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Business Briefs

Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire

Friday, December 22, 2000

Cruise line agrees to isle gaming ban

Norwegian Cruise Lines said today it will not offer gaming on the Hawaii cruises it plans to start next Dec. 21 with the liner SuperStar Leo.

NCL said legislation passed in Congress last week, outlawing gaming equipment on cruise ships that start and end their voyages in Hawaii, is designed to discourage cruise lines from competing in Hawaii, but it will comply. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, whose support is enabling American Classic Voyages Co. to operate a foreign-built ship in Hawaiian waters while it builds two new ones in the United States. However, Inouye said yesterday that he acted only because of his long-held opposition to gambling in Hawaii.

NCL said gaming is only one of the many attractions its cruises offer.

In other news . . .

WASHINGTON -- Americans' personal incomes rose 0.4 percent in November while spending grew at its slowest pace in six months -- 0.3 percent -- as stock market volatility, lower consumer confidence and high energy costs dampened buyers' enthusiasm.