It was reported that the all-Hawaii cruise ship NCL Pride of America encountered mechanical problems last week that interrupted the cruise in progress. This is proof that these issues aren’t unique to airlines, although the remediation comes in quite different forms.
Technical glitch suddenly disrupts NCL’s Hawaii cruise itinerary.
The Pride of America faced unexpected technical difficulties leading to delays last week. As a result, one of its scheduled port calls was abandoned, and Kauai turned into a one-day visit instead of two.
Passengers who had long-planned for the 7-night four-island cruise were left coping with significant changes to travel plans but remained on the ship.
The cruise left Honolulu Harbor on Saturday night as scheduled for Maui. From reports, all went well until the ship stopped at Hilo on Tuesday. It was at that point that NCL realized that a prolonged repair stop would be required.
The Wednesday stop on the other side of the Big Island, at Kona, did not happen. Instead, the ship stayed two nights in Hilo, then left Thursday evening for Kauai, which was a shortened port of call on Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.
Hilo does not require tender boats, so passengers could walk off the ship during the prolonged stay. The cruise dock at Hilo, however, is two miles from the town center. It’s possible that some passengers may have decided to rent a car and drive to Kona for the day.
There were no details of the nature of the problem that occurred.
Reports said that passengers received a letter from NCL delivered to cabins about the delay, which at that time was canceling Kona and Kauai. Repairs must have gone faster than expected to be able to still sail to Kauai for a shortened stay.
The cruise returned back to Honolulu Harbor on Saturday, April 20. The cruise ship is currently docked at Kahului Maui once again, indicating that it has returned to normal cruising.
How do airlines and cruise lines compensate passengers?
How passengers are compensated for interruptions to Hawaii vacations has been a major discussion. Typically, that has taken the form of airline issues with delays and cancellations. It seems far less frequent that a cruise ship doesn’t make its stops as planned.
It isn’t clear how trip interruption insurance, for example, would compensate passengers. Some may have booked their own excursions at Kona that could not be used, and others may have booked activities on their own on Kauai that did not fit into the shortened stay. These passengers would have borne the costs they incurred.
In terms of NCL’s response to the problems, the cruise line was reported to have offered $200 per stateroom as a non-refundable onboard credit. That is in addition to a future cruise credit of 20%, which must be used by 2025.
NCL credited the shipboard accounts of passengers who had booked shore excursions directly with them for both Kona and Kauai.
Normally reliable year-round Hawaii cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America has provided reliable year-round all-Hawaii cruises for many years. But maintenance issues arise, and while a replacement airliner can be summoned, that isn’t the case for a cruise ship.
Glitch occurred on heels of NCL cancelling Napali Coast cruise segment.
Pride of America recently underwent a big itinerary change after 20 years. The company is no longer offering cruises with the Napali Coast Friday afternoon sailing included. As many of you said in comments, that was a large part of your reason for sailing on Pride of America.
As we said previously about this planned change, “It’s hard for us to describe the anticipation and excitement that more than three thousand passengers and crew experienced when pulling out of Kauai’s Nawiliwili Harbor and making the famous left turn to cruise up one of the world’s most spectacular and secluded coastlines. After about an hour’s time, the Pride of America ship started its approach towards the magical cliffs, lush valleys, and the famous beaches along the coastline. This is an area that is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or hiking.”
Current NCL itinerary plans extend the time spent on Kauai.
NCL departs Honolulu on Saturday evenings before docking Sunday and Monday on Maui, Tuesday on Hilo, Wednesday at Kona, and then Thursday and Friday on Kauai. Guests will get an additional four hours on Kauai now on Fridays without the Na Pali Coast sailing.
Have you ever experienced cruise ship interruptions?
Pride of America docked in Pearl harbor today, very unusual for a commercial cruise liner. She may be under going repairs, pictured on X – @es12071207.
Except for weather, rough seas there is No excuse for mechanical malfunction on the ship during a cruise if engineering staff is doing their job and keeping up to date on requirements. Lived on ship for 6 years.
My Dad was part of the crew of the old SS Constitution for several years as an engineering crewman. He was actually at sea in the Persian Gulf on an ESSO tanker when I was born. Still have the telegram. McKay Radio “Ship to shore, shore to ship”. Sounds as if NCL needs to replace the ship for a while for an extended maintenance availability… It’s been 20 years…
Best Regards