Royal Class - can they dock in Kauai?

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I know the port in Kauai is restricted due to the shape/width of the entrance channel.  Can the Royal Class fit?

[JF - retired RRT]

Interesting question. I checked the Hawaii selections on Princess.com and there are no Royal class ships going there for the posted itineraries. So, probably not. Tendering in would be a possibility, but I'm pretty sure it would be a really long tender ride.

[jondfk]

A friend of mine is a harbor pilot on Kauai, I've asked our of curiosity.

 

What I think I understand is:  Royal class ships aren't technically restricted.  However, their very large cross section does present problems given that the pier positions the ship directly broadside to the prevailing trade wind.  This creates the possibility that the ship might not be able to get safely away from her berth in strong winds (thruster power is limited to avoid undermining the pier pilings).  

 

This broadside to the wind factor regularly causes calls to Lihue to be cancelled by ships far smaller than Royal - it's common to read accounts of Kauai calls being canceled "in perfect weather". 

 

My guess is, at some point, Princess will start scheduling Royal journeys to the islands and will attempt calls into Lihue.  Some lines (other than Princess) do tender pax ashore at Port Allen on the south shore which is far closer to Waimea canyon.  Services at Port Allen harbor are quite limited - there's not much touristic about this working port.

 

We lived on Kauai for several years and maintain contact with many friends.

 

Aloha

[AtlantaCruiser72]

2 hours ago, jondfk said:

A friend of mine is a harbor pilot on Kauai, I've asked our of curiosity.

 

What I think I understand is:  Royal class ships aren't technically restricted.  However, their very large cross section does present problems given that the pier positions the ship directly broadside to the prevailing trade wind.  This creates the possibility that the ship might not be able to get safely away from her berth in strong winds (thruster power is limited to avoid undermining the pier pilings).  

 

This broadside to the wind factor regularly causes calls to Lihue to be cancelled by ships far smaller than Royal - it's common to read accounts of Kauai calls being canceled "in perfect weather". 

 

My guess is, at some point, Princess will start scheduling Royal journeys to the islands and will attempt calls into Lihue.  Some lines (other than Princess) do tender pax ashore at Port Allen on the south shore which is far closer to Waimea canyon.  Services at Port Allen harbor are quite limited - there's not much touristic about this working port.

 

We lived on Kauai for several years and maintain contact with many friends.

 

Aloha

 

Thanks for the detailed and informative response.  It's appearing as if Regal may stay on the US West coast for Fall 2021-Spring 2022 when she will be joined by Discovery Princess.  That leads me to the conclusion that Princess may offer some Hawaii sailings from LA on the Regal at some point in that season ...... or not ..... LOL 

 

As not much has been released past September 2021 outside of Europe and Canada/NE  and Discovery Princess' launch season, it's really a guessing game for the next few months :)  I'm just playing Nancy Drew

[mtnesterz]

Nawiliwili harbor entry is 600 feet wide and 400 feet deep, 35 feet deep at pierside. The beam of a Royal class ship 155 feet and draft is 28 feet.

Edited February 12, 2020 by mtnesterz

[Anubi]

We were on deck when the Grand maneuvered its way into Kauai...it was the most amazing docking ever!!   We now completely understand why it gets cancelled!  🙂 

[toads45froggy]

2 hours ago, Anubi said:

We were on deck when the Grand maneuvered its way into Kauai...it was the most amazing docking ever!!   We now completely understand why it gets cancelled!  🙂 

I watched from my balcony both in and out of it. It was a highlight of the trip!

 

some of my favorite pictures were from that port.

[JF - retired RRT]

56 minutes ago, toads45froggy said:

I watched from my balcony both in and out of it. It was a highlight of the trip!

 

some of my favorite pictures were from that port.

A lot of people who live in Lihue spend the morning watching the ship come in. There's almost always at least 4 or 5 watching.

[Lawdog0199]

We docked in Kauai while on the Grand Princess... no problem at all.