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Perennial underdog Norwegian Cruise Lines has pinned much of its hopes in recent years on a massive buildup in Hawaii, where it aimed to dominate the market with a fleet of fancy new ships. But right from the beginning there were troubles -- most notably service snafus that became the talk of the cruise world. And now it appears the ambitious effort is unraveling.
In a middle-of-the-night announcement, Norwegian said that due to substantial losses it will pull the much-ballyhooed flagship of its Hawaii operation, the 2,224-passenger Pride of Hawaii, out of the market in February, 2008. The move comes just four months after Norwegian announced it would pull another ship, the Norwegian Sun, from the Hawaii market in October and tinker with the itinerary pf a third Hawaii-based ship, the 2,002-passenger Pride of Aloha.
The changes will leave just two Norwegian ships in Hawaii full time, Pride of Aloha and the 2,146-passenger Pride of America.
The Pride of Hawaii move is a shocker. Launched in the islands with much fanfare just last May, the ship was purpose-built for Hawaii cruising (it even has tropical Hawaiian flowers painted across its hull) and designed as the crown jewel of Norwegian's three-year-old effort in the islands. Like other Norwegian ships assigned to the line's Hawaii-focused NCL America subsidiary, it is flagged in the U.S. and carries a mostly American crew to comply with arcane rules governing cruises that stop only in U.S. ports.
What do the ship redeployments mean for Hawaii-bound cruisers? Prices for Hawaii cruises have been dropping the past year -- a bonanza for vacationers looking for a deal. But with fewer ships in the market, and supply and demand more in balance, that trend could reverse (at least, that's the hope at Norwegian). In short: If you're looking for a deal, go soon, before the moves take place and there's still a glut of ships in the market.
As for those passengers who already have booked on the Pride of Hawaii for February, 2008 and beyond: You'll get a full refund if you want it. Or, if you rebook on another NCL America ship by May 1, 2007, the line is offering a $50 per cabin on-board credit.
In a middle-of-the-night announcement, Norwegian said that due to substantial losses it will pull the much-ballyhooed flagship of its Hawaii operation, the 2,224-passenger Pride of Hawaii, out of the market in February, 2008. The move comes just four months after Norwegian announced it would pull another ship, the Norwegian Sun, from the Hawaii market in October and tinker with the itinerary pf a third Hawaii-based ship, the 2,002-passenger Pride of Aloha.
The changes will leave just two Norwegian ships in Hawaii full time, Pride of Aloha and the 2,146-passenger Pride of America.
The Pride of Hawaii move is a shocker. Launched in the islands with much fanfare just last May, the ship was purpose-built for Hawaii cruising (it even has tropical Hawaiian flowers painted across its hull) and designed as the crown jewel of Norwegian's three-year-old effort in the islands. Like other Norwegian ships assigned to the line's Hawaii-focused NCL America subsidiary, it is flagged in the U.S. and carries a mostly American crew to comply with arcane rules governing cruises that stop only in U.S. ports.
What do the ship redeployments mean for Hawaii-bound cruisers? Prices for Hawaii cruises have been dropping the past year -- a bonanza for vacationers looking for a deal. But with fewer ships in the market, and supply and demand more in balance, that trend could reverse (at least, that's the hope at Norwegian). In short: If you're looking for a deal, go soon, before the moves take place and there's still a glut of ships in the market.
As for those passengers who already have booked on the Pride of Hawaii for February, 2008 and beyond: You'll get a full refund if you want it. Or, if you rebook on another NCL America ship by May 1, 2007, the line is offering a $50 per cabin on-board credit.
