STAR-BULLETIN / 2001
Celebrity Cruises has called off two of the six Hawaii cruises planned for its Infinity ship this year.
Celebrity Cruises said today it has canceled two Hawaii cruises that were scheduled for next month, because its 1,950-passenger liner Infinity needs mechanical work. 2 Hawaii cruises canceled
Star-Bulletin staffThe Infinity was to sail from Ensenada, Mexico, on Feb. 2 and do a Hawaii round-the-islands cruise before docking in Honolulu Feb. 12.
Then it was to reverse the process with a new load of passengers in a second voyage starting in Honolulu, running around the islands and ending in Ensenada.
Celebrity said the ship's thrust bearings need to be replaced. Passengers who were booked for Hawaii will get all their money back plus a voucher good for a 50 percent discount on a future Celebrity cruise of 12 nights or less.
Celebrity Cruises is a subsidiary of Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which said taking the ship out of service will cut its first-quarter profit by 3 to 4 cents a share.
Celebrity said the Infinity is expected to be back in service Feb. 23. That means its four other voyages to Hawaii this year will take place. The Infinity is due in Honolulu April 2, May 20, Oct. 7 and Nov. 26-27.
The cruise business has been growing in Hawaii. There are two Norwegian Cruise Line vessels based in Hawaii, each making four or five trips around the islands a month and most of their passengers come from the mainland.
Aside from those cruises, four international liners visited Hawaii last month, carrying some 20,000 people. According to the state Department of Transportation, Honolulu is set to receive more than 100 cruise ship arrivals this year, counting the Norwegian Cruise Line voyages.
