KAILUA-KONA — The return of the Pride of America cruise ship to a Big Island port for the first time since earlier this month was canceled.
Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ross Birch confirmed Wednesday morning that Norwegian Cruise Lines, which operates the ship, notified the bureau via an email late Tuesday it would skip port in Kailua-Kona on Wednesday because of poor air quality.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed that they made the change,” Birch said. “We understand that they have to do what they feel is best for their passengers.”
He said the canceled visit could mean another $175,000 potential loss to Kona businesses and activity partners.
The Pride of America, which normally visits Kailua Bay every Wednesday, has not called at a Hawaii Island port since earlier this month amid the ongoing Kilauea volcano eruption in lower Puna.
However, the company said last week it was altering its itinerary after “carefully monitoring the geological conditions” on the island for the past couple of weeks. The interisland cruise, for the time being, was to depart from Honolulu with stops in Kahului, Maui; Kailua-Kona; and Nawiliwili, Kauai.
The vessel is currently slated to visit Kailua-Kona on June 6, according to Hawaii Port Call website, a scheduling system used by the state.
The 2,186-passenger ship will continue to forego visiting Hilo, pending “geological conditions.”
Norwegian Cruise Line did not respond to multiple requests for comment as of press time Wednesday.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
