Prefer listening instead of reading? Enjoy the full episode of The Cruise Therapy Podcast, hosted by G-Free, your Cruise Therapist.
Cruise and travel news brought us a little bit of everything this week: severe weather changing Hawaiian cruise itineraries, Carnival giving forgotten shoes a second life, and a frightening bird strike that sent an American Airlines flight safely back to the airport after flames were seen coming from an engine.
In this edition of Your Daily Boarding Call, we’re unpacking the headlines without charging you an overweight baggage fee.
Although after today’s Carnival story, you may want to make sure your shoes actually made it into the suitcase.
So grab your coffee, grab your boarding pass, and apparently…count your shoes.
It’s time for the Boarding Call.
This article is adapted from the original Cruise Therapy Podcast transcript for Friday, August 14, 2026.
Tropical Storm Forces Norwegian Cruise Line to Change Two Hawaii Sailings
Mother Nature has rewritten another cruise itinerary.
According to the original episode, a tropical storm approaching Hawaii forced Norwegian Cruise Line to change two sailings involving two ships: Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit.
Pride of America Returns to Honolulu Early
Pride of America, which operates year-round Hawaiian cruises from Honolulu, headed back to Honolulu earlier than originally planned.
Norwegian Spirit Cancels Two Hawaiian Ports
Meanwhile, Norwegian Spirit canceled its final two Hawaii port calls and also headed toward Honolulu early.
The changes came as the storm was strengthening and threatening portions of Hawaii with potentially dangerous conditions, including:
- Strong winds
- Heavy rainfall
- Flooding
- Dangerous surf
- Changing port conditions
Missing a port is disappointing, especially when you have been dreaming about that stop for months.
You may have booked an excursion.
You may have researched the perfect beach.
You may already know where your first Mai Tai is supposed to come from.
But this is exactly why cruise itineraries are never guaranteed.
The captain is not sitting on the bridge thinking:
“You know what would be fun today? Disappointing 3,000 people.”
When severe weather starts knocking on the door, the correct response is:
We’re going the other way.
And that is exactly what you want the people responsible for your safety to do.
Mother Nature does not accept reservations.
Carnival Has a New Plan for All Those Shoes Guests Leave Behind
Now, from storm trackers to sneaker trackers.
Carnival Cruise Line apparently has one question:
Why do y’all keep leaving your shoes on the ship?
Carnival has partnered with Sneaker Impact, an organization that collects used footwear for reuse and recycling.
Under the program, Sneaker Impact can collect unclaimed shoes left aboard Carnival ships and send them to its facility in Miami instead of simply discarding them.
Guests and crew members may also donate footwear.
And I actually love this idea.
Because somewhere, somebody gets home from their cruise, opens the suitcase, looks around the bedroom, and suddenly yells:
“WHERE ARE MY CROCS?!”
Baby…
Your Crocs may have moved on.
They found purpose.
They’re healing.
Let them go.
Turning Lost-and-Found Into Something Useful
Jokes aside, the partnership provides another potential destination for shoes that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
It also gives guests and crew an opportunity to intentionally donate footwear they no longer need.
So before you leave your cabin on debarkation morning:
- Check the safe.
- Check the bathroom.
- Look under the bed.
- Check the closet.
- Check behind the curtains.
- And please…
Check your feet.
American Airlines Flight Returns Safely After Bird Strike
Now let’s head from the cruise terminal to the airport.
This next story sounds frightening—and it was certainly dramatic—but the most important part is that everyone landed safely.
According to the episode, American Airlines Flight 1760 departed Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 737-800 reportedly encountered birds.
Video captured by passengers and people on the ground showed bursts of flames coming from the aircraft’s left engine.
The pilots declared an emergency and returned to Myrtle Beach.
The Most Important Detail: The Plane Landed Safely
The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported.
American Airlines then took the plane out of service for inspection, while passengers were moved to another aircraft to continue their journey to Charlotte.
Now imagine looking out the airplane window and seeing flames.
I do not care how calm the flight attendants look.
Internally, I am already holding a full emergency church service in seat 17A.
“Lord, remember when I said I was going to stop ordering shoes online? TODAY IS THE DAY!”
But incidents like this also demonstrate why pilots and cabin crews train repeatedly for emergencies.
The pilots:
- Recognized the problem
- Declared an emergency
- Returned to the airport
- Landed safely
That is the part of the story worth remembering.
🌴 Travel Tip of the Day: Severe Weather Can Rewrite Your Cruise
Today’s Hawaii story offers a travel lesson every cruiser should remember:
Do not rely solely on the itinerary you printed months before departure.
When severe weather threatens a cruise destination, plans can change quickly.
Ports may change.
Arrival and departure times may change.
Excursions may change.
Sometimes an entire itinerary may need adjustment.
Before and during your cruise, regularly check:
- Your cruise line’s mobile app
- Email notifications
- Text alerts
- Official cruise-line announcements
- Communications from your travel advisor
Independent Excursions Require Extra Attention
If you booked an excursion independently rather than through the cruise line, understand the company’s cancellation and refund policy before you leave home.
Ask what happens if:
- The cruise ship skips the port
- Your arrival time changes
- The ship arrives too late for the excursion
- Severe weather cancels the activity
- Your itinerary is completely rerouted
And always pack flexibility.
It does not weigh anything, so TSA cannot charge you for it.
⚓ Key Takeaways
- Severe weather approaching Hawaii prompted itinerary changes involving Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit.
- Pride of America returned toward Honolulu earlier than originally planned.
- Norwegian Spirit canceled its final two Hawaiian port calls.
- Cruise itineraries can change when weather or port conditions make the original schedule unsafe.
- Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with Sneaker Impact.
- Eligible unclaimed shoes left aboard Carnival ships may be collected for reuse or recycling instead of being discarded.
- Guests and crew can also donate footwear.
- American Airlines Flight 1760 encountered a reported bird strike after departing Myrtle Beach for Charlotte.
- Video showed flames coming from an engine.
- The pilots declared an emergency and safely returned to Myrtle Beach.
- No injuries were reported.
- The aircraft was removed from service for inspection.
- Travelers should monitor official cruise-line communications whenever severe weather threatens an itinerary.
- Review independent shore-excursion cancellation policies before departure.
- Flexibility may be one of the most valuable things you pack.
💬 Join the Conversation
Which story grabbed your attention?
Would you be disappointed if your Hawaiian cruise skipped two ports because of a tropical storm—or would you say:
“Captain, take me wherever it’s safe!”
Have you ever returned home from vacation and realized you left something behind?
Shoes?
A charger?
Sunglasses?
Your dignity after karaoke night?
And finally…
If you looked out an airplane window and saw flames coming from the engine, could you stay calm?
Because I already know my answer.
I may look calm on the outside, but internally?
Full emergency church service in seat 17A.
Drop your answers in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.
🚢 Ready to Plan Your Next Vacation?
Weather changes, missed ports, flight disruptions, and unexpected surprises are part of why having someone help coordinate your vacation can be valuable.
Atlanta Travel Associates can help with:
- Cruise vacations
- Pre- and post-cruise hotels
- Flights
- Transportation
- Shore excursions
- Travel protection
- Resort vacations
- Group travel
Ready to start planning?
Complete our Guest Information Form:
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Again, I’m GFree, your Cruise Therapist.
Until our next therapy session:
Keep calm, keep cruising, and keep listening.
And I’ll SEA you aboard the Carnival Celebration over at Fahrenheit 555 for dinner.
Order me the prime rib.
Now the important question is…
What are YOU having?
Because if somebody says they’re ordering a salad, crewmates and cruise addicts…
We may need another therapy session. 🚢😂
