Two cruise lines won’t be allowed to disembark in Hawaii after being blocked by other ports, state officials said.
Holland American Line’s Maasdam and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel will be allowed to refuel and take on supplies but no passengers will be allowed to disembark, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) said.
“Allowing more than 2,500 passengers and crew to disembark will further strain these resources,” Butay said.
Neither ship was originally planning to dock in Hawaii but shifted plans after multiple ports blocked them from docking. The ships will now refuel and restock before continuing on to destinations in mainland America, according to the director.
Cruise lines announced a voluntary and temporary suspension of operations from U.S. ports of call on March 13 for 30 days but the Maasdam and Norwegian Jewel were already out on sea at that time, along with approximately 38 other ships, according to Cruise Lines International Association.
“On Tuesday, the Governor announced the State’s 15 Days to Slow the Spread effort,” Hawaii’s Department of Transportation (HDOT) said in a statement. “As part of this announcement, he directed visitors to consider postponing their travel to Hawaii for at least 30 days. Pursuant to the Governor’s announcement, HDOT made the decision to deny the two requests to allow passengers and crew to disembark.”
“Norwegian Jewel’s 23-day Australia and French Polynesia itinerary was modified to disembark in Auckland, New Zealand on March 20, 2020. Due to multiple port closures in the area, further modifications were made. We will share an update as it becomes available,” a Norwegian spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email.
There are no confirmed cases onboard any Norwegian vessels, the spokesman added.
Holland American Line’s media relations phone number went to a message that said its office is closed.