Carnival Spirit Reorders Hawaii Calls to Avoid Hurricane Nolo

Carnival Cruise Line has reordered all four Hawaiian calls on Carnival Spirit’s September 23, 2026, departure from Seattle to reduce exposure to Hurricane Nolo. The 15-night roundtrip voyage is still expected to visit every planned destination, with the duration of each port stay unchanged.

The revised route sends the ship to its easternmost Hawaiian destination first. Hilo lies 212 miles southeast of Honolulu, which had been scheduled to open the island portion of the cruise.

In a passenger notification shared with Cruise Hive, Carnival said the changes would “prioritize the safety and comfort of everyone on board” while seeking the best possible conditions for port visits. The adjustment is precautionary. None of the ship’s Hawaiian destinations was under a hurricane watch or warning as of September 28.

Hilo first, Nawiliwili last

Carnival Spirit will call at Hilo on Tuesday, September 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., then Kahului on Wednesday, September 30, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Honolulu follows on Thursday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Nawiliwili scheduled for Friday, October 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Under the original plan, Nawiliwili was the second Hawaiian stop, followed by Kahului and then Hilo. The new sequence moves the ship farther from the storm’s forecast track during the opening calls. Nolo is expected to have its greatest impact on the remote, largely uninhabited northwestern islands.

Shore excursions purchased through Carnival will transfer to the revised call dates. Guests whose tours cannot be accommodated will receive separate notifications. Carnival has also directed passengers to the “Good to Know Channel” on their stateroom televisions for any further itinerary updates.

Strong winds and swells remain a concern

Nolo was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph in the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. HST update on September 28. The storm was centered 365 miles south-southwest of Honolulu and moving west at 12 mph, with additional strengthening forecast.

Forecasters expected a northwest turn that night, followed by continued movement in that direction through Tuesday. The center was projected to stay well south and southwest of the main Hawaiian Islands while approaching Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument within a couple of days. A hurricane watch was already in effect for the northwestern portion of the island chain.

Although landfall on the main islands was not forecast, gusty winds and swells were expected along east- and south-facing shores during the coming days. Rain and rough harbor conditions could also affect the islands while the ship is visiting.

The voyage’s final call at Victoria, British Columbia, remains scheduled for October 7, from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Carnival Spirit is still due back in Seattle for debarkation on October 8.