That December day changed everything.

What makes the USS Arizona Memorial Chief’s Narrated Multimedia Tour stand out is the way it layers survivor stories with guided stops you can control at your own pace. I like the format most: videos from World War II veterans inside the narration, plus a structured walk from the Visitor Center toward the shoreline. One drawback: the big-ticket parts—USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets—aren’t included, so you must line those up in advance.

I also really appreciate the “no escorts” approach at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Since this is an official National Park Service-style experience, you’re not shuffled around in a rigid group; you’re listening, watching, and moving when you’re ready. My only caution: because luggage and large bags aren’t allowed, you’ll want to travel light so you don’t lose time at bag checks (or get turned away).

Key things to know before you go

• Survivor-led multimedia: you’ll hear from actual Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans through the included smartphone audio and videos.
• Self-paced “Path of Attack” stops: multiple narration points along the shoreline help you understand what you’re seeing.
• Official NPS-style guide: it’s designed to work without escorted tours at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
• Memorial moments built in: you’ll have time to pay respects at the resting place of those who died during the attack.
• Equipment included: smartphone rental and complimentary earbuds mean you can start without hunting for tech.
• Made for many languages: audio options include English plus French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and more.

How this USS Arizona multimedia tour actually works

This is a self-guided narrated tour that uses a smartphone (rented from the tour) and audio you wear with the complimentary earbuds. You’re not getting a live guide talking non-stop; you’re getting a guided experience with built-in moments—museum time, shoreline interpretation, and memorial-focused narration—that you can pause for and revisit at your own speed.

Here’s the practical idea I like: Pearl Harbor can feel like a lot of space and a lot of information at once. This tour gives you a path and a storyline, so the site clicks into place while you’re physically there. It’s hosted and produced as an official-style multimedia experience, with narration that includes actress Jamie Lee Curtis, actual Pearl Harbor survivors, and National Park Service historians.

The tour runs as a full day experience (your ticket is valid for 1 day), and you get to choose your pace. That matters because some visitors want to read every sign and watch every video moment; others need quiet time to process what they’re seeing. This format respects both.

Check-in at the USS Arizona Narrated Tour counter

You’ll start at the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour ticket counter in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. That’s your “begin here” moment before you head into the museums and the rest of the memorial area.

Also note what you’re not allowed to bring: luggage or large bags, and bags in general. The site is strict about this, and it can slow you down if you show up with more than you need. Pack like you’re going to a museum that also happens to be a very important memorial.

Visitor Center museums: your preparation before the shoreline

One of the best parts of this tour is that it starts with context. Your smartphone-guided experience includes time in the Visitor Center’s two world-class museums, which act like the setup chapter before you see the shoreline and memorial area.

What you’re trying to do here is simple: learn enough background that the landscape stops being just scenery. The narration helps you connect key wartime details to what you’ll later notice around the water and the memorial’s setting. If you’re someone who hates visiting sites “cold,” this museum start gives you a foothold fast.

You can also think of this stage as where you train your eyes. Once you understand what the narration is pointing to, you’re less likely to feel lost or focused only on one landmark. You’re walking through the story in order, not collecting random facts.

The Path of Attack shoreline tour (and how to pace it)

After the museums, the tour takes you along the shoreline for the Path of Attack Tour. This is where the self-paced design really pays off. You’re not trapped behind a group; you can slow down when a stop feels important, or speed up when you just want to keep moving.

The shoreline portion is built around narration stops that explain what you’re seeing and why it matters. Since the tour is multimedia, these stops can include video moments from the period, including World War II veterans. The value here isn’t just “more information.” It’s interpretation: the audio gives the site meaning while you’re looking at the physical space.

Tip I’d follow if you want the experience to land: don’t rush from one stop to the next. If you hear a narration stop that sounds like it changes how you interpret the water and shoreline, pause there longer. That’s exactly the kind of moment the format is designed for.

If you have boat tickets: extra narration stops en route

The USS Arizona Memorial experience works best when you’ve already arranged the USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets with the National Park Service online. Those tickets are not included in the $9 tour price, but if you do have them, you benefit from several narration stops while you’re out on the water.

That matters because your time around the memorial is more than photo ops. You get guided story beats while you’re physically approaching the resting place. It’s the sort of “timed learning” that’s hard to reproduce on your own because it’s triggered by where you are in the experience.

So, plan it like this: the multimedia tour gives you a structured path on land, and the boat segment connects your learning to the act of arrival. If you skip boat tickets, you still get the museums and shoreline audio, but you’ll miss the narration stops tied to that ride.

Paying respects at USS Arizona: the quiet part of the tour

This tour includes time for the most important reason you’re there: you’ll be able to pay your respects at the resting place of those who died during the attack.

Even with all the multimedia, the memorial itself changes the vibe. This is not the kind of site where the goal is to keep talking to your phone. The narration guides you, but you’ll likely find yourself taking in the space and slowing down when you reach the memorial area.

One practical note: since the tour emphasizes multiple narration stops, you’ll be tempted to hit play constantly. I’d recommend a small balance. Let the audio inform you, then set it aside briefly so you can experience the memorial as a memorial—not just as content.

Who’s telling the story: Jamie Lee Curtis, survivors, and NPS historians

The host and narrator lineup is a big reason this experience feels different from a generic audio guide. It’s hosted by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and it includes actual Pearl Harbor survivors as well as National Park Service historians.

That combination helps in two ways. First, it makes the story human. Survivors add the texture of lived memory. Second, historians add structure—so you can connect emotions to events and events to locations. When those two elements work together, the site doesn’t feel like it’s asking you to memorize dates; it feels like it’s explaining why this moment mattered.

Also, the tour is presented as an official guide format, designed specifically around the reality that no escorted tours are allowed at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. In practice, that means the multimedia experience is doing what a live guide would normally do: pointing you toward what to notice and when.

Languages, earbuds, and the comfort factor

If you care about clarity, this tour is designed for it. The included audio guide languages cover many options: English plus French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish. The broader instructor language list mirrors that range.

You’ll also get a smartphone rental and complimentary earbuds, so you’re not stuck with your own headphones battery or limited device audio. For many people, that’s the difference between “I did the tour” and “I actually heard it.”

Wheelchair accessibility is listed as supported, which matters because Pearl Harbor’s layout can be tough for anyone using mobility aids. If you’re planning a day there, this is a useful baseline: you’re not assuming you’ll be able to see and hear everything.

Is the $9 price worth it?

At $9 per person, the sticker shock is almost backwards—you’d expect something this structured to cost more. The key is what’s included: the multimedia tour itself, a smartphone rental, complimentary earbuds, and a park map guide.

The big value question is what’s not included. You still need to reserve the USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets separately with the National Park Service online. So your total cost for the full day could be higher than $9 once you add those tickets.

Still, here’s why I think the $9 price works well for the right traveler: you’re paying for interpretation and pacing, not just admission. The phone-based multimedia format turns the Visitor Center and shoreline into a guided experience with survivor testimony and historical framing. If you like to understand what you’re looking at rather than just pass through, you’ll likely feel that value immediately.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a self-paced way to experience Pearl Harbor without being tied to a live group schedule
• Appreciate survivor stories and multimedia video elements, not just text panels
• Prefer to visit a major site in a structured order, starting with museums and building toward the memorial
• Plan to reserve boat tickets and want narration during that portion, too

It may feel less ideal if you:

• Want a traditional live escort the whole time (this experience is designed around the no-escorted-tour reality)
• Travel with lots of luggage or large bags (the site restricts bags)

Should you book this USS Arizona narrated multimedia tour?

Yes, if you’re going to Pearl Harbor for meaning, not just photos. The combination of survivor and historian storytelling, delivered through a structured smartphone multimedia format, is exactly what makes this site easier to understand in one day.

Book it especially if you already plan to secure the National Park Service USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets online, because that unlocks additional narration stops while you’re out on the water. If you’re unsure about timing, still consider booking: the tour is valid for 1 day, and the cancellation window is generous.

If you’re the type who likes to control your pace—pause, listen again, look longer—this is the kind of tour that makes that style work.

FAQ

What’s included in the USS Arizona Memorial Chief’s Narrated Multimedia Tour?

The tour includes a multilingual multimedia tour, smartphone rental, complimentary earbuds, and a park map guide.

Are the USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets included?

No. USS Arizona Memorial movie and boat tickets are not included, and you must reserve them separately online with the National Park Service.

Where do I check in for this tour?

Check in at the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour ticket counter in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

How long is the tour good for?

The tour is valid for 1 day. You’ll want to check availability for the starting times.

What languages are available for the guide and audio?

The instructor language list includes French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Russian, English, Korean, and German. The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What items are not allowed?

Luggage or large bags, and bags, are not allowed.

Does the tour include earbuds?

Yes. You’ll receive complimentary earbuds with the tour.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, there is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.