Pride of America Tips

[nisky]

Here is a summary of helpful POA tips and comments I pulled together from many Cruise Critic posts and Pride of America member reviews from the last couple of years (including our 6/4–6/11/2016 roll call group, particularly sunnyvegas). Hopefully it will be useful for future cruisers. Please add your tips in this thread.

 

PRIDE OF AMERICA (POA):

 

POA and HAWAII RESEARCH –

*(A small sample of great Cruise Critic POA member reviews; Norwegian Cruise Lines forum/ Pride of America subforum; and Hawaii board posts):

AryMay blog: http://mysouvenirmemories.blogspot.com¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

kwbound ‘An Exhaustive Review of our Exhausting Hawaiian Adventure’

Notion_of_the_Ocean (review)

BnAv10 (review)

Hawaii board: ‘Hawaii Cheat Sheet’ (page 1, #1; Page 3 #47 & #55)

limmerb (7/20/15 review)

newcruise12 ‘Top 10 Things to Know about the Pride of America’

carmzav ’11 Day Oahu Explorer cruise tour review on POA’

 

*(A sample of Hawaii websites to review):

thisweekhawaii.com

gohawaii.com

konaweb.com

101thingstodo.com

 

GENERAL -

*Pride of America Statistics - Launched: 2005; Refurbished: March 2016; Decks: 15; Tonnage: 80,439; Passengers: 2,186; Crew: 917; Registry: United States; Current Cruise Critic Editor Rating: 4.0 (of 5); Member Ratings: overall 3 (of 5), dining 3.5, cabins 3.9, service 3.8, value for money 3.7

*POA sails from the Port of Honolulu, Cruise Ship Terminal Pier 2, 521 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

*(from NCL website, May 2016): Hawaii Cruises: There’s no need for a passport when you sail on any Hawai‘i inter-island cruise. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of Hawai‘i, all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. which includes a passport or a valid driver’s license with a photo. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.

*Lanyards are great to hold your ship key card.

*The pool deck can be windy so use boca clips to hold your towels down. This has been a lifesaver for us on cruises--plus they are conversation starters. :)

*Pack glow bracelets/necklaces to have for the GLOW or White Hot Party.

*Pack post-it notes--to leave notes for your cabin mate or to your steward.

*Pack zip-lock bags of all sizes. They come in handy for food, wet clothes, suntan lotion and water bottles.

*The ship is easy to navigate, with the exception of the Deck 6 Liberty Dining Room that cannot be directly accessed from the interior of Deck 6 forward or midship. It is accessible from 1) the aft elevators and stairs; 2) by going into the Skyline main dining room, Deck 5 aft, and walking up the spiral staircase; and 3) by the outside jogging/walking track (when not closed by weather), by entering the hallway at the aft-most starboard doors.

*The Deck 12 spa and fitness center is on a half deck at the aft of the ship.

*The ship phone number is on the back of the key card.

*Traveler's checks can be cashed at the Guest Services desk.

*To reach the ship: 1-888-NCSHIPS (1-888-627-4477) from the U.S.; 1-732-335-3280 from overseas.

*For the bow observation area, walk beyond the forward pool, then along outside of ship to observation area.

*A nice area is the Sunset Garden Interior Promenade, Deck 3 forward.

*The jogging/walking track is on Deck 6.

*Breakfast buffet is supposed to start at 6:00 am, though it is sometimes late.

*If you eat in the buffet, you can sit and get better coffee in the Gold Rush Saloon. Discovered this late in the cruise.

*The Moderno Cafe, Deck 11 aft, has the same morning buffet as the Aloha Buffet but is often much less crowded. (Check for the time it opens, though). It is a nice relaxed and uncrowded place for breakfast located aft between the Aloha Cafe and the open air, shaded Aloha Lanai. They have a buffet with fruits, pastries, French toast etc and a station for made to order eggs, omelets. You can dine inside Moderno or walk through the restaurant doors out onto the Lanai. Of course you can make up a plate in the buffet also and then walk aft to the lanai as well if you need to dine earlier.

*A good location to eat is the aft deck seating behind the Aloha Café.

*Shows are mostly at 7:00 & 9:00 pm.

*Lunch at the buffet is usually served until 3:00 pm before the start of the conversion for dinner.

*The buffet in the Aloha Café was laid out very nicely with stations, and even when very busy, we were able to find a table. We ate breakfast here daily so that we could eat outdoors on the back deck. We also ate in two of the specialty restaurants (La Cucina and Teppanyaki Grill) and they were good.

*Most of the seating for the buffet is on the starboard side of the ship. We got a seat in the smaller section on the port side, and this became our spot whenever we ate at the buffet. Even at crowded times, we were able to get a table in that area. They also allow seating in the Gold Rush Saloon that is connected to the buffet on the port side, but we never ate in there (and they have a popcorn machine in the saloon).

*The establishments that have a dress code (Liberty Dining Room and The Bistro specialty restaurant) only require for women shorts below the knee, pants, dresses/skirts, and for men they require long pants, closed toe shoes and collared shirts.

*Download the NCL Iconcierge phone app before you leave home. You can use it to review your account, book dinner reservations, etc. (free!), as well as to text and call others on the ship using the ship's network (for a cost of approx. $7.95). You relaunch it when you are on the ship. We set our phone on airplane mode then turned ‘on’ wifi to do this.

*There are many activities on the ship scheduled throughout the day even though they are in port every day, so you will never get bored when on board.

*Liberty Dining Room, Deck 6 has had longer meals times than the Skyline dining room on Deck 5.

*We found main dining room service (timewise) to be not bad at all. On several evenings we were seated at around 5:45 pm and still made it to the 7 pm show. We didn't mind sitting at the back of the theatre...no cold air blasting down onto us back there.

*Both complimentary dining rooms (Skyline, deck 5 and Liberty, deck 6) were aft with only four elevators access. The other complimentary dining was East meets West in the main atrium on deck 5 and the Aloha Café on deck 11 mid to aft. The smaller Cadillac Diner, Deck 6, and Key West Bar, Deck 12, were casual options. Specialty restaurants were sprinkled on decks 5, 6 and 11.

*Reservations were needed at all dining venues, except buffet and diner, as the ship was full and the mostly American-Canadian cruisers preferred early dining.

*Cadillac Diner was our favorite spot to grab a quick bite and the staff in there was very personable.

*Friday night is not the day to be stuck in a dining room between 5:15 and 7:00 PM That is your only view of the Na Pali Coast unless you take a helicopter excursion. Consider seeing the Na Pali Coast and then going to dinner afterwards on Friday night!

*There is narration on the Promenade Deck as the ship goes by the Na Pali coast after departing Kauai (usually about 5:15pm).

*I would book the port side for the Na Pali sail by (leaving Kaua’i) which will be from the port side first (and a much quicker sail-by on the starboard side).

*Na Pali Coast sail by: Occurred at 5 pm and the pass-by takes about 45 minutes. We had dinner at 7pm - ideal time as we didn't want to dine earlier for not missing sunsets. (Note: for early June 2016: sunsets are around 7:10 pm).

*The Na Pali narration also comes through the TV. For this it was on the Bridge channel (channel 23). We had to turn the volume all the way up, and also pull the TV out and angle the speaker towards the balcony, but we could hear and understand it fine. Just make sure you remember to turn the volume back down before you change the channel!

*During the Na Pali coast sail-by, we went down to Deck 6, port side, for viewing. Very uncrowded, while the upper decks were packed.

*We approached the Na Pali coast a little after 5pm, and one of the Hawaiian ambassadors started the narration at 5:15. TIP: make your way to Deck 13 forward and port side early to get the best view and hear the narration clearly.

*I would book the port side for the Na Pali sail by which will be from the port side.

*The evening at Kona is also the night of Kona Lobster that is served in Cagney's and Jefferson's Bistro for an additional cost.

*Laundry service is $24.95 for all you can stuff in one bag.

*There is a small pool located on deck 12 aft, below the Waikiki bar. This is the only place that smoking is allowed.

*The White HOT party was on Wednesday after leaving Kona, starting about 10:00 pm up on deck 6. In the past, they’ve had black lights set up all around the room so everyone wearing white "glows"... and they sometimes hand out glow stick bracelets, etc. There will be a band and dancing and since POA doesn’t dock until 10:00 am in Kauai the next day, it's a good night to stay up "late." It's fun to check it out even if you don't stay for the whole event - just wear all white if you have it!

*SS Liberty Library on deck 6 was large and well stocked with comfy chairs.

*There was a barbeque (good ribs, burgers, grilled pineapple) at the main pool on the Friday cruise-away day from Kauai. We went at 1:30 pm for shorter lines.

*Go to the Kukui Nut lei making the afternoon of Day 3. The two Hawaiian ambassadors China and Kaulani host it, and it makes for a great (free) souvenir!

 

STATEROOMS -

*If you have phones, cameras etc. to charge, consider bringing 1 or 2 power strips/surge protectors.

*It has been several years since we were on the POA, but one thing I remember about cell phones and service is to turn off the phone or put in airplane mode when you are sailing at night from island to island. If the phone is on, it tries to connect to the land cell towers all night.

*Current is 110 volts AC. Electric hairdryers, rollers, razors MAY need a converter.

*There are shelves in the bathroom and a small corner medicine cabinet.

*Consider bring a roll-up shoe bag with many pockets that could be hung from towel bar in bathroom to store various cosmetics.

*Bring a "24-pocket shoe hanger" to go over the closet door really reduces the clutter factor in a smaller cabin. It's great for stashing sunglasses, flip flops, sunscreen, and whatever when not in use.

*All staterooms have safes.

*Luggage can be stored under the bed(s).

*There is only liquid soup in the bathroom so if you like bar soap, bring your own.

*If you have a balcony cabin, bring large clips if you plan on drying your bathing suits, so they won't blow away!

*Bring clothespins for the clothesline in the shower.

*Hairdryers are provided in all cabins.

*Cabin doors are magnetized so pack some magnets to hold your invites/documents.

 

EMBARKATION -

*Many cruisers recommend boarding 12:30 or later, but others have been able to board as early as 11:30 am.

*The Skyline Dining Room was open until 2 pm on embarkation day. It is a nice place for a relaxing lunch.

*Muster Drill is at 4:45 pm on embarkation day. Don’t miss it or you will have to attend in the late afternoon of the first day in Maui!

 

AT HAWAIIAN PORTS -

*Ship exit/entry is Deck 3 midship at all ports except Honolulu (Deck 5). Besides the stairs, there are only 2 elevators that go down to Deck 3. During busy times upon returning to the ship, consider walking up to Deck 4 where there are 4 elevators.

*You will need to carry your driver's license and key card to every port in Hawaii.

*If you will be off the ship for a long period during the day, consider bringing baggies for food to take with you. You can make your own sandwiches at breakfast.

*Don't forget to bring water bottles for excursions.

*Look for “This Week (Island name), a thick, 3” x 11” brochure in each port. They include maps, info and coupons. We picked them up for ALL islands in Honolulu at a corner brochure stand.

*Tender procedure for Kona: This required tender tickets which were available to be picked up at Pinks Champagne Bar, Deck 6 starting at 6:45 am. Your entire party needs to be present when you get your tickets. They will let you know when you can go down to the tenders. If in a suite, you don't need a ticket, the concierge will escort you off when you are ready. I believe at some point in the am, after the general rush, tickets were no longer required and you could just go when ready. Last tender back to ship at 5:00 pm.

*Kona: The Keauhou trolley is available for $2.00 per ride and picks up at the Kailua Pier and takes you to quite a few of the scenic stops. It may be useful if you are not renting a car. If you google Keauhou trolley the printable schedule comes up (konaweb.com).

 

DISEMBARKATION -

*You will be notified that you can pick up luggage tags (color-coded by disembark time) at guest relations on Thursday. Your luggage needs to be outside your cabin no later than midnight on Friday. You can walk off the ship either with or without your luggage any time Saturday morning before 9 am.

 

nisky 6/18/2016

[Host Jazzbeau]

This is great! Thanks.

[quillwercruisers]

Great tips!! Thank you very much.

[chengkp75]

To the OP, please remove any reference to a surge protector from your "tips". Surge protectors are not required onboard ships, and can pose a fire hazard when used.

[horseymike]

Thanks for all the tips.:)

 

Mahalo

[nisky]

Thanks for your nice comments. Hopefully, other recent cruisers will add other tips.

 

As for surge protectors built-in to multi-outlets... we have never encountered a problem, but certainly don't want to take any risks in the future. Let's jut say "multi-outlet extensions" instead.

[AryMay]

I just happened to find this thread...what a great resource for anyone planning a cruise on the POA!

 

POA and HAWAII RESEARCH –

*(A small sample of great Cruise Critic POA member reviews; Norwegian Cruise Lines forum/ Pride of America subforum; and Hawaii board posts):

AryMay blog: http://mysouvenirmemories.blogspot.com¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

kwbound ‘An Exhaustive Review of our Exhausting Hawaiian Adventure’

Notion_of_the_Ocean (review)

BnAv10 (review)

Hawaii board: ‘Hawaii Cheat Sheet’ (page 1, #1; Page 3 #47 & #55)

limmerb (7/20/15 review)

newcruise12 ‘Top 10 Things to Know about the Pride of America’

carmzav ’11 Day Oahu Explorer cruise tour review on POA’

 

I just wanted to mention that the link to my blog is listed with these reviews, but it isn't accurate and won't get you to the blog. The correct link is in my signature or you can just click here: My Souvenir Memories Blog

[NutsAboutGolf]

So the tender tickets are distributed at the bar...You can provide some details about the process of how they're distributed?

 

I understand the Suite guests won't need to visit

 

Were physical tickets given out?

Was the tender boarding crew verifying ticket times?

Was it first come first serve or did do you need to show proof of a booked excursion to get an early time?

[AryMay]

Just a couple of tips I noticed and wanted to comment on...

 

*Pack glow bracelets/necklaces to have for the GLOW or White Hot Party.

 

The entertainment staff handed out glow in the dark necklaces at the White Hot Party...no need to pack these.

 

*Cabin doors are magnetized so pack some magnets to hold your invites/documents.

 

Magnets will also stick to the cabin walls. I like to use clips with a magnet on the back to hold papers and such.

 

One tip I didn't notice...there are made to order crepes offered in the Aloha Cafe each night that are delicious! A great dessert or bedtime snack!

[socalbeachfam]

Thank you so much...such great information!!! :)

[punkincc]

So the tender tickets are distributed at the bar...You can provide some details about the process of how they're distributed?

 

I understand the Suite guests won't need to visit

 

Were physical tickets given out?

Was the tender boarding crew verifying ticket times?

Was it first come first serve or did do you need to show proof of a booked excursion to get an early time?

 

Proof of a private excursion? If you have a ship excursion, you'll meet elsewhere and be escorted off and will not need a tender ticket. Everyone else is first come, first served, except for suites. So if you want off early, be in line early to get your ticket.

 

Our last cruise was in a suite, and the time before in a balcony was more than two years ago, but I believe you just get a number. We had an independent tour booked, so we just made sure we were early to line up for tickets near the Pinks Bar at the designated start time. You will either be sent straight to the tenders, or your number will be called when the next tender is available. We did not have any problem getting off in plenty of time and we did not have to wait to be called.

[tempus137]

As part of our Gold Latitudes perks, we got priority tender tickets. All we had to do was take the elevator all the way down to deck 3, and walk right to the head of the line that was coming down the stairs.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Proof of a private excursion? If you have a ship excursion, you'll meet elsewhere and be escorted off and will not need a tender ticket. Everyone else is first come, first served, except for suites. So if you want off early, be in line early to get your ticket.

 

Our last cruise was in a suite, and the time before in a balcony was more than two years ago, but I believe you just get a number. We had an independent tour booked, so we just made sure we were early to line up for tickets near the Pinks Bar at the designated start time. You will either be sent straight to the tenders, or your number will be called when the next tender is available. We did not have any problem getting off in plenty of time and we did not have to wait to be called.

 

Great, thank you. I will have a private tour as well

[Dirkgun]

Thanks for this post..... I was wondering if anyone out there has any recent experience with the POA and their excursion desk. When we sailed her before in 2013 we bought a package where you paid a price and were able to choose between a few different excursions in each port. It was a pretty good deal and could pick up to 2 or 3 I think. I just can't find any info on it now. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[punkincc]

Thanks for this post..... I was wondering if anyone out there has any recent experience with the POA and their excursion desk. When we sailed her before in 2013 we bought a package where you paid a price and were able to choose between a few different excursions in each port. It was a pretty good deal and could pick up to 2 or 3 I think. I just can't find any info on it now. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I don't recall seeing any package deals for excursions on the POA. Recently, one of the Choice promos available at booking was a $50 per port excursion credit, so they are probably not offering anything else. We normally do not book ship's tours, but did book one in Hilo back in March. Generally, you can get a better tour, for a better price by booking direct with a tour vendor. Or, super easy to just rent a car and see the sights on your own, saving lots of cash.

 

One thing you might consider is Robert's Tours. They are on all the islands, and you can book package deals which provide a tour for each island. On their website, you just indicate your ship and sail date and you'll be shown all the tours available.

Edited July 9, 2016 by punkincc

[alexkrn46]

We just booked for next year, the tips are very helpful, we got the perks of $50 per port to be booked prior to boarding.

[granny6]

Nisky, thank you for your tips. Is the Moderno Cafe for suite guests? You mentioned in your tips that it had the same breakfast as the buffet, but was uncrowded.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Nisky, thank you for your tips. Is the Moderno Cafe for suite guests? You mentioned in your tips that it had the same breakfast as the buffet, but was uncrowded.

 

The Moderno has a breakfast buffet that's available for all guests and is less busy than the main buffet. Cagney's is the restaurant that serves free breakfast and lunch for suite guests only. Dinner at either Moderno and Cagney's is open to anyone but require additional fees

[dcagg03]

Thank you so much for the helpful tips! We will be on the POA soon. Just a quick question, you mentioned travel checks could be cashed which will be helpful, but is there an ATM on board?

[jbirds]

I believe there's an ATM machine on deck 3 by the elevators. This is where the gangway is on Port days.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[NutsAboutGolf]

The Moderno has a breakfast buffet that's available for all guests and is less busy than the main buffet. Cagney's is the restaurant that serves free breakfast and lunch for suite guests only. Dinner at either Moderno and Cagney's is open to anyone but require additional fees

 

I stand corrected;I'm on the ship now...the way I read the commenters comment and based on every cruise ship I've been on in the past make it appear that there are two buffets. There was only one, the aloha cafe. There are multiple stations with the same items (like bacon, sausage, eta). While it's very busy and can be hectic as some seem to freely roam stations almost bumping into people, there wasn't a wait except at the ommlet station but even that seems very short...On my first cruise (Carnival Liberty in 2009) I recalled waiting in line 5-10mins just to get to the food station and would wait another ten minutes for the ommlet station.

[punkincc]

I stand corrected;I'm on the ship now...the way I read the commenters comment and based on every cruise ship I've been on in the past make it appear that there are two buffets. There was only one, the aloha cafe. There are multiple stations with the same items (like bacon, sausage, eta). While it's very busy and can be hectic as some seem to freely roam stations almost bumping into people, there wasn't a wait except at the ommlet station but even that seems very short...On my first cruise (Carnival Liberty in 2009) I recalled waiting in line 5-10mins just to get to the food station and would wait another ten minutes for the ommlet station.

 

Why do you "stand corrected"? Do they no longer have the breakfast mini buffet with omlette station in Moderno?

 

People do float from station to station in the main buffet. There are often lulls and open spots in line which allow you to jump in and grab that piece of bacon without inconveniencing anyone else. If one area is congested, by simply walking on, you'll find the same food and hardly anyone in line. If people are lined up waiting for something down the line, like an omlette, and they are directly in front of an item you want, no one minds if you politely ask "Would you mind if I grabbed a ......"? You do have to pay attention to where you are walking, not everyone does. And courtesy always.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Why do you "stand corrected"? Do they no longer have the breakfast mini buffet with omlette station in Moderno?

 

People do float from station to station in the main buffet. There are often lulls and open spots in line which allow you to jump in and grab that piece of bacon without inconveniencing anyone else. If one area is congested, by simply walking on, you'll find the same food and hardly anyone in line. If people are lined up waiting for something down the line, like an omlette, and they are directly in front of an item you want, no one minds if you politely ask "Would you mind if I grabbed a ......"? You do have to pay attention to where you are walking, not everyone does. And courtesy always.

 

I reread...says the moderno buffet could open late, we walked though as 7am if I recall to peak in and I don't recall seeing anything...ill try to clear this up by going there later

[horseymike]

Looking forward to your post, we are cruising on POA Sept. 17

[punkincc]

I reread...says the moderno buffet could open late, we walked though as 7am if I recall to peak in and I don't recall seeing anything...ill try to clear this up by going there later

 

It does open later than the buffet, I think not until 8:00 or 8:30. The hours should be listed in your Freestyle Daily.