Norwegian Star stops trips to Fanning Island

[Jason]

The Norwegian Star is following a different course this week as it cruises around the Hawaiian islands without heading to Fanning Island.

Typically, the cruise ship, as part of its weekly interisland cruise, heads to Fanning Island in Kiribati to comply with a federal law that requires non-U.S. flagged vessels to call at a foreign port if they are cruising between U.S. ports. NCL pays a penalty each time it skips the trip to Fanning Island.

This week, Norwegian Cruise Line, will be allowed to exempt itself from this requirement due to damage the Norwegian Star sustained. The forward thrust bearing the ship's azipod electric propulsion system was damaged last month. This system replaces a conventional rudder and ensures excellent vessel steerability, even in emergency situations.

The ship can no longer travel at 25 knots speed, which it needs to cover all Hawaiian islands and Fanning Island on a week-long trip. The ship can travel at 18 knots and will call at Kailua-Kona and Lahaina small-boat harbors as well.

The ship will stick to this revised schedule until April 25. After which, Norwegian Cruise Line will dry dock the Star earlier than expected to for repairs. This means, it will cancel its May 2 Honolulu to Vancouver voyage. That was to be the ship's last Hawaii voyage.

Guests booked on the May trip will get a full refund, a 25 percent cruise credit certificate based on ticket price, and airline fares and fees. For more information, call 1-877-501-6021.