NCL Pride of America at overnight at Maui

Question

I'm trying to work out my iteniery for this cruise in July. For those who have sailed this ship. The ship stays in Kahului, Maui over night. For those who have sailed this cruise line, do you know how late we could stay on the island before boarding the ship? On the first night, I want to rent a car and drive to the Haleakala Crater to watch the sunset and stargaze (I heard the view is amazing)

Worried we can't get back on the ship if we stay out too late though.

Answer

The NCL Pride of America stays overnight in Kahului, Maui, which gives you a great opportunity to explore the island in the evening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the ship will have a specific curfew for reboarding, typically between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM, though this can vary slightly depending on the cruise's schedule and any changes announced by the crew.

Since you're planning to drive to the Haleakala Crater for sunset and stargazing, be sure to account for the time it will take to return to Kahului, which could be around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and the road conditions. The drive from Haleakala to Kahului is quite scenic, but the winding roads and elevation changes may take longer than expected, so you want to plan your time carefully.

If you're hoping to catch a sunset at Haleakala, consider aiming to leave around 5:00 PM to get to the summit in time, and be back to the port no later than 9:00 PM to ensure you can reboard the ship on time.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid rushing, consider looking into booking a late shuttle or other transport option that can guarantee you'll be back in time for the final boarding call.
Some cruise lines offer shore excursions that include a guided sunset trip to Haleakala. These excursions are typically timed to ensure you'll be back on the ship well before curfew, so you might want to explore that option if you prefer a more relaxed experience.

If you're looking to maximize your time on the island but want to ensure you don't miss the boarding deadline, the best option would be to plan for a sunset time at Haleakala that's earlier (around 5:30 PM), which would give you plenty of time to get back to the ship with a margin for error. However, if you'd like to stargaze as well, keep in mind the potential for longer waits before you can safely descend from the summit.

In any case, it’s always a good idea to confirm the boarding times with the cruise staff once on board to ensure there are no changes, and check the ship’s daily schedule for any important notices or curfew reminders.