Business briefs

Advertiser Staff

CPB parent's dividend rises

Central Pacific Financial Corp. declared a fourth-quarter cash dividend of 16 cents per common share, an increase from a dividend of 11 cents per share paid in the same quarter last year.

The parent company of Central Pacific Bank said it will pay the dividend on Jan. 30 to shareholders as of Dec. 31.

Cruise refunds promised

A representative of Royal World Cruises yesterday confirmed that about 750 customers who paid for a Dec. 22 cruise to Hawai'i will receive refunds for the 14-day trip that was canceled because of a dispute with lenders.

Meanwhile, a Jan. 5 Hawai'i cruise from Los Angeles on the 836-passenger Olympia Explorer is still uncertain.

The cruise line filed for bankruptcy last week.

The Federal Maritime Commission advised Royal World customers to consult their travel agent before canceling bookings for future cruises because contractual cancellation penalties may apply.

The commission said it will provide refund procedure information, when it becomes available, at www.fmc.gov.