Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line is alerting guests on Hawaii cruises in 2026 and beyond of the new Transient Accommodations Tax that levies an additional 14% on their cruise fare.
- While the cruise line is part of the legal challenges to the new tax, it may be some time before any court cases are resolved and in the meantime the tax goes into effect from January 1, 2026.
- Booked guests are reporting additional taxes on their cruise fares from $50-500 and higher, depending on the overall cost of their cruise and how much time their itinerary spends in Hawaii.
Norwegian Cruise Line has begun reaching out to guests booked on Hawaii cruises to alert them to increased tax payments. While guests aren’t pleased with the substantial fees, the cruise line is being forthright about the origin of the fee and what is being done to challenge it.
“Before your journey begins, we want to share an important update regarding a new government tax introduced by the state of Hawaii that will affect your cruise fare,” the letter reads.
“Effective for sailings embarking January 1, 2026, forward, Hawaii will expand its Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), traditionally applied to hotels and other land-based accommodations, to now include cruise ship passengers.”
The letter goes on to note that the tax is meant to support the state’s conservation and cultural preservation measures. Nevertheless, the new tax – which was only passed in May 2025 – is being challenged.
“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,” the letter explains. “We … remain committed to advocating for a fair and balanced outcome.”
The tax is a 14% charge of a cruise fare (11% from the state, 3% from individual counties), prorated to the time a guest’s ship spends in Hawaiian ports. Onboard purchases, such as spa reservations, specialty dining, drinks, or retail purchases, are not part of the tax consideration.
While individual tax amounts will vary depending on individual cruise fares, guests are noting taxes of $250-500 (USD) and higher for different 7-night Hawaiian sailings.
Even guests spending less time in the Aloha State are seeing substantial new taxes on their cruise bookings.
For example, Norwegian Spirit‘s October 24, 2026 sailing is a 12-night one-way itinerary from Tahiti to Honolulu, with two other port visits in Hawaii: Kona and Kauai. Taxes on those sailings can be as low as $60-70 per person, depending on cruise fare.
Cruise Port Area in Hawaii (Photo Credit: Theodore Trimmer)
Norwegian Cruise Line is adding the new taxes to guests’ reservation invoices, which must be paid by the final payment date.
“We understand this change may come as a surprise, and unexpected costs can be frustrating,” the cruise line noted. “We’re actively engaged with industry partners and state officials to ensure this transition is as smooth and fair as possible.”
Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to communicate with guests and be transparent about the new taxes and if any further changes may be forthcoming.
Not Just Norwegian Cruise Line
The new TAT in Hawaii is not directly solely at Norwegian Cruise Line. As the only cruise line with a ship homeported in Hawaii and operating interisland cruises (Pride of America), however, Norwegian Cruise Line will certainly bear the brunt of the tax.
Other cruise lines are notifying their guests booked on Hawaii sailings as needed. Disney Cruise Line, for example, reached out to travelers on select Disney Wonder sailings to let them know of the tax increase.
Other cruise lines that will have visits to Hawaii just in January 2026 include AIDA Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and more.
Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes
If the federal challenges to the TAT are successful, the overall tax rate might be reduced or the implementation date may be changed. Cruise lines would handle such changes as needed, but legal challenges can take months, if not years, to progress through the courts.
In the meantime, guests planning to sail to Hawaii should be prepared for the added charges and budget for their cruises accordingly.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
