✈️ Travel Impact

Tropical Storm Nolo Pushes Back Pride of America's Honolulu Embarkation to September 28

Norwegian Cruise Line has delayed embarkation for Pride of America's seven-night Hawaii sailing, originally set for Saturday, September 26 out of Honolulu, due to Tropical Storm Nolo. In a September 24 letter, NCL said Honolulu Harbor forecasts indicate it won't safely support embarkation on the 26th, pushing the new boarding date to Monday, September 28 — though NCL says this could still change. The delay means a shortened itinerary: Hilo on September 29, Kona on September 30, Nawiliwili on October 1, and Kahului on October 2, returning to Honolulu October 3. Guests can sail on the 28th with a 50% refund of fare, service charges and Free at Sea package costs plus a 50% Future Cruise Credit valid through December 31, 2027, or cancel by September 26 for a full refund plus a 10%-discounted Future Cruise Credit through the same date. Nolo, per NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center, had 70 MPH winds and was 455 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, moving north at 2 MPH and gaining strength.
💡 What This Means For You

If you're booked on Pride of America's September 26 Honolulu sailing, embarkation is now pushed to September 28, with the itinerary shortened to Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili and Kahului before returning October 3. Decide by September 26 whether to sail with a 50% refund and 50% Future Cruise Credit, or cancel for a full refund plus a 10%-discounted credit, both valid through December 31, 2027. Watch for NCL's text and email updates, since the new date isn't final. If you booked shore excursions through NCL, expect adjustments to match the new port times.

📝 Mark's Take

What jumps out here is NCL hedging its own fix — telling guests the September 28 embarkation "may not be the final decision" even as it announces it. That's a line built for a moving storm, not a confident schedule. The compensation split is telling too: sail anyway and get half your fare back plus a 50% credit, or bail by September 26 for a full refund and a 10%-discount credit. NCL is clearly trying to keep cabins filled rather than eat a full cancellation wave. Guests who value the itinerary — Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, Kahului — get compensated for lost days rather than a wholesale cancellation. My read: with Nolo tracking toward major hurricane strength near the Big Island, I'd take the fuller refund option and rebook later rather than gamble on a squeezed four-port run. Pride of America being NCL's only regional ship makes this a single point of failure worth watching.

Still Afloat curates and summarizes cruise industry developments, travel disruptions, weather impacts and destination intelligence while crediting and linking directly to original publishers.

Planning a cruise?

Talk to Mark — a real cruise advisor who's sailed it himself, not a call center. Honest picks, no pressure, and no booking fees to you.

Work with Mark →

🧳 Gear worth its suitcase space →