cruise ships 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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20 thoughts on “Hawaii Cruises Remove Maui From Itineraries For Now”

How do you think the extended stays in Big Island and Kauai will impact the overall experience of the cruise, compared to the original itinerary that included Maui?”, “refusal

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.

I’m scheduled for September 2nd. I’m very happy NCL made the decision to bypass Maui at this time. I would never ever want to intrude at such a sad time. I would totally understand if the entire cruise was canceled to allow the locals time to grieve. If we stay overnight in Hilo it’s fine with me as well. This is my first ever cruise, and my first trip to Hawaii. I would volunteer if an option. My heart aches for everyone involved right now.

Just wondering how realistic it would be for a few cruise ships to house victims of the wildfires. Is it possible to act as refuge for its citizens?

Sending deep condolences to all the people in Maui for the Devastation caused by the recent fires. Thinking about you all at this very sad time. 😔

. Liverpool UK

I feel ncl pride of America provide more entertainment on the boat now mauii of course, had to be cancelled

The cruise industry could help the people of Lahaina immensely right now by docking one of those ships nearby empty for people to stay. The hotels are all full.

We need cruise ships in Maui Kahului is still a go

Just a thought, the U.S. Navy should park one of their amphibious helicopter carriers off (an LHA is a mini aircraft carrier) Lahaina. They are fully equipped with command and control facilities, global communications, a large and fully equipped hospital (Very much needed here), electrical generation and water desalination capabilities to supply a small city, extensive aviation support facilities, as well a ship to shore, shore to ship connectors in the form of hovercraft and landing craft which could carry very large amounts of aid ashore. Its been done very successfully in the past to deal with previous littoral natural disasters both in the U.S. and abroad. They can be resupplied right on station so the ship would have a very long on station time.

Fantastic report by the way Guys! Thank you.

Thanks! We’re appreciate your input on the tragedy.

Are any of the cruise lines offering discounts to people in the United States who want to go to Maui to help in relief efforts and restoration efforts?

My prayers go out to Maui -and those impacted by the fires and loss of life. Aloha!!

Hello, my Husband and i are taking a Cruise to Maui in October. Can you please tell us if we should reschedule at a later time due to the Heart Break of all people due to fires. We were there 2006 this trip is our Wedding Annervisy.

Thank you God Bless All of Hawii.

Andrea Slone

It’s too soon to know, as this just happened. But the cruise lines will make accommodations, including stopping at different ports in Hawaii.

Hawaiian Cruise Industry has a great opportunity to give back to the families and businesses of Maui and the state if Hawaii in this moment of crisis. A pivot to iffer a ship iff shore to provide temporary on board housing for support workers, displaced residents, medical make-shift services. .the billions of dollars the industry has made off Lahaina town alone should be a give-back opportunity to take a leap at Now.

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• NCL America's Hawaiian cruises removing Maui from itineraries...

NCL America's Hawaiian cruises removing Maui from itineraries due to fires

NCL America (managed by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Lines ) has taken the lead in announcing that it will temporarily suspend Maui as a port of call on its Hawaii cruises. Prior to the Maui fire, Kahului was their initial port of call after departing from homeport Honolulu , with scheduled stays on Sunday and Monday.

Following the devastation caused by the Maui fires, more cruise lines are expected to adjust their itineraries.

NCL has begun notifying guests, beginning with the next three Pride of America ship 's weekly Hawaii cruises, that changes to the itinerary are necessary. NCL proactively decided to modify the itinerary in order to alleviate any additional strain on Maui's infrastructure, allowing for a concentrated focus on recovery operations.

To minimize pressure on local resources, NCL has chosen to replace the planned Maui stop with an extended stay in Hilo . The adjusted itinerary will also incorporate more time on Kauai , providing passengers with a heightened opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and natural allure of the Hawaiian Islands.

Initially, this change will apply to Pride of America's upcoming three voyages in August, departing every Saturday from Honolulu. NCL is closely monitoring the evolving situation on Maui and remains open to further adjustments, which appear to be likely. Additional updates will be provided as more details emerge.

As the Hawaii cruise industry undergoes further modifications, the primary focus remains on the critical aspects of the rapidly evolving situation on Maui.

Princess Cruises has also announced adjustments to the Hawaiian itinerary of the ship Emerald Princess , eliminating a scheduled Maui call (on Monday) and substituting it with Kona .

Maui's initial phase of recovery from the wildfires involves active assistance from first responders. The absence of cruise ships will alleviate some of the strain on the already struggling infrastructure.

Considering Maui's resources are already stretched thin, the rerouting of cruise ships will enable the channeling of resources toward immediate recovery efforts. The state continues to discourage visitors from traveling to Maui at this time.

The resumption of cruise stops on Maui is anticipated to vary from weeks to months, contingent on the extent of the damage, which is gradually coming to light, and the availability of resources on the island.

Norwegian Adjusts Pride of America’s Itineraries in Hawaii

• August 11, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line informed booked guests of itinerary changes for the upcoming cruises onboard the Pride of America.

Sailing inter-island cruises in Hawaii, the U.S.-flagged vessel will see its visits to Kahului replaced by overnight stays at Hilo.

The change is related to the wildfires that are currently affecting Maui and impacts all cruises set to depart through August 26, 2023.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the wildfires currently impacting the town of Lahaina in Maui,” Norwegian Cruise Line said in a prepared statement.

“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,” Norwegian continued noting that the “safety and security of guests and crew” remains a top priority.

As a result, the company decided to replace the visit to Maui with an overnight call to Hilo. The decision aims to avoid stressing out local resources in the region, Norwegian added.

With the change, Pride of America’s revised itinerary will also include scenic cruising past the Napali Coast, as well as an additional overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai.

The adjusted itinerary was created in hopes of “continuing to provide the best opportunity to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the Hawaiian Islands, Norwegian Cruise Line said.

The shore excursions booked through NCL for Kahului will be automatically cancelled, the company added, with a full monetary refund of the fare paid set to be returned to the original form of payment used at the time of the reservation.

Sailing roundtrip from Honolulu, Pride of America’s regular seven-night cruise in Hawaii also includes visits to Kona.

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‘Fresh out of aloha.’ As tourists return to West Maui, some Hawaiians rethink the aloha spirit

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Paele Kiakona is not ready to go back to work. Still reeling after August wildfires ravaged his hometown of Lahaina , he doesn’t want to serve tourists, pouring brut Champagne or topping their mai tais with honey-liliko’i foam.

“I’ve seen people dead on the street,” Kiakona said. “My grandma’s house is gone. My whole town died.”

The 28-year-old Hawaii native who worked as a bartender at a farm-to-table restaurant north of Lahaina is wary of fielding questions, including what he says is now the ultimate dreaded icebreaker: “Did you lose your house in the fire?”

In this moment, he said, visitors aren’t the ones who need his care.

“Our aloha is reserved for our family right now,” Kiakona said. “It’s not just endless aloha.”

Hawaii is famous for its “aloha spirit,” a concept rooted in Native Hawaiian culture that long ago was commodified into the guiding philosophy for resorts and other businesses catering to tourists. More than a chill tropical greeting — an exotic salutation used in place of hello and goodbye — aloha is defined by state law as “mutual regard and affection” and extending “warmth in caring with no obligation in return.”

It’s a spirit that’s been in abundance among locals as people helped each other after the fire . But as tourists return to West Maui, edging closer to the charred ashes of a disaster in their search for paradise, some Hawaiians are reassessing what “aloha” means to them, and how much of it, exactly, they want to give to strangers when so many in their community have lost homes and loved ones.

They’re not withdrawing aloha, they say, just redefining and redistributing it.

“Aloha has commercially been sold as mai tais and a good time, and that the arms will be welcome and ready for you,” said Kaliko Kaauamo, 37, a taro farmer and curriculum writer for the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. “Aloha, it’s not always happy and sunshine and rainbows … sometimes having aloha is screaming and crying and being there to hold people in their grief.”

World & Nation

Fearing economic disaster, Maui wants tourists to return. But feelings are complicated

As Maui hotel rooms sit empty after the deadly Hawaii wildfire that devastated Lahaina, some are sounding economic alarms, asking tourists to return.

Aug. 28, 2023

Ninety-eight people died in the fire that raged through the historic town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying or damaging more than 2,200 structures. This month, the state reopened West Maui, even though many blue-collar residents say it is too soon to greet visitors with warm smiles, alohas and fresh flower leis.

Hawaiian hospitality is a core part of Maui’s economy. With nearly 40% of the island’s gross domestic product linked to tourism, Gov. Josh Green has argued that thousands of jobs and the region’s economy would be jeopardized if West Maui resorts remained closed to visitors. But a significant number of workers say they should not be expected to welcome tourists at the hotels and condos north of Lahaina until they have schools and stable housing.

More than 6,800 Lahaina residents are sheltering in hotel rooms or rental condos with no firm reassurance of how long they will be able to stay.

Kiakona, an organizer of the grassroots activist group Lahaina Strong, warned that tourists who flock to the golden sand beaches and hotels with swim-up grotto bars and spas offering $200 massages could face backlash from locals who fear they will be priced out of their hometown.

“We made our plea. You decided not to listen,” Kiakona said. “The blood is on your hands.”

As one West Maui resident wrote on a sign to protest the reopening: “FRESH OUT OF ALOHA.”

Tension has long existed between Hawaii locals and visitors.

In 1778, British explorer Capt. James Cook was welcomed when he anchored off the Hawaiian islands by locals eager to trade cuttlefish, breadfruit and pigs for nails and iron tools. But he and his sailors eventually overstayed their welcome, depleting supplies and spreading venereal diseases. Cook was eventually stabbed to death.

In the early 1800s, Christian missionaries arrived in Hawaii, encouraged by Native refugees who had fled after the brutal wars of King Kamehameha’s conquest and urged Westerners to evangelize the islands.

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Then sugar and pineapple magnates from the U.S. and Europe followed, destroying the ecosystem by digging up native taro and banana trees and draining the wetlands to irrigate their plantations. They overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, and five years later the U.S. annexed Hawaii.

By then the commercialization of “aloha” was already underway. George Kanahele, the late Native Hawaiian historian and activist , wrote that aloha-themed souvenirs were popular among Hawaii’s earliest tourists. Among the bestsellers was sheet music for the song “Aloha Oe,” written and composed in 1878 by Queen Liliuokalani, when she was a princess. Later came the Aloha shirt, patented in 1936.

The allure of aloha as a slogan only grew after 1959, the year that Hawaii became a state and Pan American Airways inaugurated jet travel to Honolulu — part of a campaign by state leaders to reduce economic dependence on plantations by expanding tourism.

Today “aloha” is printed on cheap souvenir T-shirts, shot glasses and postcards depicting women in grass skirts. It is etched below a rainbow on every Hawaiian vehicle license plate. It is even part of a job title as resorts hire “Aloha ambassadors” to share traditional Hawaiian cultural practices.

But Aloha goes deeper for many Native Hawaiians. “Aloha” literally means “presence” (Alo) and “breath” (Hā). Hawaii’s government introduced the Aloha Spirit law in 1986, an effort inspired by Pilahi Paki, a Maui-born poet and philosopher who spoke of the aloha spirit at a 1970 conference on the islands’ future.

At a time when the U.S. was entrenched in the Vietnam War and many Hawaiians felt they were losing links to their history, culture and language, Paki argued that “the world will turn to Hawaii as they search for world peace because Hawaii has the key ... and that key is ALOHA.”

This idea of aloha as a radical act of love with no conditions attached has some wondering whether it allows outsiders to take advantage. Some Hawaiian cultural experts say aloha is a complex and fluid idea, too often misconstrued as a sweet and servile way of tolerating visitors.

“To suggest that Hawaiians avoid direct confrontation out of fear or some false notion of aloha is to ignore the whole set of operative values that Hawaiians respected, such as aggressiveness, courage, dignity, honor, competitiveness, and rivalry,” Kanahele wrote in “Ku Kanaka — Stand Tall: A Search For Hawaiian Values.”

After the fire, Kaauamo said, Maui residents were resetting boundaries.

“It’s Aloha 2.0., in that, as much as we serve others, it’s time to serve the self,” she said. “And as much as I give so freely to strangers, I will now give that to my neighbor, to people closer in the bubble.”

When Mahealani Criste sees tourists driving around the Lahaina bypass or carrying folding chairs to the beach, she wants to scream: What the hell are you guys doing here?

The 37-year-old reservations agent for a vacation rental company applied for a leave of absence without pay this month because she could not face going back to her job curating perfect vacations for visitors.

Answering questions about snorkel cruises and lomilomi massages felt like too much after her apartment complex — one of the few affordable housing units in town — collapsed in the fire. As she struggled to find a new rental for herself and her two children, she worried she might hang up on tourists, or scream, or cry.

“You’re making vacation dreams come true, setting their itinerary, but there is no itinerary,” she said flatly. “Our town burned.”

Still, some residents who lost their homes are welcoming tourists.

Beberlyn Aveno, a 56-year-old Filipino immigrant, was back selling puka shell necklaces at her kiosk at the Whalers Village shopping mall in Kaanapali recently. She wished more tourists were back; some days she made only $20.

But Aveno said it wasn’t just the money that kept her working; she would go crazy, she said, if she stayed in her cramped, temporary hotel room.

“It’s good to get out and have people to talk to,” she said. “I accept everyone. It’s healing.”

Grace Tadena, a 55-year-old Filipino immigrant and front desk agent at the Ritz Carlton 10 miles north of Lahaina, said she was glad the resort had reopened for tourism.

“It is the bread and butter. We can’t survive without our business.”

Most tourists, Tadena said, had been kind — and she, in turn, was not holding back her aloha, a value she embraced after moving to Hawaii in 1989. “Aloha stays with me wherever I am,” she said.

But many locals say they no longer have the bandwidth to overlook some visitors’ entitled or insensitive behavior.

Just days after the fire, locals were outraged when a charter boat brought tourists to snorkel around Lahaina before search and rescue teams had finished scouring the water for bodies. A few residents have almost come to blows with tourists who stopped on the side of highway to snap photos of the burn zone.

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Courtney Lazo, 33, a real estate agent who grew up in Lahaina and lost her family home, could not bring herself to show properties — or aloha — to visitors as she struggled to find housing for her husband, two teens, father and 81-year-old grandma.

Tourists at the resort where she is staying have stopped her with questions. However well meaning they might have been, she finds it infuriating to explain her situation over and over to strangers.

“You’re choosing to vacation here in Lahaina and create memories in the middle of our broken lives and burnt downtown.”

Many visitors to Hawaii are charmed by the idea of aloha, locals say, without grasping the impact of their presence of the island.

“There’s postcard Hawaii — Elvis and Don Ho and grass skirts — what everybody comes here for,” said Naiwi Teruya, 35, a cook who before the fire worked as an executive chef at Down the Hatch seafood restaurant. “They don’t understand the struggles that the people who live here have been going through, like fighting for water for many, many, many generations.”

The fire, many locals argue, is a direct result of colonial and modern development practices that uprooted native trees and diverted water. Over the last half-century, a string of upscale resorts with tropical gardens, lavish pools and golf greens have risen north of Lahaina, draining water from local land and contributing to a housing crisis.

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In recent decades, a growing number of visitors snapped up condos as second homes and short-term rentals. Now the median home price in the Lahaina area is $1.7 million, out of reach for blue-collar workers earning $20 to $25 an hour.

Many of those who are trying to find housing — to replace apartments that burned or to stay in while their homes are rebuilt or remain off-limits — blame outsiders for driving up prices.

Tiffany Teruya, 37, Naiwi’s sister and a single mother who lost her rental apartment in the fire, said she could not find a new place to live on West Maui for her and her 13-year-old son without government assistance. The cheapest apartment she could find cost $3,000 a month — more than double what she paid before the fire.

It is time, Teruya believes, to purge the island of short-term rentals.

“I would like to see vacation rentals gone from every neighborhood on the whole island,” Teruya told the City Council. “Lots of us lost everything, and the very little some of us may have left, we going to fight for that.”

Among locals, there is no shortage of aloha.

In the days after the fire, as little aid came from the government, Lahaina schoolteachers, surfers, lifeguards, bartenders, roofers and carpenters rallied to help their neighbors.

In the ruins of Lahaina, a surfing legend leads a volunteer army to get supplies to survivors

Legendary big-wave surfer Archie Kalepa has turned his home in Lahaina into a well-orchestrated supply depot for survivors of the devastating fire.

Aug. 16, 2023

They hauled in water, gas, air purifiers and respirators in boats, trucks and dugout canoes. They set up a network of relief hubs in parks and front yards offering displaced residents fresh water, cans of Spam, and bags of rice, diapers and medicine. They provided massages and acupuncture and story time for kids.

Fishermen hauled in blue striped snapper from the sea, hunters caught wild boar in the mountains. Cooks fried up the fish and roasted pork for their neighbors.

The bonds between islanders, Naiwi Teruya said, had gotten closer.

“I don’t want to serve everyone who has everything,” Teruya said after finishing a shift frying fish at a distribution hub at Honokōwai Beach Park. “I would much rather take care of people suffering.”

Still, even though Teruya preferred that West Maui remained shuttered to tourists, he said he would keep on giving aloha to everyone.

“We have a sacred aloha,” he said. “We say it because no matter how down we are, we can still deliver the greeting and the feeling behind it, because we’re not a weak people.”

The word sets the tone, Teruya said, and it reminds people, even strangers, that they’re part of a community.

“The word ‘aloha’ is not just this thing you do because your job tells you to do it,” he said. “It’s our way of saying, ‘I can see you, you’re a person. And I’m also a person.’ ”

Watch L.A. Times Today at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News 1 on Channel 1 or live stream on the Spectrum News App. Palos Verdes Peninsula and Orange County viewers can watch on Cox Systems on channel 99.

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'Apocalyptic': People scramble for safety as Hawaii wildfires rage; at least 36 dead in Maui: Updates

Editor's note: This file is based on the news of the Hawaii wildfires on Wednesday, Aug. 9. For the latest news and updates on the Maui fire and the ongoing evacuations, check out our live updates file for Thursday, Aug. 10 .

MAUI, Hawaii − Wind-whipped wildfires in Hawaii forced hundreds of evacuations Wednesday, overwhelmed hospitals and even sent some residents fleeing into the ocean to escape the flames as parts of the popular tourist destination turned into a raging inferno in a matter of hours.

At least 36 people have died in the Lahaina fire in Hawaii, Maui County wrote in a statement posted to the county website Wednesday evening. Officials said earlier that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured.

Entire blocks of homes and businesses went up in smoke in historic Lahaina Town in Maui, where blazes fueled by wind from a passing hurricane were concentrated. In addition, three wildfires were burning on the Big Island, though two of them were at least 60% contained.

Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke said residents had been preparing for Hurricane Dora, which skirted south of the islands, and had no reason to expect the quickly developing blazes.

“We expect rain, sometimes we expect floods,'' she said. "We never anticipated in this date that a hurricane which did not make impact on our islands would cause these type of wildfires.''

President Joe Biden said in a statement he has ordered “all available Federal assets” to help combat the wildfires, including Black Hawk helicopters provided by the Marines.

County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin told USA TODAY the fires are affecting two areas of the island: Lahaina, a residential and tourist area with a commercial district in West Maui, and Kula, a residential area in the inland, mountainous upcountry region.

Officials said 2,000 travelers sheltered at Maui's Kahului Airport, and another 4,000 visitors wanted to leave the island. The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu was being prepared to accommodate up to 4,000 people displaced by the wildfires.

Locals and visitors scrambled to get information and reach loved ones amid power blackouts and downed cellular and 911 service as well as phone lines in different parts of the islands.

Tiare Lawrence, who grew up in Lahaina, was trying to get in touch with her siblings while providing refuge at her home for 14 cousins and uncles who fled the heat, smoke and flames in Lahaina.

“It was apocalyptic from what they explained,” she said.

Maui county officials said multiple structures have burned and multiple evacuation orders are in place as emergency crews battle brush and structure fires. "It's been an unprecedented incident striking large areas of our island, and it has been pretty much all hands on deck," Martin said.

Tourists turning around and leaving right after arriving

The sky over west Maui is hazy with smoke from the devastating wildfires still burning on the island, which continue to displace thousands.

On Wednesday afternoon, traffic was at a complete standstill on Honoapiilani Highway, the main road to access Lahaina, as it remains closed. Cars packed with people are parked along the side of the road waiting to return to their hotels or homes, but no time or date has been given yet.

On Tuesday night, more than 4,000 people − including residents and tourists from two hotels − evacuated to emergency shelters set up by the American Red Cross. On Wednesday, the organization said it was flying in additional volunteers and staff from the mainland to assist with the aftermath of the fires and get people safely to Oahu.Tourists arriving at Kahului Airport are turning around and trying to leave Maui. Alexis and Hector Palomar had their trip planned since May and landed on Wednesday morning.

“We didn’t realize it was happening until we were on our way to the airport. We didn’t think it was that bad until we got here,” Hector Palomar said.

They immediately changed plans and booked a flight to Kauai, departing just three hours after they arrived on Maui.“Thankfully we’re able to get out,” he said. “I just don’t want to take resources from the locals since it’s an island.”

− Kathleen Wong

'Everything is gone': Resident feels lucky, mournful after Lahaina escape

Lahaina resident Jordan Saribay knew how fortunate he and his family were to escape the flames around them alive, having merely lost items that could be replaced.

Saribay had seen homes burst into flames “as tall as the buildings because they were engulfing them,’’ debris turn into dangerous projectiles as people whose cars had run out of gas trying to flee while carrying their prized possessions.

“Everything is gone, every single one of our family homes,’’ Saribay said. “The entire Lahaina Town and the entire subdivision of Lahaina – gone.’’

And much faster than anyone could have imagined. In a few hours, the wind-driven blaze tore through popular Front Street and decimated a town center that traced its roots to the 1700s and was on the National Register of Historic Places.

Getting out of the danger zone made for a surreal journey of trying to find an unclogged escape route amid blistering heat that caused another car to explode, injuring a woman inside it.

“While driving through the neighborhood, it looked like a war zone,’’ Saribay said. “Houses throughout that neighborhood were already on fire. I’m driving through the thickest black smoke, and I don’t know what’s on the other side or what’s in front of me.’’

When he made it out, Saribay felt a pang of emotion seeing Lahaina on his rear-view mirror, wondering what would be left to go back to. “Just praying that a miracle happens,’’ he said.

− Ashley Lewis

Governor has contacted White House, says 'loss of life is expected'

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement Wednesday that he expects to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration from the White House in the next 36 to 48 hours once officials have a better understanding of the scope of the damage.

Green was planning to be out of state for personal travel until next week but is expected to return Wednesday night to address the crisis. He said while the "heroic efforts" of first responders have prevented many causalities, "some loss of life is expected."

“Our state appreciates the incredible outpouring of concern and prayers from the mainland. We won’t forget the aloha you have already begun to share with us,” Green said.

Lifelong Maui resident had 'never seen anything like this'

Kyle Ellison, born and raised in Maui, returned to his Kula home Wednesday morning and started stomping out flames on the property.

The previous morning, he heard trees fall down into the gulch behind his house and, when a popping sound went off, he figured it was coming from an electrical transformer.

"A minute later, I ask my wife if the internet is out and if she can smell smoke." Ellison said. "I've lived here my whole life and I've never seen anything like this. I have friends in Lahaina who have lost everything."

Ellison and his family made it out with one truck full of belongings. Their house is still standing but their neighbors' is not. His wife and children went to the houses of three different friends to stay the night but kept having to move as evacuations spread.

"I think there are going to be a lot of people hurting,'' he said. "We already have a housing crisis out here and we lost so many more homes.''

Maui wildfire map: A look at how Hurricane Dora and low humidity are fueling Hawaii fires

Hawaii National Guard activated

Luke and Bissen have issued emergency proclamations in response to the fire. The Hawaii National Guard has been activated and is assisting the Maui Police Department at traffic control points, according to the Hawaii adjutant general.

The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing 500 miles south of the island chain, and a very strong high pressure north of the state produced powerful, damaging winds through the overnight hours.

"Very dry fuels combined with strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidities will produce critical fire weather conditions through the afternoon hours," the weather service said in a red flag warning for leeward areas issued Wednesday.

'Chaos' trying to find shelter as people left with few possessions

People in Lahaina described frantically trying to get to relative safety in one of the nearby emergency shelters. But they weren’t told by anyone where to go – just that they had to leave.

Throughout the night, people were driving aimlessly and following other cars, just trying to head north, as police and firefighters dealt with growing flames. 

The War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku opened to evacuees this morning. There is no capacity limit to how many people can stay there. The community has set up cots and are giving away clothing, food and pillows to evacuees. A medical team is checking for burns and smoke inhalation, and to aid anyone with existing conditions without access to medication. 

Mauro Farinelli and his wife Judit arrived at the shelter around noon. They have lived right on Front Street in Lahaina for four years and described their evacuation as “chaos.”

“No one told us we had to leave, it was getting bad and we had to leave with the clothes on our back,” he said. The couple went to the boat ramp where they were told they could jump into the ocean “if things got bad.” Farinelli said he can’t return home until the electric wires are assessed in Lahaina.

“Nobody thinks it can happen to them,” he said. “Where I lived, it was like there’s no way a fire can get here because I’m not close to vegetation but the wind was so strong, it was like a blow torch."

'We just lost a large part of our heritage,' official says

While it’s still difficult to assess the damage, state Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran cited various landmarks that have reportedly been lost – historic businesses and buildings, temples and cemeteries where royal figures were buried. 

“It’s a real loss. Hawaii and Maui have tried really hard to preserve and protect those places for many, many years … not for the sake of tourism but because it’s part of our cultural heritage,” said Keith-Agaran, whose district includes Kahului in central Maui. Lahaina, where the largest fires are concentrated, was once the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom. 

“We just lost a large part of our heritage,” he said.  

Brush and wildfires are not unheard of in Hawaii’s leeward regions during the dry season. In 2018, Maui suffered a massive brush fire on the same side of the island, primarily on the slopes. “This is so much worse,” Keith-Agaran said, pointing to the scope of the current blaze. 

“No matter how much you prepare, you’re not going to be ready for something that moves as quickly and as big as this,” he said. “I don’t think we had enough equipment or people to be fighting fires upcountry, small fires in central Maui and then this huge fire on the west side.”

− Alia Wong

Burn victims sent to other islands

Six patients were flown from Maui to the island of Oahu on Tuesday night, said Speedy Bailey, regional director for the air-ambulance company Hawaii Life Flight. Three of them had critical burns and were taken to Straub Medical Center’s burn unit in Honolulu, he said. The others were taken to other Honolulu hospitals. At least 20 patients were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, said Bailey, who was not aware of any deaths.

Luke told CNN Maui's hospitals are overwhelmed with burn patients and people suffering from smoke inhalation and it's been difficult to transport people needing care to other facilities.

“We are already in communication with other hospital systems about relieving the burden – the reality is that we need to fly people out of Maui to give them burn support because Maui hospital cannot do extensive burn treatment,” Luke said. “In addition to dealing with disaster, we're dealing with major transportation issues as well.”

Resident of nearby island searching for family in Maui

Leomana Turalde's mother called him on the phone crying Wednesday morning, saying she never went to sleep on Tuesday night in Maui amid the massive fires.

Turalde said he has several “aunties” who live on Maui, two blocks away from Lahaina’s popular Front Street. Wednesday morning, one of the women went missing, he told USA TODAY. It is impossible to get in touch with some people because cellphone infrastructure on Maui burned down, he said.

“Lahaina Town is now burnt down to ashes,'' said Turalde, 36, who runs a sunscreen company. "Most of the families on Maui, if you never made contact with your family before sunset last night, you’re still trying to figure out where they are.”

He said he is boarding a plane on Wednesday to Maui from where he lives on the island of Hawaii to help family members search for missing relatives near their homestead property, which he said burned down.

“I’m going to go to the first place that everybody would go to when they’re in trouble, and that’s the house, even though the house isn’t there,” he said. “Home is usually the first place you should start if people are missing.”

− Claire Thornton

All roads to historic Lahaina closed as Front Street burns

All roads into Lahaina , a town of roughly 13,000, and West Maui have been closed to public use, except for emergency services, county officials said Wednesday. Photos shared by the county overnight showed a line of flames blazing across an intersection in Lahaina and flames leaping above buildings in the town, whose historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Do NOT go to Lahaina town," officials warned .

Green said much of the area "has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced."

Front Street business owner Alan Dickar told CBS News buildings on both sides of the street in the popular tourist area were engulfed in flames. Dickar said it appeared the fire department was overwhelmed.

"Maui can't handle this," Dickar said. "A lot of people just lost their jobs because a lot of businesses burned. A lot of people lost their homes. ... This is going to be devastating for Maui."

Lahaina’s historic Waiola Church and the neighboring Lahaina Hongwanji Mission temple were among the structures that caught fire Wednesday, the Maui News reported. The church was established in 1823, and its graveyard, believed to be the first Christian cemetery in Hawaii, is the final resting place for early members of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii, according to its website.

Uncertainty for many residents

Beatrice Hoopai drove for hours in the middle of the night trying to find shelter before ending up at the Warm Memorial Gymnasium. She, her husband, disabled son and two infants were living at Ka Hale A Ke Ola (KHAKO) , which is low-income housing, in Lahaina waiting to be told to evacuate as the fires were approaching. A friend told Hoopai a nearby transformer caught on fire and to leave as soon as possible.

“We packed up what we could and left,” she said. “KHAKO didn’t turn on their evacuation, we didn’t know we was going to be evacuated. Nobody told us nothing.” 

The family got in Hoopai’s car and started driving but kept going around in circles as roads were closed. Branches were catching on fire and tin roofs blew past the car, she said. “You could see black smoke, the flames, everything was falling down,” she said. “If you looked back in the mirror, everything was burning.” The ocean was black and eerie.

Hoopai has lived on Maui for her entire life and just moved to Lahaina in May. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this.” Tourists, she said, can lose their luggage but still return back to their homes. But local residents lose their homes.

She’s worried about what’s next now that the shelter is gone but she’s thankful for her family’s safety.

“You can lose everything but you cannot replace a life," she said. 

Maui fires map

Track the latest wildfire and red flag warnings here with data that is updated based on input from several incident and intelligence sources.

Nearly 2,000 people stuck at Maui airport

Martin said the Kahului Airport in Maui has more than 2,000 visitors who have either canceled flights or had nowhere to go. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said Wednesday that about 1,800 people sheltered in place overnight in the airport with many highways on the island's west site still closed.

"HDOT worked with airlines/TSA to shelter passengers for safety's sake as wildfires continue to burn in Lahaina and upcountry," officials said on X, formerly Twitter.

Nearly 100 firefighters have been on duty, including 11 from state airport rescue personnel, county officials said.

Ten public schools in Maui were closed Wednesday, including one that is being used as an evacuation shelter, according to the Hawaii Department of Education.

Student boarders at Lahainaluna High School were moved Tuesday evening to Maui High School, which was being used as a shelter for evacuees to be picked up by family members or emergency contacts, officials said. The Lahainaluna campus remained closed Wednesday because of a lack of power, wind damage and brush fire evacuations.

As the brush fire spread to Kihei, officials announced Tuesday that four public schools in South Maui would be closed in addition to schools in West, Upcountry and Central Maui.

Homes destroyed; residents evacuated

The Coast Guard has been responding to areas where residents are "entering the ocean due to smoke and fire conditions," county officials said. A Coast Guard boat rescued 12 people from the waters off Lahaina, officials said on X, formerly Twitter.

Lawrence told Hawaii News Now people were running for their lives. She said the homes of everyone she knows in Lahaina have been down.

“It’s just so hard. I’m currently Upcountry and just knowing I can’t get a hold of any of my family members. I still don’t know where my little brother is. I don’t know where my stepdad is,” she said.

In Kula, at least two homes were destroyed in a fire that engulfed about 1,100 acres, Bissen told The Associated Press. About 80 people were evacuated from 40 homes, he said.

The Red Cross has opened several emergency shelters for residents. Martin said one evacuation center alone had more than 1,200 people.

"I am absolutely certain they are very anxious at our evacuation centers," she said.

Local resident could tell something was brewing

Alice Carillo lives about five miles from the fire that erupted in Kula, in a hilly, bucolic region of Maui known as upcountry. 

The 79-year-old woke up in the middle of the night Tuesday to the smell of something burning. She opened the door of her Makawao plantation home, where she’s lived for more than half a century, and “it was like fog out there, so covered with smoke.” She could see a fire above the Kula shopping center. 

10 schools closed, including one converted to evacuation shelter

Conditions had been especially windy in the days leading up to the blaze, in part because of Hurricane Dora moving south of the island. Carillo could sense something was brewing as the gusts picked up. Now, as she looks out at the mountain, the sky is clear.

“You wouldn’t have even known there was a fire,” she said.

Wildfire smoke map: See where fires are burning in Hawaii and across the US

Thousands without power; 911 service no longer available in West Maui

More than 14,000 customers in Maui County were without power, according to Poweroutage.us. County officials advised residents to stay at least 30 feet from downed power lines, which at one point restricted travel along parts of Honoapiilani Highway. Part of the highway was reopened Tuesday evening to allow access in and out of Lahaina, but motorists were told to expect traffic to move slowly through the bypass.

In West Maui, 911 service is no longer available. Martin said it's been "very difficult" to manage evacuation orders in Lahaina because the area does not have cell service and only landlines are functioning.

The island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, also was dealing with power outages, downed power lines and traffic problems, said Adam Weintraub, communication director for Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Strong winds are fueling the flames

In Kula, winds were recorded at 80 mph, "which greatly affected the speed and the movement of the fire," Martin said.

Because of the wind gusts, helicopters weren’t able to dump water on the fires from the sky – or gauge more precise fire sizes – and firefighters were encountering roads blocked by downed trees and power lines as they worked the inland fires, Martin previously told the Associated Press.

A high wind warning and red flag warning for dangerous fire weather issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu are expected to remain in effect through Wednesday.

Maui fire officials warned that erratic wind, challenging terrain, steep slopes and dropping humidity combined with the direction and the location of the fire have made it difficult to predict its path and speed. The wind can also sends fire embers up and ignite sparks downwind, creating fires far from their source, officials said.

“The fire can be a mile or more from your house, but in a minute or two, it can be at your house,” said Fire Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea. “Burning airborne materials can light fires a great distance away from the main body of fire.”

Fires also burning on the Big Island

Hawaii County officials said Tuesday that they were monitoring two brush fires burning in North and South Kohala. The fires prompted evacuations and power outages in the area.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday approved the state's request for a disaster declaration to provide assistance with "the wind-whipped Kohala Ranch wildfire on the Big Island," according to a news release from the governor's office.

The fire, which began early Tuesday, threatened about 200 homes near the rural community of Kohala Ranch, a volunteer fire department, local electrical transmission lines and an AT&T cellular communications tower in the area, officials said The fire was uncontained and had burned more than 600 acres of land when the request for federal assistance was made.

The release said firefighters battling that fire and the two other uncontrolled fires on the Big Island and Maui "have been hampered by the winds, which made it impossible to provide aircraft support for their efforts to contain the flames."

“We’re trying to protect homes in the community,” Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said of evacuating about 400 homes in four communities in the northern part of the island. As of Tuesday, the roof of one house caught on fire, he said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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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The Best Time to Cruise to Hawaii

When you're trying to decide when to cruise to Hawaii, make sure to consider the following.

Top 4 Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids

Learn why Hawaii makes for the ultimate family holiday destination.

Cruise Norwegian App

Download the Cruise Norwegian app. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise holiday every step of the way.

Top 4 Reasons to take a Hawaii Holiday

Come island-hopping with us and discover the excitement of Hawaii.

Discover Paradise

Stay longer and see more with Norwegian, the only cruise line offering a cruisetour in Hawaii.

Quite the Sight

Check out our top favourite photos of Hawaii, from sunrise to sunset.

Wake-Up Call

Believe it or not, Hawaii is one of only two U.S. states that grows coffee commercially.

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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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• Carnival Takes Starlink from Passenger After He Finds Cheaper Internet Solution

Doug Parker

• September 23, 2024

Picture this: you’re on a 15-night cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii, ready to enjoy the sun and sea and work remotely.

For Richard Shillington, a YouTuber with the channel “ No Pants Profits ,” things took an unexpected turn.

Like many tech-savvy travelers, he wanted to improve the internet on his trip using a Starlink Mini satellite device. His goal? To skip the ship’s WiFi, which many say is pricey and unreliable.

But his plan hit a snag when Carnival Cruise Line took his Starlink Mini after he posted a video using his attempt to fire it up on Carnival Miracle.

The cruise line’s rule says no “satellite dishes” on board, and even though Shillington argued that the Starlink Mini is a “satellite disk,” they still took it. His experience on the Carnival Miracle quickly caught the attention of cruisers.

Starlink Cost on Carnival Cruise Line

It should be noted that Carnival Cruise Line , along with other brands under the Carnival Corporation, has Starlink satellite installed for guests.

The  internet prices  range from $15.30 for the social media package to $21.25 for a premium one-device plan. A multiple-device plan for four is $75 per day.

How it breaks down

• Starlink mini price ($699) plus monthly plan ($250) is $949
• Carnival Cruise Line’s multi-device plan for 15 nights is $1125
• Carnival Cruise Line’s single-device plan for 15 nights is $318.75

Carnival’s Policy on Satellite Devices

Carnival Cruise Line’s rule on satellite devices is clear: they’re not allowed. The cruise line enforces this to maintain control over internet services and ensure safety.

However, the wording in the rule caused some confusion. Shillington saw the term “satellite dishes” as not including his Starlink Mini, which he thought was a “satellite disk.”

Carnival’s rule bans “satellite dishes,” covering a range of devices. This rule influenced the decision to take Shillington’s Starlink Mini. While the rule aims to stop interference with the ship’s systems, it also raises questions about balancing safety and passenger convenience.

The Prohibition of Satellite Dishes

After the incident, Carnival worked to clear up its rule language. They updated their list of banned items to clearly state the ban on satellite dishes, ensuring no confusion for future passengers.

It now says: Satellite dish, routers and other internet related equipment .

Cruise ship WiFi often frustrates passengers. It’s usually expensive, with packages that can add up during a cruise.

The connection is often spotty, leading to dropped calls, slow loading times, and general dissatisfaction. These issues push passengers to find other solutions, like Shillington’s try with the Starlink Mini.

Working remotely can be frustrating very quickly, especially if you’re required to be on a Zoom or Teams call.

Some, like Shillington, try new tech to improve their internet at sea. Others use portable hotspots, data plans, or offline downloads to stay connected. These workarounds push cruise lines to adapt and improve their services to meet passengers’ changing needs.

Despite losing his Starlink Mini, Shillington said he holds no grudge against Carnival Cruise Line. You can watch the video here of how it played out.

But the battle for cruise ship internet will continue. In early 2025, T-Mobile is partnering with Starlink to offer smartphone technology on its cellular devices.

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