Princess Cruises Cancelled Kauai Stop Due to Hurricane

The Ruby Princess replaced its scheduled Nawiliwili call with an extended stay in Honolulu.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Cruises

Screen-print poster illustration of a cruise ship in a tropical harbor, set against distant volcanic mountains, evoking a travel-poster aesthetic. — Princess Cruises cancelled its scheduled call at Nawiliwili on Kauai due to structural damage from Hurricane Lowell, redirecting to Honolulu for an extended stay. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Princess Cruises cancelled the scheduled stop at Nawiliwili for the Ruby Princess following structural damage caused by Category 5 Hurricane Lowell on Kauai. The vessel will instead arrive in Honolulu earlier than planned to provide passengers with an extended overnight stay.

Why it matters

Hurricane Lowell caused significant utility outages and structural damage across Kauai and Niihau, making the Nawiliwili port stop unsafe for cruise operations. This adjustment allows the cruise line to maintain its schedule while ensuring guest safety in the wake of the disaster.

The Ruby Princess is currently on a 16-night voyage that features ten full days cruising the Pacific Ocean. The ship will arrive early in Honolulu on September 22, 2026, and is scheduled to depart on September 23, 2026.

The players

Princess Cruises

This major cruise line operates a fleet of ships globally and manages specific itineraries that often include stops throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Norwegian Cruise Line

This large international cruise operator manages the Pride of America, which also adjusted its Hawaii itinerary due to storm damage.

The details

Guests who had shore excursions booked for Kauai will receive full refunds for the cancelled stop at Nawiliwili. Princess Cruises notified passengers of the itinerary change prior to embarkation to manage travel expectations.

August 27, 2026 - September 13, 2026: Hurricane Lowell impacted the Western Hawaiian Islands.
September 12, 2026: The Pride of America departed Honolulu for its own revised itinerary.
September 22, 2026: The Ruby Princess arrives early in Honolulu.
September 23, 2026: The Ruby Princess departs Honolulu.

Forecasts
Sept. 23
Hawaii Declared Emergency Ahead of Tropical Storm
Forecasts
Sept. 24
Hawaii Closed Public Parks for Tropical Storm Nolo
Safety
Sept. 23
Governor Green Will Provide Hawaii Disaster Update

Travel Outlook

This itinerary change follows the pattern set by the National Weather Service's Hurricane Lowell impact report, which documented the specific infrastructure damage on the islands. It highlights how major cruise lines must remain flexible when storm-related damage disrupts planned seasonal tourism operations.

Passengers holding reservations for Kauai shore excursions will receive automatic full refunds to their accounts following the cancellation. Travelers should monitor cruise line portals closely for any further schedule updates or additional port changes as local infrastructure continues to recover.

The takeaway

Cruise itineraries in the Pacific remain highly sensitive to seasonal weather events that can cause sudden port closures. Passengers are encouraged to verify their excursion status and consider travel insurance that covers weather-related disruptions to their vacation plans.