HONOLULU, Aug. 17 (Nationwide Times) — Travel plans for two Norwegian Cruise Line ships changed after Tropical Storm Lala approached Hawaii, disrupting port calls and pushing back the next departure of Pride of America by one day.
The changes affected Honolulu, Kauai and the Big Island. They also created a key planning issue for cruise passengers: a ship’s delayed arrival or departure can affect flights, hotels, airport transfers and other bookings tied to the cruise schedule.
What changed for Pride of America?
Pride of America began a seven-night inter-island sailing from Honolulu on Aug. 8. It shortened its scheduled overnight visit at Nawiliwili on Kauai and left earlier than planned on Aug. 13, according to a guest communication from Norwegian Cruise Line.
The ship returned to Honolulu on Aug. 14. Norwegian Cruise Line told passengers they could disembark early or remain aboard while the ship waited at sea, according to the company’s communication.
The ship’s scheduled Aug. 15 disembarkation was moved to Aug. 16. Because the ship could not complete its usual turnaround on the original schedule, the next seven-night Pride of America cruise, originally set to leave Honolulu on Aug. 15, was delayed until Aug. 16.
The supplied information does not establish the final itinerary for that delayed sailing. Passengers with flights, hotels or transfers connected to the original departure date would need to confirm new arrangements with Norwegian Cruise Line and their travel providers.
What happened to Norwegian Spirit?
Norwegian Spirit was completing a sailing from Vancouver to Honolulu. It canceled planned calls at Hilo and Kailua-Kona and proceeded to Honolulu early, according to Norwegian Cruise Line’s guest communication.
After arriving in Honolulu, the ship went back to sea. Passengers were reportedly offered the choice of leaving early or staying aboard while the vessel waited. Norwegian Spirit was expected to complete its voyage in Honolulu on Aug. 16.
The supplied reports describe the length of Norwegian Spirit’s voyage differently. They do not resolve whether the difference reflects counting conventions or an error, so the sailing length is not included here.
Why did the ships change course?
The National Hurricane Center reported that at 8 a.m. Hawaii time on Aug. 14, Lala was about 365 miles east-southeast of Hilo. The storm was moving west-northwest at about 12 mph and had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph.
Norwegian Cruise Line said a developing tropical storm was expected to bring strong winds and difficult conditions, with the potential for Honolulu’s port to close. The company changed the routes to avoid the expected weather and port-access problems.
The U.S. Coast Guard captain of the port Honolulu set Port Condition Zulu for Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu counties. Port Condition Yankee was set for Kauai County. These conditions are part of the Coast Guard’s system for preparing ports for hazardous weather and restricting maritime activity when necessary.
The available information does not include a direct Honolulu port notice confirming the exact closure period or reopening time.
What should cruise travelers know?
Cruise itineraries can change when storms affect a port, even when a ship is already in the region. A cruise line may cancel a port call, shorten a visit, return to a homeport early or delay the next sailing so the ship can complete safety and passenger-boarding procedures.
For travelers booked on an affected cruise, the practical steps are to check the cruise line’s latest instructions, confirm flight and hotel policies, and avoid assuming that an original arrival or departure time still applies. Travelers who booked separate flights, airport transfers or hotel stays may need to contact those providers directly.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s communications described passenger options and compensation connected with the changes. The supplied information does not include a final official compensation policy covering every passenger, and reports differed on some details. No official total for the number of affected passengers or the financial impact was provided.
