Cruise line dodges
iceberg of a strikeBarge workers squeeze shipping
Picketer in hospital after auto accident
Some wholesalers opting for air freight
Just call Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Aloha the mighty ship that could.
Pride of Aloha was originally planned as the second NCL U.S.-flagged vessel to launch interisland cruises, but underwent a major transformation to enter the market early when the lead ship Pride of America was damaged in a January storm.
And although Pride of Aloha sailed into Hilo months ahead of schedule, she was nearly prevented from fulfilling her task when a tugboat workers strike began yesterday with the ship in port at Kauai.
Since the interisland cruise vessel sometimes relies on tugboats to assist it during stops at Nawiliwili and Kahului, striking workers at Young Brothers Ltd. and Hawaiian Tug & Barge could have left passenger-filled ship stranded at Nawiliwili, said Robert Kritzman, executive vice president and managing director of NCL America.
But luckily the weather held, and the ship was able to make its way back to Honolulu for its July 4 christening, he said.
"The ship is right on schedule, and passengers have not been affected," Kritzman said.
However, if the strike is not resolved soon, it could interfere with other cruises, he said.
The first of three U.S.-flagged ships for NCL, Pride of Aloha will begin launching seven-day cruises between the islands following her christening on Sunday.
Serviced by an all-American crew, the ship will depart Honolulu Harbor every Sunday and call at Nawiliwili, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and Kahului on Maui.
"If the strike continues, we may have to change our itinerary," he said. "We're looking at lots of options."