princess cruises hawaii fire

Hawaii Cruises Remove Maui From Itineraries For Now

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has been the first to announce that, for now, it will halt Maui as a port of call on Hawaii cruises. Before the Maui fire, Kahului was their first port of call after leaving Honolulu, and they stayed two days a week there, on Sunday and Monday. More cruise lines will be changing schedules soon following the devastation amidst the Maui fires.

Norwegian Cruise Line has begun notifying guests, initially for the next three Pride of America weekly Hawaii cruises, that modifications to the itinerary have become necessary. Their website has not been updated to reflect the change at the time of publication.

NCL decided to alter the itinerary of its own accord to relieve any unnecessary strain placed on Maui’s infrastructure so that a total focus on recovery operations can occur.

NCL replaces Maui with overnight on the Big Island at Hilo.

NCL said, “In an effort to alleviate the pressure on local resources, we have made the decision to replace our scheduled stop in Maui with an overnight stay in Hilo, Hawaii.”

The interim itinerary will also include more time on Kauai, according to NCL, that will “Provide an optimal opportunity to immerse in the splendor and natural allure of the Hawaiian Islands.”

Future changes for all Hawaii cruises remain unknown at this time.

The initial change will apply to Pride of Americas’ three upcoming cruises in August, which leave each successive Saturday from Honolulu. NCL is aware of the rapidly changing situation and is monitoring the Maui conditions for further changes, which we believe are highly likely. We’ll have more updates on this as we get more details.

Princess Cruises alters Hawaii cruise plans.

We have yet to see all of the Hawaii cruise industry changes, and our focus remains on more critical aspects of the fast-evolving situation on Maui. That having been said, Princess Cruises also announced it will alter its first Hawaii cruise itinerary. It will eliminate its scheduled call on Maui on Monday and will replace that with a stop on the Big Island at Kona.

Fragile Maui infrastructure is far from ready for cruises.

First responders on Maui are actively helping the island’s recovery from the wildfires, which is in its infancy phase. The lack of cruise ships will help to unload additional burdens on the failing infrastructure immediately.

With all of Maui’s resources already stretched too thin, the rerouting of cruise ships will let resources be directed to critical recovery efforts for the immediate future. The state continues to discourage visitors to Maui at this time.

The resumption of cruise itinerary stops on Maui may range from weeks to months. That will be determined based on the extent of the damage that is still just coming to light in relation to the availability of resources on the island.

Many cruise lines stop on Maui, and we expect numerous changes ahead.

For those Hawaii visitors with cruise plans between now and the end of 2023, please get in touch with your cruise line for potential changes.

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19 thoughts on “Hawaii Cruises Remove Maui From Itineraries For Now”

Can you share any insight on whether NCL Pride of America will officially stop in Maui in September? Per customer service, if you haven’t gotten notification of port change, Maui is still a scheduled stop unless there is an emergency situation. This still sounds like a maybe to me. Thanks.

We’ve seen no further announcement of changes from NCL. Therefore, we assume they are returning to Kahului for September.

I messaged NCL a few days ago and was told a decision was not made yet for September.

NCL is offering no choice, no option to change an upcoming Hawaii booking for September 2023. This is deplorable. We are being forced to go on a vacation that we did not plan. Two days in Maui is why we booked the cruise in the first place for our 35 year wedding anniversary. I will never cruise with them again and will tell everyone I know !!!

NCL hasn’t announced what its plans are for September. They, like everyone else are still trying to understand what’s appropriate and to act accordingly. If you choose to not go with them, that’s entirely up to you. Calling them deplorable and threatening to “tell everyone I know” may assuage your upset but won’t matter to them.

They need to send empty cruise ships to Maui to house those who are stranded from the the Fire.

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HAWAII Cruisers - FYI - Lahaina destroyed by Fire

By mikjr , August 9, 2023 in Hawaii

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This is very sad news!  we were just in Lahaina in July on the Emerald. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/coast-guard-joins-brush-fire-response-lahaina-where-crews-continue-battle-wind-whipped-flames/

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My heart is breaking. 😢 😢 😢 Praying for all those on the island. This is tragic. 

We were also there this year. Really enjoyed walking the streets of Lahaina. Very sad, hope everyone is safe.

So the Emerald Princess is currently (Aug 05th - 21st) on it's 16 day round trip Hawaiian Island with a scheduled stop on Mon, Aug 14th to Lahaina, Maui Island, which I don't think they will be making due to the fires currently burning in Lahaina, https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Prayers for the all that are effected. Does the ship typically need to re-provision food and/or bunker fuel in Honolulu before returning to the mainland?

I also wonder how weather and specifically the smoke from the fire will effect this voyage overall.

I'm guessing that the ship instead of Lahaina, Maui may overnight somewhere or take a slower route towards Ensenada.

Safe travels, - WYB

Prayers for this beautiful port town... so very sad.  😪

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-maui-dora-winds-ec23c16abfbeb6ba689f1a98263720db

Can't yet find any info about the Pioneer Inn - been part of my family visits since the early 1960's - beaded curtains and fans on the ceiling.

22 minutes ago, WYB! said: So the Emerald Princess is currently (Aug 05th - 21st) on it's 16 day round trip Hawaiian Island with a scheduled stop on Mon, Aug 14th to Lahaina, Maui Island, which I don't think they will be making due to the fires currently burning in Lahaina, https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com Prayers for the all that are effected. Does the ship typically need to re-provision food and/or bunker fuel in Honolulu before returning to the mainland? I also wonder how weather and specifically the smoke from the fire will effect this voyage overall. I'm guessing that the ship instead of Lahaina, Maui may overnight somewhere or take a slower route towards Ensenada. Safe travels, - WYB

There are other Hawaiian ports they could relocate to if there is space. They are the next cruise ship due in Hawaii 

Sigh! One less port on the itinerary.  😟

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/coast-guard-joins-brush-fire-response-lahaina-where-crews-continue-battle-wind-whipped-flames/

Not just Lahaina. Also one near Kula and one near Kehei. Have been told by friends, but not otherwise confirmed that Kula Lodge is gone.

Maui had requested only essential travel to the island and requested others not travel.

Also fire on the big island.

1 hour ago, OlsSalt said: Can't yet find any info about the Pioneer Inn - been part of my family visits since the early 1960's - beaded curtains and fans on the ceiling.

A friend of mine says the Banyan Tree is gone  If that is true than not good for pioneer inn.

One report says that harbor area gone, but did not say if it was the one next to the inn where the ferry docks or the one just outside of town

Yes it is all very sad, I have a firend staying in Maui right now and was to go home a couple of days ago but flights have been canceled and she is not sure when she will get to leave.

Princessfan20

Just now, memoak said: There are other Hawaiian ports they could relocate to if there is space. They are the next cruise ship due in Hawaii 

Maybe their only solution would be to overnight in Honolulu if they are not already.  Maui and Hawaii Island are having the National Guard brought in today.  Their resources are going to be extremely stressed and basically not available.  Most flights from the mainland to Kahului Airport have already been canceled today through August 11, 2023.  Visitors  (4,000) are being evacuated to Honolulu to make housing available for the thousands of locals who have lost their hokes.  I am sure the Emerald Princess is a low priority for the state.

17 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said: Yes it is all very sad, I have a firend staying in Maui right now and was to go home a couple of days ago but flights have been canceled and she is not sure when she will get to leave.

Oh no! That is scary, I hope they are safe. 

I heard on the news that the tree is gone and so are the shops and art galleries on front street, the main tourist street.

Person being interviewed on CNN stated that Pioneer Inn was destroyed.

praying for those impacted..

This is so tragic, and I certainly keep the residents of Lahaina in my prayers.  We sat under the Banyan tree in Feb 22; what a sad loss.

Very, very sad about the loss in the town and that beautiful banyan tree... I'm sure many here have photos of it.  😪

Just watched a video from an airborne tour operator who overflew the area. Lahaina is essentially gone. There's nothing left of the downtown commercial district.

Heartbreaking.  Praying for those who have lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

Fortunate 2 travel

6 minutes ago, jsglow said: Just watched a video from an airborne tour operator who overflew the area. Lahaina is essentially gone. There's nothing left of the downtown commercial district.

That is so sad.  It will be a very tough time for the residents.  I hope tourists stay away and give the island time to heal.  Soon after Ian hit our area, when gas, food and water supplies were low, tourists started showing up.  

Cruise Suzy

31 minutes ago, julia said: I'm sure many here have photos of it.

I am onboard the emerald now, 2 days out of Hilo.   The ship and captain are very quiet.  Not a word. Yesterday we did speed up for a medical emergency, trying to arrive 15 hours early….but now…who knows.

Nickelpenny

This is so sad.  I was looking forward to visiting and now it is probably all gone.  Thoughts for all of those affected and I do hope they are all safe.

Fleetwood's, probably gone too.

Would holland consider cancelling cruise in October now ?

so sad ..beautiful places burning 

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Planning to Visit Hawaii? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Wildfires.

Devastating fires on Maui and the Big Island have destroyed businesses and homes, and caused at least 36 deaths. They are also upending tourism, leaving travelers wondering what to do.

By Christine Chung and Ceylan Yeginsu

Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes on Wednesday. The fast-moving flames have scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted a series of evacuation orders, road closures, and power and cellphone service outages. At least 36 people have died.

The fires are most intense along the western coast of Maui, according to local news reports , with the historic town center of Lahaina severely damaged.

Declaring a state of emergency in all counties, the Hawaiian state government has asked travelers to leave West Maui as soon as possible and is discouraging travel to the affected areas.

Here’s what travelers need to know.

Where are the fires?

According to the local news outlet Hawaii News Now , at least three wildfires are burning on Maui, including one in Lahaina, a major tourist destination on Maui, and the upcountry section of the island. There are at least three blazes on the Big Island, in North Kohala and South Kohala, which includes the Mauna Kea beach area, according to Big Island Now .

Can you fly to Maui and the Big Island?

Nonessential air travel is being discouraged by the Hawaiian authorities. Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke issued two emergency proclamations authorizing several actions, including activating the National Guard.

All travelers should monitor their flight status online or using the airline’s app before departing for the airport.

As of early Wednesday morning local time, Kahului Airport on Maui remains open and was sheltering about 1,800 travelers, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said . On Wednesday, most flights were operating as scheduled, according to FlightAware, an aviation tracking site, but some carriers are reporting inbound cancellations and delays. The two airports on the Big Island, Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, also remain open.

United Airlines, according to Josh Freed, a company spokesman, canceled all reservations on its inbound flights to Kahului Airport, “so our planes can fly empty to Maui and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland.”

“Our teams are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting our schedule so we can keep serving our customers under difficult conditions,” he wrote in an email. United is offering refunds for passengers who want to cancel their flights.

American Airlines has also canceled reservations on inbound flights to Kahului Airport, said Curtis Blessing, a company spokesman. The carrier is rebooking passengers at no charge, as long as certain conditions are met.

Other major carriers were operating their scheduled flights but are offering a variety of options to affected travelers who want to revise their plans.

Passengers on Hawaiian Airlines can change their flight plans or get refunds, said Marissa Villegas, a company spokeswoman. The airline operates more than 80 flights daily in and out of Maui. It is also offering special $19 fares from Maui for urgent travel needs.

Southwest Airlines operates at least 90 daily flights in Hawaii, 60 of them within the state. Those who booked with Southwest traveling from or to Maui on Wednesday or Thursday can rebook at no charge, but refunds are available only if your flight is canceled by the airline.

Travelers who booked with Alaska Airlines can change their flights but must travel before Aug. 31. According to a company spokesperson, the eight daily flights to Maui are operating, some with delays.

What’s the latest with travel on and between the islands?

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is providing timely information on road conditions, highway closures and airport status updates through social media . All nonessential travel to Maui is discouraged, the department said .

Hawaiian Airlines has added six more flights on Wednesday between Honolulu and Kahului.

Those flying between islands should monitor their flight status on their carrier’s app or website and be aware that changes may come unexpectedly.

Numerous road closures were announced for both Maui and the Big Island, according to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser , with the Honoapiilani Highway on the west coast of Maui remaining open to outbound traffic only.

Can I get a refund from my hotel or short-term rental?

On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, travelers have written that major hotels near the wildfires in Maui have closed and been evacuated. Several popular resorts, including Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa at Ka’anapali Beach and the Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club , currently do not have power.

The Hyatt Regency is closed to new arrivals and will not accept new guests through Aug. 11, the company said in a statement, adding that any booking deposits, including prepaid stays, for these dates will be refunded.

Other major resorts in the area could not be immediately reached for comment.

Most of the major hotel chains have already instituted more flexible cancellation policies because of the pandemic, but Marriott, Hilton and others did not respond to requests for comment on their specific policies related to the wildfires.

For those travelers who booked accommodations with Airbnb, the company has activated its “ extenuating circumstances policy ” for parts of Maui. Eligible guests with reservations will receive a full refund, and both hosts and guests can cancel bookings penalty-free, the company said on Wednesday.

According to Vrbo, wildfires and other natural disasters do not override typical cancellation policies. However, for bookings on Maui and parts of the Big Island between Aug. 9 and 16, the company said, “Vrbo has already waived host penalties for cancellations, which means hosts can cancel and refund their guests without worrying about how it will affect their listing performance in future guest’s searches.”

Vrbo recommends that guests reach out to the hosts of their bookings for more information, as well as their travel insurance provider if they bought trip protection.

Would travel insurance help?

Most travel insurance policies have trip cancellation coverage for natural disasters, but it’s important to read the fine print of your policy to see if wildfires are covered under the reasons for trip cancellation or interruption.

In most cases, travelers will have coverage if their destination is made uninhabitable or if they are forced to evacuate with at least 50 percent of their trip remaining, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison site. If a hotel or holiday rental cancels your reservation before your arrival because of damage caused by a wildfire, most travel insurance plans provide coverage.

Policies with “cancel for any reason” coverage do not require travelers to state a reason for their cancellation, but some travel insurers apply restrictions to the benefit. For most policies that include coverage for wildfires, the policy must be purchased before the event occurs.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

Christine Chung is a travel reporter for The Times. She previously covered breaking news. She joined The Times in November 2021. More about Christine Chung

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter. She was previously a correspondent for the International desk in Britain and Turkey, covering politics; social justice; the migrant crisis; the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

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Grand Princess Changes Itinerary Due to Onboard Fire

A fire on Grand Princess caused the Princess Cruises ' ship to lose power and skip her next call port in Hawaii.

According to the cruise line's PR manager, Karen Candy , at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time yesterday, a propulsion circuit breaker in the ship's aft electrical switchboard suffered a “significant failure, resulting in smoke and a small fire”.

The fire was contained within the switchboard and no crew or passengers were injured .

“The incident was isolated but did cause a power outage resulting in the temporary use of emergency lighting and limited air conditioning for a short time,” Candy said.

Power has since been restored and all hotel and guest services are in operation. Grand Princess was 20 miles off the coast of Hilo at the time of the incident.

“The call to Hilo has been cancelled in order to proceed to Honolulu where shoreside engineers have been deployed to meet the ship for an on-time arrival at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, December 1,” Princess Cruises said in a statement.

Any further impact to the itinerary will be determined after the technical officers and engineers complete their assessment.

Grand Princess is carrying 2,592 passengers and 1,095 crew. The ship was on the fifth day of a 15-day Hawaii cruise that departed San Francisco on November 25.

What to do if you have a trip planned for Hawaii

Maui was hit hard by devastating wildfires fueled by hurricane-force winds. The fires caused catastrophic damage. Heartbreakingly, they are the deadliest the U.S. has experienced in many years.

The worst fires occurred in West Maui, as the historic area of Lahaina was completely destroyed by flames that are still only 90% contained. According to the Maui Emergency Management Agency's most recent alert Monday, a fire in the Upcountry area of Kula is still only 85% contained.

President Joe Biden signed an emergency disaster declaration for the state of Hawaii, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is coordinating recovery operations. On Monday, the president and Jill Biden traveled to Maui to survey the damage firsthand.

During the president's visit and joint press conference, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green again addressed the growing community concern about ensuring the economic well-being of Maui and the state, emphasizing the importance of travel.

"No one can travel to West Maui right now. We will share when that is possible again. Only returning residents and authorized emergency relief workers should come here now. But all of the other areas of Maui ... and the rest of Hawai'i are safe," Green said. "When you come, you will support our local economy and help speed the recovery of the people that are suffering right now."

A statement from the Hawaii Tourism Authority said that Green's sixth emergency proclamation , issued Aug. 19, remains in place, with all nonessential travel to West Maui being strongly discouraged for the duration of the proclamation (through Oct. 17).

Daily update videos on the disaster recovery are also being posted to the governor's Facebook page .

Given Maui's popularity as a vacation destination, numerous would-be tourists likely have upcoming trips scheduled. Given the scale of the disaster on the island, they now need to make some decisions about their upcoming plans to visit to allow the island to focus on recovery efforts.

Here's what to know if you have an upcoming trip to Maui.

Is it safe to travel to Maui right now?

It is currently not safe to travel to West Maui due to the multiple uncontained wildfires and evacuation orders that are in place.

Still, the governor has declared other areas of Maui safe and open for travel.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority released an updated travel advisory after Green's press conference, along with a map of the affected and restricted areas.

In alignment with Governor Green, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority urges visitors to refrain from going to West Maui (including Lahaina, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) as a means of respect to the people and places that have been lost in Lahaina during this devastating tragedy. The impacted area of Lahaina remains off limits to the public as the search and recovery efforts continue.

We encourage travelers to consider visiting other areas of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna), as well as the other Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

Even when it is safe to travel to West Maui again, that part of the island will have limited resources and infrastructure.

Residents and visitors with upcoming travel bookings are encouraged to check with their airline for any flight changes and cancellations, or assistance with rebooking.

When might it be OK to travel to Maui?

At this time, it is unclear when West Maui will reopen, but the devastation to historic Lahaina is very substantial. As a result, disaster recovery operations will likely be very lengthy.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority released a statement last week that included a section devoted to common questions and answers and appears to be updated on a regular basis.

At this time, hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations and are housing their employees and families, evacuees, and first responders working on disaster recovery – well over 1,000 people so far with more to come.

Other areas on Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna), as well as the other Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island remain unaffected. We urge visitors to be especially mindful and respectful in our island home as our community continues through this tragedy.

Based on the updated information shared by the governor and the statement released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, they are encouraging travelers to consider visiting other areas of Maui. Such areas include Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Paia and Hana.

Some hotels in other parts of the island, such as the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, have posted regularly updated statements on their websites.

It has been over a week now since wildfires decimated the historic town of Lahaina. Disaster recovery efforts are ongoing in West Maui, and supplies are flowing into the affected areas on a regular basis. And while the restoration of the land and community will take years, we know that Maui's tight-knit community will get through this together. We are grateful that the Wailea region of South Maui was not impacted and that all of our team members are safe and accounted for. Grand Wailea continues to welcome guests with aloha.

As we look toward the future of our island, it is more important now than ever that guests and groups continue to visit Maui. In a statement, the HLTA [Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association] noted, "Yes, we must be sensitive to the plight of those suffering from the wildfires. But bear in mind that so many of the victims and their families depend on the visitor industry for their jobs and futures. While they may have lost their homes and more, losing their incomes would only add to the pain and hardship of their situation. That's why it's important to keep tourism functioning to keep our economy alive and give our people hope and the ability to rebuild their lives." Governor Green shared in his daily briefing that, "what we're saying now is travel should not be to West Maui. But the other parts of Maui are safe."

Is it safe to travel to the other Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii?

Travel to the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Lanai and parts of the Big Island is not affected at this time in terms of safety. However, there may be some near-term capacity issues with so many tourists trying to relocate from Maui and even Maui residents seeking shelter on the other islands.

If you have a trip planned to another Hawaiian island, operations are likely currently unaffected. However, contact your hotel or check its website or social media channels for any updates should the situation change.

Additionally, be aware that while statements from officials say other Hawaiian islands are open and available for tourism, there is a sentiment among some Hawaiian residents that now may not be the time to vacation in the state. The area is grappling with this tragedy and working to support Maui with the resources and infrastructure that it needs.

Airlines allowing changes to Maui flights

A previous update from the Hawaii Tourism Authority stated that 46,000 residents and visitors have already been flown off the island since the fires began. If you have a flight to Maui booked in August or September that you wish to change, you are encouraged to contact your airline and revise your travel plans if needed. The airlines have all updated their travel waiver policies, with some extending dates into September or November.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has instituted a flexible travel policy for guests who would like to change or cancel flights to or from Maui. Currently, it is processing changes if your ticket was purchased prior to Aug. 11 and your plans are between now and Sept. 16.

American Airlines

American Airlines passengers can change their origin or destination to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) or Lihue Airport (LIH) at no cost for tickets bought by Aug. 9 for travel originally scheduled through Sept. 16.

New flights must be booked for travel by Nov. 18 for the same cabin. Alternatively, passengers can cancel their originally scheduled trips and request a refund. This only applies to flight changes made by Sept. 16 for travel completed within one year of the original ticket date.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has issued a change policy specific to flights in or out of OGG, HNL, KOA, LIH.

The fare difference will be waived when rebooked travel occurs on or before Nov. 18 in the same cabin of service as originally booked. A fare difference may apply when the waiver is class-to-class restrictive and the original booking class is not maintained in the rebooked itinerary. There are additional conditions and restrictions listed as well.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines travelers can reschedule their flights at no cost for flights in and out of OGG between Aug. 9 and Dec. 15 to new dates. There will be no change fees or fare differences on the same city pair and the same cabin of service.

Tickets can be booked for new travel to or from the following airports: OGG, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), Hilo International Airport (ITO), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Lihue Airport (LIH). However, tickets must be rebooked into the same compartment (Main Cabin or Business Cabin) by Sept. 1; travel must occur between Aug. 9 and Nov. 16 or between Nov. 29 and Dec. 15. The airline notes that itineraries with travel outside these periods would not be eligible for a waiver of a fare difference.

Alternatively, these travelers can cancel their flights in exchange for a future flight credit, expiring one year from the original date of purchase. Those with flights booked to or from OGG between Aug. 9 and Sept. 15 can also request a refund . The request must be submitted by Sept. 1.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines customers with reservations to, from or through OGG between Aug. 9 and Oct. 17 can rebook in the original class of service or travel standby for free; this is as long as the new travel falls within 14 days of the original date of travel between the original city pairs.

Additionally, these customers can change their original departure or arrival flight to any of the below Hawaii airports without charge:

United Airlines

United Airlines is allowing travelers to reschedule trips and will waive change fees and fare differences for trips originally scheduled into Maui through Sept. 16. You can then alter your plans to travel by Nov. 18 at no additional cost to one of these airports:

If your new trip is after August 10, 2024, or is to a different destination, United will still waive any change fees, but you might have to pay a fare difference depending on the flight. Alternatively, if you cancel or don't take your trip, you can request a full refund .

What to do if you have a hotel or an Airbnb booked in Maui

Most of West Maui is still without power and has limited phone service, so you may not be able to contact your hotel directly to cancel your reservation. It is recommended to call the central reservations number for your hotel company. If you are unable to reach the hotel, your next best option is to monitor your specific hotel's social media channels and websites for any updates.

According to the latest statement released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority , hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations. Hotels are being used to house their employees and families, evacuees and first responders working on disaster recovery — more than 1,000 people so far, with more to come.

Additionally, vacation rental owners and operators and anyone with available space are encouraged to make these accommodations available to temporarily house displaced West Maui residents. Since Aug. 14, the state has offered a referral program to make those connections possible to support West Maui residents in need of housing, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority statement.

Hotels in the Kaanapali area have now updated their websites with further guidance. The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa added an alert that the hotel is temporarily closed and that cancellation fees will be waived through Sept. 15. The Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka'anapali Beach posted that all reservations through Sept. 3 have been canceled, and the hotel is allowing guests beyond that date to cancel or reschedule by contacting them. Any deposits and prepayments for canceled stays between now and Sept. 30 will be refunded.

If you booked a chain hotel directly, you can work with the corporate 1-800 number to alter your plans. If you booked through a third-party online travel agency or aggregator like Expedia or Travelocity, it's important to understand the cancellation policy. The OTA still owns your reservation prior to your travel , so contacting the hotel directly will likely result in you being referred back to the OTA or travel portal for assistance.

For those travelers who booked accommodations with Airbnb, the company has activated its " Extenuating Circumstances Policy " for parts of Maui. Eligible guests with reservations will receive a full refund, and both hosts and guests can cancel bookings penalty-free, the company said on Wednesday.

Will your credit card or trip insurance cover changes?

Generally, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance will cover nonrefundable expenses, such as airfare, accommodation and activities, if you need to cancel your trip (or the remainder of your trip) due to a natural disaster like the wildfires. However, credit card insurance policies can vary, so check the benefits guide for the card you used to book your airfare for specific exclusions.

Also, note that you must have booked your trip before the natural disaster starts in order to be covered. This means that if you booked a new trip today, it likely wouldn't be covered due to the wildfires already being labeled a declared emergency.

If you need to file a trip cancellation or interruption claim:

• Check your credit card's benefits guide to see if you are eligible for coverage and what the limits are.
• Call your credit card's benefits administrator, or start a claim online.
• Determine which documents you need to collect.
• Submit the documents within the required timeline.

"Many travel insurance policies can cover travelers who need to cancel or interrupt their trip due to a natural disaster, such as the Hawaii wildfires," Steven Benna, marketing manager for Squaremouth Travel Insurance, told TPG. "This can include cancellation coverage for travelers who are unable to travel because their destination is uninhabitable or under a mandatory evacuation due to the fires, as well as interruption coverage for travelers whose trips are cut short."

"However, travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events," he added. "In order for coverage to be available, the traveler must have bought their policy before the fires began."

Depending on the needs of your trip, sites like InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth allow you to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs and compare coverage and pricing for multiple policy options at once.

Various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA and Costco, also offer travel insurance policies for purchase. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for any future trips.

There's also a type of coverage referred to as "cancel for any reason" coverage . You might only get 75% of the trip cost back, so depending on the trip, it might not be worth the hefty premium.

Related: 4 times your credit card's travel insurance can help with travel woes, and 7 times it won't

What to do if you have a cruise to Hawaii

For cruise passengers, it's important to understand the cancellation or rebooking policy for the specific cruise line you will be traveling on.

Cruise lines might reroute to avoid Maui and affected areas. Per the terms of the cruise contract to which you consent before sailing, cruise lines do not owe you compensation if they alter your itinerary. If changes are made, you will be refunded for any shore excursions you booked through the cruise line that were to take place in the ports you're skipping. (Check with your tour provider directly if you've booked a third-party excursion.)

TPG's guide on what happens if a cruise gets canceled is the next place to refer to for guidance if you receive notice that your cruise is canceled.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line shared this statement with TPG regarding Pride of America, its Hawaii-based cruise ship that sails weekly on a seven-night all-Hawaii cruise from Honolulu:

We are deeply saddened to hear about the wildfires currently impacting the town of Lahaina in Maui. We have a very special relationship with the people and islands of Hawaii as we sail to the beautiful state year-round. It is a magical destination and one that is highly sought out by our guests for its natural beauty, culture and unparalleled experiences. We are closely monitoring the situation in Maui, impacting the west side of the island, opposite the Kahului Harbor, where we call. At this time, there is no impact on our scheduled itineraries. As always, our top priority is the safety and security of our guests and crew. We will communicate further updates as appropriate.

Princess Cruises offered the following statement:

Given the severity of these fires and their significant strain on local resources, Emerald Princess will cancel her scheduled call to Maui (Lahaina) on Monday, August 14, and will instead call to Kona.

As we continue to monitor the situation, we are actively reviewing the itineraries of our upcoming voyages. If any adjustments need to be made to our published itineraries, we will advise guests and our Travel Advisor partners.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

How to help support Maui's recovery efforts

In collaboration with the Hawaii Community Foundation, state leaders and nonprofits, the Maui Strong Fund is accepting donations to assist with recovery and relief efforts.

"The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery," according to the Hawaii Community Foundation. "The fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui," with 100% of funds being distributed for community needs.

TPG and Lonely Planet have teamed up to donate $25,000 to the Maui Strong Fund, and if you also want to help, you can learn more about the organization and donate here .

Aloha United Way has established a Maui Fire Relief Fund on its website , and 100% of the proceeds are directed to Maui United Way. The organization's partner agencies — such as the Maui Food Bank, the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army — are distributing relief funds according to the community's most urgent needs.

Donating miles or cash via airlines

Hawaiian Airlines has updated its website with a message allowing loyalty members to donate HawaiianMiles, which will be used to transport volunteers and staff to Maui. Up to 30 million miles in donations will be matched by the airline for the month of August. You must log in to your account to donate.

American Airlines is also supporting the American Red Cross' disaster relief efforts, and American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn 10 AAdvantage bonus miles for every dollar donated to the Red Cross via its microsite . (Note there's a minimum donation amount of $25.)

Alaska Airlines has contributed 5 million miles to Kanu Hawaii and Maui Rapid Response, which are leading the efforts to relocate displaced Maui residents while they work to rebuild. Alaska Airlines will match the first 1 million miles donated by Mileage Plan members through Aug. 31. Donate miles to Kanu Hawaii .

Bottom line

This is a devastating, life-altering event for the people of Maui. The most important things to consider right now are the safety of everyone on Maui and efforts to help those affected by the disaster, both by considering tangible donations and allowing space and time for relief and recovery efforts.

Now that local government officials have released updated travel guidance, only West Maui communities are off-limits. Other areas of Maui are open and accepting guests.

Based on the updated information shared by the Hawaiian governor and the statement released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the economy would suffer without tourism in the Hawaiian Islands. They are encouraging travelers to consider visiting other areas of Maui, including Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Paia and Hana.

Related reading:

• Hawaii declares emergency due to wildfires, discourages all nonessential travel to Maui
• Your flight is delayed or canceled: Here's what to do next
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• The best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner, Matt Moffitt, Erica Silverstein and Meghna Maharishi.

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Take a look at Princess Cruises Changes Port Visit Due to Wildfires

Princess Cruises has notified guests currently sailing aboard Emerald Princess en route to Hawaii that the ship’s scheduled call to Maui has been cancelled, and instead, the ship will be visiting an alternate port on the Big Island.

The western region of Maui, including Lahaina, where Emerald Princess was to have visited, has been devastated by wildfires in recent days.

Princess Cruises ‘ Grand-class Emerald Princess is currently sailing a 16-night Hawaiian Islands cruise that departed Los Angeles on Saturday, August 5, 2023. After five days at sea to reach Hawaii, the ship will be visiting Hilo on Friday, August 11, Honolulu on Saturday, and Kauai on Sunday.

The ship’s final port of call in the Aloha State was to have been Lahaina , on the western coast of the island of Maui, on Monday, August 14. Because of recent wildfires that have caused massive damage and displacement in the region, that call will no longer be possible.

“Our thoughts are with the local community and all those affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui,” a statement from Princess Cruises read. “Given the severity of those fires and their significant strain on local resources, Emerald Princess will cancel her scheduled call to Maui (Lahaina) on Monday, August 14, and will instead call to Kona.”

Kona is located on the Big Island. From there, guests will have more opportunities to explore the beauty of the region with options such as snorkeling, beach breaks, or visiting Volcanoes National Park, a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Exact shore tour available for Monday’s visit have not been announced, but the cruise line’s shore excursions team is working on options.

“ As we continue to monitor the situation, we are actively reviewing the itineraries of our upcoming voyages. If any adjustments need to be made to our published itineraries, we will advise guests and our Travel Advisor partners, ” Princess Cruises added .

Wildfires on Maui, especially in the vicinity of Lahaina, have raged uncontrollably for several days, fueled in part by strong wind gusts from Hurricane Dora south of the island chain. The resulting damage is extreme with at least 36 fatalities reported. Officials are calling this the deadliest fire in the state’s history.

Local authorities have reported more than 270 buildings destroyed, many of which are in Lahaina. The historic downtown Front Street, a hub for visitor shopping and dining, has been decimated, as have many local homes and the waterfront area. Multiple shelters have been opened to provide relief to those impacted.

The beloved banyan tree – planted in 1873 and the oldest living tree on the island – with its sprawling limbs crossing a full city block and more than 60-foot height has also been scorched. It is unknown whether or not the tree can recover, which will depend on the extent of the damage to its root system.

During the height of the fire, local hospitals were overwhelmed and more than 11,000 people evacuated the island. The state’s acting governor, Sylvia Luke, has urged people not to travel to Maui at this time, as local resources are already strained.

Mass bus evacuations have been organized to bring people out of the devastated area. “This is not a safe place to be,” she said.

Cell service and electricity are also impacted, with thousands of residents without service. Water conservation measures are also being encouraged.

While mid-summer is the slow season for Hawaii cruises, several ships do still visit the islands. Emerald Princess is the only vessel scheduled to visit Lahaina this month, with Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice scheduled for September 30.

In October, a dozen cruise ship visits have been planned for Lahaina, with vessels from Royal Caribbean International , Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn Cruises all expected to visit.

Whether or not those visits will move forward as planned will depend on recovery efforts. While Lahaina will not look the same as past cruise guests may remember, it is likely the town will rebuild and preserve what can be preserved.

It should be noted that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America , which operates 7-night inter-island Hawaii cruises year-round, does not call on Lahaina.

Guests who have cruises to Hawaii planned in the coming weeks will want to remain in close contact with their cruise line for updates and possible itinerary alterations.

Anyone interested in donating to help those impacted by the wildfires should contact the Hawaii Community Foundation , Maui United Way , the Maui Food Bank , or other local organizations pledged to provide relief and assistance.

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Cruise Line Returns to Maui After Fires, First Call Sept. 3

Andrea Santillan

• September 1, 2023

As the cruise line returns to Maui following the recent wildfires, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced it will resume port stops at Kahului on the island’s northern side this Sunday.

According to the Florida-based cruise operator, the decision was made with the encouragement and guidance of the local community, its leadership, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Cruise Line Returns to Maui

State Governor Josh Green welcomed the news of NCL’s return by saying, “We appreciate the continued partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line and the support it has recently provided to aid the recovery of the residents of Lāhaina. While travel to West Maui is restricted to returning residents and emergency responders, we are working with our tourism partners, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, and encouraging them to make a steady return to other areas of the island and throughout the rest of the state.” 

After the wildfires broke out, NCL donated $50,000 to support relief efforts . It also temporarily diverted its cruise ships from Kahului to Hilo and Nawiliwili in Kauai. This was done to avoid becoming an additional burden on local resources. 

Now that the fires are under control and recovery efforts are well underway, NCL will recommence port calls in Maui with its cruise ship Pride of America, beginning September 3, 2023. 

Before the wildfires broke out, NCL was the only major cruise company offering Hawaii year-round itineraries. Pride of America was one of its frequent visitors.

Though its stops didn’t include Lahaina, one of the most badly burned towns , it had weekly visits to Kahului, Maui, around 25 miles east of Lahaina.

Other cruise lines calling Maui include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Regent, and Holland America Line.

You can support the residents by donating to the United Way’s Maui Fire and Disaster Relief Fund .

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Watch CBS News

Fire Temporarily Disables Cruise Ship From San Francisco To Hawaii

November 30, 2015 / 1:54 PM PST / CBS San Francisco

HONOLULU (CBS SF) -- A fire aboard a cruise ship from San Francisco disabled the vessel for a period Monday morning as it approached Hawaii, according to authorities.

The Coast Guard said the Grand Princess cruise ship with approximately 2,600 passengers and 1,000 crew members aboard was about 100 miles northeast of Hilo when the fire broke out in its engine room sometime before 8:00 a.m. local time.

The fire caused the ship to lose propulsion and electricity for a time.

Within the hour, the crew of the Grand Princess was able to quickly extinguish the fire, restart its engine, and resume its voyage, according to the Coast Guard.

The Grand Princess did not need any additional assistance getting into port, the Coast Guard said. There was no immediate word on any injuries or what cause the fire.

In January 2014, a crew member aboard the Grand Princess apparently jumped overboard and was lost at sea  during a cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii.

In 2013, an elderly passenger aboard the Grand Princess suffering from kidney failure was rescued at sea by a Coast Guard helicopter .

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One dead, 11 others injured after shuttle bus plows into group near Honolulu cruise port

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - One person is dead, and 11 others were injured Friday when a shuttle bus driver dropping off passengers near a Honolulu cruise ship terminal hit the gas instead of the brake, pinning several people against concrete barriers, first responders said.

Honolulu EMS said 68-year-old Dianna Cricelli from Pocahontas, Illinois, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and police traffic investigators confirmed she later died. There were four others who were seriously injured: Her husband Frank Cricelli, 66, a 67-year-old woman, a 55-year-old woman, and a 58-year-old man.

Diana’s husband, Frank, said, “The family is mourning the loss of Dianna. They are asking for privacy during this difficult time.”

The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii said the four others who were seriously injured are also from Illinois and that they are being offered assistance.

Additionally, a man in his 70s was taken to the hospital in stable condition while six other adults, ranging in age from their 40s to their 70s, suffered minor injuries and declined transport.

Multiple EMS units with paramedics and EMTs responded to the scene at Pier 2 about 10:20 a.m.

Honolulu police said the incident happened in a private parking lot when a 57-year-old driver dropping people off and picking others up was notified that his vehicle was moving forward. He jumped into the driver’s seat to stop it, but pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes.

Florida ER nurse Janet Lightfoot, on a cruise with her mom, jumped into action to help.

The two had just disembarked Friday morning and were waiting for a shuttle to go shopping when they saw a bus with a Hilo Hatties logo heading toward a crowd of people.

“Somebody screamed, and then I looked over and the bus hit into the crowd,” she said.

“It just kept going until it hit the wall there. Big cement block was pushed out and the bus hit into the wall. I ran over and kind of started triaging people and trying to help.”

Lightfoot said she’s accustomed to seeing traumatic injuries, but “this is just different.”

“We’re on vacation. The husband of one of the family members was there and just sad.”

Bystanders said the chaotic scene unfolded in seconds.

“It was shocking,” said witness Mike Frost.

Added Linda Reck, also visiting from Florida, “It just kept going and and my daughter yells out, ‘There’s nobody driving the bus.’ And then poof, it hits the wall.”

Honolulu police said it’s unknown if drugs or alcohol are factors in the crash.

Carnival Miracle issued the following statement about the incident:

Nine Carnival Miracle guests were hit by a shuttle bus in the transportation area outside the Honolulu cruise terminal on Friday morning, April 12. Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover. Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones. Carnival Miracle is on a 15-day Carnival Journeys sailing that departed Long Beach, Calif. on April 6.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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1 dead, several injured in Honolulu after shuttle bus crashes outside cruise terminal

One person has died and multiple people were injured in a shuttle bus crash in Honolulu , Hawaii on Friday.

"Nine Carnival Miracle guests were hit by a shuttle bus in the transportation area outside the Honolulu cruise terminal on Friday morning," Matt Lupoli, senior manager of the Carnival Cruise Line , told USA TODAY. "Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover."

The shuttle bus crashed into pedestrians and two concrete barriers at the terminal. The shuttle bus driver mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the break when they attempted to stop the bus from moving, Hawaii News Now reported.

All of the victims were taken to local hospitals and are being treated for their injuries. The victims are in different conditions ranging from serious to stable, the news outlet said.

"Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones," Lupoli said.

USA TODAY has reached out to the  Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services for comment.

1 dead, 13 injured: After man crashes truck into Texas Department of Public Safety building

Eyewitnesses share their experience after the Honolulu shuttle bus crash, reports state

Eyewitness told KITV Island News that the relaxing Friday morning turned deadly after the shuttle bus crash.

"We heard the tire of a vehicle screeching," Lillian Le, a visitor from Denver told the broadcast station. "We looked and it was a bus running over people and hit against a wall."

An employee at the complex said he has never experienced this before.

"We saw the first responders coming, it was substantial, probably about 10 a.m., four or five ambulances, two fire trucks, ten cop cars, looked pretty bad - it's really distressing," Mark Elwell, an employee at the complex wher the accident occurred. "I've worked here 21 years, I've never seen anything to this magnitude, really sad to see, obviously people were hurt pretty bad to be taken away by ambulance."

Jessica Lani Rich, a visitor at the Aloha Society of Hawaii told KITV Island News that the woman who died was celebrating her 46th wedding anniversary with her husband.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X @forbesfineest.