific Air Museum, in addition to the PH visitor center, but don't think we'll have enough time for all three.