Pride of America - "The Suite Life" - 7/16/11 - a cruise review

[Zimomiller]

Debarkation, Waikiki and Duke’s 7/23/11

 

Sorry for the delay in the final installments of my review. Life keeps getting in the way of important cruise stuff.

 

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately today was our last morning on the Pride and the start of a very long trip back home.

 

But we had some plans in place to make the day more palatable.

 

As always, I woke up early on the last morning as the motion of the ship diminished and the throb of the engines faded away. hat is always the moment that brutally drives home for me that yes, our cruise is over.

 

I snuck out on the balcony into the blazing sun and took a quick look around. Yup, we were back in Honolulu.

 

ow come cruise ships don’t get lost and go to the wrong port like the occasional airplane does and lands at the wrong airport.

 

Eventually I roused the family and after the quick morning showers and final check of the cabin, we bid adieu to our mammoth balcony, grabbed our carry-ons and headed to Lazy Js for that final suite breakfast.

 

As always we were greetedin Lazy Js like old lost friends by the restaurant staff and then we were served in a non-rushed atmosphere. Of course Thomas the concierge was there just like every other morning to say hi, discuss the day’s plans etc.

 

After we finished dining we said goodbye to our favorites, conducted a few money laden handshakes (you know, like Tom Selleck taught Chandler and Joey to do on Friends), dropped a well-earned tip envelope to Thomas and headed for the exit.

 

One thing NCL does well in our experience is that they make it very easy to get off their ship when you want to. We were in no super hurry this day since our flight home was not until 10:45 PM.

 

We had our cards scanned one last time and then exited via the gangway to the same warehouse structure that we had ventured through just a week before, but in a poorer, more melancholy mood.

 

The kids made quick work of finding our 8 bags and we headed out the door. Hey, NO CUSTOMS!

 

I had made arrangements in advance to meet a luggage storage service at the port that morning. I called and 5 minutes later we were met just outside the fence of the port in a parking lot where we turned over 7 of our bags to a man with a van. We paid $10 plus $5 a bag for this service. At the time I remember joking to my wife; you may get your wish and never have to do all that laundry if we never see the bags again.

 

It was really quite easy. Later in the evening when we arrived at the airport, I called and within 10 minutes we had our bags back.

 

Here is the link to the luggage storage firm we used.

 

http://www.alohaairportdeliveryandstorage.com

 

We kept the one bag that we had specially packed the night before to take with us as we were soon in a taxi on our way back to the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. I had made a separate reservation for one night. That bag had all our necessities, suits and changes of clothes.

 

Tip # 47 Travel days suck, especially going home. Try to find a way to make that last day special.

 

We arrived at the hotel to what was now an old familiar setting, checked in, but no room was ready at 930 am. No problem. We checked our bag and a few carry-ons and then headed for the beach chairs on the patio in front of Dukes for the day.

 

The girls of course did NOT follow my guidance to have their suits on when they left the ship and needed to change upon arrival, which was easily accomplished by heading to the bathroom on the second floor outside the Hula Grill.

 

After making sure everyone was comfortably situated and well toweled, I wandered into the shade and comfort of Duke’s barefoot bar where I spent most of the morning and afternoon relaxing over a few (ok, I lost count) adult beverages while enjoying the fixed and moving views. Oh yeah, and serving as the waiter bringing drinks and food as needed to my hungry minions.

 

Duke’s has a great selection of appetizers and sandwiches. The kids loved the pizzas and fries. We were eating light for the day as I had strategically made a 600PM dinner reservations at Duke’s.

 

Around 2 pm I checked with the front desk and we had a room. Some of our family retired there to take the carry-ons up and retrieve our other bags.

 

Around 4 PM we all retired to the room where everyone was able to shower and change into fresh clothes for the flight home.

 

At 6 o’clock we arrived at the host stand at Duke’s where we were whisked to a terrific table overlooking the beach. This was where we surprised Mom.

 

Mom’s birthday was Sunday July 24. Back home, the time was 6 hours ahead. Therefore, 6 pm in Honolulu was midnight at home. After we sat down, we spontaneously started singing happy birthday which of course surprised Mom who I am sure was convinced she was going to get stiffed on her birthday.

 

Tip #48 Little surprises make great memories. Especially when Dad can still surprise Mom.

 

The kids had made her cards and had packed some small gifts that they brought with them in their back packs.

 

I had snuck off on one of my cigar breaks and purchased a lovely diamond studded Palm Tree charm on a gold chain for her. She ripped through the cards and presents with youthful vigor and I think we made her day. I know she has worn that necklace and tree pretty much every day since.

 

Dinner was terrific. I had a wonderful piece of Ahi tuna and everyone else found something they wanted. The dessert for this dinner was the famous Hula Pie. We all shared it and unanimously agreed we were not that impressed with it. My reaction was that there were just too many nuts, and I like nuts. Oh well, there are many others that rave about it.

 

We retired to our room one last time to get ready to leave. I had requested a western facing balcony view at check in. I was rewarded with one and as a result we were able to watch from our balcony as the Pride slowly left port and made her way to sea for another week of fun.

 

Lucky bastards. Sigh.

 

At least we were not sitting at the Miami airport early in the day after debarking watching passengers deplane all bright and bushy tailed ready to grab a cab over to their/our cruise ship that was departing later in the day. I always hate them.

 

At 8 o’clock we were out front of the hotel and met Mark from Hawaii23 who was on time and quickly transported us to the airport. I called the baggage storage people, they brought the bags. We checked in with ease and the wandered what I swear was 2 miles to our gate. Most of the airport seems to be open air.

 

Our flight to San Francisco was on time and uneventful. We arrived in the early am, deplaned, had breakfast in the terminal and then boarded another flight for our last leg back to the Detroit airport. Again, an easy and uneventful flight. (Delta)

 

Fortunately, all our bags decided to arrive on the same plane as we did which made the final steps home much less stressful. After retrieving the minivan, we quickly drove the 25 minutes home to Ann Arbor.

 

We arrived much as we had left. 5 adults, 8 bags, 5 carry-ons, much less cash.

 

We opened the van doors and were quickly joined by the 3 labs who were sloppily overjoyed to see us.

 

Everyone jumped out of the van and headed into the house, except the dogs. It was clear they wanted something more, so I gave them a quick ride in the van up and down our private road. That made em happy. My wife spoils our dogs.

 

Did I mention that we had a house sitter while we were gone?

 

He was 18, the son of a college friend. Our cleaning lady had called my wife on Friday while we were still in port at Kauai. She was ready to quit after seeing the pigpen that our house had become. Beer cans and pizza boxes everywhere, all the beds had been slept in. A party had happened as well. Needless to say the dogs were not getting let out enough and there were many problems.

 

Luckily our cleaning lady had Saturday open and we engaged her to spend it cleaning carpets, washing floors and finishing what she could not from the prior day.

 

We arrived home and all was well, neat and tidy.

 

This is not the final installment of my review as I will finish writing my epilogue soon and I will post it soon.

 

Linky to final day photos => http://travel.webshots.com/album/580719879GuLNYa

[hill6]

Thank you for such a great review. We embark on POA in eight weeks and I am so excited.

[albertamom]

I was absolutely thrilled this morning to see another installment!:D

 

As a first-time cruiser, the idea of leaving our bags out the night before, and then trying to find them amongst the hundreds (thousands?) of other bags on the pier, seems so strange. Can you fill me in a little bit on how that works in Honolulu? It sounds like all your bags were very easily retrieved.:)

 

We have a shuttle picking us up at 9:00, so what time would you suggest we arrive at, and then leave Lazy J's?

[Zimomiller]

I was absolutely thrilled this morning to see another installment!:D

 

As a first-time cruiser, the idea of leaving our bags out the night before, and then trying to find them amongst the hundreds (thousands?) of other bags on the pier, seems so strange. Can you fill me in a little bit on how that works in Honolulu? It sounds like all your bags were very easily retrieved.:)

 

We have a shuttle picking us up at 9:00, so what time would you suggest we arrive at, and then leave Lazy J's?

 

Your room steward will give you tags for your bags. The bags all get tags and they pass out many different colors. Suite passengers get vip tags. Then all the bags are sorted and organized on shore by color code or vip. Very similar to every cruise we have been on before.

 

If you are getting picked up at 9, I would arrive at Lazy Js no later than 745 so you are not rushed.

[sportsmum]

First: Thanks for the dailies- you can see in my signature that it helped push us over the top on booking POA!

 

Second: Do all bags go out the night before with NCL? If you do walk off can you keep them and take them off with you in the morning?

 

Thanks.

[Stoney13]

Thanks for the final installment! Really looking forward to our tip next week. I just actually called for reservations at Duke's for the Sat we dock back in Honolulu. All they had available was a table over looking the beach, I had to settle for that one! LOL

 

:D

 

Jon

[Zimomiller]

First: Thanks for the dailies- you can see in my signature that it helped push us over the top on booking POA!

 

Second: Do all bags go out the night before with NCL? If you do walk off can you keep them and take them off with you in the morning?

 

Thanks.

 

I am sure you will enjoy the Pride.

 

Yes, we could have walked our bags off ourselves as well.

 

It is nice to have options

[Cubechick]

Thank you for finishing your great review. We too thought the Hula Pie over-rated...at least we got to say we tried it!!! :D

[jimswims]

Thanks for a super review. You have given me information and ideas for our future cruise on the Pride date yet to be determined.

[Zimomiller]

What an awesome review! I am sold! Since NCL is having that awesome sale, we are booking POA for March 2013. We want to stay in a suite. Any recommendations for a family of 3?

 

We chose the aft facing family suite on the POA for a couple reasons.

 

1) It would hold our family of 5

2) We love aft facing cabins (for many reasons)

3) The HUGE balcony

4) The suite benefits (although those were bestowed long after we booked)

 

The remainder of the suites on the POA are all on the higher decks forward. For a family of three I would be looking at the Penthosue suites with the lowest cost. There will not be a lot of differernce in my opinion based on location. I would probably suggest port side for the convenience of sitting on your balcony for the Napali coast sail by.

 

Good luck choosing and happy planning.

[mydreamvacation]

I am also interested in arranging the lei greeting. My POA cruise is 8/25/12 pre-cruise hotel is Disney's Aulani Resort. 8/18-8/25. I want this to be our most memorable cruise ever booked the owners suite.

 

Please continue your review!

We have the owner's suite for 1/7/12 and then are heading to Aulani post cruise I will be happy to give you and details you want when I get back. Very excited about Aulani wish it was more than two days

[blueyez]

Thank you so much for your very chatty informative review. Your suggestion for a tour company in Maui is much appreciated. Hopefully when we contact them tomorrow they will have room for us and our friends.

Had a boo at your Hilo pics. It would appear that your cruise was not treated to a sail by the lava flowing into the ocean - correct??? Was that due to the lava being redirected by the earthquake or the Captain does not sail the ship by that area any longer. Thanks again for forwarding the dailies to us. Been to busy reading you review this p.m. have not taken the time to glance at the dailies - tomorrow over coffee. Cheerio blueyez

[portico301]

Really enjoying Zimos recaps. Learning a lot for our trip on Jan 14. However, we do not plan on upgrading for the meals , except maybe Italian. How have other people found these amenities? Keep up the good work Zimo.

[Princess Patches]

Thanks for the detailed review. I went on this cruise last year and loved it. It was fun to read about your experiences.

[Zimomiller]

OK, next up for our family is Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.

 

Just booked. Got a great deal with $650 OBC on a cat SJ Family Suite.

 

Now the advanced planning begins. Never been to Bermuda, never been on the Dawn. So much to learn and only 167 days to go~!

 

If anyone has any experience or suggestions, droo me an email or leave a post here.

[mydreamvacation]

I just came back and read your review again, just love it. We fly out in 8 days can't wait!

[momo24]

OK, next up for our family is Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.

 

Just booked. Got a great deal with $650 OBC on a cat SJ Family Suite.

 

Now the advanced planning begins. Never been to Bermuda, never been on the Dawn. So much to learn and only 167 days to go~!

 

If anyone has any experience or suggestions, droo me an email or leave a post here.

 

My family will be on the Dawn the same time as you 6/1/12. We are on deck 10 cabin 100006. Bemuda is beautiful but not like the pictures that you took on this cruise. You will have your casino and also Bingo on the Dawn.

 

If you like to get to the ship a couple of days earlier Boston is a great city to visit. Lots of things to see and most of it is within walking distance from each other. :D

[herdingdogmom]

OK, next up for our family is Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.

 

Just booked. Got a great deal with $650 OBC on a cat SJ Family Suite.

 

Now the advanced planning begins. Never been to Bermuda, never been on the Dawn. So much to learn and only 167 days to go~!

 

If anyone has any experience or suggestions, droo me an email or leave a post here.

 

 

We enjoyed your Hawaii review and had a great time on the POA in December. We have also booked an SJ family suite on the Dawn, but in October up to Quebec. I'm looking forward to your pictures of the suite and would love to find out if the queen bed can be separated or not. NCL's site says yes, but some other reviews say no.

[Just4You]

I enjoyed your review and photographs! We just returned from Pride America Dec 18 and are returning again Nov 2012. After reading your review, I believe we will upgrade to aft balcony cabin. We are also considering a few days at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (instead of Waikiki Resort that we stayed at in past). Do you remember who you booked the room through for Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach?

 

Thanks again for the great review!

 

Here's a link to my Dec 2011 review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1534322

[Zimomiller]

I enjoyed your review and photographs! We just returned from Pride America Dec 18 and are returning again Nov 2012. After reading your review, I believe we will upgrade to aft balcony cabin. We are also considering a few days at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (instead of Waikiki Resort that we stayed at in past). Do you remember who you booked the room through for Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach?

 

Thanks again for the great review!

 

Here's a link to my Dec 2011 review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1534322

 

We booked our room reservations direct through the Outrigger web site. The farther in advance you do it the better the price was my experience.

[Just4You]

We booked our room reservations direct through the Outrigger web site. The farther in advance you do it the better the price was my experience.

 

 

I went to the Outrigger website and couldn't believe the prices were so good this far out. I thought the best places to find a good deal on hotels in Hawaii were any sites OTHER than the hotel. Boy was I wrong! Thanks!

[Annie Morehead]

I just finished reading your reviews over the last few days-- GREAT!! We're going on the POA in April 2012 and really looking forward to it! Thanks!!:)

[Buffettfan 225]

Very helpful review--my parents are sailing the Pride in March for their 50th and this will definitely help with excitement & preparing.

They are also in a suite--so this will help. Thanks

[NauticalMom]

Thanks for the dailies, and the link to your trip! I'm going to be sure to give my DH all the tips you gave regarding treating your wife right! LOL We are sailing in August with our two boys, 20 and 17. So glad you shared so many details with such humor .. You should start a blog!

We are not frequent cruisers, so much of your advice is well taken.

Looking forward to reading about your Bermuda experience!

 

Thanks again!

[deigandesign]

Suite SF, Penthouse with large Balcony.

 

suite 12506,

 

Is this the side of the ship we want to sail on to view the coast?

 

Lazy J's is this for Suite passengers?

 

Anyone used the sofa bed? My son 19, 6'4 will be sleeping on this bed.

 

Does anyone have picture of the suite?

 

Great post, can't wait to see Hawaii again.