Amid a severe drop in Hawaii tourism, Norwegian Cruise Line has pledged to extend its Hawaii interisland operation through January 2012.

The timing of Miami-based NCL Corp.'s long-term commitment to sail its profitable Pride of America is fortuitous for the state's lead industry, which is struggling to keep hotels full and restaurants, retailers and related operations in business.

“;We're pleased that NCL has made a commitment to continue the island cruises,”; said Marsha Wienert, state tourism liaison. “;Hopefully, they will find that business will be what it needs to be to continue beyond then.”;

NCL redeployed its Pride of Hawaii in February for Europe amid waning visitor arrivals. In May, the company removed its U.S.-flagged Pride of Aloha and in July returned it to Miami to begin sailing Bahamas cruises. NCL blamed the Pride of Aloha's departure on competition from West Coast-based foreign-flag ships that increased capacity while driving down market prices.

Besides ship workers, the company cut staff at the NCL America headquarters office in Honolulu by about 50 employees, a move that was expected to help NCL's Hawaii operation become profitable.

An NCL representative couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

Wienert earlier estimated the annual loss in visitor spending due to Pride of Aloha's departure would total $287 million, in addition to about $369 million anticipated from the loss of the Pride of Hawaii.

Its latest commitment to Hawaii “;adds a whole other depth to a product we can offer the visitors,”; she said.

The Pride of America, which made its interisland debut in 2005, sails seven-day intersland cruises round trip from Honolulu, with ports of call at Kahului, Maui; Hilo and Kona on the Big Island; and Nawiliwili on Kauai.