NCL Swaps Sun for Wind in Hawaii

NCL Corp. will expand its 2007 Hawaii/Fanning Island deployment, replacing the Norwegian Wind's 10- and 11-day itineraries with the newer Norwegian Sun, starting in September 2007. The cruise company also said it had extended its relationship with the Republic of Kiribati so the line could continue to offer FanningIsland on its long Hawaii cruises through to 2011. Norwegian Wind will operate Hawaii cruises through April 2007, when it is transferred to the Star Cruises fleet. The addition of Norwegian Sun to Hawaii, following the addition of Pride of Hawaii next month, will bring the total NCL Hawaii fleet for fall 2007 to more than 8,500 berths. Norwegian Sun will sail roundtrip from Honolulu. In 2007, NCL America's U.S. Flagged fleet-Pride of Hawaii, Pride of America and Pride of Aloha-will continue their seven-day, inter-island cruises calling on all four main islands featuring 100 hours in port with overnights in Kauai and Maui. By deploying a newer ship, the Norwegian Sun, however, into the longer itinerary to Fanning Island with more than 2,000 guests each sailing; NCL will increase its Hawaii capacity, bringing 450,000 passengers to the 50th state in 2007. Norwegian Sun's new 2007 10-day itinerary will feature Hilo, Hawaii; Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati; Nâwiliwili, Kauai; Lahaina, Maui; and Kona, Hawaii. The 11-day itinerary will call on Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Lahaina, Maui; Nâwiliwili, Kauai; Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati; and Kona, Hawaii. Norwegian Wind will continue 10- and 11-day itineraries from Honolulu until next spring when it leaves the NCL fleet.