Wow. Pride of Hawaii Taken Out of Hawaii Service - to be moved to Europe!

[Don Haynes]

And with higher prices, we will hear the $50 OBC per cabin isn't enough...

 

Plus NCL will deny the OBC if they don't rebook by the end of this month. Not to mention that 10 months does not provide them enough time to book another cruise.

 

Many more threads coming. We see this every time a cruise is cancelled for any reason.

[whale-watcher]

I'm waiting for someone who booked a Courtyard or Garden Villa complaining that neither POAs have that class of cabin, and they can't rebook a similar cabin on the POAs.

Woe, Woe, and more Woe! :mad:

As if sailing in a Couryard or Garden Villa makes or breaks a Hawaiian cruise. :rolleyes:

Personally, I prefer the layout of the suites on the PoAM to the POH, and the balconies are much larger.

[Holg]

You know, before I read this thread I was thinking "it's very interesting that the Fart (wind) is leaving Hawaii and NCL is not replacing it" NOW, they're pulling POH also!

 

I guess it's just a rebalance thing. With fewer ships, prices will go up, but costs will go down.

 

hmmmmmmm

 

Meanwhile, the whole Keil Canal thing... doesn't going through the Canal save hundreds of miles? Namely, not having to go around Denmark? Personally, if I cruise Europe (and I plan to soon), I want port time NOT sea days. If I wanted sea days I would cruise out of Miami and save thousands on airfare. Going around Jutland Penninsula (Denmark) will mean more sea days, less port time... that could mean one day in St. Petersburg instead of two... that would suck.

[cruizinwithkids]

This might not be quite another nail in the coffin of NCLA, but it's certainly another piece of major surgery for a very sick patient.

 

Let me start by saying I am an optimistic person anyway, but this really seems like the surgery could be very successful.

 

I have not been on a Hawaiian cruise so my opinions are based on info from this board and similar.

 

I don't think the American workers are lazy or whatever. I do think there is a lack of Americans who are interested in doing this type of work. As a result the ships are very short staffed. Even an employee who is willing to bust his butt can only do so much.

 

I read in 2008 the ships can be staffed with 15% international employees. This combined with taking employees from three ships and instead putting them on two, can result in a very nice product. Also if/when the dust settles and there is a need for another ship, there is one ready to go.

 

I can't even imagine why NCL would deploy an American crew to Europe when it appears there problem is getting enough Americans on the Hawaiian cruise.

[Markandrews]

Effective 2-2008? That gives NCL almost 3 months to get the ship to Europe for the summer season. It should not take that long to get the casino in. Should be some intersting REPO cruises.

 

This has to be a blow to NCL's ego.

 

I was really hoping NCLA would start working at a profit.

[shoreguy]

Effective 2-2008? That gives NCL almost 3 months to get the ship to Europe for the summer season. It should not take that long to get the casino in. Should be some intersting REPO cruises.

 

This has to be a blow to NCL's ego.

 

I was really hoping NCLA would start working at a profit.

 

I think a lot of people were hoping NCLA would turn a profit. I am sure this was a hard pill to swallow. Too much capacacty was driving prices down and the could not even come close to breaking even at the current prices.

 

I think they will have to do much more then add a casino - It may take a complete make over of the interior to take Hawaii out of the POHI. The hull will need a new paint job. I will take perhaps a month+ just to re-crew the ship. They need that crew to do work in drydock. The real question as far as repos is where they will do the work. To much trouble to crew the ship in the US.

 

I would not be surprised to see just the POAM full time in HI in the futher. It is in fact the only ship with a real US hull.

[ute_fan]

I was wondering last night, before having time to read the whole thread, if it might be due to a combination of financial problems for NCLA combined with trouble finding enough employees to staff all 3 ships. There was a thread on another board discussing a recent job fair in Philadelphia, and the lack of success in finding new candidates willing to go through the training program.

 

It sounds like there's still quite a bit of staff turnover going on, and if they can't find employees to fill the new jobs, that may also be contributing to the decision to move the POH to Europe.

[BruceMuzz]

If it helps at all - the US Flagging agreement that NCL has with the US Government allowed them to put a US Flag on their ships. But if they decide to change that flag at any time, they will not be allowed to change it back to US later on.

[Brad1185]

NCL reminds me of the Sea Diamond except the Sea Diamond stayed afloat longer. At least they admitted to large losses.

[Markandrews]

NCL reminds me of the Sea Diamond except the Sea Diamond stayed afloat longer. At least they admitted to large losses.

 

Nice comment.

 

The Sea Diamond was like 20-21 years old? NCL had been around a lot longer then that.

[shoreguy]

NCL reminds me of the Sea Diamond except the Sea Diamond stayed afloat longer. At least they admitted to large losses.

 

Ha Ha :rolleyes: - just to be correct NCL is making good money - NCLA is bleeding cash.

[Markandrews]

I think a lot of people were hoping NCLA would turn a profit. I am sure this was a hard pill to swallow. Too much capacacty was driving prices down and the could not even come close to breaking even at the current prices.

 

I think they will have to do much more then add a casino - It may take a complete make over of the interior to take Hawaii out of the POHI. The hull will need a new paint job. I will take perhaps a month+ just to re-crew the ship. They need that crew to do work in drydock. The real question as far as repos is where they will do the work. To much trouble to crew the ship in the US.

 

I would not be surprised to see just the POAM full time in HI in the futher. It is in fact the only ship with a real US hull.

 

I have never sailed on her but have seen pictures and she is very South Pacific themed. If it is truly a "temporary withdrawal of Pride of Hawai`i" how much of Hawaii would they take out of the ship?

 

They should have plenty of time to get a new international crew ready by 2008.

 

I would say the changes made in Dry Dock will be a true indicator of the ships future.

 

I agree that Pride of America would be last to go. The ship is an odd ball in the NCL fleet of the future.

[cruizinwithkids]

If it helps at all - the US Flagging agreement that NCL has with the US Government allowed them to put a US Flag on their ships. But if they decide to change that flag at any time, they will not be allowed to change it back to US later on.

 

What EXACTLY does it mean to be US flagged versus being US flagged IN the US?

 

Can a US flagged ship have a casino? Must a US flagged ship have American employees?

[johncruises2]

I'm waiting for someone who booked a Courtyard or Garden Villa complaining that neither POAs have that class of cabin, and they can't rebook a similar cabin on the POAs.

Woe, Woe, and more Woe! :mad:

As if sailing in a Couryard or Garden Villa makes or breaks a Hawaiian cruise. :rolleyes:

As a TA and having my cllients in BOTH Garden Villas and 5 of the 8 Courtyard Villas I am beyond rage that they would move this ship and not wait for later in the season. Having clients who like the best of the best, it makes life harder for us not being able to please my clients as she should be. I would complain if I went from a 700 sg. ft apt. to a 300 sq. ft apt. and they were going to offer me a toaster as compensation to downgrade so it is not complaining, but a matter of someones way of taking a vacation

[newmexicoNita]

But the Keil Canal is a pretty specialist interest as far as mainstream cruising is concerned. No other mainstream cruise line seems to miss it. It'll be missed by regular NCL cruisers, but people would soon adapt.I agree. This might not be quite another nail in the coffin of NCLA, but it's certainly another piece of major surgery for a very sick patient.

Of course they will most likely, not bring it back, but they aren't going to say that now. As for the end of NCLA? I think that is certainly jumping to conclusions. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

NCL reminds me of the Sea Diamond except the Sea Diamond stayed afloat longer. At least they admitted to large losses.

Brad, why do you bother coming on here? Let's try and carry on constructive dialog (spelling) The subject is a very interesting one, with lots of opinions and that is what makes this website so interesting. NMnita

[mbisson]

Brad, why do you bother coming on here? NMnita

 

Probably harping about NCL(A) is the best thing in his life. He won't change Nita, just add him to your ignore file :D

 

-Monte

[smeyer418]

Hawaii periodically goes through Tourist downturns. I was there a couple of years ago when the hotels were half empty...primarily because Japan's economy was so bad(Japan is closer to Hawaii than Washington is).

I am sorry that NCL is having such a bad time as they have spent a lot on Hawaii and the US flagged vessels. You know when you do innovative things not all of them will work. NY still has been their most successful home port. Perhaps Hawaii will reconsider its ban on gambling on the US Flagged ships so they can compete better. I am sure the ship will temporarily be re-flagged probably the Bahamas.

 

Hey Brad you even take a chance...NCL America was a different idea.

[anthk333]

NCL announced this morning that the POH "will be reflagged into the Bahamas registry, renamed..." so no U.S. crew.

 

I'm betting on the Norwegian Diamond.

[mikedw]

I hate to see her go, I was on her when she was in Baltimore last April, but as someone said before, it could be the best thing for service. You add in the 15% foreign workers, plus you can keep the Americans who truly like there jobs and things should get a lot better.

 

Michael

[Don Haynes]

I don't think NCL will keep a NCLA crew aboard in Europe. I suspect she will be reflagged, a American flag ship has to have a American crew. That does not mean NCL will have to rename the ship, but I would think renaming is likely.

 

I am going to search the PSA to see if NCL can reflag her back again as an American ship. Since NCL did avoid sending her to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, and most likely a Gulf coast port, she may still be able to be flagged American again.

 

I agree with Shoreguy, I suspect a Eastern Mediterrean itinerary if NCL decides to send three ships to Europe. I also agree, I suspect at least European and Hawaiian 2008 itineraries will be posted soon after this NCL decision of the Pride of Hawaii.

[honestguy]

for everyone wondering if the hawaii will retain the american crew your answer was in the first part of the press release. The hawaii will be joining NCL therefore no it will not be american crewed. I think you will see this whole thing come to an end within 2 more years!

[ohioNCLcruiser]

I wonder how long it will be till we get details about a new name, hull art etc.

[Globaliser]

I am going to search the PSA to see if NCL can reflag her back again as an American ship. Since NCL did avoid sending her to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, and most likely a Gulf coast port, she may still be able to be flagged American again.

I think that one of the other things one would need to look at is the special arrangements and exemptions that were put in place for NCL to set up NCLA. After all, none of the three NCLA ships qualifies for a US flag under the normal rules.

[Cuizer2]

Japan is closer to Hawaii than Washington is.

 

Which one? The one above Oregon or the one near Maryland?