NCL to Transfer Pride of Hawaii to Europe for Summer 2008

The Pride of Hawaii liner will spend the summer of 2008 sailing in Europe instead of on its Hawaii inter-island itinerary, said NCL Corp., parent company of NCL America.

The company said its “substantial 2006 losses have been caused by downward pricing pressure in the Hawaii market following the addition of the Pride of Hawaii to the fleet last summer, and the steep increase in the amount of foreign flag competition entering the Hawaii market from the West coast.

The Pride of Hawaii is one of three NCL America ships sailing in Hawaii waters under a U.S. flag, which enables the ships to make calls in the Hawaiian Islands without stopping in a foreign port during the itinerary.