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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 9:34 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2008

NCL says Hawaii cruises still at risk

Associated Press

HONOLULU — Even with one giant cruiseliner gone and another one on the way out, Norwegian Cruise Lines says its cruises around Hawai'i are still at risk.

State officials and members of Congress are split over how best to save what had been a booming sector of the tourism industry.

NCL America CEO Colin Veitch says the politicians should focus on keeping his last ship, the Pride of America, in the Islands.

Gov. Linda Lingle and state tourism officials don't like a proposed Customs Bureau rule that would require all other cruise ships to spend more time in a foreign port when coming to Hawai'i from the U.S. Mainland.

NCL wants the rule to protect its island cruises, which are U.S.-flagged. Hawai'i's congressional delegation generally has backed NCL on the issue.