Norwegian Wind vs. "Prides"

[vickiw0318]

I have a coworker who is thinking about going on a the Norwegian Wind Hawaiian Islands/Fanning Island cruise in October of 2007. Am I correct in assuming that this ship does not have any of the staffing problems that the "Prides" do because it still has an international registry? How/when does its casino operate?

 

Any feedback (about any topic) is appreciated! Thanks.

[Kapuna]

The " Wind " will no longer be in Hawaii in October 2007 . It will be replaced by the " Sun " .

[OptimusPrime]

Either way your assumption about the crew should be correct.

 

Casinos should be open

1. When it is out at sea

2. @ Fanning Island (not sure of their gambling laws...)

[ft@eee.org]

Its been several years since we took the NCL to Fanning Island. To answer your first question, the casino is CLOSED for the entire cruise. Since it sails from a US port there is no gambling. The most important thing for me was the average of the travelers--most over 70. So all the food and entertainment was geared to that age, enough said...

[kapoho2]

We have cruised the Wind to Fanning Island twice. We are now looking forward to the Sun and another trip down to Fanning !

 

There is NO casino on this cruise....Hawaiian law about no gambling. There is Bingo...on the sea days coming and going to Fanning Island.

 

We (63/56) never felt like the fellow cruisers were old...there was always a great mix of ages...and folks from all over the world. We met honeymooners and couples who had been married 60 years. We usually cruise in the fall when schools are in session...so there were not many children. There were tons of activites to keep everyone interested.

 

The crew on the Wind was top-notch...so I assume the Sun crew will be also.

 

This cruise is one of our favorite itineraries. We love the sea days and seeing Fanning Island is a treat.

 

Go for it and have fun!!

[vickiw0318]

Thanks so much for the feedback. My coworker had a printout from a travel agency. Guess it didn't reflect the change in ships. She and her husband are in their late sixties, but still love to party. She's off work today so she can throw one tonight for 80 people to celebrate her daughter's 40th birthday. If they go, their shipmates will enjoy their company.

 

I did not know that about the casino and am kinda of surprised by it. I knew it was the deal from sailing from Hawaii and staying in Hawaii under NCLA, but I figured anything goes on the open sea with a foreign registry.

 

Anything else I should know?

[mitsguy2001]

Most likely, the reason why the passengers on the Wind are older is probably because a 10 or 11 day cruise is very difficult for someone with a job. For most people, it would use up a year's worth of vacation time, if they are even allowed to take that much time off and plan it far in advance. I guess if both parents are either teachers or not working it could be done in the summer. But I get the impression that many teachers hold second jobs in the summer. And, I don't think that the Wind sails Hawaii in the summer anyway, so that's moot anyway.

[MidtheNight]

Actually it depends on the time of year you cruise. We were on the Wind in June a few years ago and it was a very nice mix of very young, young, mid age and older people.

[NCmom]

We sailed on the Wind last year. There was a good mix of ages onboard. The staff was excellent. Loved our room stewards. We enjoyed the same waitstaff in the Terraces for 4 nights. The entertainment staff was fun although Patty, the CD was a bit perky for me.

 

I didn't realize the sun was taking over for the wind.

[mbisson]

I have a coworker who is thinking about going on a the Norwegian Wind Hawaiian Islands/Fanning Island cruise in October of 2007. Am I correct in assuming that this ship does not have any of the staffing problems that the "Prides" do because it still has an international registry? How/when does its casino operate?

 

Hi Vicki-as others have pointed out, it would be the Sun instead of the Wind (IMO-a great improvement, but others might disagree) and no casino. We (wife & I) are strongly considering a Hawaii cruise and are more prone to book the Fanning run rather than a Pride ship due to the many complaints I've seen about NCLA.

 

BTW-I'm a strong NCL supporter, so if I'm concerned about service problems on the Pride ships-take it as you will ;)

 

-Monte

[FnyFACEnAL]

Is the entertainment on the Wind geared to the Hawai theme? Would love to read more about this ship...we sail on her in December. Does NCL use their lifeboats to tender in Maui? Is the process relatively quick?

Thanks.

[vickiw0318]

Just wanted to say thanks again for the input. I will certainly let her know about the change in ships. To me, the only entertainment needed while I was making the circuit of the islands would be the views. Are there any special events for the days to/from Fanning Island?

[NCmom]

On our Wind cruise, we did have some hawaiian hula lessons that were alot of fun; there were also a good number of trivia contests, craft projects and lectures about the area.

 

The entertainment didn't seem Hawaiian based, but was enjoyable--some I liked alot better than others. I really liked the comedians, didn't care for the "vocal stylings of Wes Eppy" at all.

 

I don't like to tender, but it wasn't horrible or long at any of the ports. I think we did use lifeboats to tender at Maui, but they were comfortable to me.

 

I thought there was a ton of stuff to do on sea days to and from Fanning.

[vickiw0318]

Thanks. I can see my friends taking hula lessons. They would love that.