Pride of Hawaii Renamed

[JackS]

THE PRIDE OF HAWAII will be renamed the Norwegian Jade, reflagged and redeployed to Europe in 2008, NCL Corp. said. The company said that its 2006 losses were caused by downward pricing pressure in the Hawaii market following the addition of the Pride of Hawaii to the fleet last summer, combined with an increase in foreign-flag competition in the market. The company said the withdrawal would be temporary. "We take this action with regret, but sure in the knowledge that a temporary retrenchment is the right thing to do for the good of the business and the good of Hawaii in the long run," CEO Colin Veitch said.

THE NORWEGIAN JADE will be reflagged into the Bahamas registry during a wetdock in Honolulu, where the ship will be fitted with a casino and new hull artwork. It will sail 12-, 13- and 14-day eastern and western Mediterranean cruises, sailing from Barcelona, Istanbul and Athens; it will then reposition to Southampton, England, for a series of cruises to the Mediterranean, North Cape, Western Europe and the British Isles. The ship will offer a series of sailings designed specifically for the U.K. market, NCL said. The Jade will be joined in Europe by the Norwegian Gem, which will sail western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, and the Norwegian Jewel, which will sail in the Baltic region from Dover, England.

 

[newmexicoNita]

I really doubt it will be temporary, no matter what they say, but I do think it is a wise move. hawaii can only handle so much and the American Flagged ships are not doing well, let face it. It happened before and may happen again. NMnita

 

[radelle]

I don't usually post, but this is exciting for me. We were on the Pride of Hawaii in December 06 and had a great time. Our next cruise is going to be in May of 08 in the Med. and I was wondering about the new ship Jade. We'll certainly know our way around when we go.

I'm open to any cruise lines, but it seems to me, that whenever we want to go, NCL seems to have the correct time and the ports of call we want, so of the four cruises we've taken, three have been with NCL. The fourth was a special with Carnival and I will not travel with them again.

 

[Don Clark]

[quote newmexicoNita]I really doubt it will be temporary, no matter what they say, but I do think it is a wise move. hawaii can only handle so much and the American Flagged ships are not doing well, let face it. It happened before and may happen again. NMnita[/quote]

I'll agree. Initially, NCL repositions the Jade (ex-Hawaii) to Europe, which is a locale permitted in NCL's PSA exemption for sailing the Hawaii under the American flag. But next winter, NCL plans to reposition the Jade to New York, and sail the ship to the Caribbean. Once the Jade sails it's first Caribbean cruise, it breaks the existing PSA exemption.

NCL would have to get new PSA exemption to reflag the Jade under the American flag again. And I don't think NCL nor Congress will want to pass another PSA exemption.

By the time the Hawaii cruise market grows to a point three ships can operate profitably, NCL could just send an Bahamas' flag ship and sail 10-11 day itineraries to Fanning Island again.

By the way, the Hawaii cruise market has grown significantly in recent years, but not fast enough to keep the Hawaii sailing from Honolulu.
Here's some statistics which might surprise some.

Honolulu (Year > # Embarkations)
2004 > 171,000, year Aloha moved to Honolulu
2005 > 236,000, up 38%
2006 > 318,000, up 34%
2007 > Results not in

In 2004, NCL had 1 ship sailing from Honolulu full time, adding a second the last half the year.
In 2005, NCL had 2 ships sailing from Honolulu full time, adding a third ship the last half the year.
In 2006, NCL had 3 ships sailing from Honolulu full time, and a fourth the last half the year.

Passenger counts rose only 86% over three years, ship capcity more than doubled, with NCL adding twice the number of ships wit ever larger capacity. It'll be interesting to see the 2007 and 2008 totals.

By removing the Hawaii from Honolulu, NCL will be cutting capacity over 33%. Hopefully this cut in bed supply will match demand better and NCLA can earn it's first profit next year. I think it's safe to assume they will not do so this year.

 

[annalovesyouall]

Hi, everybody, just signed up and am new to the forum.

I noticed while surfing the web a while ago that I noticed a site called

NCLComplaints dot INFO

Does anybody use this to post their complaints. It also appears that
some of the crew may be able to complain at that site also.

Just a question.

Thanks

ANNA

 

[brown705]

I'll be on the Jade (ex-Hawaii) for Eastern Med cruise. First time on NCL; have always cruised Princess, but NCL has a great itinerary.

Does anyone know the best way to get from Athens port (Piraeus) into Athens itself? Taxi? Bus? Train? Thanks

 

[avinha]

We are four adults (2 couples) with kids traveling on the NCL JADE, 14 night, Mediterranean Cruise, July 26, 2008 from London. I discovered this web site last night and love picking up great tips ranging from from making dinner reservations to BYO coffee grounds.

We also have two 10 year olds and two 14 year olds traveling with us. Expecting to have a blast!!

Our MAJOR CONCERN right now: what is the best way to get from London Heathrow Airport to the Southampton Port. Any ideas?