Selling Cruises: Selling Hawaii
by John Hawks

Two years ago, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled an exciting new developing in cruising when it became the first cruise line to base a ship year-round in Hawaii for inter-island sailings. For many travelers who have seen Hawaii from the "land" side -- or for first-time visitors who want to sample the different islands rather than staying in a single resort for their entire vacation -- these cruises offer an excellent, value-priced option.

Along the way, however, a major challenge arose. The cruise line's American crews -- an anomaly in an industry that depends heavily on labor from other countries -- could not keep up the service levels expected by cruise passengers who have sailed with other lines. As a result, some travelers now question whether cruising in Hawaii is a travel experience that's ready for them.

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