NCL Cruise to Fanning Island, Kiribati

While on an NCL Cruise in July 2002 we made a stop at Fanning Island in the Pacific Island country of Kiribati. It was a chance to see how the natives live. We enjoyed the 45 minutes or so we spent on the island but were glad to leave and get back to the ship. The humidity on the island was oppressive and there were flies everywhere. The people on the island were friendly and the NCL crew did a great job of taking care of the passengers. If you are going to Fanning w/ NCL be very careful embarking and disembarking the tender used to shuttle passengers to and from the island. Several people got hurt in the rough seas while the tender was along side the cruise ship. Getting on and off at the island is no problem.

NCL Beach, Fanning Island, Kiribati
This is the main beach that NCL uses on Fanning Island. It is on the...

Fanning Islanders, Kiribati
The day's entertainment.

Fanning Island, Kiribati
Fanning Island jail.

NCL Beach, Fanning Island, Kiribati
A view of the NCL beach from the landing dock.

Fanning Island, Kiribati
The water really is that clear !

Leaving Fanning Island, Kiribati
A view from the lifeboat used as an island tender.

article published 08/11/2002

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I hope the Jones Act does get passed, NCL is ruining the island, which is beautiful, If you do go on NCL, beware what they tell you, because they tend to lie alot about the island.
— Sue Jemasem, October 24, 2005

I went to "fanny" island in may of 2003 and it was beautiful we went on a bike ride and enjoyed it so much. did you not see the ship or boat that was there when you got off? it was supposed to be used during ww2 so it was an interesting story. great pictures!!
— audry, November 16, 2003

Are you some kind of tour director or something??
— Billy Blazes, May 15, 2003

it´s good
I´m going next month to kiribati, (in a cruise) so is good to see the pictures and to read the comments, thank you Laura Tirado,,,www.lauratirado.com
— Laura Tirado, April 26, 2003

I visited the Island with an NCL cruise.I hope it does not get spoiled. NCL did a great job of getting us on and more importantly off the Island with all our bits and rubbish as well.
— Roger, March 7, 2003

Carol,

Glad you found my posting on Fanning Island. I have heard different opinions on Fanning Island.... everything from "it's gorgeous" to "dont bother going ashore." It certainly sounds like the season and weather make a big difference there.

Thanks for posting, Bob
— Bob T, February 26, 2003

Fanning Island
My husband and I visited the Island in April, 2002 and it was absolutely beautiful. The weather was perfect,the tradewinds were gently blowing and the only time we were bothered by flies was during lunch.

My suggestion is to get off the ship on the first tender possible and grab a loungechair (1st row ocean) on the beach near some shade (we were next to the tree on the beach with the swing) You will catch the soft breeze blowing (which also must have kept all the flies away)

Just remember, you are out in the middle of nowhere - enjoy it for what it is !! You can visit a big city anytime, how often do you get to experience something like this?

Fanning Island may be a near distant memory - NCL is working with the Government to have the "Jones Act" not apply to NCL ships. This would mean that NCL's ships could solely cruise the hawaiian islands without having to touch "foreign soil" during the cruise. So enjoy Fanning Island while you have the oppurtunity.
— Carol Cruiser, February 26, 2003