USS Arizona Commander’s Narrated Multimedia Tour – 23 Stops

If you’re planning a visit to Pearl Harbor, you’ll want to check out the USS Arizona Commander’s Narrated Multimedia Tour. This official National Park Service experience offers a deep dive into the events of December 7, 1941, through a thoughtfully curated audio-visual journey. Unlike some of the more basic tours, it provides 23 stops, including stories from Pearl Harbor survivors, making it a compelling choice for those who want more than just a quick overview.

Two things we particularly like about this tour are its self-paced format, allowing you to take your time at key points, and the stories from real WWII survivors, which add a deeply personal touch to the experience. It’s a chance to hear firsthand accounts that bring history to life in a way few other tours can match.

A possible consideration is that this tour does not include boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial, so if seeing the memorial from the water is on your list, you’ll need to book those separately. Also, keep in mind that guided tours are not allowed at the memorial site, so this multimedia approach is your best option for in-depth storytelling.

This experience is well-suited for history buffs, veterans, or anyone interested in a detailed understanding of Pearl Harbor’s significance. If you prefer guided group tours with a live guide, this might not be your best fit, but if you enjoy multimedia storytelling and personal survivor accounts, you’ll find it very rewarding.

Key Points

• Self-paced multimedia allows you to explore Pearl Harbor at your own speed
• Includes stories from Pearl Harbor Survivors, adding a personal dimension
• 23 stops cover key locations and events, offering more depth than typical tours
• No guided tours allowed at the site, so this multimedia is your main source of narration
• Affordable price point of $12 per person for a comprehensive experience
• Language options in multiple languages including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish

You can check availability for your dates here:

An Honest Look at the USS Arizona Commander’s Multimedia Tour

When it comes to visiting Pearl Harbor, most travelers want an experience that’s both educational and emotionally impactful. The USS Arizona Commander’s Narrated Multimedia Tour aims to do just that by offering a detailed, self-guided journey through the site. At $12 per person, it’s an accessible option that doesn’t skimp on content, especially for those who prefer to go at their own pace.

What Makes This Tour Stand Out?

One of the biggest draws is the narrative style. Hosted by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, the tour includes videos and stories from Pearl Harbor survivors. These personal accounts are often the highlight for visitors. As one reviewer notes, “The survivor stories really brought the event to life, making it more than just a history lesson.” It’s this human element that elevates the experience beyond static exhibits.

The tour covers 23 stops at key locations within Pearl Harbor and along the shoreline, including the visitor centers’ museums and the “Path of Attack” tour. These stops are carefully curated to give you a broad understanding of the attack’s timeline, the aftermath, and the enduring significance of the site.

How the Experience is Delivered

Since guided tours are not permitted at the memorial, this multimedia experience fills that space with audio narration, videos, and detailed descriptions. You are given a smartphone rental and complimentary earbuds, making it easy to access the content without needing your own device. The content is available in multiple languages, which is helpful if English isn’t your first language.

We appreciated the flexibility this offers. You can spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring the various stops, pausing or replaying content as you wish. This is ideal for visitors who want to take their time—whether to reflect, take photos, or read the exhibits more thoroughly.

What’s Not Included?

It’s important to clarify that the tour does not include boat tickets or the film at the USS Arizona Memorial. If seeing the memorial from the water is a priority, you’ll need to reserve those separately through the National Park Service. The tour is purely the narration and content around the site, not the boat ride or the official film.

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Is it Worth the Price?

At $12, this tour is quite affordable considering the depth of content and the added survivor stories. For comparison, guided group tours with a live guide often cost significantly more and may offer less flexibility. If you’re comfortable with a self-guided experience and want a detailed overview, this is a very good value.

Practical Details

Check-in is straightforward—just visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and go to the ticket counter. The tour is available with flexible starting times, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which adds a layer of convenience especially if your plans are still flexible.

For accessibility, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and multiple languages are supported, making it usable by a wide range of visitors.

Breaking Down the Stops and Content

The 23 stops are designed to cover all the important moments and locations related to Pearl Harbor. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Introduction to Pearl Harbor and the attack: The tour starts with a broad overview, setting the stage for why this place is so significant.
• Survivor Stories: Short videos and testimonies from Pearl Harbor veterans and survivors make the history personal. Many reviews mention how moving these stories are—“Hearing directly from survivors made it real, not just textbook history.”
• Visitor Center Museums: The tour explores both museums with detailed narration, helping you understand the artifacts, photographs, and exhibits.
• Path of Attack Tour: A shoreline walk that highlights key points of the attack, with detailed narration to explain what happened at each site.
• USS Arizona Memorial: While the tour doesn’t include the boat ride, it includes narration stops that explain its significance and history.

Each stop is designed to be engaging, combining multimedia content with historical facts, photos, and survivor interviews, which add depth to the experience.

The Emotional Impact

Many users mention the emotional weight of this tour. Hearing stories from survivors or seeing the memorabilia really makes the history cling. As one person put it, “It’s a somber but necessary visit, and this tour does a good job of respecting that tone.”

The Practical Experience

The smartphone rental and earbuds are a real plus, making the experience straightforward and accessible. The tour is designed to be self-guided but well-structured, so you won’t feel lost. The flexibility to pause and replay content is ideal for absorbing the material at your own speed.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

If you’re someone who prefers self-paced exploration and values personal stories, this tour fits perfectly. It’s especially suitable for history sites where guided tours aren’t permitted, ensuring a comprehensive understanding without a guide’s presence. It also works well for travelers on a budget, given the affordable price.

However, if you’re seeking a guided group experience with a live guide, or hoping for boat tickets included, you might find this option limiting. It’s also worth noting that if you’re eager to see the memorial from the water, you will need to book boat tickets separately.

Final Thoughts

The USS Arizona Commander’s Narrated Multimedia Tour offers a thoughtfully designed, flexible way to experience Pearl Harbor. Its focus on personal survivor stories and high-quality multimedia content makes it stand out from standard self-guided audio tours. The price point is hard to beat for such in-depth coverage.

It’s an excellent choice for those who want to take their time, reflect on history, and hear voices of those who lived through it. It might not be the best for visitors looking for guided groups or water-based experiences, but for anyone interested in a thorough, respectful, and engaging overview, this tour fits the bill.

Overall, if you’re curious about Pearl Harbor’s significance and want an emotionally resonant, informative experience, this tour is definitely worth considering.

FAQ

Does this tour include boat tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial?
No, the tour does not include boat tickets or the memorial movie. You’ll need to reserve those separately if you want the boat ride and film experience.

How long does the tour take?
You can explore the content at your own pace, with most people spending about 60 to 90 minutes going through the stops.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and multiple languages are supported, making it suitable for a diverse range of visitors.

What equipment do I need?
The tour provides a smartphone rental and complimentary earbuds, so you just need to show up with a valid ID.

Can I cancel if I change my mind?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, giving you flexibility if your plans shift.

Are backpacks or bags allowed?
No, backpacks and bags are not permitted inside the memorial area. Storage is available outside for a fee.

Is this tour suitable for families?
While not specifically aimed at children, the multimedia content and survivor stories can be moving and educational for older kids and teens interested in history.

In the end, this multimedia tour delivers a compelling, flexible, and affordable way to deepen your understanding of Pearl Harbor’s significance. It’s well-suited for travelers who want a respectful, personal, and immersive experience without the constraints of guided group tours.

You can check availability for your dates here: