Ships Reassignments for 2007

[platterb]

Was really happy to see that NCL has decided to move the Sun to Hawaii taking the place of the Wind on the 10/11 day trips. I've been putting off going to Hawaii. The 7 day cruises seemed a bit hectic and the cabin options on the Wind were extremely restrictive. Finally, the best of both options: a balcony ship with a more relaxing schedule.

 

Thank you NCL

[kkorman]

Can't say I understand it... they are having trouble filling the 3 ships there now. I do think that it was part of their agreement though to have a fourth ship that continued to go to Fanning Island.

[shoreguy]

Can't say I understand it... they are having trouble filling the 3 ships there now. I do think that it was part of their agreement though to have a fourth ship that continued to go to Fanning Island.

 

I think the commitment is to Fanning Island. NCL has an exclusive agreement and NCL ship is extremely important to the islands economy.

 

Besides if I ever decided to cruise in Hawaii I too would select the Sun. I have been to all the islands so this way I could get a "real" cruise and spend time on one of the islands again;)

[seahorse]

I think the commitment is to Fanning Island. NCL has an exclusive agreement and NCL ship is extremely important to the islands economy.

 

Besides if I ever decided to cruise in Hawaii I too would select the Sun. I have been to all the islands so this way I could get a "real" cruise and spend time on one of the islands again;)

 

I agree. Sailing the Sun gives you a better cruise, IMO then the Wind. I think that a cruise with more sea days to enjoy the ship, casino, international crew, etc. would be a better experience.:)

[shoreguy]

I agree. Sailing the Sun gives you a better cruise, IMO then the Wind. I think that a cruise with more sea days to enjoy the ship, casino, international crew, etc. would be a better experience.:)

 

No Casino on the Fanning runs as well :(

[seahorse]

No Casino on the Fanning runs as well :(

 

I thought they opened them up (if they had one) when they left US waters? I think that they did in the beginning before the contract with HI.:confused:

[shoreguy]

I thought they opened them up (if they had one) when they left US waters? I think that they did in the beginning before the contract with HI.:confused:

 

They in fact remove them before deploying to HI. Remember when the Star returned it went into dry dock to install a casino. Same thing this year for the Wind. :cool:

[Cruiser from MN]

They in fact remove them before deploying to HI. Remember when the Star returned it went into dry dock to install a casino. Same thing this year for the Wind. :cool:

 

They do not dry dock the Wind and they will not dry dock the Sun for the purpose of the casino. The casino will remain on board but are locked down during the Hawaii cruises. The reason for deploying the Sun and removing the Wind is that NCL wants to commit four purpose built "Freestyle" ship to this market. Currently, the three US flagged ships are selling well and they expect the Sun will do the same.

[CruisinMK]

Hawaii passed a state law in 2000 forbidding gambling ships on itineraries that both start and end in Hawaii.

If one or both ends of an itinerary start/end outside of Hawaii then they can do gambling, but if both ends of the itinerary are in Hawaii they run afoul of state law even though the ship leaves U.S. territorial waters for a portion of the journey.

[pengu1n]

I don't know about the Sun, but the casino area in the Wind is empty. It's used for the art auction, but there are no remains of a casino. I am glad they are assigning another ship to this route; before NCL, Fanning Island only received supplies twice a year & they have a long trip to a doctor if anyone is injured. While it seemed very primitive when we were there last year, I wonder how they would survive without the input of tourist dollars, supplies and access to the doctor from the cruise ship.

[kkorman]

I don't know about the Sun, but the casino area in the Wind is empty. It's used for the art auction, but there are no remains of a casino. I am glad they are assigning another ship to this route; before NCL, Fanning Island only received supplies twice a year & they have a long trip to a doctor if anyone is injured. While it seemed very primitive when we were there last year, I wonder how they would survive without the input of tourist dollars, supplies and access to the doctor from the cruise ship.

 

They had done it for many years before. They did not even know what a dollar was until NCL went there. I recall hearing of how passengers brought candy and such to share with the children and they all started getting cavities. Makes me wonder if they are really better off?