Cruise-to-nowhere operation halted: The partnership between Commodore Holdings Ltd. and the Viejas band of Indians, formed for the purpose of operating gaming cruises from San Diego to Rosarito in Baja California, ended early last month when Commodore halted the cruises after only six weeks.

Lou Phillips, chief executive officer of Viejas Enterprises, said the gaming operation failed to attract enough patrons to make it profitable. The 433-foot-Iong Enchanted Sun had a capacity of 850 passengers but averaged only 250 per cruise.

One reason cited for the lack of ridership was that sea swells at Rosarito prevented passengers from disembarking there. Promociones Turistas de Rosarito, a Mexican group led by Hugo Torres Chabert, owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, spent $2 million to build an 1,800-foot pier so that passengers could spend nights at the hotel. In six weeks of operation, however, passengers were let off the ship only twice.

The group planned to spend an additional $7 million to $9 million on a breakwater to allow passengers to disembark safely.

The Indian tribe and the Mexican group were both surprised by Commodore's action. Torres said he spoke with top Commodore officials a week earlier and was told a suspension of the operation was being considered. Phillips said the Viejas had been negotiating a suspension agreement with Commodore.

"I thought we were very close to achieving that, and then I get a call today that the ship has left the port of San Diego and is on its way to Mexico and perhaps to somewhere else," he said. The ship was believed to be on its way to Singapore to be sold. As of last month, Commodore officials had not disclosed future plans for the ship.

Commodore also had Isle of Capri run the casino on one their ships, the Enchanted Capri and the ship had an Isle of Capri logo painted on the side and used standard Isle of Capri chips with the ship name on them.

I will take them if you still have them.