norwegian cruise pride of america reviews

Pride of America

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Refurbished in 2022, Pride of America is Norwegian's only ship that offers year-round sailings in Hawaii. As such, it is home to a hands-on learning center about the history of Hawaii. The ship also represents other famous USA sights with themed areas like the South Beach Pool (based on Miami Beach).

The ship caters to a diverse set of age groups; it offers youth-oriented programs for guests ages 3 to 17, as well as more adult-friendly pursuits like a golf driving net, the Mandara Spa and the Shuffles Card Room.

Pride of America's cabins also appeal to a wide range of travelers, from the Studio staterooms for solo travelers (which include exclusive access to the Studio Lounge) to Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Suite category cabins for groups. Pride of America offers 13 eateries ranging from the complimentary Aloha Café to Cagney's Steakhouse, one of seven specialty restaurants.

Pride of America carries up to 2,186 passengers and 927 crew members, maintaining a nearly 2-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio.

Pros & Cons

Only Norwegian ship that offers year-round sailings in Hawaii

Limited onboard activities and entertainment

Expert Rating » 3.5
Traveler Rating » 3.6
Health Rating » 4.6

Pride of America ranks # 16 out of 19 Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

# 4 in Best Cruises to Hawaii
# 16 in Best Norwegian Cruise Line
# 37 in Best Luxury Cruises
# 69 in Best Cruises for Couples

Pride of America offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Pride of America contains 11 decks. Find out which features are available on each Pride of America deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 1479 guests have reviewed Pride of America , giving it a rating of 3.6 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Hawaii / Norwegian (NCL) / Ship Reviews

NCL’s Pride Of America Review And Ship Tour

by Prof. Cruise · Published May 7, 2020 · Updated June 24, 2021

As we speed-walked up the gangway to board the Pride of America in Honolulu, adorned in leis and puka shell necklaces barely noticeable below our excited eyes and ear-to-ear grins, we had no idea that we were on one of her last sailings before the coronavirus pandemic would halt global cruise travel and lead to the cancelation of our next three cruises scheduled for 2020. That Seattle – the city where we store our stuff, pawn our kid off on a saintly public school teacher, and visit our shaggy-haired shelter dog between cruises – would become the first Covid-19 hotspot in the United States. Or that life as we knew it was about to grind to a stop faster than Mr. Cruise turns 180 degrees upon entering our cabin restroom after my first full day of cruise binging: “who forgot to pack the Poo-Pourri ?”

I should have been on my third cruise of the season right now instead of competing for the most incompetent homeschool teacher of the year (see the photo below of me up in a tree with a martini while my pupil is on his third hour of video games today), but I feel lucky to have had this incredible trip to Hawaii aboard the Pride of America before all our lives changed forever.

And while the true prides of America are our coronavirus heroes – the nurses and doctors and other healthcare workers, the delivery drivers and postal workers, the grocery store clerks, the scientists, and so many others – I hope this virtual trip aboard the only American flagged large cruise ship will serve as a brief distraction from any stress, illness, grief, financial hardship, or boredom you may be facing in these difficult and uncertain times. So with that overly wordy introduction (sorry about that – these long days at home don’t necessitate succinctness), join me on the Pride of America!

Pride Of America: The Basics

She’s 15 years old (with her last refurbishment completed in 2016), 920 feet long, weighs in at over 80,000 tons, is adorned in red, white, and blue, and is affectionately known as the “Pride of America” to her 927 crew members and 2,186 guests. And while the rest of us have been wearing the same sweatpants for 53 consecutive days (what, just me?) and revealing our true hair color for the first time in an equal number of years, the Pride of America is fortunate enough to have a trip to dry dock (a ship’s version of a beauty parlor) scheduled for May 2020 (this may be delayed, stay tuned).

What Makes The Pride Of America Unique?

I’m perhaps the only Seattle resident who proudly drinks her morning beverage of choice, instant decaf coffee, from a mug that reads “ I Work To Fund My Cruising Addiction .”

But I prefer to think of myself as “unique” instead of “weird.” My 7 year-old would disagree: “mom, you’re weird.” Yeah, like I’m the one with underwear on my head pretending to be a superhero. Okay, that actually was me (what? I’ve been stuck at home for months now).

But anyway…

As the only American flagged ocean cruise ship, you’ll notice three major differences between the Pride of America and other ships that sail to/from Hawaii. First, the Passenger Vessel Services Act does not apply to American registered ships, so the Pride of America isn’t required to stop at a foreign port. All other cruises to/from Hawaii will call in a foreign port (usually Canada or Mexico), adding on many sea days and at least one non-Hawaiian stop to their itinerary (not a bad thing in my mind, but a significant difference). If you only have one week off work and want to cruise Hawaii or don’t like sea days, the Pride of America is your only option.

Second, because the Pride of America has to abide by all American labor laws, the majority of crew members will be Americans, unlike other cruise ships that employ mostly foreign workers.

And the third difference, directly related to the second, is cost. You’ll likely pay a much higher per night cruise fare on the Pride of America than other ships that sail to/from Hawaii. Pride of America crew members are paid more, enjoy labor protections foreign workers do not, and turnover is higher, leading to increased cruise fares. Our total 7-night fare on the Pride of America was nearly double what we paid for a 15-night sailing on the Grand Princess round-trip to Hawaii from San Fransisco. In fact, it was our most expensive vacation ever (factoring in the expense of getting to and from Honolulu by air).

Why We Booked The Pride Of America To Hawaii

We took our first cruise to Hawaii on the now infamous Grand Princess to/from San Francisco in 2018 and it scooted Alaska off to the side when it comes to our favorite place to cruise. Itching for a return trip to these most beautiful and culturally rich American islands, but with only a week off of school for H’s (my teaching/travel assistant and 7 year-old son) mid-winter break, we couldn’t accommodate the 10+ sea days required to cruise to Hawaii from the west coast. So, despite reading mixed reviews of the ship, the Pride of America was our only option.

Pride Of America Ship Tour

Here a complete ship tour featuring the best free elevator music money need not buy.

Dining On The Pride Of America

Go here for all restaurant and bar menus from the pride of america, skyline and liberty main dining rooms (complimentary).

The Pride of America has two main complimentary dining rooms, the Skyline and the Liberty. The Skyline is open for breakfast and they’re both open for dinner. They serve the same dinner menu and are available by reservation or by just showing up. They only differ in decor and dress code. For a more formal dining experience, opt for the Liberty restaurant for dinner. But if, like me, you skipped the prom because it would have required you change out of sweatpants, make your reservation for the Skyline. Either way, I do recommend making a reservation (online, via the NCL app, at the reservations desk next to Guest Services, or by calling reservations) if you know in advance when you’d like to dine. There was a separate podium for those with a reservation allowing them to bypass the (sometimes long) line and be seated quickly.

Service in the Skyline dining room was fast, friendly, and attentive, with servers checking in often to take our bar orders (I’ve found getting bar drinks in the main dining room difficult on some other NCL ships) and not batting an eye when Mr. Cruise ordered every single appetizer on the menu one night (don’t worry, he tipped an extra few dollars in cash for each item he ordered – thankfully his heart is even larger than his appetite):

As is the case (in my opinion) for all main dining room cruise fare, the food was good, but not great – akin to what you’d find in an American chain restaurant like TGI Friday’s, Chili’s, or Red Robin. Here’s what we ordered each night (with menus to be found here ):

Skyline Dining Room Night 1

Skyline Dining Room Night 2

Skyline Dining Room Night 3

Skyline Dining Room Night 4

Skyline Dining Room Night 5

Skyline Dining Room Night 6

Skyline Dining Room Night 7

Breakfast In The Skyline Dining Room

In addition to dinner, we loved eating breakfast in the Skyline Dining Room. The food was delicious and it was less crowded and chaotic than the buffet as everyone hurried to eat before getting off at port (they were also serving all food items in the buffet and passing out plates and cutlery which made the lines very long – more on that later). We especially enjoyed the daily specials.

Extra Credit Pro Tip: order the Pound Cake French Toast, one of the daily specials. It’s a dessert disguised as an entree and one of my favorite food items on NCL.

If you have the drink package don’t forget to order a Mimosa, Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, Greyhound or a shot of Bailey’s with your coffee. Here are some pics (am I the only one who photographs everything I eat on a cruise so I can stare at them longingly once I’m back home and nibbling on carrots so I don’t bust through the floor before it’s even my turn to step on the scale at Weight Watchers?):

East Meets West (Complimentary)

In addition to the main dining rooms, there are two additional complimentary full service, sit down restaurants on the Pride of America and we loved them both! East Meets West is an Asian fusion restaurant serving soups, noodles, and popular dishes from East and South Asia. You can preview the menu here . Having spent significant time in both China and Japan, I know (and love) Asian food. And I found the selections at East Meets West delicious and hovering pretty close to authentic for free cruise ship food .

Reservations were not accepted at East Meets West during our sailing and lines could get quite long. Consider eating there on the first night and arriving a few minutes before opening time for the shortest wait.

Extra Credit Pro Tip: if you’re a vegetarian, tofu can be substituted for the meat in several of the dishes. Just ask!

Here are photos of what we ordered:

Also, if you have the drink package and like sweet cocktails, be sure to order the Wasabi Martini. It was my favorite drink on the Pride of America.

And order the Shaku Shaku Martini if you consider pickles an appropriate topping for pizza and imagine they would be even more delicious in cocktail form.

Cadillac Diner (Complimentary)

If you’re thinking, “I did not book the most American vacation possible to eat at a g-darn Asian restaurant,” cool your engine after pulling up to the Cadillac Diner where the menu items are in English: “chicken wings, that’s more like it!” On the other hand, if you think you’re too sophisticated for french fries, you can order the delicious lasagna and pay extra for a premium milkshake. This is a popular spot and housed in a very tiny space, so consider eating there for lunch while at port when it’s less crowded. You can preview the menu here .

Here’s what we ordered (all excellent):

And the best for last, because what’s more American than:

Aloha Cafe (Complimentary)

While the photos above portray a serene setting captured while 90% of passengers were at port and the Aloha Cafe was closed, a swarm of locusts on the scent of a bumper corn crop would more accurately depict the buffet on the Pride of America during peak breakfast and lunch hours. Additional health and safety precautions during the first half of our sailing due to a flu outbreak onboard (stay tuned for additional information and thoughts on this) also led to long lines and waits during peak times.

There were some real standouts (the made-to-order pasta, crepe station at dinner and the warm puddings are not to be missed), but I didn’t find the selection or quality of the food as good as I’ve experienced on other NCL ships. I found the international selections particularly weak (I know, I know, it’s the Pride of AMERICA, not INDIA, but I so love the Indian food on other NCL ships).

I’d strongly suggest eating breakfast and dinner at one of the sit-down restaurants if you can spare the time. And if you must experience the buffet (I get it, I’m currently camping outside of Golden Corral, hopeful for an eventual reopening, because what’s American life without warm yeast rolls dripping with honey butter and mashed potatoes topped with cheddar cheese from the taco station), do so at off-peak hours (right when it opens or just before it closes) for lunch.

Extra Credit Pro Tip: head over to the Gold Rush Saloon for overflow buffet seating.

Key West Bar And Grill (Complimentary)

As a generally less crowded alternative to the buffet for lunch, hit the Key West Bar and Grill for serve-yourself burgers, hot dogs, french fries, and deli style salads. It also offers made-to-order veggie burgers for vegetarians. We found the quality of offerings here quite good and never had to wait in line for food or a table. And if you have the Hawaii drink package, hit the adjoining bar for a North Shore Power (one of my favorite drinks onboard) or a red or white Sangria.

Dolce Gelato (Extra Charge)

We used some of the onboard credit we had – because we sensibly purchased 100 shares of NCL stock right before the coronavirus hit and prices dropped faster than Prof. Cruise chases the ice cream truck – on…ice cream. Well, gelato actually. Try the coconut or Kona coffee if you want to experience my two favs. Just don’t take my advice on investments!

Room Service (Complimentary and Extra Charge)

While cold breakfast items are complimentary (although I always tip delivery crew a few dollars), all other items will incur a $9.95 service charge per delivery (you can order as many items as you want). We used room service for coffee and once so we could avoid the buffet prior to an early morning excursion. Go here for the menu.

Extra Credit Pro Tip: for those who are lactose intolerant or who prefer non-dairy milk, soy milk is available via room service even though it’s not listed on the menu. Just write it on the order card or request it when you call in your order.

Specialty Restaurants On The Pride Of America

There are six specialty restaurants on the Pride of America, but we didn’t eat at any of them, instead choosing to splurge on our favorite Hawaiian specialties while at port (think shave ice, not spam).

But should you be interested in dining at them, here are some photos and a brief description of each. You can also find all the menus here .

Sushi & Sashimi Bar (Extra Charge)

If your vacation at sea has you craving sushi, hit the sushi and sashimi bar on deck 5, in the same area as East Meets West and Teppanyaki. While this small bar and dining area is separate from East Meets West, you can also request the sushi menu while dining at East Meets West (which I’d recommend if you want to order off both menus). Sit at the bar though if you want to watch the talented chefs prepare your rolls. Either way, prices are a la carte.

Teppanyaki (Extra Charge)

For $39 per person (unless you have a dining package), you can watch a masterful teppan chef prepare meat, seafood, vegetables, noodles, and rice on a flat grill around which you will be seated with your family, friends, and fellow passengers. Think a floating Benihana, which makes the egg trick even more impressive (don’t worry if it lands in your hair, it will add a nice shine for your elegant night photos).

Jefferson’s Bistro (Extra Charge)

A snooty Frenchman in slim-fit jeans, a cashmere scarf, and horn-rimmed glasses would so forcefully scoff at a French restaurant named “Jefferson’s Bistro” onboard an American flagged cruise ship that he might pass out cold having forgotten to take a breath between insults: vous, imbéciles d’Américains, vous vous êtes surpassés cette fois quelle insulte à ma culture et à mon peuple n’as-tu pas honte?

But if you’re looking for a romantic spot to celebrate a special occasion, consider this French themed restaurant. And while your waiter is more likely to be Dave from Birmingham sporting a mullet than Jean-Pierre from Bordeaux sporting a beret, at least he won’t attempt to throw you overboard when you complain, “what do you mean you don’t serve fries? Aren’t you a FRENCH restaurant?!?”

Jefferson’s Bistro is on deck 5 midship and pricing is a la carte.

Cagney’s Steakhouse (Extra Charge)

If you’re looking for a more premium cut of meat than is available in the main dining rooms, along with some outstanding sides and desserts, you’ll want to reserve a meal at the Pride of America’s steakhouse: Cagney’s. Pricing is a la carte without a dining package and it’s located on deck 6 midship near the Liberty main dining room.

Moderno Churrascaria (Extra Charge)

Located on deck 11 aft, Moderno Brazilian steakhouse offers twelve meats carved right at your table and a large salad bar. It’s currently priced at $39 per person if you don’t have a dining package (but double check pricing in your online reservation or when you get onboard as things change frequently).

La Cucina (Extra Charge)

If counting down the days until the Never Ending Pasta Pass goes on sale at Olive Garden is a tradition dearer to you than the New Year’s Eve ball drop, you’ll enjoy the Pride of America’s Italian restaurant, La Cucina. It’s located on deck 11 aft and pricing is a la carte without a dining package.

Bars And Lounges On The Pride Of America

There are nine bars on the Pride of America, each with either a Hawaiian or American theme (Although I still haven’t figured out “Pink’s.” Maybe it’s in honor of the raspy-voiced American singer/songwriter, but a quick Google search doesn’t suggest an obvious link to champagne.).

Hit the Gold Rush Saloon for the best selection of beers on tap, the Waikiki bar if you’re a smoker (it’s the only place onboard you can smoke), the Napa Wine Bar for a W.I.N.O.S (Women In Need Of Sanity) support group, the Ocean Drive or Aloha Lanai bars for a cocktail by the pool, Pink’s for fancy martini’s, Key West for a burger with your beverage, John Adams for espresso coffee drinks (for an extra charge and not included in the Hawaii Beverage Package) or an Irish coffee with a shot of Bailey’s (included in the beverage package), and Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge for drinks and a show.

As a martini lover, my favorite bar was Pink’s (although the service was slow at times), but I also loved several of the drinks unique to the menu at Key West.

SEE ALL PRIDE OF AMERICA BAR MENUS HERE .

And stay tuned for my review of the Hawaii Beverage Package, coming soon.

Entertainment And Activities On The Pride Of America

Go here for the freestyle daily (the daily activities and dining schedule) from each day of our pride of america sailing..

Awe, the good old days when we could pack into a cruise ship theater only to complain about people arriving late, chattering children, and how “the entertainment isn’t what it used to be.” Now days, after being stuck at home for roughly a million years, I’d consider an off-key, nose picking, tights pulling, stoney-faced, wilding out 1st grade music program quality entertainment if it meant I got to congregate with human beings I’m not legally bound to: “which child is yours?” “The one off to the right singing the wrong song while he practices his cartwheels.” Bravo, bravo!

But harkening back to my slightly higher pre-coronavirus standards with the hope that eventually I’ll return to them, I’d consider the entertainment on the Pride of America perfectly fine, but not great. I’m a huge fan of the full-length Broadway-style shows on the larger NCL ships, but those aren’t offered on smaller ships. Instead, the Pride of America main theater features loosely plotted singing and dancing shows (such as Lights, Camera, Music!) performed by the ship’s production cast, a magician, a comedian, and a special guest vocal group (on our sailing it was These Guys Worldwide). We enjoyed the performances, but they weren’t anything I’d have payed extra to see pre social distancing days. Now I’d almost consider giving up my epic bag of quarantine snacks for one.

In addition to the larger shows in the main theater each night, there was also ample live music onboard and a variety of activities during the day (although slightly fewer than on a more traditional sailing with a mix of port and sea days, since we were at port every day and the majority of guests were off the ship). We particularly enjoyed the Hawaii themed activities offered by our Hawaii ambassador, China. She taught daily hula lessons, gave port lectures, and led lei making classes with all materials (including gorgeous fresh flowers) included for free.

Service On The Pride Of America

If mine is the 20th review of the Pride of America you’ve read today – because you’re trying to avoid another video chat with your grandkids where they remind you for hours at a time how ill advised it was to send them a joke book during quarantine (I can say with authority that your daughter-in-law really does hate you now) – that’s unfortunate because my reviews are far more palatable before you have any others to compare them with. But you’ve probably also read mixed reviews, some positive and some negative, of the service on the Pride of America. And that’s how I’d describe the service too: mixed.

Although not as friendly and warm as on other ships, the service in the main dining room was fast and attentive. We missed learning about the countries where our servers were from, since they were all Americans, but minimal small talk and the lack of language barriers seems to really speed things up. We were encouraged to order as many items as we wanted and were regularly asked about bar service, which was appreciated since we had the beverage package and enjoyed trying some different cocktails with our meals. At dinner we were generally in and out in about an hour, which is extremely fast for a cruise ship main dining room dinner. Having a young child with us, we really appreciated this.

Service in the buffet was poor (especially during the first part of our cruise while increased health precautions were in place – more on that in a minute) due, I think, to it being understaffed. Tables were not cleared quickly, lines were long at times, and crew members seemed stressed. It was an extra challenging week for them though, so this may not be typical.

Bar service was also spotty. There were a few bartenders who were bordering on rude and service was very slow at times. But most were working hard and doing their best to be friendly and attentive.

Our room steward was excellent. He knew our names before we even introduced ourselves and made sure to ask about our room preferences. He was fast and thorough and friendly. We missed nightly towel animals, but understand these are being phased out fleet wide and never requested one.

Hits And Misses On The Pride Of America

Because I’ve cruised to Hawaii before, some of these hits and misses serve partly as a comparison of my two experiences, the other being a 15 night round-trip sailing from San Fransisco on the Grand Princess. And some are stand-alone observations of the Pride of America, teased apart from the overall Hawaii cruising experience.

Spotty Service

We had excellent service in some areas and less-than-ideal service in others. I never observed anything egregious and most crew members were working very hard and doing their best under stressful circumstances, but I’d still describe the overall service as “spotty.”

No Sea Days

I certainly can’t blame the Pride of America for this one, since I got exactly what I booked – an itinerary packed with port days with most sailing from island to island taking place at night. But man oh man, as a gold medal, five star, world champion relaxer I sure missed long days at sea spent reading and walking the promenade deck and eating every 15 minutes.

If given a choice I’d take a 15 day cruise over a 7 day cruise any day. Disagree? Well, as your Cruising 101 professor, I’m going to have to flunk you and strongly suggest you reevaluate your direction in life.

And what if I told you it’s possible to book a 15 day cruise to Hawaii for half the price of a 7 day cruise to Hawaii? Well, it is! And I know this because we did it! For the reasons I spoke to earlier, sailings on the Pride of America can be much pricier than other cruises (even other cruises to Hawaii). There are certainly things that are unique to the Pride of America cruise that you won’t find on another line (I’ll speak to those below), but I’d still book a longer roundtrip cruise from the west coast to Hawaii versus the Pride if America if it were possible.

Leis At Embarkation

No need to purchase an expensive lei at the airport, you’ll receive a beautiful free one at embarkation!

Hawaii Ambassador

It was so fun having a Hawaii ambassador onboard to lead activities and lectures. This wasn’t unique to the Pride of America (we had a wonderful Hawaii ambassador on the Grand Princess too), but we thought the programming China led was particularly good (especially the beautiful fresh flowers for lei making classes).

Napoli Coast

With sharp emerald ridges towering above the Pacific Ocean seeming to touch the sky, steep, plunging waterfalls, and beaches so remote I kept expecting to see Tom Hanks and Wilson, cruising along the spectacular Napoli Coast was my favorite part of my Pride of America sailing.

Go here for my tips for maximizing your scenic cruise along the Napoli Coast along with my other top 35 tips for the Pride of America.

More time at ports.

The opportunity to add on a land portion to your trip to Hawaii either before or after your sailing, as well as overnights at several ports is a huge advantage to the Pride of America.

24 Hour Gym

Because we were off the ship at port during the day, it was very helpful to have a gym open 24 hours to squeeze in a few workouts so I could still squeeze into my stretchy buffet cruise pants. This is the first NCL ship I’ve ever sailed on with a 24 hour gym.

East Meets West And Cadillac Diner

These complimentary alternative restaurants were two of the top reasons I needed the gym and worth every calorie!

Full Library

The Pride of America has a large, well-stocked library. Libraries on cruise ships are more endangered than ivory-billed woodpeckers as more and more ships are phasing them out. And even though I didn’t have nearly enough time to relax on my balcony with a novel on this trip, I’d walk through the library in the evenings to breath in the faint vanilla smell of old books – a smell I love almost as much as the ocean.

Large Wrap Around Promenade Deck

If you know me at all, you know that I was hacking off my own hair and forgoing makeup and real pants long before quarantine. But you also know that walking the promenade deck while listening to an audio book and watching for ocean life is one of my favorite cruise activities. And while, again, I didn’t have nearly enough time to do this on the Pride of America, the wide, wrap around promenade deck was my favorite feature of the ship. It even had two drinking fountains available (not that my pace ever necessitated hydration)!

Flu On The Pride Of America And Hints At The Future Of Cruising

As we boarded the Pride of America we were subjected to an additional health screening form and notified that there had been a concerning number of flu cases on the prior sailing. I was also quizzed on the Chinese visas in my passport book (when was the last time you visited China?). Even though there hadn’t been any known coronavirus cases in the United States yet, it was clear the cruise line was already concerned and there were restrictions on passengers who had recently been in China.

There were strict additional health precautions for the first half of our sailing that included:

No pre-set tables in sit-down restaurants. Typically when you arrive at your table in the main dining room or at a specialty restaurant, it will be beautifully and fully set with silverware, plates, napkins, glasses, a centerpiece, salt and pepper, and butter. With the additional health precautions in place, tables were completely empty until guests were seated. Then silverware wrapped in a napkin was provided for each person along with water glasses and butter. Anything beyond that generally had to be requested. Condiments were provided in single portions. There were no salt and pepper shakers, ketchup bottles, etc. available anywhere on the ship.
No self-service in the buffet and plates, silverware, napkins, and condiments were handed to guests by a gloved member of the crew. Instead of grabbing a plate or bowl, we had to wait in line to receive a plate and napkin wrapped silverware from a crew member. All buffet items including drinks were served by crew. This led to long lines and waits at times.
Restaurant menus were paper and thrown away after a single use.
There were no menus available in any of the bars. If you requested a menu you would receive a generic paper menu (not specific to a particular bar) with a limited selection of some of the more popular NCL drinks. I asked several times for an actual menu for a specific bar and wasn’t able to receive one (until later in the cruise when the extra restrictions were lifted).
Restroom doors remained open at all times. The main doors to public restrooms remained open to minimize passengers touching handles.
Books could not be checked out from the library (cases remained locked at all times) and all games and cards were removed from the game room.
Frequent cleaning of handrails and other high touch surfaces.
Washy washy, happy happy. While hand sanitizing is always encouraged before boarding the ship and before entering the buffet or restaurants, it was mandatory in this case. There was a crew member with a bottle of sanitizer spraying every guest’s hands.

While we’re now learning that cases of covid-19 may have arrived on American soil far earlier than we first thought, I’ve wondered if there were actually cases aboard the Pride of America in February that were being mistaken for flu (to be clear, there is absolutely no evidence of this that I’ve seen – it’s only speculation on my part).

Either way, I imagine that the future of cruising, at least in the short-term until a vaccine is widely available, will look much like the first half of our Pride of America sailing, but with the possible addition of masks, covid-19 testing and/or temperature checks and/or additional heath screening forms and fewer passengers. It will be interesting to see how the industry continues to respond to these challenging times and you’d better believe, even though it may not be the exact same experience, I’ll begin cruising again as soon as it’s safe and available.

Does The Pride Of America Live Up To Her Name?

Perhaps the only thing more America than tater tots, baseball, and divisive politics is apple pie. With cruising rounding out the top five. But ironically enough, nearly all cruise ships are registered outside the United States (this fact has been used to argue against any federal coronavirus bailout money going to cruise lines), with the majority of crew members coming from other countries. But NCL’s Pride of America is the exception! She’s American through and through, from her abundant opportunities for consumption, to her crew, to the stars and stripes adorning her exterior. And just like America – where the American dream eludes so many and democracy can be messy – she isn’t perfect. But she’ll provide a comfortable place to rest your weary bones after a long day of adventuring and safely ferry you from one tropical paradise to another while feeding your body and soul. Is she perfect? No. Does she live up to her name? Absolutely! And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Homework : See my top 35 tips for the Pride of America , all Pride of America drink and restaurant menus, and my Hawaii port reviews here (stay tuned, I’ll be adding many more in the coming months). Also, go here for my complete guide to the Hawaii Beverage Package .

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on social media:

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Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising. Home port: Seattle. Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human. Lover of books and dessert. Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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The ncl pride of america hawaii itinerary, ncl pride of america ship overview, staterooms on the pride of america, dining and drinking aboard the pride of america, pride of america entertainment and activities, spa and fitness on pride of america, hawaiian influences on the pride of america, excursions from the ncl pride of america, pride of america video overview, final thoughts on our pride of america cruise of hawaii.

We cruised through the Hawaiian Islands on Norwegian’s Pride of America in October 2019.

What did we think of the experience?

We’ll share all the details, but if this is TLDR, the skinny is that the cruise itinerary is excellent, the destinations are amazing, the cabins are adequate, the food experience was sub par. Check out our video overview from our Pride of America cruise of Hawaii .

Possibly one of the very best aspects of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America Hawaii cruise is the itinerary. It starts in Honolulu on Oahu on Saturday, sails to Maui by Monday morning and stays overnight in Maui. Next, the cruise moves to Hawaii, the Big Island with a day in Hilo followed by a day in Kona. From there, the cruise goes to Kauai with an overnight stay there. The cruise finishes with a scenic cruise of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, then goes back to Honolulu, Oahu to disembark. This Saturday to Saturday itinerary is repeated week after week.

So, the NCL Pride of America itinerary includes all of the four major Hawaiian Islands – Maui, Kauai, Hawaii’s Big Island, and Oahu , but there’s not much time to explore Oahu within the cruise itinerary, so we recommend extending your stay on Oahu by a night or two at a hotel — either on the front-end or the back-end of the cruise.

If you’ve never been to Hawaii or tend to just go to one of the islands, this itinerary is a very good one. The Pride of America itinerary is especially good if you’re short on time and you want to get a taste of each of the four major islands . It’s a very efficient itinerary in that you travel from island to island while you’re having dinner, enjoying evening entertainment and sleeping.

The Destinations with Pride of America

Hawaii is an outstanding destination with so much beauty and culture. Though there’s little time to explore the embarkation/disembarkation port of Honolulu on Oahu, there’s a good amount of time to discover the three other major islands — Maui, Hawaii (Big) Island and Kauai. Actually there are two days each at those islands, which is double what you’d find on other cruises to Hawaii.

Each Hawaiian island has its own features and personalities. It’s definitely not the case that if you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all. Every island is amazing with way more to explore than the allotted time. So, the destinations of the Pride of America are all excellent!

You will have opportunities to see waterfalls, tropical flowers, volcanos and, of course, beautiful beaches. Hawaii is breathtakingly beautiful!

NCL’s Pride of America’s Major Advantage – No days at sea – All Hawaii all year long!

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the only ship that sails roundtrip solely within Hawaii. There are no days a sea on the Pride of America and every day is spent in Hawaii.

For any other ship or cruise line, they must sail to Hawaii from faraway destinations, such as from the west coast of North America, French Polynesia, Asia, Australia or New Zealand. For travel from those destinations, those ships will be in transit, at sea, for at least four or five days. That’s a lot of days at sea!

For comparison, I looked at the itinerary of another NCL cruise to Hawaii on their ship the Norwegian Jewel. It’s an 11-day cruise from Vancouver. This cruise is fairly representative of other cruises that don’t start and stop in Hawaii like NCL’s Pride of America. Here’s a screenshot of that itinerary:

Notice that on this Norwegian Jewel itinerary, there are five, full days at sea and only five days actually in Hawaii, with a disembarkation morning on Oahu. That’s a lot of travel time and distance for not many days in Hawaii!

How much can you see of Hawaii on a one-week cruise itinerary?

With any cruise in Hawaii, you’re only going to get to see a few highlights of each island and that’s it. There’s far more to see and do on every island than what can be toured in just one or even two days! We’ve created some excellent week-long vacation itineraries for each Hawaiian Island . Even with a week on each island, you’re not going to get to do “everything” the islands’ have to offer. We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been to Hawaii and we experience something new every time. So, with a cruise, you should set your expectations that you’re going to get to see some amazing places, but you’re not going to get to do everything.

The ship accommodates over 2,100 passengers. For a “floating hotel” of that size, it never really felt crowded, except for the arrival at Kona, when there were long, crowded waits for the tender boats to shuttle us from the ship to shore.

The ship was fairly well kept. In some ways, the Pride of America looked brand new – especially in the common areas such as dining rooms, shops, guest relations, hallways, etc. The ship was built in 2005 and refurbished in 2016.

Most of the common areas of the ship are decorated with bright, exciting colors. Generally speaking, the decor was in good taste and reflected the excitement and adventure of a cruise.

Decor-wise, we liked the restaurants and lounges that had a “Hawaiian-feel” to them, but there weren’t many places onboard like that. The Aloha Cafe, the main buffet restaurant of the ship, had some Hawaiian touches. We normally grabbed breakfast from here and took it out to the adjacent Aloha Lana’i Bar seating, which is alfresco. Pinks Champagne Lounge seemed to be an ode to the Royal Hawaiian hotel. For a ship that’s dedicated to sailing within the Hawaiian Islands every day of the year for many years, it sure could use more Hawaiian or tropical decor.

There are some odd themes on the Pride of America, too. For example, there’s a Gold Rush Saloon, decorated in a rustic, old west, 1800s style. It really felt out of place on a ship that only circles the Hawaiian Islands. The ship has two main restaurants, Liberty and Skyline. Liberty is decorated like something out of Washington D.C. with velvet and sequined drapes. Skyline is decorated like something you would see in an art deco style building in New York City. That was all interesting decor, but seemed really out of place for Hawaii.

If the ship could change anything structurally, which is extremely unlikely, we would suggest more elevators. At peak times of island arrivals and returns from tours, there could be long elevator waits. Many times, we opted to climb up or down four or five deck levels instead of waiting for the elevators.

The Pride of America has many stateroom options , from a studio that’s designed for the solo traveler, balcony rooms and for the posh experience, suites . While a limited number of staterooms can accommodate up to eight people, most comfortably accommodate two people.

There are quite a few options, from interior rooms without views, rooms with picture windows and rooms with balconies. Some rooms with windows or balconies have obstructed views and are noted in the room category.

We chose a balcony room with a non-obstructed view for our cruise. We were assigned to stateroom 8630. While it’s considered a non-obstructed room, we felt that the view of the lifeboat wasn’t exactly unobstructed. We didn’t complain, but we were disappointed.

For a quick overview, check out our video tour of our balcony stateroom on the Pride of America :

Our balcony room sleeps two people comfortably and a third with the pull out sofa bed. It’s difficult for us to imagine trying to fit a third person in the room. It would definitely be tight particularly if the third person is a teen or adult.

The bathroom is quite small with limited storage space. The shower space is also very confined. The following photo actually makes it appear larger than it really is. There’s only room for one person to move around in it.

The ship provides soap and shampoo in dispenser containers. It’s nice that you don’t have to worry about individual plastic containers and that’s a win for the environment. These toiletries were branded by NCL. It would have been better to have had a name brand soap and shampoo or something with a tropical scent to fit the Hawaiian Islands, instead of of what appears as a mass-produced, inexpensive product.

Our room seemed clean enough, though not overly so. I wiped off the little desk/vanity shelf to remove some powder I had dropped and a lot more dirt and gunk came off than just the powder I spilled. Also, the sofa was soiled. Overall, the cleanliness of the room wasn’t horrible, but still left me questioning how much the room actually gets cleaned in between guests.

Our room adjoined to the room next door. We could hear talking, coughing, etc from that room.

The ship’s plumbing seemed to be an issue occasionally. Sometimes we had issues flushing the toilet and once in the middle of the night, we didn’t have any water at all.

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their “freestyle” dining. You can dine when you like, where you like and with who you like. You are not limited to a set dining time or assigned to a group table.

A limited number of beverages are included in the standard cruise fare. Regular coffee, tea and ice water are generally your only “free” options, except some fruit juices at the breakfast buffet. The package we booked included a free perk of the “Hawaii Beverage Package” which included bottled water, sodas, beer, wine and mixed-drinks up to $15. A 20% service charge was applied to our package prior to the cruise. We were glad to have the beverage package.

The Pride of America offers plenty of restaurants and lounges to enjoy throughout the one-week itinerary. If you prefer casual fare, they’ve got it. If you want a more upscale meal, they’ve got that, too. This link describes all the complimentary (included in your cruise) restaurants on board and this link lists the specialty ($) dining options.

The complimentary main dining rooms of Liberty and Skyline were not as upscale as we’ve experienced on other cruise lines. We heard other passengers sharing similar sentiments. I’ll give an example from just one dinner at Skyline:

My glass was chipped and cut my lip.
I ordered a pork chop that must have been microwaved to re-heat it as it was super hot, tough and chewy. Even the flavor seemed missing. I only ate a few bites.
I ordered a warm apple dessert. It was served cold.

So, those were all kind of first-world problems, but still, when you’re paying for a good experience and not getting it, it’s disappointing.

Our travel package included three specialty dining options. We’re glad that we had those options as the better food is definitely in the specialty restaurants. Jefferson’s Bistro, the French restaurant, was our favorite and the best meal we had on the ship. Cagney’s Steakhouse was good, and the only restaurant that we found that had lobster, but the service was very slow and our server got our order mixed up. I think our server must have been stretched too thin. At the Teppanyaki restaurant, our chef put on a great show, but the food was just okay.

For convenience, you can book reservations for both the specialty and the complimentary restaurants. We recommend booking your specialty restaurant reservations within the first day or two of boarding to make sure you get the time and day you want. You can book reservations during specific hours beside the Guest Relations desk. (Note that the off-site luau excursion is held on the overnight day on Kauai. If you plan to go to the luau, keep that evening open from dinner reservations on the ship.)

We only ate lunch on board one day. Most of the excursions we took were quite long and included lunch.

The islands of Hawaii have wonderful food. We always enjoy Hawaii regional cuisine at restaurants in Hawaii, but we didn’t find anything like that on the ship. At the Aloha Cafe on the final evening, they tried to have a “Taste of Hawaii” dinner, but it was disappointing. So, from a culinary standpoint, the ship doesn’t offer a true Hawaiian experience.

Overall, the food was edible, but far from being memorable. The waitstaff seemed to want to provide a good experience, but they also seemed very stretched trying to take care of so many other guests at the same time. With dining being such a big part of most people’s expectations of cruise, we felt that Norwegian fell short.

The Pride of America offers quite a bit of entertainment and activities . The “Freestyle Daily” lists the complete schedule of what’s happening each day. There’s so much going on — Hawaiian cultural lessons, culinary demonstrations, cornhole tournaments, trivia, live music, pool games, dance classes, karaoke and much more. If you are traveling with children or teens, the ship offers youth programs for them.

The staff delivers a “Freestyle Daily” to your cabin every night with information for the following day. It was usually four pages in length and full of great information on activities and entertainment.

Unfortunately, our full days of exploring the islands plus our jet lag got the best of us most evenings. We usually went to sleep shortly after having dinner. So we didn’t get to catch one of the evening shows in the Hollywood Theater. We especially wanted to see the Aloha Polynesia show, which sounds like the type of show you’d find at a luau.

What you won’t find on the Pride of America is a casino. This may be good news for your wallet. 😉

For some pampering, there is a spa onboard. Their menu includes several massage and facial offerings.

The fitness center is by far the largest we’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. It was stocked with quality equipment. It was also one of the most sparsely populated areas of the ship. In addition to the fitness center, water aerobics was offered at the pool.

We were pleased to find several Hawaiian influences during our cruise. Here’s what we found:

Passengers are greeted with a lei at embarkation.
A dedicated Hawaiian Ambassador was on board to introduce passengers to the Hawaiian culture. He taught lei-making classes, hula dancing and narrated the ship’s tour of the Na Pali Coast. I attended the kukui nut lei-making class and really enjoyed hearing about the significance and culture of this type of lei.
You can enjoy live bands playing Hawaiian music on most days.
Most of the staff wore a Hawaiian shirt and/or lei and often greeted passengers with a warm “Aloha.”
Stateroom decor have artwork and/or fabrics with beach-y influences.
Photos from Hawaii and some artifacts were on display in the stairwells and by the elevators.

NCL has done a nice job curating their menu of excursions to suit both the adventure seeker and the casual sightseer. For adventures, there’s hiking, zip lining, kayaking and snorkeling. For the sightseer, there are many tours filled with amazing island scenery that hit some of each island’s highlights. Skim through this link for some examples of the excursions offered through NCL.

We enjoyed a mix of excursions offered through Norwegian Cruise Line and some that we booked independently. We enjoyed them all. We’ll be writing more about excursion selections and our recommendations to help you get the most out of your limited time and vacation budget. Stay tuned!

We did some price comparison between what the ship offered and what we could find independently. The ship’s prices were always more expensive. We noticed that the closer that we got to our sailing date, the prices of the excursions increased.

The ship heavily pushes the Luau Kalamaku on Kauai. I heard mixed reviews from fellow passengers.

For more insight into the cruise experience, check out our Pride of America Hawaii cruise video .

Miscellaneous notes:

You can look through more of our photos here .
The Pride of America falls under the Jones Act, which requires that the crew consists of at least 75% U.S. citizens.
The ship has some shops where you can buy souvenirs, clothes with “Hawaiian” prints and sundry items.
There’s a library onboard.
There’s a photography center.
There is no casino on Pride of America.
A tent was stationed at the end of the gangway at each port to sign out beach towels.
We booked our cruise through Costco Travel.
As is common with most cruises throughout the world, most of the dock locations were more industrial than scenic. Oftentimes there was a flurry of fork lift activity going on near our docked location.
In Kona, there is no cruise ship dock, so passengers are transported by tender/lifeboats to the shore.
We were glad that we had a port side cabin on the day of the Na Pali Coast tour as we only had to step out onto our balcony to enjoy the scenery.
The best opportunities to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset are from Kona and after the Na Pali Coast cruise on the final evening.
If you have questions about this cruise, check out NCL’s FAQs .

The itinerary is excellent and the island destinations are fantastic. It’s a great way to see the four major islands in seven nights , though, as the itinerary is planned, there’s minimal sightseeing time for Oahu.

The food and service were unfortunately sub par.

The stateroom cabins are compact , but adequate.

Our cruise fare with a balcony room, the beverage package, speciality dining package and some nominal credits totaled $4,768 for the two of us. That does not include excursions. That’s quiet a hefty price for seven nights. In my opinion, that’s not a good value. The food and stateroom experience felt budget-level, but the cruise cost was far from being a budget price.

New – we’ve compiled a detailed list of what to see and do on a cruise at each Hawaiian port .

Have you taken the Pride of America cruise in Hawaii? How was your experience?

Sheila Beal

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter , Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook , or Instagram .

I cruised on Pride of America nearly 13 years ago and I still talk about it today. It was amazing! The cabin was homely & very comfortably, the food was lovely, the entertainment was very good, the places it took us was breathtaking & the staff….. well they were amazing! What ever you wanted they would do their best to sort it. They are so hard working, very friendly, considerate, helpful, if they had time they would have a chat with you. I recommend NCL Pride of America to everyone that talks about cruises. I can’t speak highly enough of it.

By the way I’m from the UK

Thank you for this wonderful website and overview of NCL Pride of America cruise. I’m curious to know what you did at each port. Which NCL excursions did you take? Any excursions through other companies? Rent a car? I’m cruising on POA in April staying two nights in Oahu before embarkation. Thank you!!!

Those are great questions. We did a mix of NCL excursions and non-NCL excursions. We’ve intended to write about which excursions we did along with recommendations for others. We’ll aim to get that article written my mid-January, hopefully before. If you’d not already subscribed to our free articles by email, you can do so here: https://govisithawaii.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ff2ac3a235f8da3d2131ef4c7&id=f471f8c491 That way, you’ll get the article in your inbox when it’s published.

Belinda – we just published our recommended activities at each port https://www.govisithawaii.com/2023/01/10/the-best-hawaiian-island-excursions-on-ncl-pride-of-america-and-other-hawaii-cruises/

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Pride of America Review

By bigvin21 , June 11, 2009 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Great review. I'm booked for July 2011 as a 10 year anniversary surprise for my wife. I've had jobs dealing with the public for over ten years, unfortunately, you can't train people to be nice, either you have it or you don't. Some people realize this and that working with the public isn't the job for them and move on and others think they're great when they're really not. I'm glad you had a great time.

Thanks for taking the time to write the review and offer to answer questions.

For the drive to the summit of Haleakala, was it a difficult drive with drop offs at the side of the road with no guard rails, etc? We want to do it for the sunset and wondered what the road may be like to drive after dark.

Also, How did Haleakala compare to Volcano National Park (besides the obvious absence of an active volcano)?

The drive up to Haleakala is very twisty turny. You have to take it VERY slow at some points. If you get car sick it is not recommended. Driving Haleakala in the dark isnt something I myself would probably do, it was one of the more difficult drives I have done, and it can take a toll on you. There are many areas that have hairpin turns that almost require you to stop to turn the corner - and there are no guardrails. Coming down Haleakala people seem to forget they are on a volcano and speed down. They do have turn off's for slow drivers to pull over and let the speed demons pass. I had to use the turnoff once, and I dont drive slow. It wasnt worth risking my life to speed up for some ***hole tailgaiting me. It took us at least two hours to get to the top from our hotel in Kanapali. I do have to say the road to Hana was worse only because it is alot longer and you get very tired after driving all day.

Hope this helps. I have some great pictures if your interested.

sunshine nana

Thanks for the review. It brought memories of our trip in 2007 on what is now the Jade. We had an issue with the host at La Bistro and I reported it to the head of hospitality the next day. He was very nice and even though I told him upfront that we did not want an compensation, he made sure we knew that they took the compaint seriously. We have since been on NCL in the Med. and have another booked in the E. Med. for next year.

While we were enjoying the sushi bar in East meets West we had the pleasure to listen to a lady ask to see a manager. She was eating at the hibatchi grill, and we kept hearing her say how she didnt want to pay $15 per person to eat there. So go figure she complained that the chef put on a poor performance. She said he didnt catch the shrimp on the first try and dropped one of his spatula's during the performance. She was also angry because her daughter was starving and he didnt serve her first. I was about to turn around and say something but didnt. Then she proceeds to say I wasted $75 for this and I dont think I should have to pay for it. Go figure the manager didnt charge her. She got what she wanted in the end, a free meal.

Some people have some nerve.

We're going July 2011 too!:D We're going on 7/23. How about you?

July 16th, 2011. Haven't decided if we're going to do 3 or 4 nights precruise yet and where I want to stay. Can't wait.

My wife and I were on the POA the last week of May for our 30th anniversary. We had a great time. Nice ship, friendly crew and good food. We also did the Kipu Ranch ATV tour with Mike and Justin on Kuai. Good trip. We rented cars in every port.

If you want a nice inexpensive excursion in Kona, get off the tender, walk across the street to the little shopping center and buy a $10 round trip ticket ($20 if you need equipment) on the beach shuttle to Turtle beach. Great place to snorkel and swim with turtles. When you get back, walk two blocks up the hill and a block over to the Kona Brewery for some free samples to wash the salt out of your mouth.

On the ship we ate in the Liberty dining room twice and the Skyline dinning room. Though they had the same food we found the Liberty had faster and better service both times. The Aloha buffet has good food particularly on prime rib night. We had had several later afternoon lunches in the Cadillac Diner which was nice after a long day ashore.

We thought the entertainment we pretty good. Second City was first class. The comedian was pretty good, but his humor got old after the second of his shows. We enjoyed Toby Beau's tribute to the Beatles and Jimmy Buffet. Some of the other shows were good but we were usually too tired to enjoy them much.

The thing about the POA Hawaii cruise, you don't spend much time on board to learn the ship. It took us 4 or 5 days to catch on to some of the things that were available to do. On the other hand the "Freestyle" thing work well on this ship because of the frequent days in port. It is nice not having to rush back, clean up etc to make your dinner time.

Where you on a Rhino or ATV on the Kipu Ranch tour? That was one of the highlights of my trip and Mike and Justin were great.

I didnt get a chance to eat in the Liberty dining room - the one time we did try we didnt realize there was dress code and were asked to go downstairs or change. I agree Second City was great. I didnt care for the magician though, I didnt see his whole show, only his appearance at the farewell show.

Overall I had a great time. Sounds like you did as well.

time4ustogo

Great review thanks. We will be going Oct 2010 for b2b on POA.

Just a note for future cruises, seeing that the hotel director was at your M&G I would have taken the opportunity to pull him aside and complain about the bartender. First off I'm sure he would have made it worth your while seeing that this was day one but secondly because of union etc they need to know this stuff so that they can write up the employee.

Even though you did put it in writing the employee could always shoot it down.

Nice review and congratulations on your new marriage! Nice start! Our son, his wife and seven of her family members were on your sailing too. (Brent & Lauren - jynx26). They all had a marvelous time too, as we did on the Pride of America three years ago! Glad you got to go to the Meet & Greet. We had advised Brent & Lauren how to go about setting one up with the ship and happy to hear the Captain even came! On such a port intensive cruise there is no great time for such an event, therefore the ship picked the time after the lifeboat drill for you guys! Best of everything for you both!!

Great review thanks. We will be going Oct 2010 for b2b on POA. Just a note for future cruises, seeing that the hotel director was at your M&G I would have taken the opportunity to pull him aside and complain about the bartender. First off I'm sure he would have made it worth your while seeing that this was day one but secondly because of union etc they need to know this stuff so that they can write up the employee. Even though you did put it in writing the employee could always shoot it down.

Yea We probably should have said something but we were trying to forget about it and were caught up in the moment of the meet and greet.

We were able to meet Brent and Lauren at the meet & greet. They were so nice and Lauren did a great job organizing and giving everyone their name tags, etc.

How did you rent you vehicles? Were you picked up at the port by the rental agency? How much of your day did you lose having to pick up and drop of your rental? Thanks for answering.

We rented the cars ahead of time from Thrifty using http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/

All the rental car companies have shuttles that come every 15 minutes or so and take you to the car rental agency and back. It took us about an hour to get our car and inspect it etc, because they get all the cruise ship renters coming in at once. Dropping off the car took all of 5 minutes.

Hey Mac- Where you on a Rhino or ATV on the Kipu Ranch tour? That was one of the highlights of my trip and Mike and Justin were great. I didnt get a chance to eat in the Liberty dining room - the one time we did try we didnt realize there was dress code and were asked to go downstairs or change. I agree Second City was great. I didnt care for the magician though, I didnt see his whole show, only his appearance at the farewell show. Overall I had a great time. Sounds like you did as well.

We rented a two up ATV. The Rhinos looked fun but I own ATVs so that's what we got. I agree about the ranch it was one of the highlights.

It was our 30th wedding anniversary so we a bit older than you most likely. I hope your marriage is as fun as ours has been for 30 years.

Our biggest problem was trying to keep up the energy. I drove every island from one end to the other, frequently stopped at out of the way beaches to swim and places. Long days.

We stayed on Oahu for 5 days before our cruise so we got a chance to explore that island pretty thoroughly.

Really a nice way to see the islands.

In regards to rental cars. We booked our trip through AAA. They use Pleasant Holidays and they booked all the cars through Hertz. We usually book all our own stuff but we got a good deal, lots of extras through AAA/Pleasant Holiday.

Thanks for your review. Spending 3 days pre-cruise on Maui really seemed to give you more relaxation time when the ship was in that port. Smart thinking.

Thanks for a great review. We're cruising PoA in August and are really excited about it.

You've given me some great info on the tours, thanks for that.

We staying in Waikiki for 2 nights before the cruise, so we should be over the jet lag by them!!

Here is my review of our honeymoon cruise on the POA. Feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer them. I also posted this review in the member review section. Sorry it is a bit lengthy. Below is my review of the Pride of America from May 30th through June 6th. Prior to boarding the POA we stayed at the Hyatt in Maui for three days. The hotel was beautiful. We rented a car through Thrifty. The first night we attended the “Drums of the Pacific” Luau at the Hyatt. We had a great time watching all the different performances. The next day we drove to the top of Haleakala which was amazing. The view from the top is breathtaking. The following day we drove the road to Hana. We stopped at the Garden of Eden, black sand beach and other points along the road. Not recommended if you get carsick easily. The sights along the road were beautiful. We flew back to Honolulu the next morning and rented a car from Thrifty. We went to Pearl Harbor and took a behind the scenes tour on the Battleship Missouri. The ship was awesome. We returned the car and took the thrifty shuttle to the pier. We arrived around 1pm and had to wait in line for a bit to go through security and check-in, but we were on the ship by 2pm. The ship is beautiful. We tried to put all the negative comments we have read about the ship aside since we were celebrating our honeymoon. While exploring the ship we encountered our first negative experience. We were in the saloon bar and we were approached by a waiter named Garrett. We wanted to order two beers and he proceeded to offer the bucket of beer. I declined, but he continued to push it on us. We reiterated we didn’t want a bucket, only two. He was very pushy and then with an attitude he said he needed our ID’s. I was surprised because in all my cruises I never needed to carry ID with me, because my ship card was enough. I had my ID on me but my wife didn’t and then he said he couldn’t serve us. I bet if we had bought the bucket of beer he wouldn’t have given us an issue. My wife asked him don’t the under 21 people have some sort of indicator on the card showing they are under 21 and he said yes they have a corner clipped out or cut. He then proceeded to say well they don’t always clip the card. I told him that wasn’t our problem and all he needs to do is scan our cards and he can check our ages, and he didn’t know what to say and stormed off with our cards. He finally brought back our two beers and proceeded to lecture us how everyone isn’t as nice as him and he should always have our ID with us and how there are over 1400 cameras watching us. We left and never came back to that bar. We didn’t let us ruin our vacation though; we just filled out the comment card with a lengthy comment and returned it to the purser’s desk. So after we left the Saloon Bar we made our way to the Lahaina Lounge for a meet and greet with fellow cruise critics. It was great to meet everyone and then we had a surprise appearance and meeting with Captain Buz and the cruise hotel manager. We ate at the Skyline restaurant the first night and the food was very good. Our waitress Delia was very nice. The first day we just hung out and walked to a beach that was nearby, we should have taken a taxi, but now we learned our lesson. The next day we stopped in Maui and took the Molokini snorkel tour through the ship. It is run through the Pacific Whale foundation. The tour was very informative and fun. We were able to see the green sea turtles (Honu) and many beautiful fish. The next day we were in Hilo on the Big Island. We took an excursion through NCL for the Volcanoes National Park tour to see the active volcanoes. The tour was run by Polynesian Adventures and our tour guide, Captain Rob, was terrific. He was funny, knowledgeable and entertaining throughout the entire tour ride. The ride to the park was beautiful. The flowers and plants on all the islands are all breath taking. Volcanoes National Park is like being on a different planet. We made several stops at different vista points and picture spots. Our first stop was at the Caldera. This part of the volcano constantly emits steam and sometimes even toxic gases. Our favorite stop was when we were able to walk on the cooled lava from the 1974 eruption. It was amazing that trees and flowers have started to bloom and grow amongst the destruction of the lava. Our final stop in the park was the lava tube which was pretty cool too. We walked down a path and walked into and through the lava tube to the other side. On the way back to the cruise ship we had extra time so Captain Rob gave us a bonus stop at an orchard farm. There were some beautiful flowers in there. There was even an orchard worth $20,000!!! We didn’t even think it was that nice….but apparently it only blooms like once a year or something crazy like that. That next day we were in Kona on the Big Island. We had to tender there and NCL did a good job organizing the tender process. They gave out numbers in Pink’s Champagne Lounge and then called you by numbers to go down and get on the tender. They had several tenders in service and it was quite efficient. Kona was beautiful as well. We did a lot of shopping and went to the little beach next to where the tender docked. It was extremely hot but the water was nice and refreshing. Kona was a good day to relax and get some shopping done. From Kona we went to Kauai. Kauai is absolutely gorgeous. We rented a car through Thrifty and we had privately booked an ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Tours ( www.kiputours.com ) . We had some time to kill before we had to check in at the ranch so we drove to Poipu. There was a little shopping center so we walked around looking at the shops and we grabbed a drink at Starbucks. We came across Puka Dog (which was featured on the travel channel) they opened at 11am so we waited ten minutes until they opened because we had to try one. We got the Kauai mustard sauce dog and split it. It was pretty big so both of us were satisfied. It was a good hot dog but kind of pricey at almost $7…but we figured when else are we going to be able to try this. The ATV tour on Kipu Ranch was amazing. This ranch has been used for several movies scenes such as Indiana Jones, Mighty Joe Young and of course Jurassic Park just to name a few. This is an active cattle ranch owned and operated by the Rice family. Our tour guide Mike and Justin were amazing. They gave a history lesson about the ranch and the island of Kauai and showed us a fantastic four hour tour. We got to swim in the river that Indian Jones swung into as well as ending the tour at the beautiful waterfall with this amazing, huge bamboo. Our second day in Kauai we spent at the beach between the Marriott hotel and Duke’s beachside bar and grille. The water was a little rough and brisk but all the same great. The Sushi bar was phenomenal-$15 a person for all you can eat sushi. And the Asian Fusion restaurant had great food and terrific service. The shows we saw were also fantastic. The shows on the POA aren’t Vegas Style shows; however the Hawaiian dances and comedy acts were great. Second City performed three times and we went each time and laughed hysterically each and every time. Also, Chris Alpine performed several times and he too was fantastic and also very, very funny. Overall we had a great time on the cruise. The service was a bit lacking…most likely because of the crew being all American. It was hit or miss with the waiters and although we had a decent room steward-we heard nightmares about some other stewards. However, we didn’t let that get to us. We were there to see Hawaii and that’s what we got. That being said, we would probably not take the same Hawaiian cruise on NCL’s POA. We had a great time, Hawaii was more beautiful than words could describe but NCL needs to give more training or something to teach the crew to be more personable and courteous as a whole.

That is wonderful. We are going on the Pride and I will be booking soon, my only concern was being too rushed and not enough time to relax and enjoy the ship, so I wish they would have some 10 days because 7 is just too short to relax and see the islands!

Add 3 days in Oahu. I know it's not the ship, but this will give you time to explore that island OR , just relax.

Thanks I think we will do that. We spent 3 days in Seattle before our Alaskan cruise and really enjoyed that. Oahu would be even better.

ohioNCLcruiser

Going to Honolulu a few days early is a great idea. I do it before I sign onto the ship for the next contracts. One nice thing is if you book the pre cruise package at the Waikiki Marriot you actually check in for the cruise the day you check in at the hotel. They take your ship pic and everything. When you go to check out Saturday morning they give you your ship card. You get to skip the entire check in process at the pier and go straight to the "crew and reboarding passengers only" door!

James--Can you do this if you do not do your flight through NCL? Also, Can you book this Marriott yourself and pay an added fee to get the perks you're talking about? I might have enough miles to book the Marriott free. I know for sure I have enough miles to get my flights for free. (Been saving those miles for like 15 years!)

Hey sounds like you had a great cruise, I was there but was so busy with planning (our honeymoon) that I didn't think about the meet and greet. I have done the volcano tour more than once and its funny how they say your getting a bonus at the orchid nursery because its actually a regular stop. I knew it was coming and packed a good macro lense for all the great flowers.

Ahha! The tour driver made it seem like he was giving us a bonus. Figures, but he was still very good and the orchids were beautiful.

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Pride of America Review

Norwegian Cruise Line ’s 2,186-passenger Pride of America is the only ship based in Hawaii year-round. The ship sails round-trip from Honolulu and stops at all the major Hawaiian islands, and there is a warm and welcoming aloha spirit — including cultural ambassadors — onboard.

And, following a spring 2016 dry dock and a 2022 refresh, Pride of America has a more modern look. Décor, while still celebrating the ship’s Americana theme, got an upgrade throughout the ship, including all new furniture, updated lighting, and flat-screen TVs in every stateroom. A new look for the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants, including La Cucina, has been matched with revamped dinner menus. The pool deck also got a refit, with a refinished pool and new lounge chairs, and the Mandara Spa nearly doubled in size, boasting floor-to-ceiling sea views from manicure-pedicure stations, a meditation room, and a series of new treatments and luxury salon products.

Moderno Churrascaria: The Brazilian steakhouse is a carnivore’s fantasy, with so many meats carved tableside you’ll be begging for mercy. It’s totally worth the $59 upcharge. Tip: Book ahead to dine on embarkation night for a magical view of Honolulu during sail-away.

Nā Pali Coast: The ship’s itinerary saves the best for last. Late afternoon on Friday, Pride of America sails past the spectacular Nā Pali Coast of Kauai for a breathtaking view of the dramatic lava-carved cliffs. The experience is best enjoyed on an outside deck (though the uppermost decks draw the biggest crowds), with a cocktail in hand.

All Hawaii, All the Time: The line boasts that you have 100 hours in port on the week-long itinerary, offering plenty of time to experience the islands’ beaches, volcanoes, and rain forests. Those hours in port include overnights in Maui and Kauai and the two port calls (Hilo and Kona) on the Island of Hawaii (aka Big Island), providing extra time to see the sights without rushing back to the ship.

Loose Schedule: The flexibility of freestyle dining is especially useful on overnight stops. With no reservations needed in the complimentary dining venues, passengers can wander in whenever they like for an afternoon snack or late-night treat.

Older Couples: Much of the onboard entertainment is geared toward folks who appreciate the music world’s oldies and goodies (though on a fall 2018 sailing, we did catch a particularly enjoyable comedian for young people and mature couples alike), and while there are a few families and groups of friends, most passengers come in pairs.

This Is No Party Ship: Things quiet down pretty early onboard, with most passengers retiring to their cabins after a long day on the beach or exploring in port.

Hawaii Is Expensive : Prices throughout the islands come with sticker shock, and some excursion costs are flat-out eye-popping. Budget tip: With some advance planning, it's easy to DIY outings and avoid the NCL upcharge. Car rentals are largely affordable and give you free rein of the islands, away from pricey tourist hubs.

Dana McMahan Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

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Aloha! Come aboard Pride of America, our only cruise ship that sails round trip from Honolulu year-round so you can holiday on your timetable . As you journey from one exotic island to the next, learn about the Hawaiian culture through the eyes of native ambassadors on board our ship. Island hop Hawaii in style, with a wide variety of restaurants and bars and lounges, excellent family accommodations, spacious suites and balconies – perfect for whale watching, witnessing Kilauea Volcano or taking in the dramatic views of the lush natural landscape. Come aboard and learn why no one does Hawai'i like Norwegian.

Ship 80,439 Gross Register Tonnage
Guest 2,150 Guest Capacity double occupancy
Length 280 m Overall Length
Width 37 m Max Beam
Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2005
Crew 927 Ship Crew

Pride of America CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Cruising Hawaii Year-Round

As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to holiday on your timetable . Visit four Hawaiian Islands and five ports in seven days whilst you cruise through paradise in style.

Extraordinary Dining Options

Pride of America offers a genuine Hawaiian culinary experience by serving local Hawaiian cuisine such as Pineapple Beurre Blanc with fresh seafood, papaya with Asian short ribs and a variety of tropical juices.

Authentic Hawaiian Culture

As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu. This vibrant Americana-themed ship features the Kuku Cultural Center with showcases of historical pieces that illuminate and outline the heritage and history of this exotic destination.

Pride of America Cruise Image Gallery

Capitol Atrium
MI.POA.ShipsGallery.Dining Wine
Cadillac Diner
MI.POA.ShipsGallery.Hawaii Views
Mandara Spa
MI.POA.ShipsGallery.Paddleboarding
Cagney's
MI.POA.ShipsGallery.Hawaii Waterfall

Capitol Atrium staircase on Pride of America

Discover Her Unique CRUISE DESTINATIONS

Hawaii Cruises

Witness the fiery lava flow of Kilauea. Sail along the lush natural landscape. Sip a Mai tai in Maui.

Experience luxury and privacy like never before. Spacious suites with enough room to make infinite memories. Enhanced by only the finest touches throughout.

Soak in the paradise that surrounds you. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your very own sweeping balcony. Inside, your private, spacious room is well-appointed with style.

Picture this. Modern, comfortable and stylish staterooms with nice appointments throughout, including a window with clear views of the ocean.

Enjoy island hopping in style and comfort. Thoughtful appointments inside include a TV and more.

Savour superior solo travel with stylish features like mood lighting, a full-size bed and access to our exclusive Studio Lounge.

Experience WHAT’S ON BOARD

Speciality Dining
Bars & Lounges
Onboard Shopping

Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.

Teppanyaki Speciality Dining Restaurant - Norwegian

Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Sip your favourite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Angus beef at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoy delicious pasta made with the freshest ingredients inside our chic Italian eatery, La Cucina. Or savour French cuisine at Jefferson's Bistro. No matter what you choose, our speciality dining options feature the tastes you'll crave.

With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days. Pop some bubbly and toast to the good life inside Pink's Champagne Bar. Dance until the wee hours at New Orleans-inspired Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub. Or hang loose with a Mai Tai at Waikiki Bar. Whether you're looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there's always an opportunity to mix it up.

From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Pride of America has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Indulge in a refreshing swim at the Oasis Pool or the Miami-inspired South Beach Pool. Go for a run with the best views on the jogging track, or break a sweat at the Santa Fe Fitness Centre. And when all is said and done, enjoy a pamper session at Mandara Spa. With so much to do, we'll always have you coming back for more.

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco.

Read THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

The Best Time to Cruise to Hawaii

When you're trying to decide when to cruise to Hawaii, make sure to consider the following.

Top 4 Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids

Learn why Hawaii makes for the ultimate family holiday destination.

Cruise Norwegian App

Download the Cruise Norwegian app. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise holiday every step of the way.

Top 4 Reasons to take a Hawaii Holiday

Come island-hopping with us and discover the excitement of Hawaii.

Discover Paradise

Stay longer and see more with Norwegian, the only cruise line offering a cruisetour in Hawaii.

Quite the Sight

Check out our top favourite photos of Hawaii, from sunrise to sunset.

Wake-Up Call

Believe it or not, Hawaii is one of only two U.S. states that grows coffee commercially.

If You Like Pride of America, You May Also Be Interested In:

Ncl Pride Of America

Review Highlights

“ The main dining room food was good but the specialty dining was excellent and our favorite was Cagney's steakhouse. ” in 2 reviews

“ If you have more money than time (not me unfortunately ), then getting excursions thru the ship are the easiest way. ” in 94 reviews

“ KAUAI was the Helicopter ride/open door, the only way to fly in our opinion for 60 minutes. ” in 20 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

591 Ala Moana Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Amenities and More

Ask the community.

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Is the internet on the pride of america cruise ship in hawaii worth getting(is the connection slow or ok.can you get ok signal from most areas of the ship)?

We received 150 minutes free with our cruise perks. I might have used 10. There are a half dozen or so computers in the library ( all PC's ) anyone can use at any time and… more

What time does the Pride of America begin boarding?

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Overall rating

129 reviews

Laundry: Yep, I am not paying 1.99 for 1 piece of underwear. On day 2 in Maui go to Kahului Laundromat. They only take cash so be prepared (1 roll of quarters did a large load of laundry and 30 minutes of drying time). It was an hour out of the trip and the right call for us. If you flew in early, then that should be enough to get you through the rest of the cruise. Taxis: You are better off with Lyft a lot of the taxi's add charges and some just make them up. My Lyft was 10.00 from the laundry to the ship. I was charged a "flat fee" of 20.00 from the ship to the laundry. Excursions: The Maui Gold tour can only be booked on the ship, and it was very cool. We learned a lot about Pineapples and how to grow them. The only place that really had easily accessible excursions to book that were not affiliated with the ship was Hilo. We booked Malahini Tours and the 5 of us were in the car to ourselves. For us that was the right call with kids and my husband's recent injury. There was a hop on and hop off tour you could book as well. The Luau runs long but the show is worth the wait and must be booked on the ship. Entourage (Teen club 13-17): While it is a nice feature, they do not have a set schedule of activities for these kids. The club was supposed to be open until 1am but when there were no kids (they left for the glow party) it got shut down. When they tried to go back the club was closed. Splash Academy (Kid Club up to age 12): My 10 YO loved going there but you or a teen sibling need to stay with them, except for the drop off nights. At age 10 to 12 they can check themselves in and out, but they must stay for 2 hours before they can check out. Taxes (drinks): Basically, every time you are in port (which is most of the time) you need to pay taxes on your drink. When you sign the receipt, it will look like you are paying the full amount but it really is only the taxes. Tips: You prepay for tips over 100.00 per person (or it will be on your final bill). However, at the end of your trip you will be reminded that not everyone gets that tip and that certain jobs will expect you to tip out at the end. Nights: There were some rough nights at sea (all the travel is in the evening), so I suggest packing the Dramamine. Food: We did the upgrade package and that was the right call because the buffet was hit or miss and mostly it was a miss. The food all comes from the central kitchen unless you are at the upgraded restaurants. Because of that a lot of times the food is cold or soggy from sitting too long. It was the first time in my life I did not like an Oreo shake (seriously that made me sad). Cleanliness: I saw them cleaning the walls, so I was happy about that. Overall, our room was very clean. The path to the bathroom was well worn but not dirty even though it looked like it. They will clean your room daily if requested. Activities: Some were well organized like the trivia and lei making. Others not so much, Uno and other card games you are on your own and good luck finding a complete deck. The only one that made me upset was that they had Menorah lighting on the agenda and no one who knew where it was, and they had no one to run it. I did it for the group waiting on the first day and then we skipped it going forward. The Trip: I am glad that we took this route to see Hawaii for the first time. Since there were 5 of us we went for the stateroom VIP Package. You have access to a freshly cooked breakfast and lunch. We did not take advantage of all the extras, but the room was good on spacing for 3 adults and 2 kids.

We took this cruise December 2023. I haven't cruised for at least 15 years so things I mention may be the new normal. For reference: my husband and I are active, healthy, 50-ish people. We were cruising with our parents who are mobile but not active. This will speak mainly on the ship itself. Not the destinations (leave from Honolulu, 2 days in Maui, Hilo, Kona, 2 days in Kauai, end back in Honolulu) The embarkation process was smooth. Every steward was helpful and kind. This cruise is more laid back than other cruises I've been on. No captain's dinner or formal night. Most people went to the main dining room in Hawaiian shirts and sun dresses. There was also no assigned dinner times with designated seating. I liked this laid back style. It suited our busy schedule. Of course, the buffets were great. Lots of the same things every day but there was a nightly special, like Italian night or Asian night, ect. Great dining staff (shout out to Monique C!). If you don't drink alcohol or soda, do not get a beverage package. At the buffets, you can get light juices & coffee & tea. Bottled Water on the boat is a ridiculous cost but you can bring 1 bottle, per person, onto the boat everyone you get on. BRING A BIG BOTTLE. NOT A 16 oz bottle! If you need distilled water for a sleep apnea machine, ask your steward, they'll give you one FREE. We had an inside cabin, which is what you get when you're not paying attention what kind of room you get. It was fine: cleaned daily by our marvelous steward and the small space had a lot of storage. Comfortable bed. Be aware: cell signal is not good in indoor cabins and the WiFi package is up to $30 a day. We tried to get an upgrade to an outside or a a balcony a few weeks before but there the cruise was sold out. Lots of on cruise activities and lots of excursions available. Excursions purchased thru the ship are expensive. If you have more money than time (not me unfortunately ), then getting excursions thru the ship are the easiest way. We rented a car in Maui since we had 4 people in our group and also in Kauai. I went to the gym daily which was large and had lots of treadmills, cycle machines, weight machines, free weights and a room for classes. It's clean and the machines worked. I also went to the on ship spa. An awesome experience. Get the head massage. Best experience of my trip. And that's saying alot. I also used the large showers in the spa (normal cabin showers are tiny.). Clean and extra large showers. There's a sauna and a quiet space where you can just lay out on heated seats. I didn't use the pools or hot tubs but people were having a good time. Lots of live music. Great nightly entertainment. Lots of tiered viewing decks that are great for taking pictures. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to experience more than 1 island. NOTE: All these pics (except the ship pic) were taken ON the boat.

LeRoy: Would have hated this cruise. He doesn't like drinking, walking, stairs, or partying of any kind. Good thing he's in Heaven and can watch without needing to participate. Katie: From the moment we stepped on board, I felt proud to be an American. The ship was well maintained and the staff were always very friendly. Dustin does a great job keeping his staff in line. The food was plentiful, and consistent. For example, the eggs were always runny, and the bacon was always crispy. The excursions were wonderful, but also educational, and also very fun. Our portholio room left a lot to be desired, so it's a good thing we weren't in our room very much. That's all. Caitlin: The cruise ship was very clean and well maintained. The staff were always friendly, which can't be easy when dealing with loud, rambunctious guests like us. We really loved the adult only area, which allowed us to relax without getting splashed by little kids. The food was definitely geared to an older crowd, but the large variety meant that you could find something new every day. The staff often remembered my name and were accommodating and kind. My trip was truly made by the incredible staff that made our cruise a relaxing, rejuvenating, and invigorating experience!

See all photos from LeRoy Katie And Caitlin D. for Ncl Pride Of America

I would avoid Pride of America and all NCL cruises at all costs. Why? 1. Poor food. Poor quality, choices and taste. Water in the buffet made me sick. I was better (not sick) when I did not use the water for drinking in their dispensers in the buffet. Even the specialty restauants where we paid a premium were poor. Only Cagney's was remotely an upgrade and worth it. Service in the specialty restrauants was also poor. Poor job of communicating options. 2. Poor service. The Steward was outright rude. He parked his vacuum in front of our door for 3 days. He lost a bag when we boarded the ship and complained when I asked for help. It took hours to correct. Only after my wife was injured in an accident during the cruise was he helpful and only after I paid him $20 cash! Took forever to clean our rooms and they only did it once a day even if we needed it more and asked we asked nicely. Steward went off duty at 6pm daily and did not create an adequate way to fix any post 6pm issues. Steward never greeted us when we got on board, so we never understood the features of the cabin! 3. Boat is old and in at best adequate shape. Not enough space in the pool area or really any part of the boat. Amenities poor for a cruise ship. 4. Very poor communication. Weather was not good (not NCL's fault), but changes made were poorly communicated. Also at the Hilo port of call it took 1.5 hours to get off the boat, long lines everywhere, not safe! 5. Very poor customer service. NCL failed to match a lower price than I paid before the cruise and refused to refund any money or cancel w/a full 100% refund when requested. What I asked for help after the cruise, their offer was an insulting and measly $50 future crusie credit for a cruise line I WOULD NEVER TAKE AGAIN! I do want to be fair, the entertainment on the cruise was good and the Captain and his part of the crew were EXCELLENT.

5 years ago, we took a huge group to Europe on board an NCL Cruise ship out of Rome. It was first class. We toured Italy, Greece, and Malta. We were impressed with the hospitality, the food, the top shelf drinks, the entertainment, and more. 5 years later, we just boarded the Pride of America in Honolulu for a trip we've been planning, and paying for, for two years. What a shit show! Boarding sucked and was completely unorganized. Drink packages have been decimated to shitty liquors with an up-charge for anything decent. Want a decent bourbon? Upcharge! Want Red Bull? Upcharge! Oh, by the way, taxes are no longer included in the "Deluxe" Drink Package. In summary, Norwegian has gone from best to worst. They cut out all high end accoutrements and replaced them with terrible food, low-rent drinks, and sub-par service. They even reduced the housekeeping service to once-a-day, instead of the customary twice-a-day. I will NEVER, EVER cruise with NCL again. They no longer care about quality, value, or the passengers.

Best way to see the islands of Hawaii. Although the ship is an older one the cabins and public areas were well maintained. Food was what was expected on a cruise ship. The specialty dining was good. As with all cruises be prepared for itinerary changes due to weather but the cruise line was great for canceling tours with quick reimbursement. Would go again

Absolutely disappointed in NCL Pride of America. Have been on other NCL cruise, but this is a new low. Every meal in the sit down restaurants were cold, and the buffet, while quite good, lacks seating. We had a truly awful excursion on Maui, and NCL actually lies to me, and claimed no one else on the excursion complained. We talked to the other passengers, and they also went to NCL with their complaints. Their app didn't work at all, so the promise of being able to text, and call your traveling partners didn't work.

Do not book this trip. If you have and can cancel in time for a full refund, cancel it! The me now would have told my old self to use the money to visit all 4 islands separately because that's how much we spent. I'm so disappointed by #NorwegianCruiseLine. We embarked the week before Thanksgiving 2022. We took two young kids with us. That being said, they shut down the pool area for kids and said it was "under maintenance". The Splash Academy (where you can drop off your kids to socialize and play under the staff supervision was open. The staff there were great! If you need medical services after hours, there's an extra charge for after hours even though it's advertised there's medical services 24 hours. The food in the Aloha was redundant. Seafood night was a joke! Not a lot of great options. The food in the Skyline restaurant was worse! Every meal was over done or over cooked. Cadillac restaurant was tolerable. With how those food were prepared, I did not want to risk the chance going to a restaurant and paying out of pocket for dinner service. I've been on another cruise (not NCL) and the food was tasteful at the complementary dining areas. This was how I spent 1 week out of my sabbatical. I won't a positive review when I return to work to spread the word on Pride of America going to Hawaii. I'm not happy with Norwegian and the service of this ship. This will be my first, and last time on Pride of America. I'm hopeful that other cruise ships of NCL is better but I'm afraid to try.

See all photos from Jay N. for Ncl Pride Of America

Severely understaffed. There were a few staff members that were excellent, but the norm was rude or dismissive.

Worst cruise I've ever taken. Pride of America should change their name and not associate themselves as such. Food was OK, service, wasn't bad. But no entertainment, nothing to do after 8pm, and NCL sucks when it comes to cost , hospitality, and service. You'll pay for this cruise! Hawaii is beautiful and the state should ban NCL! Please look at all the review sites before booking. #expensive #boring #nclsucks #nickleanddime

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Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving

Denise M. said "My husband and I booked a private 10 hour charter with Ruckus. I was not overly excited about the fishing (I was only going for my husband), but it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip to Hawaii! Rachel was our captain…" read more

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North Shore Shark Adventures

Wickerlady V. said "People will complain about anything. After reading the reviews, we were expecting a 3/5 experience with a 4/5 view of the sharks. we got 5/5 on both. Before the review, here's a few tips: TIP1: Take the 7AM tour as the sea is…" read more

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Technical Issue Onboard Norwegian’s Pride of America Leads to Itinerary Change

April 19, 2024

The current sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is seeing significant changes due to what the cruise line called a technical issue.

“Ensuring the safety of both our guests and crew remains our top priority,” Norwegian said in a statement sent to guests onboard.

“Despite our best efforts to maintain our original itinerary, unfortunately, on April 16, 2024, a technical issue impacted our departure from Hilo, Hawaii, leading to the cancellation of our scheduled visits to Kona, on April 17, 2024, and Nawiliwili, Kaua’i, on April 18, 2024,” the company continued.

“Our dedicated team, in collaboration with local experts, worked diligently to resolve the issue and provide updated information as soon as it became available. We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused by this fluid situation and are pleased to confirm that the issue has now been resolved,” Norwegian Cruise Line added.

AIS data shows that the Pride of America finally left the port of Hilo on Thursday morning, after three days docked.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, before ending the current cruise in Honolulu on April 20, 2024, the 2005-built vessel is set to make a shortened visit to Nawiliwili.

“We are eager to resume our journey around the Big Island, committed to making the remainder of your time with us as relaxing and enjoyable as possible,” the company said.

Due to multiple modifications and as a genuine acknowledgement of the inconvenience caused, Norwegian added, passengers will receive a $200 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom, in addition to a Future Cruise Credit (FCC).

The FCC will be equivalent to 20 percent of the paid fare for the current cruise and can be used towards any of Norwegian’s published itineraries scheduled through December 31, 2025.

Pre-purchased excursions for the cancelled ports of call are also being fully refunded, Norwegian Cruise Line added.

“We sincerely hope that, despite the points raised, you have found enjoyment during your time onboard with us, and that Norwegian Cruise Line continues to be your preferred cruise line for your next vacation,” the company concluded.

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Pride of America Deck Plans & Reviews

Pride of America

Activities & entertainment

Arts and Crafts Classes
Behind the Scenes Tour *
Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge and Nightclub
Cultural Immersion Activities
Dance Classes
Deck Parties
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes *
Gaming Lessons *
Golf Driving Net
Hair Salon *
Whirlpools (5)
Internet Center *
Jogging Track
Late Night Dancing
Poolside Games
S_S America Library
Spa and Salon *
Sports Court
Video Arcade *
Wine Tasting *
Splash Academy Youth Center
Entourage Teen Club
Hollywood Theater
Comedy Performances
Onboard Movie Screenings
Live Nightly Music
Sports Games Televised
Liberty Main Dining Room - Main
Skyline Main Dining Room - Main
Cadillac Diner - Diner
East Meets West Asian Restaurant - Asian *
Moderno Churrascaria - Brazillian *
Aloha Cafe - Buffet
Pinks Champagne Bar - Champagne Bar *
John Adams Coffee Bar - Coffee Bar *
Key West Bar and Grill - Pool Bar and Grill
Waikiki Bar - Hawaiian Bar *
La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
Teppanyaki - Japanese *
Ocean Drive Bar - Pool Bar *
Gold Rush Saloon - Pub *
Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
Jeffersons Bistro - French *
Sushi Bar - Sushi *
Napa Wine Bar - Wine Bar *
Room Service *

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

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Very Good 58
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All languages ( 240 )
English ( 235 )
German ( 1 )
Spanish ( 1 )

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Pride of America Deck Plans & Reviews

Pride of America

Activities & entertainment

Arts and Crafts Classes
Behind the Scenes Tour *
Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge and Nightclub
Cultural Immersion Activities
Dance Classes
Deck Parties
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes *
Gaming Lessons *
Golf Driving Net
Hair Salon *
Whirlpools (5)
Internet Center *
Jogging Track
Late Night Dancing
Poolside Games
S_S America Library
Spa and Salon *
Sports Court
Video Arcade *
Wine Tasting *
Splash Academy Youth Center
Entourage Teen Club
Hollywood Theater
Comedy Performances
Onboard Movie Screenings
Live Nightly Music
Sports Games Televised
Liberty Main Dining Room - Main
Skyline Main Dining Room - Main
Cadillac Diner - Diner
East Meets West Asian Restaurant - Asian *
Moderno Churrascaria - Brazillian *
Aloha Cafe - Buffet
Pinks Champagne Bar - Champagne Bar *
John Adams Coffee Bar - Coffee Bar *
Key West Bar and Grill - Pool Bar and Grill
Waikiki Bar - Hawaiian Bar *
La Cucina Italian Restaurant - Italian *
Teppanyaki - Japanese *
Ocean Drive Bar - Pool Bar *
Gold Rush Saloon - Pub *
Cagneys Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
Jeffersons Bistro - French *
Sushi Bar - Sushi *
Napa Wine Bar - Wine Bar *
Room Service *

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

Excellent 59
Very Good 58
Terrible 46
All languages ( 240 )
English ( 235 )
German ( 1 )
Spanish ( 1 )

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COMMENTS

Pride of America Review
Our expert Norwegian Pride of America review breaks down deck plans, the best rooms, dining, and more. Check out the best Pride of America cruise ship tips now.
Pride of America
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. My wife and I took our first cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pride of America. The cruise was a seven day cruise to several locations in the Hawaiian Islands. The cruise was the experience of a lifetime. The cruise began from the Port of Honolulu.
Pride of America Reviews from Travelers
Ship: Pride of America. Most of the excursions were interesting. Two were just "where can we drive you before we bring you back to boat". Total waste of days in Hawaii. The extra treats put in our room was a very nice touch. But the fact that service people were trying to get into our room after 8pm was bothersome.
Pride of America Passenger Reviews
Apr 8th, 2024. There are so many bad reviews for the Pride of America that I had a lot of trepidation, but the key is to alter your expectation about what this cruise is. As a way to see 3 islands ...
Pride of America Reviews, Ship Details & Photos
1479 Pride of America Reviews. Write a Review. 4.4. Sail date: Mar 30, 2024 / Traveled as: Couple. Ship: Pride of America. Most of the excursions were interesting. Two were just "where can we drive you before we bring you back to boat". Total waste of days in Hawaii. The extra treats put in our room was a very nice touch.
Pride of America Review
Rankings. Pride of America ranks # 16 out of 19 Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings. #4. in Best Cruises to Hawaii. #16 ...
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruise Ship: Review, Photos
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruises: Read 2367 Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruise Ship Review
Hawaii is a large draw for families, which brings down the average age of Pride of America passengers a bit (the median age on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship is around 50). You'll find a good mix of ...
NCL's Pride Of America Review And Ship Tour
Pride of America crew members are paid more, enjoy labor protections foreign workers do not, and turnover is higher, leading to increased cruise fares. Our total 7-night fare on the Pride of America was nearly double what we paid for a 15-night sailing on the Grand Princess round-trip to Hawaii from San Fransisco.
Pride of America
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. Design-wise, Pride of America would really look more at home sailing within the bounds of the continental U.S. than in Hawaii. Passengers step aboard into the Capitol Atrium, designed to resemble the U.S. Capitol, with sweeping staircases framing a model of the Washington Monument.
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruise Ship: Review, Photos
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Cruises: Read 2365 Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.
Pride Of America
Pride Of America Reviews (1) 2 reviews of Pride Of America from past clients of Global Journeys. AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5. Had a wonderful time in Hawaii, and on a cruise around the islands! Thank you Hannah Perry from Global Journeys, for organising our trip….
Review of NCL Pride of America cruise around Hawaii
Possibly one of the very best aspects of the Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America Hawaii cruise is the itinerary. It starts in Honolulu on Oahu on Saturday, sails to Maui by Monday morning and stays overnight in Maui. Next, the cruise moves to Hawaii, the Big Island with a day in Hilo followed by a day in Kona.
Pride of America Review
Sorry it is a bit lengthy. Below is my review of the Pride of America from May 30th through June 6th. Prior to boarding the POA we stayed at the Hyatt in Maui for three days. The hotel was beautiful. We rented a car through Thrifty. The first night we attended the "Drums of the Pacific" Luau at the Hyatt.
Pride Of America
Honest review from our February 2023 cruise experience on Norwegian Cruise Line's "Pride Of America" with a 7 day Hawaii itinerary. Ports, excursion suggesti...
Pride of America Reviews and Tips
Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America cruise ship is the only ship to cruise Hawaii 52 weeks a year. This 2,138 passenger ship built in 2005 was the first new U.S. flagged cruise ship in 50 years.
NCL Pride of America
Join Danny and Taylor on a full walkthrough tour of the Pride of America. This extraordinary ship provides a great amount of accommodations along with some f...
Pride of America Review
Norwegian Cruise Line 's 2,186-passenger Pride of America is the only ship based in Hawaii year-round. The ship sails round-trip from Honolulu and stops at all the major Hawaiian islands, and there is a warm and welcoming aloha spirit — including cultural ambassadors — onboard. And, following a spring 2016 dry dock and a 2022 refresh ...
Pride of America
1.877.288.3037. Plan your Hawaiian Vacation with a voyage on our Pride of America Cruise ship. Hawaii Cruises are offered year-round to Honolulu with a great selection of Amenities.
NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA
129 reviews and 344 photos of NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA "I haven't been on a ship in 30 years and I'll never go again. I can't believe how they nickel and dime you for everything. We were charged $12 a day per person just for being there. They say it will go towards tipping those behind the scenes. Well then just work it into the main price. The excursions are double what you would pay on land.
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Itineraries Cruises
Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of April 20th, 2024. Looking for Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America itineraries? See Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America's 2024 to ...
Technical Issue Onboard Norwegian's Pride of America Leads to Itinerary
The current sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America is seeing significant changes due to what the cruise line called a technical issue. "Ensuring the safety of both our guests and crew remains our top priority," Norwegian said in a statement sent to guests onboard. "Despite our ...
Pride of America
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. My wife and I took our first cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pride of America. The cruise was a seven day cruise to several locations in the Hawaiian Islands. The cruise was the experience of a lifetime. The cruise began from the Port of Honolulu.
The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, ... Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with ...
NCL Pride Of America Cruise Ship
Oahu. Pride of America (POA) is based in the Hawaiian Islands and cruises from Honolulu Harbor at 5 PM on Saturday and returns at 7 AM the following Saturday. Guests who come in the day before, or leave the day after have a full day to explore the island. Many guests arrive and stay for a couple of nights before or after in Waikiki.
Pride of America
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. My wife and I took our first cruise aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Pride of America. The cruise was a seven day cruise to several locations in the Hawaiian Islands. The cruise was the experience of a lifetime. The cruise began from the Port of Honolulu.
Technical Issue Cancels Two Port Visits for Norwegian Cruise Ship
Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America (Photo Credit: Jose Gil / Shutterstock) Additionally, all guests are receiving a 20% discount as a future cruise credit (FCC) for any published future ...
Cruise Industry News on LinkedIn: Technical Issue Onboard Norwegian's
Technical Issue Onboard Norwegian's Pride of America Leads to Itinerary Change https://lnkd.in/ehU56wQA ... MSC Cruises Introduces Summer 2024 'Stay & Cruise' Program https://lnkd.in/eKg-SRaD.

Pride of America

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NCL’s Pride Of America Review And Ship Tour

Pride Of America: The Basics

What Makes The Pride Of America Unique?

Why We Booked The Pride Of America To Hawaii

Pride Of America Ship Tour

Dining On The Pride Of America

Skyline Dining Room Night 1

Skyline Dining Room Night 2

Skyline Dining Room Night 3

Skyline Dining Room Night 4

Skyline Dining Room Night 5

Skyline Dining Room Night 6

Skyline Dining Room Night 7

Breakfast In The Skyline Dining Room

Extra Credit Pro Tip: order the Pound Cake French Toast, one of the daily specials. It’s a dessert disguised as an entree and one of my favorite food items on NCL.

East Meets West (Complimentary)

Extra Credit Pro Tip: if you’re a vegetarian, tofu can be substituted for the meat in several of the dishes. Just ask!

Cadillac Diner (Complimentary)

Aloha Cafe (Complimentary)

Key West Bar And Grill (Complimentary)

Dolce Gelato (Extra Charge)

Room Service (Complimentary and Extra Charge)

Specialty Restaurants On The Pride Of America

Sushi & Sashimi Bar (Extra Charge)

Teppanyaki (Extra Charge)

Jefferson’s Bistro (Extra Charge)

Cagney’s Steakhouse (Extra Charge)

Moderno Churrascaria (Extra Charge)

La Cucina (Extra Charge)

Bars And Lounges On The Pride Of America

SEE ALL PRIDE OF AMERICA BAR MENUS HERE .

Entertainment And Activities On The Pride Of America

Service On The Pride Of America

Hits And Misses On The Pride Of America

Spotty Service

No Sea Days

Leis At Embarkation

Hawaii Ambassador

Napoli Coast

Go here for my tips for maximizing your scenic cruise along the Napoli Coast along with my other top 35 tips for the Pride of America.

24 Hour Gym

East Meets West And Cadillac Diner

Full Library

Large Wrap Around Promenade Deck

Flu On The Pride Of America And Hints At The Future Of Cruising

Does The Pride Of America Live Up To Her Name?

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