Norwegian Cruise Ship Adjusts Itinerary Amid Ocean Swells
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America has made changes to its Christmas cruise itinerary due to hazardous wave conditions that have rendered it unsafe to dock in Maui as originally planned.
The ship, which operates year-round 7-night inter-island Hawaiian cruises departing from Honolulu, had set sail on December 21, 2024. Upon boarding, guests were informed about the alterations to the itinerary.
In an official notification, Norwegian Cruise Line stated, “While we have made every effort to maintain the original itinerary and provide you with the vacation you purchased, the safety of our guests and crew remains our top priority.” They explained that a winter swell phenomenon has created substantial waves and strong currents along all north- and west-facing shores, leading to the cancellation of the scheduled visit to Kahului, Maui, on December 22, 2024.
Fortunately, the ship was originally intended for an overnight stay in Kahului. Although that plan has changed, Pride of America will still be visiting the port on December 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Instead of docking in Maui on Sunday, the ship will spend the day cruising along the island, featuring stunning views of Maui’s volcanic peaks and lush tropical coastline. Passengers will also have access to a variety of onboard activities and the ship’s amenities, as it is the largest U.S.-flagged cruise ship, with a capacity for 2,186 guests and over 900 crew members.
All shore tours in Kahului booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for the cancelled visit will be automatically refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Passengers are not required to visit the Shore Excursion desk for these changes but can check for additional available tours for the visit on Monday.
The cancellation stems from winter swells often caused by storms that occur near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, allowing waves to hit Hawaii’s shores at damaging levels. Kahului’s dock is relatively sheltered, but attempting to maneuver the ship could prove dangerous due to these conditions, particularly for guests and crew boarding and disembarking.
Despite the disappointment among passengers regarding their abbreviated Maui visit, safety remains the cruise line’s primary focus. The itinerary for the remainder of the week is unaffected, with Pride of America set to visit Hilo on Tuesday, Kona on Christmas Day, and an overnight stop in Nawiliwili from Thursday to Friday. Norwegian Cruise Line is closely monitoring weather conditions and will adjust plans if necessary to prioritize safety for all onboard.
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