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.