Travelore Cruise News: Royal Caribbean Keeps Quiet While Norwegian Cruise Line Issues Warning Over New Hawaii Cruise Tax That Was Upheld In Court

Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean has made some noticeable adjustments to its itinerary. Among the recent changes was a reroute due to tension between two countries. Royal Caribbean offered little explanation after removing a visit between China and Japan on the Spectrum of the Seas.

There's another destination guests continue to question. Hawaii stirred things up with a new tax for cruisers earlier in the year. The increase has caused a stir and has now been upheld in court. Norwegian Cruise Line sent out an alert.

Here's the latest on the cruise tax and how the Cruise Lines International Association has reacted to the verdict.
The tax will be implemented on January 1, 2026.

Despite The Cruise Lines International Association Efforts, Hawaii's Cruise Tax Has Been Upheld In Court

Hawaii added cruise passengers to its Transient Accommodations Tax. The new fee has caused a stir since its inception. The funds will aid climate change, conservation and infrastructure. The fee is estimated to generate around $100 million annually.

The tax will raise the existing TAT from 10.25% to 11% statewide.

Despite efforts by the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents the likes of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, a federal judge has ruled that the new tax will still be upheld.

The CLIA argued that the tax would hurt tourism, making it more expensive for cruisers.

The association argued, "Cruise tourism generates nearly $1 billion in total economic impact for Hawai‘i and supports thousands of local jobs, and we remain focused on ensuring that success continues on a lawful, sustainable foundation."

Despite the verdict, the plaintiffs plan to appeal. For now, some cruise lines have already started to warn passengers about the cruise tax change. Among them is Norwegian Cruise Line.

The company sent out an email to passengers about the future change.

Norwegian Cruise Line Has Warned Its Passengers About The Added Tax

Back in October, Norwegian Cruise Line was praised for alerting guests about the new Hawaii cruise tax set to go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Fares for Hawaii increase from $50-$500 higher with the additional tax. The added costs depend on the overall stay and cost of itineraries.

NCL reached out to guests about the change.

NCL added that it doesn't agree with the tax, and is working with the CLIA to review it legally.

“We believe that this expansion of the TAT is unconstitutional, and therefore in collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we are actively engaged in a legal review. We remain committed to advocating for a fair and balanced outcome.”

Credit to NCL for being completely transparent about the tax and what it means for cruisers taking to Hawaii. As far as Royal Caribbean is concerned, a formal announcement hasn't been made just yet.

Royal Caribbean Hasn't Addressed The Tax Despite Future Sails To Hawaii

On its Hawaii cruises page, Royal Caribbean continues to promote sails.

Royal Caribbean says about the destination, "Just the word "Hawaii" conjures visions of turquoise waves lapping at colorful sands, a rich historical tapestry that's as Polynesian as it is American and a welcoming culture you can distill into a single word: Aloha. Once you arrive, trace the history of Pearl Harbor on Oahu, where you can tour battleships and see the memorial to that fateful day in 1941."

"Cruise to Hawaii and head to the Big Island to scale volcanoes like Mount Kilauea and chase waterfalls on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Or enjoy the sun and surf on the remote shores of Kauai and Maui. Discover the magic with a Hawaiian cruise."

Royal Caribbean has continued cruises to Hawaii on its Anthem of the Seas. The cruise line has various sails, including eight and twelve-night packages.

Royal Caribbean's 8-Night Hawaii Cruise In April 2027 Schedule:

Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Kailua Kona, Hawaii

5 Days at Sea

Vancouver, British Columbia

The Anthem of the Seas is known for its sailings in Alaska and the Caribbean.

It remains to be seen if the new tax will keep Royal Caribbean cruisers away from the destination.

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Royal Caribbean Group Introduces Industry-First Loyalty Status Match Program Across Its Brands - Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises And Silversea

Royal Caribbean announced that loyalty members from its three wholly-owned brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – will attain equivalent tier status on any one of its brands. This shared status adds to members' existing benefits and unlocks new ways to see the world, with more than 50 incredible ships sailing to nearly 1,000 destinations across all seven continents.

Now, loyalty members have another reason to experience all Royal Caribbean Group has to offer, with a product to meet them for each of life's moments. As the first major cruise company to offer loyalty status matching across its core brands, the Royal Caribbean Group Loyalty Status Match program allows members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club and Silversea's Venetian Society to enjoy reciprocal tier status no matter which brand they sail with.

Royal Caribbean Group's industry-leading portfolio offers everything one could want in a vacation, including land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection, and its cruise brands Royal Caribbean International delivering thrilling vacations for the multi-generational and contemporary market, Celebrity Cruises elevating premium travel, and Silversea offering the finest ultra-luxury and expedition experiences.

"We strive to provide guests with experiences within our portfolio of brands that meet them for all of life's moments," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "Each of our differentiated brands have passionate fans who take pride in the status they've achieved through repeat sailings. In a first for the cruise industry, our new Loyalty Status Match program rewards guests traveling across our brands, and this is one more step in our journey of transforming a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations."

The new program is part of Royal Caribbean Group's ongoing commitment to deliver the best vacations responsibly. By aligning its three industry-leading brands and recognizing guest loyalty across the fleet, the Loyalty Status Match program aims to provide an unparalleled vacation experience that rewards guests. Program highlights include:

Seamless Status Recognition: Members of Crown & Anchor Society, Captain's Club and Venetian Society are now eligible to receive one-for-one status match across all three brands after enrolling in each program.

Onboard Benefits: When sailing on each sister brand, guests can enjoy the onboard benefits offered by each brand for their equivalent tier status.

Effortless Tier Matching: Guests already enrolled in multiple loyalty programs will be automatically matched across brands within 7 days to ensure guests receive their appropriate loyalty status.

Enhanced Travel Experience: Status match enables guests to select from a broader and more diverse range of vacation experiences and destinations.

Now, loyalty members can be status matched for upcoming travel on a sister brand. For example, a Venetian Society member with 250 VS Days and an upcoming sailing on Celebrity Cruises can enroll in Captain's Club, which would give them Elite status once their loyalty accounts are connected.

The applicable terms and conditions are also changing to make clear how member data will be shared across the various loyalty programs and highlight other important legal terms. Please refer to the updated loyalty program terms and conditions for full details. Loyalty Status Match program terms also apply.

New benefits onboard for members who have their status matched will begin with sailings departing on June 5, 2024.

For more information on Royal Caribbean Group and its brands or to learn more about the Loyalty Status Match program, please visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com.