I have a question about the NCLA's Hawaiian route. I was under ther impression that NCLA had the market on the Hawaiian route - that they were the only cruise line that could cruise the different ports in Hawaii because they have the only American flagged ships. I see that Princess and Carnival have similar cruises that seem to be able to visit various ports in Hawai although they are internationally flagged. Am I missing something?

buppa,

the major difference between NCLA'S US-flagged ships and foreign-flagged ships is that NCLA's ships can offer inter-island cruises in Hawaii which do not call at any non-U.S. ports. Foreign-flagged vessels on the other hand must call at a non-U.S. port in order to be in accordance with the Passenger Services Act. That is why most other cruise lines offer Hawaii cruises from Canadian or Mexican ports or at least calling at a Canadian or Mexican port enroute. These cruises also include several days at sea between the West Coast and Hawaii.

Thanks! That makes sense to me now!!

There is also a Princess cruise that goes to Tahiti. I believe they make 4 or 5 stops in Hawaii and 3 in Tahiti. It is on the Tahitian Princess another non American flagged ship who must make a call at a non USA port during the cruise.

My husband and I were actually on an NCL Hawaiian islands only, cruise and the Tahitian Princess was in port on Kauai at the same time. (Wow two ships in one harbor is quite a site!) We had planed to take a flight while on Kauai. There was another couple that was shuttled over to the air port and flew with us, who were on the Tahitian Princess, they were at the tail end of the cruise and were telling us all about the ports of call and the great service. It actually sounded better than our NCL cruise. It is a 10 or 11 day cruise that sails twice a month I believe.

So now you have another option. Have fun in Hawaii. Aloha!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LisaP,