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I received this press release from NCL and thought it would be of
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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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NCL Corporation Announces Adjustments to Hawai'i Fleet
Company announces Pride of America's deployment through 2010 Pride of
Aloha to leave the fleet in May
Honolulu - Feb 11, 2008
NCL Corporation ("NCL") today announced the withdrawal of Pride of
Aloha from the Hawai'i market effective May 11, 2008. The ship is
being transferred to Star Cruises and will be reflagged and deployed
in Asia in the summer of 2008.
The remaining year-round ship in Hawai'i will be the larger and newer
Pride of America, introduced in 2005, a vessel specifically designed
and built for Hawai'i cruising. The company announced, and put on
sale, Pride of America's sailings through 2010 offering its popular
inter-island cruises departing every Saturday from Honolulu.
Since the announcement a year ago of Pride of Hawai'i's temporary
transfer to NCL's European deployment, renamed as Norwegian Jade, the
company has embarked on a major fleet-wide initiative called Freestyle
2.0 featuring significant product and hardware upgrades to its modern
fleet, including Pride of America. The Freestyle 2.0 program will
further enhance the on-board experience taking Freestyle Cruising to
the next level. Enhancements include a major investment in the total
dining experience; upgrading the stateroom experience; new wide
ranging on-board activities for all guests; additional recognition,
service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa guests; and the
establishment of casual action-station restaurants taking the place of
the "traditional" buffet experience. Freestyle 2.0 will be in place on
Pride of America and across NCL's fleet, now the youngest fleet in the
cruise industry, by the middle of May 2008.
"Pride of Aloha pioneered the new inter-island market but, as we move
forward with Freestyle 2.0 to take our product to the next level
across what is already the youngest fleet in the industry, we cannot
justify further investment in this ship," said Andy Stuart, NCL's
executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger services.
"Withdrawing Pride of Aloha was an extremely difficult but necessary
commercial decision; however we see a strong future for the long-term
flagship in Hawai'i, Pride of America. In Pride of America, we have
created a commercially successful modern U.S. Flag cruise ship home
ported in Hawai'i - the first time that has ever been achieved. With
Pride of America, we are offering a high quality product, on a world
class ship sailing one of the most exciting itineraries available in
the industry.
"With today's announcement of Pride of America's itinerary through
2010, our guests and travel partners can choose a Freestyle Cruising
vacation on a big, modern ship visiting all four main islands and
featuring more time to explore ashore than any other cruise line
sailing in Hawai'i. In the longer term, as demand continues to grow
for this premium experience, we hope to bring back our other modern
purpose-built U.S.-flag ship, Pride of Hawai'i."
Guests booked on Pride of Aloha
For guests booked on Pride of Aloha from May 11, 2008 and beyond, NCL
is holding space and will offer the same cruise fare as they currently
have paid on their Pride of Aloha cruise if they would like to
transfer to the same week on Pride of America, departing one day
earlier. In addition:
-Guests will receive a $100 per person on-board credit (up to $200 per
stateroom).
-For guests who made their air and/or hotel arrangements through NCL,
NCL will protect the rates they currently have paid and cover any air
or hotel change fees.
-For guests who purchased their own air, NCL will protect up to the
first $100 per person of any increase in air costs and cover up to $75
per person in air change fees.
-For guests who made independent hotel arrangements, NCL will cover
any hotel change fees up to $25 per person.
Guests may book any other NCL cruise and receive a $100 per person
on-board credit (up to $200 per stateroom) if they rebook by March 7,
2008. In addition, NCL will cover up to $75 per person in air change
fees and up to $25 per person in hotel change fees. Guests may cancel
their cruise and receive a full refund if NCL is notified by March 7,
2008. In addition, NCL will cover up to $75 per person in air change
fees and up to $25 per person in hotel change fees. After March 7,
2008 cancellation fees will apply in accordance with NCL's
cancellation policy.
Pride of America's deployment announced through 2010
Following a 14-day scheduled dry dock in Hawai'i from April 26, 2008
to May 10, 2008, Pride of America will sail its four main island
itinerary with a change in order of ports including an overnight in
Nawiliwili, Kaua'i; an afternoon cruise of the breathtaking Napali
Coast; Hilo, Hawai'i; an evening sail by Mount K+lauea; Kona, Hawai'i;
and an overnight in Kahului, Maui.
All of the Freestyle 2.0 enhancements will be rolled out on Pride of
America during the ship's dry-dock.
Launched in 2005, Pride of America has over 660 balcony staterooms,
the broadest range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins available
at sea, a choice of nine different restaurants and 12 dining options,
multiple entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children's
facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms, and the largest
dedicated meeting facilities at sea. All inspired by the diverse
regions of America.
Cabotage Issues
Commenting on the Pride of Aloha withdrawal, NCL's President and CEO
Colin Veitch said: "Our Hawai'i business has been extraordinarily
difficult, and although we have progressively established a stable
operation, delivering a good product in a great destination, the
overall price level in the market has been driven down, to a
significant degree, by an unprecedented expansion of capacity from
low-cost foreign flag ships based on the west coast operating domestic
Hawai'i itineraries that the Customs Service has indicated are legally
the preserve of U.S. flag ships.
"We have invested heavily in U.S. flag cruising in reliance on our
nation's cabotage laws providing a level playing field in Hawai'i. Our
remaining ship, Pride of America, is generating an encouraging profit
now, and we project a continued improvement in this one-ship operation
as the unique nature of Hawai'i, from a cabotage standpoint, is
clarified and restored. In due course, we would then expect, and hope,
to be able to grow our U.S. flag business back to two profitable ships
by reintroducing Pride of Hawai'i."
About NCL Corporation
NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary
companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian
Cruise Line. NCL is building two new Third Generation Freestyle
Cruising ("F3") ships for delivery in 2010.
NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the
opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the
newest, most contemporary ships in the market, and has recently added
its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
For further information on NCL Corporation, contact your travel
professional.
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