Wind- If not Fanning Island, what's the itinerary?

[Kayelache]

We sailed on the Star several years ago, and Fanning Island got cancelled because of a passenger's illness. We spent a day at sea, then had extra stops in Kona and Lahaina. The Wind's schedule already includes these ports, what do they do if they have to cancel Fanning Island? We are booking a cruise on the Wind, hoping to finally get to Fanning Island, but it seems from these boards that they miss the port often, due to passenger illnesses, or engine trouble or weather or something. What do they then substitute?

[platterb]

Since the Wind is not part of NCL America, it has to have a foreign stop at a non-US port. In order to have Hawaii as their departure port, Fanning Island was selected as the closest island that satisfied that requirement. I don't believe there is another island they would have the time to go to. Remember they are out in the middle of the Pacific.

[VictoriaLemons]

I was on the March 30th trip, we had to cancel Fanning Island due to a passenger needing hospital attention.

 

We spent extra time cruising around the islands plus did an unscheduled day in Kahului, Maui and spent extra time in Nawhiliwhili, Kauai (we docked at 3pm, stayed overnight and left at 5 pm the next day).

 

I was looking forward to going to Fanning Island but the extra day and time in port was a good substitute.

[Cavegirl]

We're going on Wind 10-day Hawaii on Aug. 24. I just found out about this web site a few days ago and have already read about the Wind not going to Fanning island due to engine problem, due to storm, due to passenger sickness, all in the last few months.

 

Does anyone know what is the record so far of Wind changing its itinerary?

[breeding]

Does anyone know what is the record so far of Wind changing its itinerary?

 

This is a quote from a poster on a previous thread

I visited Fanning Island 153 times on Norwegian Star. We missed the island 17 times in 3.5 years. 12 of the missed calls were due to medical emergencies; 5 were due to mechanical problems. Every time the ship missed due to mechanical problems, NCL had to pay a fine (nearly $1 Million each time) to US Customs for violating the Passenger Services Act. A few of the times we missed in order to save someone's life, NCL was still required to pay the nearly $1 Million fine. As a result of paying those fines, all profit realized by the Norwegian Star over a nearly 4 year period in Hawaii was wiped out. (Does anyone now realize why they took the Star away from Hawaii??)

 

If you want to see everything that was said just type "Mysterious Fanning Island" in the Forum search. We are going in June and I'm not worried if we do or don't make it. I think you only hear about it if they don't!

[Jim Gallup]

When a cruise ship misses a port and needs to re-draw the weeks itinerary, it is not nearly as easy as you might think.

First they must come up with a new itinerary that is do-able with the speed that the ship can make.

Next they must confirm with the local port authorities that a berth for the ship is available on the day they want to stop there. In Hawaii this is a major problem. The ports are so old that they rarely can accommodate more than one ship at a time. If a ship wants or needs to come into a port with only a few days notice, there is a very good chance that there is already another cruise ship, cargo ship, tanker, or ferry at the pier. So the cruise line needs to come up with an itinerary that fits the ship's speed, and port availability.

Next is shore excursions. The previous plans are all scrapped. Now they need to start all over again. Can all of the shorex, bus, helicopter, submarine, and other tour operators that had previously agreed to conduct tours on Monday now change to Wednesday? In many cases they have already committed to someone else for that other day.

Then we have to worry about terminal and port security. Will they have the same manpower on Wednesday that they originally promised to the Wind for Monday? If they have already committed to another ship or another location, the port authorities will not allow the Wind to call in that port on that day.

Next is Immigration and Customs. In Hawaii, the only officially approved port for Immigration and Customs is Honolulu. Any other port serviced by them is a favor only - and depends on availability of Officials. If the Officials are not available, the ship will not be allowed to stop there.

There are many other considerations; fuel, water, provisions.

So the cruise line canot possibly have a Plan B in place. There are just too many last minute variables that will dramatically affect how a new itinerary can be planned. They can only do last minute crisis management planning and hope for the best.

[breeding]

Hey - Your the one I quoted!!! I'm glad your here to explain things!! Thanks

[Lharryson]

Hello fellow cruisers - quick question - do we need a visa for Fanning Island?

[breeding]

Hello fellow cruisers - quick question - do we need a visa for Fanning Island?

 

Yes!

[Joao]

Hello fellow cruisers - quick question - do we need a visa for Fanning Island?

Since the nation being visited issues visas (when they're required), NCL's passengers would need to line up at the consular office of Kiribati in Honolulu to purchase their visas -- NCL isn't in the visa-issueing business yet.

Or, to put it another way, ask NCL... They are the final authority on what the Kiribati government requires of their passengers at Fanning Island.

[Ron66]

Hello fellow cruisers - quick question - do we need a visa for Fanning Island?

Yes!

 

 

Breeding, are you sure that a visa is needed and not just a passport, if so where do you get the visas ????

 

The following is what I found on the NCL wewbsite about Fanning Island:

 

NCL HAWAII CRUISES TO FANNING ISLAND

ALL passengers, regardless of nationality, booked on Norwegian Wind Hawaii cruises to Fanning Island, the Republic of Kiribati must have in their possession a valid passport to sail. Any passenger traveling without a valid passport will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund will be issued. Exceptions can only be made for valid U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) holders.

 

Note: No passengers, regardless of nationality, require visas for Fanning Island, the Republic of Kiribati as all passengers are considered in-transit with the vessel.

 

Thanks

Ron

[Jim Gallup]

Visas are NOT required for Americans to visit Fanning Island. But passports are required (by US Immigration) for Americans who visit Fanning Island and want to return to the USA.

[breeding]

Breeding, are you sure that a visa is needed and not just a passport, if so where do you get the visas ????

 

Sorry I did not realize they were different. Should have - but didn't!!!

[Lharryson]

Thank you for your responses - I was able to find the answer but took a bit to sort out. From my understanding a passport is all we need.

 

:cool: 8 days and counting!