A tsunami warning across the Hawaiian Islands forced Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America to leave Hilo earlier than planned, stranding passengers who were unable to return in time and sending them to local shelters.
What began as a routine port day in Hilo, Hawaii, quickly escalated into a chaotic and stressful situation after a powerful earthquake near Russia triggered a tsunami warning across the Hawaiian Islands.
Out of caution and to ensure the vessel’s safety, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America departed port earlier than scheduled, leaving many passengers stranded ashore as the emergency unfolded. According to guests onboard, the Coast Guard required the ship to depart and sail to deeper waters.
Sirens sounded across the islands, and officials urged evacuations from low-lying areas. Following guidance from the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Norwegian Cruise Line announced the ship would leave port immediately to move away from shore, which is a standard safety procedure during tsunami threats.
Excursion guides hurried passengers back to the port, but many still missed the ship’s departure. Authorities are now evacuating those left behind to shelters on higher ground.
Social media posts describe scenes of confusion and panic for stranded guests, citing poor communication and frustration. Some passengers claim cruise staff told them to arrange their own return to the ship.
The 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025, prompting the National Weather Service and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to issue urgent warnings, sounding sirens across the state. With tsunami waves expected to reach Hawaii later in the evening, local authorities ordered evacuations from coastal areas and directed ships to move to deep water for safety.
Update 7/30: Stranded Pride of America guests have reported they were taken to a high school gym to seek shelter during the tsunami warning. Several hundred passengers, supposedly around 600 people, spent the night in the gym.
Impacted customers shared communication from Norwegian Cruise Line, which stated that local authorities would not reopen the harbor until daylight, and guests would be delivered light refreshments to the Waiakea High School.
“Buses will be available tomorrow morning to transport guests at the Waiakea High School to the port once clearances are received. We will send an update once Pride of America is cleared to return to the harbor,” reads the text message sent to guests.
According to Pride of America’s location (at 2:42 PM CST on 7/30/2025), the ship has returned to the port in Hilo, Hawaii.
Pride of America leaves port early
In response to the tsunami threat, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Pride of America would depart Hilo immediately, several hours before its scheduled departure time. The Norwegian cruise ship planned to dock in Hilo from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Maritime authorities evacuate vessels from shore during tsunami warnings to protect the ship and everyone onboard.
Currently, Pride of America is about 103 km, or 64 miles, off the shore of Hilo, Hawaii. A text message sent to passengers and shared on social media by TikTok user @mandythecruiseplanner states:
“URGENT INFORMATION FROM NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: Due to a TSUNAMI WARNING issued by the State of Hawaii, Pride of America will be departing Maui immediately as directed by the Department of Transportation. If you’re not in the vicinity of the port, seek higher ground and follow the direction of the local authorities for your safety. This precautionary measure is being taken to ensure the safety of our guests and crew. Our onboard team will keep you informed of any additional updates or changes.”
But the sudden departure left dozens of guests stranded who were still ashore on tours and excursions. This separation reportedly left some passengers ashore apart from their family members still onboard the ship.
Mandy explained the chaotic situation in a series of viral TikTok videos, as she was one of many stranded passengers who watched Pride of America depart from the port.
“It’s crazy. It’s chaos. Nobody knows what’s going on. Our bus driver had no idea what was happening. We have family on the ship. They’re terrified for us. We are going to higher ground now,” she said.
As the situation unfolded, Mandy reported rising tension on the excursion bus. “Did not expect this. People are crying. One employee was yelling, and people are yelling at the employee. This is the first time I’ve ever not made it to the ship. Communication is not great,” she said.
Mandy later confirmed that authorities evacuated them to a shelter for safety. “We are on our way to a shelter and higher ground. We did not make it back to the ship. They left without us. I get it, it’s a tsunami. Our tour guide is still trying to give us tour guide stuff. The tour must go on!”
Stranded Pride of America guests are seeking shelter in Hawaii
As the situation rapidly developed in Hawaii, many guests remained uncertain about how they would be reunited with the ship.
In her TikTok video, Mandy shared that her family onboard was informed by guest services that those left ashore would be “financially responsible” for returning to the vessel, though this has not been officially confirmed by Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Guest services told a family member of ours onboard that we are financially responsible for getting ourselves back to the ship after they dump us at the shelter. That’s not going well with the people on the bus… She shared that communication has been terrible.”
As of now, Pride of America remains at sea in deeper waters until the tsunami threat passes. Passengers still on land have been directed to higher ground and emergency shelters. Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet issued public details on how stranded guests will be reunited with the ship or whether assistance will be provided.
Pride of America is currently sailing a 7-night round-trip itinerary around the Hawaiian Islands. The sailing departed from Honolulu on July 25, 2025, with scheduled stops in Maui, Hilo, Kona, and Kauai before returning to Honolulu on August 2, 2025.
Your statement….. “Out of caution and to ensure the vessel’s safety, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America departed port earlier than scheduled, leaving many passengers stranded ashore as the emergency unfolded”. Is NOT True, NCL had to leave per the Ports instructions
Thank you for the clarification! We’ve updated the article.