Big concern: future of Hawaiian Cruises - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 02-24-2008, 10:28 AM

Here are some very interesting excerpts from a recent editorial in Honolulu's Star Bulletin:

Find a way to save isle cruise industry

THE ISSUE

NCL America has decided to withdraw its second of three ships from Hawaii waters.

A proposal aimed at protecting a cruise line that sails Hawaii waters from foreign-flagged ships has drawn widespread opposition, apparently taking by surprise the cruise line it was supposed to benefit. . . ..

NCL America withdrew one of its three Hawaii cruise ships this month, reassigning it to Europe, and announced plans to withdraw a second ship and send it to Asia, leaving only one ship in Hawaii waters

SOURCE: Find a way to save isle cruise industry | starbulletin.com | Editorial | /2008/02/17/

canarymoon · 02-24-2008, 10:33 AM

MORE -

The proposal by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection would establish barriers to foreign-flagged cruise lines that operate between California and Hawaii. Those ships now make brief stops in Ensenada, Mexico, to comply with federal rules, but the proposal would expand requirements to an extent that the intent clearly is to shut them down

Sure wish I knew where to access a copy of the proposal mentioned in the above paragraph.

The editorial goes on to say:

The requirements are nationwide, and opposition has come from cruise lines and ports not only from California but from Alaska and the East Coast. Veitch says even an NCL cruise of Alaska would be harmed by the rule.

canarymoon · 02-24-2008, 10:33 AM

Ano more hard information on this would sure be appreciated.

reggierail · 02-24-2008, 12:52 PM

From everything I've heard, it's NCLA against everyone else.

MrPeteLI · 02-24-2008, 01:10 PM

Which is why everyone should just boycott them.

We did a Hawaii cruise 10 years ago, sailing from Ensenada to Hawaii, for 5 glorious days, and then spent the next seven sailing four islands with six stops.

What a way to see everything without knowing where or what to see! Rented a car in every port, and went where and when we liked.

We were exhausted by the time we were done, whereas the 7 days touring was the most extensive. We would have loved another 5 sea days to get back to the mainland!

So, when I read what NCLA was doing, I was thinking I was missing the relaxing part of a cruise.

And then, when reading the reviews, how everyone was just saying, "At least we got to see Hawaii", rationalizing everything wrong about a cruise, I was always thinking, there are SO many other options out there!

Can't wait to do it again, on a REAL cruiseline.

hanna · 02-24-2008, 01:14 PM

Pete, come with us in May on The Radiance

MrPeteLI · 02-24-2008, 01:23 PM

Don't think that doesn't sound enticing!

hanna · 02-24-2008, 01:26 PM

Pete, it's going to be great. I do foresee one problem, we will need a vacation when we get home. Our port days are all planned and jam packed full.

MrPeteLI · 02-24-2008, 01:31 PM

For a visit there, it's SO worth it.

I stayed away for years for the plane ride alone. Going wasn't so bad, as we just had to go cross country to San Diego.

Each port was better than the next, starting in Kauai, then the big Island, the Maui, and then finally Oahu. Even Honolulu was better than I could have even imagined.

Coming home, I was SO tired, I slept for the first time ever on a plane. We left Hawaii at 6 PM, and made it to St. Louis by the next morning. We had a 5 hour layover, so it was off to see the arch!

canarymoon · 02-24-2008, 01:36 PM

Can someone please explain the nuts and bolts of all this? What is the 'proposal' referenced in the editorial all about?