Posted on: Thursday, January 24, 2002

Ship changes Big Island stop

Advertiser Staff

Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship is changing its cruise itinerary for the winter to skip its scheduled Big Island stop at Kailua and head to Hilo instead, officials said yesterday.

Rough winter seas made the six-hour stop in Kailua difficult because the ship must moor offshore and ferry passengers in, cruise officials said.

The ship spent the past two weeks testing the feasibility of docking at Hilo. Based on the test period and feedback from passengers, the cruise line decided to stop at Hilo during the weekly cruises until March 31.