Hurricane Lowell Prompts Hawaii Itinerary Change: Ruby Princess Overnights in Honolulu

Von Mike Krüger - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Following severe damage caused by Hurricane Lowell, Princess Cruises adjusted the itinerary for Ruby Princess during its 16-day voyage through the Hawaiian Islands. Passing Kauai in early September 2026 as a dangerous Category 2 storm, the hurricane caused severe port damage, island-wide power outages, and blocked roads. To avoid placing additional strain on local recovery operations and infrastructure, the scheduled call at Nawiliwili Harbor was cancelled.

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The Crown-class ocean liner was rerouted directly to Oahu, arriving ahead of schedule. As a result, the more than 3,000 guests received an extended 39-hour overnight stay in Honolulu. The shore excursion team expanded tour options on Oahu—including trips to Pearl Harbor and the North Shore—while all pre-booked excursions for Kauai were automatically cancelled and refunded.

Subsequent calls at Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island and Kahului on Maui remain on schedule, as neither port sustained storm damage. Itinerary adjustments due to severe weather are covered by standard ticket contract terms, meaning no general compensation applies; any differences in port taxes and fees are settled via guest onboard folios.

This adjustment highlights the logistical realities of cruising in the Central Pacific, where cargo barges delivering vital supplies receive strict berth and pilotage priority following natural disasters. Thanks to early proactive routing by fleet operations prior to leaving San Francisco, the cruise line prevented open-sea bottlenecks while delivering a safe and fulfilling vacation experience.