Breaking. 3/22/20, 4pm HST. The NCL Jewel is at this moment pulling into Honolulu Harbor and a complete about face has occurred. Now, passengers will be allowed to disembark under very special circumstances. That after many frightening days at sea during which the ship was refused entry to multiple countries. Reports are that no one on board has shown signs of illness and they have been at sea for far longer than 14 days.
Also see: Hawaii Travel Ban Major Updates as of 3/22/20.
The reason for this change is that one of the ship’s engine’s has failed and it was not deemed safe for it to continue across the Pacific. The cruise originated in Sydney on February 28 with over 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew, a time when all seemed reasonably fine. Since then however, four countries refused it docking permission, as had the US at Honolulu Harbor. Those included French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. It was also refused docking at Pago Pago in American Samoa, where it last stopped for refueling. Passengers were not allowed off the ship there.
The Norwegian Jewel does a couple of these itineraries each year, and your editors once contemplated being on-board. The two-part cruise starts (in this case) in Australia, then visits Fiji and other Pacific islands before a tour of French Polynesia. The next part commences in Tahiti, and visits neighbor islands before a tour of the Hawaiian Islands ending in Honolulu.
Nine charter flights await passengers
We have learned that when passengers disembark, they will be screened by a number of state and federal agencies. Then they will proceed directly from the ship to Honolulu Airport where they will board charter flights. The flights include two from Hawaiian Airlines, two from Sun Country, two from Delta Airlines, two from Wamos, and one from Qantas. They will be headed to Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Sydney and Frankfurt.
The charter flights are scheduled to depart until Monday between 9am and 8pm. Passengers will not be allowed to disembark until Monday, as their flight times approach. The State Department of Transportation said, ” The ship experienced propulsion problems that require repairs at the next port, which is Honolulu Harbor. The repairs must be made without passengers on board, which has prompted the change to allow the passengers to disembark. No passengers or crew will disembark on Sunday, March 22, 2020.”
MS Maasdam heading to San Diego
The other cruise ship, the Holland America MS Maasdam was only allowed to dock in Honolulu Harbor on Friday for the purpose of restocking of provisions and refueling. That ship is now en route to San Diego where it is expected to arrive at 6am on March 27.
The DOT said that all cruise ships in Hawaii are on a 30-day operational pause that began March 14, 2020.
Holland America cruise ship first banned from docking at Hilo
Holland America’s MS Maasdam was en route with over 800 passengers from Auckland to San Diego via Pacific islands including Hawaii. It was due to end in California on April 3 after visits planned at multiple ports in Hawaii starting March 24.
Holland America first asked for permission to dock at Hilo on the Big Island. The Hawaii Department of Transportation refused that request.
Let us know your thoughts in comments below.
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Cosmo K. says
“these pretzels are making me thirsty”
Anne says
I see a lot of, “where’s the aloha?” Aloha is not a welcome mat, it’s a reciprocal relationship. I understand their desire to return home but they are clearly showing that their desire is more important than the health of their community. How is that Aloha? I have a lot of sympathy for those on cruse ships right now, from what I hear the industry has not been very helpful if people wanted to cancel so many people just went, hedging their bets so to speak. As a community we don’t owe them the ability to just come home in these situations.
Anna says
Why would you start an article with “ Two Cruises from Hell” ?
What kind of message does this send? Is this really the Aloha spirit? We are all human beings ,have feelings and are afraid of this horrible virus! Please be kind and put yourselves in their shoes. I’m sure that the proper precautions are in place to protect everyone. As a nation we should try and understand and help one another.
Joi says
I agree, why not just say that you want no dis boarding right at this time. Shame on Hawaiian people but I have always seen this attitude (deleted).
Gregor says
Protecting our home! You wouldn’t want them in your backyard. If I were on the ship I wouldn’t want to jeopardize others at home or visiting foreign lands. Self quar antine. The company could provide the proper care on the ship to clear their clients….I believe that is the right thing to do
Mike says
Hawaii doesn’t even shut down their island. Are bars, hotels, closed like some other states?? Yet they let anyone fly in still.
No Aloha spirit anymore.
Jacquie B. says
As passengers on one of the ships, we’re appalled by the lack of aloha spirit. We’ve effectively been quar antined and there are NO cases on our ship. As 40+ year visitors to Hawaii, we’ll keep your response in mind for future travels. We really don’t want to be exposed in Hawaii, but have no choice.
Leigh Anne W. says
You obviously have no idea how dangerous it is for those of us living on a small island in the Pacific! Aloha 🌺
Renard D. says
I see no reason given the circumstances for those two ships to even go to Hawaii. Divert here to the mainland.
I mean what’s the point if all the passengers are going to be herded to the airport. If there are no cases onboard I’m not frightened if they unload here. Stay safe everyone but don’t be so quick to discard your humanity.
Glenn W. says
Now is not the time to panic. I have always admired the Aloha Spirt of Hawaii and would hope that is this time of need that it will continue. Remember we are all Americans and we will get through this crisis together not separately! Let us help each other in this time of need.
Aloha and Mahalo.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Glenn.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Jeffry M says
If you are going to publish an article with a title starting, “Two Cruises From Hell Bound For Hawaii?” I think you should use a picture of one of the cruise ships you are talking about in your article. The two ships are the NCL Jewel and the HAL MS Maasdam, yet you show a picture of RCL Majesty of the Seas. That is bad publicity for Royal Caribbean by placing a picture of their ship with this article. Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas is currently in the Gulf of Mexico.
Jeffry M says
Thank you. That was a quick switch. 👍🏻
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jeffry.
Thanks for pointing out the mistake. Much appreciated!
Aloha.
Joan says
Joan C.
Please stop advertising reduced fares attracting tourists to Hawaii. I have worked at Maui’s hospital for 30 years and adding more tourists to our island is not prudent considering the situation.
If the cruise ship needs to dock so that passengers can transfer to the Honolulu Airport, then do this with no travel on our island. Take them directly to the airport with strict precautions. No contact with other airport passengers.
Protect our residents and healthcare systems. This travel is so unnecessary at this time.
DB says
BoH provides information. If Maui, HI, the US, or the airlines want to prohibit entry into Maui, they can do that. I appreciate knowing what is happening to pricing during this time.
Monica says
It is likely many of these passengers are Americans, and all are human beings. We wouldn’t want to be stuck on a ship without a reason, so we should let them arrive but test passengers thoroughly before they fly, so they don’t spread the virus to HI and the rest of the country via airline flights. Let’s remember the Golden Rule and treat them as we would want to be treated.
Carolyn says
Actually most of these passengers are Australian.
Susan says
This isn’t the time to let cruise ships disembark passengers on any of our islands. We have such limited supplies for our residents as it is. Passengers picking up “just a few supplies” at our stores prevents locals from buying needed items for their families. Then there’s the possibility of contagion. Not a wise move.
Mike says
Why do they let flights land where people have only been on hours vs days with testing on the ship? Hawaiians want open borders. But not for THEIR borders.
Peter B. says
“As of this morning, that ship is located near Kiribati, about halfway between Polynesia and Hawaii.” Wait, what?? They’re both *in* Polynesia…