Associated Press

Norwegian Cruise Line, which operates two cruise ships in Hawai'i waters, has bought the island tour bus company Polynesian Adventure Tours, the company said yesterday.

The purchase price, including transaction costs, was about $5 million, Miami-based NCL Corp. said.

"This acquisition complements our long-term strategic plan in Hawai'i," said Robert Kritzman, NCL's executive vice president and managing director of Hawai'i operations.

"NCL is poised to invest the necessary resources in Polynesian Adventure Tours to meet the needs of our cruise business, as well as service the company's existing customer base."

Polynesian Adventure Tours operates more than 100 motor coaches and buses, and is licensed to operate as a tour bus company on all four of Hawai'i's main islands.

NCL said it will retain all 200 of Polynesian Adventure Tours employees, including Jon Savitz, who will stay on as president.

NCL has two cruise ships operating in the Islands: the Pride of Aloha, sailing under the NCL American brand, and the Norwegian Wind, from sister brand Norwegian Cruise Line.

Plans call for two more NCL ships to be added to Hawai'i waters by 2006, including the Pride of America, which is set to begin sailing in June.

The four ships would bring about 500,000 vacationers a year to Hawai'i, and the acquisition of Polynesian Adventure Tours ensures that NCL can develop the ground transportation needed to serve the core of its tour and transfer requirements for passengers, the company said.