Tribe’s joint venture gambling cruise has an abrupt end

Monday, June 5, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

SAN DIEGO -- The first partnership between an American Indian tribe and a cruise line to operate a gambling ship has sunk.

The Enchanted Sun, a joint venture between the Viejas Indian tribe of Alpine and Commodore Cruise Line of Hollywood, Fla., suspended operations Friday after about two months of operation.

"We have been talking for some time about dissolving this partnership based primarily on the economic viability of this project," Lou Phillips, chief executive officer of Viejas Enterprises, said Sunday. "The demand hasn't been there."

The Enchanted Sun shoved off on its maiden voyage April 14 from San Diego to Rosarito, Mexico. Its capacity of 850 passengers was never reached, with the largest voyage carrying about 500 passengers, Phillips said.

The original plan called for offering cruises six days a week for between $58 and $68, but the ship had only reached four cruises a week, Friday through Sunday, with an average ridership of 250 passengers.

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