TRAVEL LOG

Sinking delays cruise ship delivery

Norwegian Cruise Line is refurbishing and reflagging its Norwegian Sky to replace the Pride of America, which sank in about 30 feet of water Jan. 14 in a storm while under construction in Germany.

The Pride of America, heralded as the first U.S.-flagged ship in nearly 50 years, had been scheduled to begin weeklong inter- island cruises in Hawaii on July 4. The company said the mishap, which was under investigation, would delay the ship’s delivery by months.

The ship has a star-crossed past. Norwegian bought it unfinished after American Classic Voyages, which ordered it, went bankrupt in 2001.

Norwegian Sky, renamed Pride of Aloha, will offer two California coastal cruises in June, then cross the Pacific to begin its new Hawaii schedule. Inter-island cruise fares begin at $849 per person, double occupancy. Passengers booked on the America are being moved to equivalent cabins, where possible. For information: (800) 456-3054 or (800) 327-7030; www.ncl.com.

The Sky was originally scheduled to sail in Alaska this summer. Details on re-accommodating its passengers were not available at the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday.

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Picture this:

Monet in

Las Vegas

Some of Claude Monet’s best-known works, including “Grainstack” (1891) and renderings of the French Impressionist’s garden at Giverny, France, will go on display Friday through Sept. 13 in Las Vegas.

The show, at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art in the Bellagio resort, will present 21 paintings from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Timed tickets, which include an audio guide, are $15 for adults and $12 for students and for seniors older than 65. Reservations are recommended. For information, visit www.bgfa.biz; for tickets, call (877) 957-9777 or visit www.ticketweb.com.

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Travel by

minorities

takes a leap

Travel by minorities is booming, according to the Travel Industry Assn. of America.

About 20% more Latinos, 10% more Asian Americans and 4% more African Americans traveled in 2002 versus 2000, its new report found. By comparison, overall travel for Americans rose 2%.

Taken together, minorities accounted for nearly a fifth of trips in the U.S. and $90 billion in business.

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Getting

a lift from

insurance

A Montana company is offering to insure season passes, which can cost more than $1,000.

The policy, from Skier Insurance Services, refunds part or all of the cost if a skier or snowboarder misses 30 consecutive days or more on the slopes due to injury or illness.

The premium, 6% of the pass price, also covers up to $15,000 for emergency evacuation and up to $10,000 in accidental death coverage. Call (800) 624-0039 or visit www.skierguard.com.

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle