Pride of America. Image: Norwegian Cruise Line. Inset: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Norwegian Cruise Line has delayed the next sailing of Pride of America by two days as Hurricane Nolo approaches Hawaii, cutting the ship’s usual seven-night inter-island cruise to five nights.
The cruise was scheduled to depart Honolulu on Saturday, 26 September, but passengers have been advised that embarkation will instead take place on Monday, 28 September.
The change comes as Hawaii prepares for heavy rain, strong winds and potentially dangerous flooding associated with Hurricane Nolo.
Pride of America departure delayed until Monday
Pride of America operates Norwegian Cruise Line’s year-round Hawaii itinerary, normally sailing seven-night cruises from Honolulu and visiting four Hawaiian islands.
According to information provided to affected guests and reported by Cruise Hive, Norwegian has moved the 26 September embarkation back by two days because of the expected impact of the storm and restrictions affecting Honolulu Harbor.
The current sailing is also returning to Honolulu ahead of schedule as preparations are made for the approaching weather.
The delayed departure means passengers on the next cruise will effectively receive a five-night sailing instead of the seven nights originally booked.
The revised itinerary is expected to retain calls at Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili and Kahului.
Image: Norwegian Cruise Line
Passengers offered 50% refund and future cruise credit
Norwegian is offering significant compensation to passengers who continue with the shortened cruise.
According to the communication reported by Cruise Hive, guests who sail on the revised itinerary will receive a 50% refund of their original cruise fare, along with applicable service charges and qualifying Free at Sea beverage package charges.
They will also receive a 50% future cruise credit.
Passengers who decide the shortened sailing no longer works for them can cancel and receive a full refund, along with a 10% future cruise discount.
For travellers who have already flown to Hawaii or arranged accommodation around the original departure date, however, the two-day delay could still mean some last-minute rearranging.
Hurricane Nolo brings widespread closures across Hawaii
The cruise disruption comes amid much broader preparations across Hawaii.
Nolo strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane on Thursday, 24 September local time.
The US National Weather Service said a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch were in effect for the Big Island, with tropical storm watches covering numerous areas of Maui County.
Authorities have warned that heavy rainfall could cause dangerous flash flooding and landslides, particularly across the Big Island and Maui.
State and county offices, public schools and University of Hawaii facilities on Hawaii Island were closed on Thursday and Friday, with closures extending to Maui County on Friday.
Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources has also closed state parks, forest reserves, hiking trails, camping areas and other managed lands across Hawaii Island, Maui and Molokai.
Image: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A very different cruise from Pride of America’s usual itinerary
Unlike most mainstream cruises around Hawaii, Pride of America does not need to sail to an international port during its itinerary.
The US-flagged ship operates entirely within Hawaii and normally visits four islands and five ports during its seven-night cruise from Honolulu.
There are no regular sea days, making the itinerary particularly port-intensive.
Losing two days therefore has a bigger impact than simply removing a couple of sea days from a longer cruise. Passengers book Pride of America largely for the opportunity to spend their week island-hopping around Hawaii.
Norwegian’s decision to retain several of the major ports on the shortened itinerary should still give passengers a taste of that experience, although considerably compressed.
Weather can change cruise plans quickly
Cruise itineraries are always subject to change when weather or port conditions make the planned schedule unsafe.
In this case, the disruption is happening before passengers even board, with conditions affecting both the current voyage and the cruise scheduled to follow it.
Hawaii authorities continue to monitor Hurricane Nolo and have warned residents and visitors that forecasts and conditions may change.
Anyone currently travelling in Hawaii should follow advice from local authorities and check directly with their airline, cruise line, accommodation provider or tour operator for changes affecting their plans.
