Norwegian Reroutes Hawaii Ships as Tropical Storm Lala Nears
The Coast Guard set Port Condition Zulu for Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu counties, with affected ports requiring inspections before reopening after Lala passes.
Norwegian Cruise Line moved Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit away from Tropical Storm Lala, delaying one Honolulu turnaround and dropping two Big Island calls as Hawaii prepared for damaging winds, heavy rain and flooding. Forecasters said Lala could reach hurricane strength.
The changes affect both the end of Pride of America’s current Hawaii cruise and the start of its next sailing, while Norwegian Spirit arrived in Honolulu three days ahead of its scheduled conclusion before returning to sea.
Ships leave Honolulu ahead of restrictions
Pride of America shortened its overnight call at Nawiliwili, Kauai, departing on Thursday evening and returning to Honolulu on Friday. Passengers could disembark early or remain aboard until Sunday, when the ship is scheduled to return for formal disembarkation.
Norwegian Cruise Line told guests the early departure was “to ensure we can safely arrive in Honolulu ahead of these anticipated restrictions.” NCL planned to take the vessel back to sea after its Friday arrival to avoid the storm.
The 80,439-gross-ton Pride of America, built in 2005, carries about 2,186 passengers at double occupancy and 927 crew. Its scheduled Aug. 15 turnaround has been moved to Aug. 16, and the Kahului call on the following cruise will be shortened.
NCL advised passengers choosing to leave on Friday to arrange or extend hotel stays. The line did not provide further details on embarkation arrangements for guests booked on the delayed departure.
Norwegian Spirit reached Honolulu at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday after completing earlier calls at Kahului and Nawiliwili on its 16-night cruise from Vancouver. The ship canceled Friday’s Hilo visit and Saturday’s call at Kailua-Kona, both on the Big Island.
Passengers could leave the ship in Honolulu or stay aboard through the voyage’s scheduled Sunday end. Norwegian Spirit departed Honolulu late Thursday and remained at sea away from the storm.
Built in 1998 and refurbished in 2022, the 75,904-gross-ton ship carries about 2,018 passengers and 912 crew. The voyage began July 31 and included Alaska ports before crossing the Pacific to Hawaii.
Coast Guard raises port conditions
The Coast Guard captain of the port Honolulu set Port Condition Zulu for Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu counties effective at noon Saturday, indicating winds above 39 mph were expected within 12 hours. Kauai County was placed under Condition Yankee, the 24-hour warning stage.
The National Hurricane Center forecast those conditions spreading westward across the island chain during the weekend. Lala was expected to pass near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday before continuing south of the remaining islands.
After Lala passes, affected Hawaiian ports will require inspections before they can be cleared to reopen.
