The Swanson's Norwegian Star Cruise

The Swanson's Norwegian Star Cruise -- Fanning Island -- June 4, 2003

Fanning Island with Norwegian Star in background

Fanning Island was a fascinating part of this cruise. The people there are living much like their "cousins" in Hawaii did 300 years ago. No electricity, no flush toilets, food comes from pigs, dogs, chickens, and the sea. Twice a year, the boat arrives from Australia with beer and cooking needs (oil, flour, rice). Norwegian Cruise Lines has built a school, but they need materials. We walked to the school and gave the teachers some colored pens for the children to color with. Hopefully, they will have paper from some other cruisers. They were very appreciative of our gift. We only spent about 2 hours on island, while many passengers spent the day swimming and sunning on a perfect beach. The island itself is almost at the Equator, and is everyone's idea of a "tropical island".

The people of Fanning did not have a cash economy to speak of, before the cruise ship arrived. Now, they have a "marketplace" with handicrafts. Many of the people are helpful to visitors with no expectation of payment, but have begun to receive "tips" for their trouble. There is still no begging, unlike tourist areas of Mexico and the Caribbean. Let's hope these folks have a good transition into the 21st century. To us, the school seems to be a good start.

Around the island, the water is too deep to anchor (1,500 feet deep), so they keep the ship in place with engines and thrusters, assisted by GPS. Tenders take everyone to and from the ship. They even have a 2-level cat that stays at the island all the time. Very comfortable ride into the lagoon through its tricky entrance.

NOTE that these photographs are Copyright©1998-2019 Robert and Sandra Swanson. I greatly appreciate people viewing the photos, but not stealing them. If someone is interested from a commercial point of view, please contact me.

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Approaching Fanning Island -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [It is only six Feet Above Sea Level]

Launching the Tenders with Fanning in the Background -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Tenders at the Ready -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [they take all materials in first, then the passengers, and at the end return EVERYTHING back to the ship, including all garbage and unused food]

Loading Food for the Island Visit -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Close-Up of Tender Rigging -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Entrance to the Lagoon -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [sailboats inside are the only other visitors to the island]

Two-Level Cat that Stays On-Island Permanently -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Houses and Boats -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [note thatched roofs]

Main "Road" of Island with Houses -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Beach and Lagoon in Background -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

We Called Him "Clyde" -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [he followed us around the island during our walk]

The School -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

More of the School -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Sandi at School Sign -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Island Houses -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Boat and Lagoon -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

More Action on the Main Road -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Children Helping to Drum Up Business at the Marketplace -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Marketplace with Lagoon in Background -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Young Men of Island Danced and Sang -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [they had a box for donations, which are used to finance the school]

Wreck in Lagoon -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Lagoon View -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Leaving the 2-Level Tender -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Tender Landing in Lagoon -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Looking Toward Island -- Market on Left, NCL Swimming Area on Right -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Lagoon View -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Lagoon Entrance with Star in Background -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island

Heading Back to the Star -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [those waves breaking are across the entrance to the lagoon]

Tenders Arriving at the Star -- June 2003 Norwegian Star Cruise Around Hawai'i and Fanning Island [area below the spherical radome is the luxury penthouse suites. Very fancy!]

The Swanson's Norwegian Star Cruise -- Fanning Island -- June 4, 2003

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