Norwegian Cruise Line to Resume Big Island Port of Calls

Hawai‘i Gov. David Ige and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) today praised the decision of Norwegian Cruise Line to begin resuming port calls in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawai‘i starting next week.

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Going forward, Norwegian’s Pride of America cruise ship plans to port for the day in Hilo each Tuesday, starting June 12, and in Kona each Wednesday, starting June 13, as part of its regular cruise schedule in the Hawaiian Islands.

Governor Ige commented, “We are very grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line for reinstituting its port calls in Hilo and Kona. This is especially wonderful news for the small businesses in and around those communities that service the wishes of the ship’s guests as they venture out to experience the incredible beauty and fascinating attractions throughout the island of Hawai‘i.”

George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO, said, “Visitors who enjoy the Hawai‘i cruise experience will be thrilled knowing they can port in the island of Hawai‘i and see for themselves what makes the largest and most environmentally diverse of all the Hawaiian Islands so captivating. We thank Norwegian Cruise Line and appreciate the careful thought their executives put into making this decision, as this message to resume port calls in Hilo and Kona will be valued by potential travelers who are considering a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.”

Norwegian’s Pride of America cruise ship carries up to 2,500 passengers per week and is serviced by 900 crewmembers. Pride of America is home-ported in Honolulu and makes weekly cruise tours throughout the Hawaiian Islands, with port calls in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawai‘i; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili, Kaua‘i.

Norwegian had temporarily halted port calls in Hilo and Kona starting the week of May 14 due to concerns about adverse conditions created by the ongoing eruptions of Kīlauea volcano.

Kīlauea has been an active volcano since 1983 and is one of Hawai‘i’s most popular attractions. Over the years residents and visitors have been drawn to the wonder of seeing nature at work in the creation of new land via tours or visits to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the park is currently closed until further notice.

For the latest update on air quality in the Hawaiian Islands, please reference the State of Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/

For the latest tourism updates please visit the Special Alerts page of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai‘i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).