WASHINGTON -- A movement is afoot to introduce an amendment to the
2003 appropriations bill that contains a provision to allow
Norwegian Cruise Line to sail interisland cruises in the 50th
state.
The amendment, which is being pushed by Holland America Line
and, according to reports, Princess Cruises, would allow up to five
foreign-built ships from various lines, plus one of NCL's Project
America ships, to operate interisland cruises in Hawaii.
Details, such as which lines would operate the interisland
cruises and when, weren't available.
The Senate version of the bill was passed last week; it is now
being debated in a House-Senate conference committee.
The provision that Holland America and Princess Cruises are
trying to amend was inserted into the appropriations bill by Sen.
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii.) It would allow NCL to sail up to three
ships in Hawaii without calling at a foreign port.
The measure would give NCL the same rights that interisland
cruiser American Classic Voyages enjoyed -- cruising in Hawaii
without having to call in a foreign port -- before it went bankrupt
in November 2001.