HONOLULU, Aug. 17 (Nationwide Times) — Travelers on two Norwegian Cruise Line ships faced canceled port calls, an early return to Honolulu and a one-day delay to a later sailing as Tropical Storm Lala approached Hawaii.
The changes affected Pride of America, which operates seven-night inter-island cruises from Honolulu, and Norwegian Spirit, which was completing a voyage from Vancouver to Hawaii. Norwegian Cruise Line described the changes in a guest communication.
What changed for Pride of America?
Pride of America began its sailing from Honolulu on Aug. 8. The ship shortened its planned overnight visit at Nawiliwili on Kauai, left the port early on Aug. 13 and returned to Honolulu on Aug. 14.
Norwegian Cruise Line moved the ship’s scheduled disembarkation from Aug. 15 to Aug. 16. Passengers were offered the choice of leaving the ship early or remaining aboard while it waited at sea, according to the cruise line’s communication.
Because the ship could not complete its normal turnaround on the original schedule, the next seven-night Pride of America sailing was pushed back one day, from Aug. 15 to Aug. 16.
The supplied information does not establish the final itinerary for that delayed sailing. It also does not provide the number of affected passengers or a final accounting of compensation.
What happened to Norwegian Spirit?
Norwegian Spirit canceled planned calls at Hilo and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. After arriving in Honolulu early, the ship went back to sea, according to Norwegian Cruise Line’s guest communication.
The ship was expected to complete its voyage in Honolulu on Aug. 16. The supplied reports describe the voyage as both a 16-night and a 17-day sailing; the difference is not resolved in the available information.
Passengers on Norwegian Spirit were also reported to have been offered early disembarkation or the option to remain aboard while the ship waited at sea.
Why did the itineraries change?
The National Hurricane Center said 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 the developing storm could bring strong winds and difficult conditions and could result in the closure of the Port of Honolulu.
The U.S. Coast Guard captain of the port Honolulu set Port Condition Zulu for Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu counties, and Port Condition Yankee for Kauai County. These conditions are maritime safety measures used when officials are preparing for hazardous weather and possible port restrictions.
The available information does not include a direct Honolulu port notice confirming the exact closure period or the time the port reopened.
What should affected travelers know?
Passengers scheduled to leave Pride of America on Aug. 15 faced a revised disembarkation date of Aug. 16. Travelers on the next Pride of America sailing also faced a one-day delay to their departure from Honolulu.
That type of change can require adjustments to flights, hotels, airport transfers and activities planned around the cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line’s communication reportedly offered different arrangements for passengers who left early and those who stayed aboard, but the available information does not provide a single, complete compensation policy.
The disruption also shows why cruise travelers departing from Honolulu should monitor cruise-line messages and allow flexibility around flights and hotel stays when severe weather threatens a port. Final schedules can depend on port conditions, ship movements and safety decisions by the cruise line and maritime authorities.
