New Hawaii itineraries posted

[Don Haynes]

NCL finally has posted its April 2008 to April 2009 itineraries. As we expected, prices are higher with fewer ships and cabins.

 

We are still waiting for the winters Jade and Dream itineraries. I believe the rest of the fleet's new itineraries have been posted.

[Droopy_Sails]

NCL finally has posted its April 2008 to April 2009 itineraries. As we expected, prices are higher with fewer ships and cabins.

 

And less time on Maui and Kauai...I don't think any of us expected that! I didn't, in any case.

[shoreguy]

NCL finally has posted its April 2008 to April 2009 itineraries. As we expected, prices are higher with fewer ships and cabins.

 

We are still waiting for the winters Jade and Dream itineraries. I believe the rest of the fleet's new itineraries have been posted.

 

Looks like the POAL is doing the last 10/11 day cruises in April :mad:

[Droopy_Sails]

Looks like the POAL is doing the last 10/11 day cruises in April :mad:

 

Book 'em now if you want to take 'em. Dang glad our price is locked in.

[luv2bnsun]

And no more 10 day inter-island cruises :mad:

[cliffd64]

I would suggest that you take one of these before 2010 if you plan to at all... Not sure if you will find them if things don't improve for NCLA.

 

Losing 60 million per year won't be tolerated for the long term. it's definitely something to watch over the next few years.

[Droopy_Sails]

I would suggest that you take one of these before 2010 if you plan to at all... Not sure if you will find them if things don't improve for NCLA.

 

Losing 60 million per year won't be tolerated for the long term. it's definitely something to watch over the next few years.

 

Sounds like a good plan, Cliff, but why 2010? Is that how long NCLA committed to stay in Hawaii?

[halos]

NCL finally has posted its April 2008 to April 2009 itineraries. As we expected, prices are higher with fewer ships and cabins.

 

We are still waiting for the winters Jade and Dream itineraries. I believe the rest of the fleet's new itineraries have been posted.

 

 

WOW...perfect timing! :D

 

oops, upon further reading, maybe not :(

[CruisinMK]

I thought the 10/11 day itineraries on the pride of Aloha were a big improvement. But these new ones are a significant step backward. Less time on Maui (shortened 2nd day), and eliminated the 2nd (half) day on Kauai.

On the other hand it wouldn't surprise me to learn that they have mistyped these itineraries, NCL kept the wrong itinerary information for their hawaii cruises for years on their website before... :)

[Droopy_Sails]

I thought the 10/11 day itineraries on the pride of Aloha were a big improvement. But these new ones are a significant step backward. Less time on Maui (shortened 2nd day), and eliminated the 2nd (half) day on Kauai.

On the other hand it wouldn't surprise me to learn that they have mistyped these itineraries, NCL kept the wrong itinerary information for their hawaii cruises for years on their website before... :)

 

LOL...wouldn't surprise me, either! But I was theorizing on another thread that NCL is saving port fees by cutting the second day on Maui short and eliminating any part of a second day on Kauai. (Well, I guess you could go for a run to Hanamaulu in the pre-dawn and still be back on board for the 7 a.m. sailing).

 

Could they also be looking to save fuel by leaving early to reduce cruising speed? But really, don't these ships already go very slowly and/or circle since the distance between islands isn't THAT great?

[cliffd64]

Sounds like a good plan, Cliff, but why 2010? Is that how long NCLA committed to stay in Hawaii?

 

There is no time table at all... the three ships, Pride of Aloha, Pride of America, and Pride of Hawaii, are required by law, for the entire time that NCL owns and operates them as US Flagged Vessels, to serve the Hawaiian Islands, but NEVER the ports in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean. There may be some ambiguity on what NCL's obligations are for providing regular service to the Hawaiian Islands, as the exemption was silent on service to the East and West coasts, and therefore NCL is not prohibited by the exemption from providing some service to these destinations, as long as

the regular service requirement is met.

 

 

Here is a link to a great read on the exemption from the GAO office of the United States, regarding the whole agreement and the plans for the future:

 

 

http://www.gao.gov/atext/d04421.txt

 

 

Here is a snippet that says it all:

 

If NCL is not profitable operating the exempted

vessels in the United States, analysts speculate that NCL will seek

government approval to reflag the vessels and operate them in foreign

trades. NCL could continue to serve the Hawaiian market with the

reflagged vessels, if the itinerary included a stop at Fanning Island

or another foreign port. In this case, the exclusive interisland cruise

options for consumers would no longer be offered, jobs for U.S. crew

and the associated tax revenue would be lost, and NCL would not be

liable for U.S. corporate income tax. In addition, if NCL is unable to

operate successfully under the U.S. flag in Hawaii, possibly the most

desirable market protected under the PVSA, there will be further

disincentive for any other cruise line to attempt to operate under the

U.S. flag, thus limiting the potential development of the U.S.-flag

cruise vessel fleet.

 

So, it would appear that if they can't make it, they have the ability to get out of the market. Why stay long term losing money?

[Droopy_Sails]

Okay, Cliff, but why then did you say 2010? Why not 2009, the last date through which NCLA has scheduled cruises? Just trying to figure out why you selected "2010" as your "do it by" date.

[avalanche2]

The ships could be profitable if they were allowed gambling. The State of hawaii should wake up and not let NCL leave

[Guest BeckyThane]

I was theorizing on another thread that NCL is saving port fees by cutting the second day on Maui short and eliminating any part of a second day on Kauai.

I think what they're doing is increasing the time pax spend aboard ship so NCLA can increase revenue (i.e., drinks, spa, shops, etc.). They take a major hit in these areas on port-intensive cruises.

[Guest BeckyThane]

The prices! OY!!! Over $1900 (incl. taxes) for an entry-level balcony. I'm sticking with my land-based plans -- 5 days on Oahu (Waikiki beachfront), 3 on Hawaii (in Volcanoes National Park), and 3 on Kauai (beachfront at Poipu) -- and we're saving a _boat-load_ (pun intended) of money.

[Retired not Expired]

The prices! OY!!! Over $1900 (incl. taxes) for an entry-level balcony. I'm sticking with my land-based plans -- 5 days on Oahu (Waikiki beachfront), 3 on Hawaii (in Volcanoes National Park), and 3 on Kauai (beachfront at Poipu) -- and we're saving a _boat-load_ (pun intended) of money.

 

Yep, I'm glad I got two cruises in already. Both times, the cruise plus air from the midwest (Which isn't cheap) and two nights on Waikiki cost less than just a cruise now. Next Hawaii trip will be a condo on Maui.

[Droopy_Sails]

I think what they're doing is increasing the time pax spend aboard ship so NCLA can increase revenue (i.e., drinks, spa, shops, etc.). They take a major hit in these areas on port-intensive cruises.

 

Yes, that's true--good point. And on the port-intensive cruises in other locales, they make it up in the casino at night.

[beachchick]

Right this minute, I am thanking my lucky stars that my smart DH said, "You know, we really should try to budget for a PoH cruise sooner rather than later because I don't think they'll be able to keep three ships going full time, and fares will surely go up if there are fewer ships." Think I'll keep the guy around for a while longer--He can really call it.

 

beachchick

[shoreguy]

The prices! OY!!! Over $1900 (incl. taxes) for an entry-level balcony. I'm sticking with my land-based plans -- 5 days on Oahu (Waikiki beachfront), 3 on Hawaii (in Volcanoes National Park), and 3 on Kauai (beachfront at Poipu) -- and we're saving a _boat-load_ (pun intended) of money.

 

$1900 still sounds like a bargain for Hawaii. I think over time they are going to have to get $2500 pp to make it profitable. Keep in mind on your land based vacation you have two travel days on each island to or from the airport with everything in suitcases, checking out and in to hotels..... :eek:

[shoreguy]

I think what they're doing is increasing the time pax spend aboard ship so NCLA can increase revenue (i.e., drinks, spa, shops, etc.). They take a major hit in these areas on port-intensive cruises.

 

With no casino or duty free they can't make more money on drinks then the engines can consume in fuel. I think there may be another reason - increased income for the crew. With so much time in port the crew does not get a chance to earn the tips expected. Bars are dead all day long and many evenings. Restaurant service is taxed with everyone showing up late from port. If they expect to keep the good workers, improve the level of service and then be able to raise fares to a point they are making a reasonable return they have to make sure they make more money.

[cliffd64]

You nailed that shoreguy... according to the report I posted earler, NCL spends between 100 and 150 percent more on labor on its NCLA ships... it really is turnng out to be difficult to make a profit so far I think.

[Droopy_Sails]

$1900 still sounds like a bargain for Hawaii. I think over time they are going to have to get $2500 pp to make it profitable. Keep in mind on your land based vacation you have two travel days on each island to or from the airport with everything in suitcases, checking out and in to hotels..... :eek:

 

Boy, I don't know. I think at these prices, they're cutting out a big chunk of the potential market. But yeah, what good is having more passengers if you're losing money on every one? If they can fill two ships and make a profit with higher fares, more power to them.

 

Traveling between islands is normally quick and easy in our experience--and affordable if you hit a good spot in Hawaiian Air's fluctuating fares. If I were Becky, I'd be doing the same thing she is. As it is, we're getting a great deal on our 11-day PoA cruise, but I know darn well NCLA is losing money on us.

[Droopy_Sails]

With no casino or duty free they can't make more money on drinks then the engines can consume in fuel. I think there may be another reason - increased income for the crew. With so much time in port the crew does not get a chance to earn the tips expected. Bars are dead all day long and many evenings. Restaurant service is taxed with everyone showing up late from port. If they expect to keep the good workers, improve the level of service and then be able to raise fares to a point they are making a reasonable return they have to make sure they make more money.

 

Clearly, the solution is "unofficial" (wink wink) late-night poker games involving both passengers and the best card players among the crew. The card shark crew members could contribute to NCLA's bottom line while taking a percentage for themselves in "tips." Everyone benefits except the hapless passengers getting skinned, but hey, poker is not for crybabies!

[shoreguy]

. If I were Becky, I'd be doing the same thing she is. .

 

If I were Becky I would park my backside on one island for the 10 days, two at the most. I have been to HI 5 times and never spent less then 10 days. It is one long trip to the beach:D

 

First time I was there I was in Maui for 11 nights. I did end up changing hotels 3 times but that is a long story. Met up with my boss who was on the trip his wife booked at the same time - 3 island 7 days - they never got their bags unpacked and needed a vacation when they got back to the east coast :eek:

 

Heck I remember pricing a cruise on one of the old American Lines in HI back in the 80s and it was more then NCL is asking now.

[Droopy_Sails]

If I were Becky I would park my backside on one island for the 10 days, two at the most. I have been to HI 5 times and never spent less then 10 days. It is one long trip to the beach:D

 

First time I was there I was in Maui for 11 nights. I did end up changing hotels 3 times but that is a long story. Met up with my boss who was on the trip his wife booked at the same time - 3 island 7 days - they never got their bags unpacked and needed a vacation when they got back to the east coast :eek:

 

Heck I remember pricing a cruise on one of the old American Lines in HI back in the 80s and it was more then NCL is asking now.

 

To each his own. I can't imagine spending 11 days on overdeveloped Maui. Kauai and Molokai, though, oh, yeah.

 

Anyway, Becky's trip is working for her--three islands in 11 days--and not everyone minds packing (or just half-unpacking) and moving from place to place, especially if they're the type who travel light. One of the reasons we like cruising is the unpacking-once aspect, which complements our more active trips where we're on the move a lot. There are good things about each type of travel and we try to enjoy the advantages of each and not fret too much about the disadvantages. Sometimes you gotta live out of a suitcase because the other rewards are terrific.