Pride of America (is that even an NCL ship??) Review with PICS!

[merdon]

Thank you for your great review. We sail in October and are looking forward to seeing the Hawaiian islands.

[willowvacay]

I have a few cruise ship pictures too:

Here is our room, a large balcony port side.

 

The door numbers have those spin-wheels that let the room steward know you are out of the room (or the do not disturb sign is there too).

 

Here is the back of the ship area with the only bar or area that allows smoking. It is covered and overlooks the aft pool. I believe they say this bar is on level 13

 

This is the outdoor seating area where we had back-of-the-ship-breakfast every day. There is a door that leads to the buffet and moderno (both serving breakfast daily).

 

 

The buffet

 

[willowvacay]

On the same level as the buffet is the Gold Rush Saloon. There is a door leading to the buffet in here. They have popcorn in here in the evenings and also I think there was karaoke there often.

 

 

 

This is an indoor seating area near the pool area. It seemed kind of random to me but there were people in there once in a while

 

This is that same room from an outdoor staircase looking in

 

Atrium Bar

[willowvacay]

Shopping area on 5 (same level as theater and atrium). They had some really nice clothes in there for a cruise ship. We thought the Pride of America Gear was slightly lacking (like magnets, stickers, shirts, etc), but otherwise it had nice stuff.

 

the entrance to the shops

 

The photo area with a studio

 

 

 

The ceiling in the lobby on 5

[willowvacay]

I may have already had a floor pic but here it is again just in case.

 

Shore excursions desk

 

Stairway in the atrium (it leads to pinks champagne bar and cagneys)

 

Le Bistro or Jefferson's Bistro

 

Beyond that is the entrance to the MDR's. Skyline is less formal dress than Liberty.

 

inside skyline

[willowvacay]

Stairway inside skyline up to Liberty

 

The spa. We didn't feel like they were pushing the spa as hard on this trip. It was nice not to hear about it on overhead announcements all the time.

 

 

The aft pool

 

The sports deck has a putting area

 

 

[willowvacay]

The regular pool area.

 

Small grill and bar one level up from the pool

 

Cadillac diner

 

outside at Cadillac

 

Napa wine bar is also the entrance to Cagneys

 

pinks champagne bar

[willowvacay]

We started doing self disembarkation several cruises ago and are convinced there is no other way to go. We get up and get moving and get ourselves off the ship. The drawback is bringing all the luggage with you but its nice because you don't have to put the luggage out the night before and keep a separate bag for the morning.

 

With no customs, this disembarkation was super fast and easy. The port building isn't huge and so its easy to get out and catch a cab. I cried a few sad tears on the way off the ship because it will be our last cruise for a little while. (Does anyone know how young one can reasonably bring a baby aboard a cruise?? haha just kidding). We had a great time and it was a little sad for this cruise to end as it is the closure of our couples only portion of our adventure. We are so excited for the next and biggest adventure and hoping to get back into cruising soon.

 

Anyway, we had a flight at 1015pm. What does one do all day waiting around? If you have been to the airport in Honolulu, no offense to them but its not a place where you want to hang around for 12+ hours if you don't have to. We talked about booking a post-cruise tour, but thought we might be tired and also be gross by the time we headed to the airport that evening. So we did something a little crazy and a little wasteful but it was gonna be a looong day of waiting for a loooong flight so we went for it.

 

We booked a hotel room for that night. We left the cruise port and headed to the Marriott Waikiki Beach (not the courtyard like beforehand). It was early. We got there around 8am. The Marriott app allows you to check in on the app and you tell them what time you are arriving so we had warned them we would be there early. We were fully prepared to leave our luggage at the bell stand and check in later. We were even wearing our swim suits already in preparation for not having a room until afternoon. However, we got lucky, and they gave us a room at 8am. We headed up with our bags and dropped them off and went to their restaurant for breakfast.

 

After breakfast we headed to the pool. We had fantastic weather the whole week so it wasn't even too disappointing that it was cloudy and rained for a large portion of the morning. After some pool time, we decided to head to lunch. We went to the cheesecake factory in Waikiki. We walked back to the hotel and hung out watching regular TV while it rained. In case you aren't an NCL regular their TV is horrible with very few choices. So it was nice to nap and watch a little HGTV in the afternoon. We showered and ordered room service later in the evening in preparation for our long journey home. About 2 hours before our flight we took a taxi to the airport and said goodbye-for-now to Hawaii.

 

The view from our room

 

 

one last rainbow

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

Thanks again for providing such a detailed review with great pictures. We will be on board in just over 2 weeks and you have sure got us prepared for the cruise portion.

All the best when your new family member arrives and now you can focus on the Disney Cruise when he or she gets older.

[Luvmypups]

Great review! We've done NCL's Hawaiian cruise 3 times before but it's been almost 10 years ago since our last trip and we always had to go to Fanning Island. We are scheduled to go again in August so I'm trying to figure out what all to do again. Thanks for letting us come along. Best wishes to you and your husband on your next adventure. :)

[cruisingcasinos]

Wow. Great review. I loved it. Great Pictures, too!!

[froggykat]

This is probably the best review I've read here. Very detailed and you answered questions I didn't even think of. We have a 8:15 pm flight and since we are arriving 3 days before the cruise I haven't figured out what we are going to do for 12 hours. The hotel room is genius. Will consider in our plans. Love the pictures. When your little one makes his/hers appearance make sure you aren't the only one taking pictures. Moms need to be in pictures with the baby. Thanks again for the great report.

[we b cruzin]

I have to agree with froggykat....on of the best, if not THE best review I've read on all of cruise critic. Great pictures but most of all great detail without being boring. We've still got a long time to wait until our Hawaiian cruise but you've gotten us anxious for it to hurry up and get here!!! Good luck on your new adventure in life.

[Sue Do'nym]

Thanks for a great review! This is my next cruise so starting to research. The pics are a great help!

[Iwant2BatC]

Such a nice review! We did this cruise in December and loved it. I live in Hawaii and recommend it as a wonderful way to see the islands. IMO renting a car is by far the best and most economical way to go. I recommend driving to the volcano from the Kona side then on the Hilo side going to the Imiloa Observatory on the University campus. Easy to find. Also, there is a beautiful botanical garden on the Hilo side and the drive to Waimea is wonderfully scenic. Aloha!

 

 

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[sjn911]

I have had many land trips there but would love the ship way too and to enjoy the ship some too and to be ready for Napili and the night volcano view w/o boarding a cheap boat...you did prefect regrouping and I so appreciate your tour. The no gambling makes the trip expensive,,I like that you had so many different kinds of experiences and dining and saw so very much..you did very well on every beach Luau everything...as an aunty and great aunty..it is always beautiful and the love gets you through...you are soon to meet the first love of your lives and were so smart to have another private bonding trip to fill your sails...you have had some and will have more but so many you will just want the kids and that will be so cool but different. You are obviously really well suited and welcoming baby under the best of circumstances..so happy for you. Loved getting to see ship was ok and getting a space it out review on plans..like the different restaurants like it would be on land there on the ship. You were so smart to not ruin your last day....it has to be planned to enjoy and be able to shower and change somehow,,even at a Beach resort plan and outdoor rinse..best money you ever spent to start that darn return fresh.,,You got me so excited,,,,peaceful wonderful next step to you..Sarah

[olemissreb]

As a matter of fact, there was a car rental office in the very hotel where the OP initially went to the beach in Kona. I don't know if the OP was aware of this, or they may have been sold out. Although the rental price is a little higher over the airport prices, you will generally see it recommended over renting from the airport as it is walking distance from the tender pier and gets you on the road ( and back to the tender ) sooner. Do book well in advance.

 

If you do rent from the airport, no need to take a taxi. The shuttles run from the pier.

 

Thanks for this tip. Do you remember what car rental company it is? We aren't going until May 2018, but this would be really handy for my family.

[olemissreb]

Thanks for a great review! We are going in May 2018 for my youngest son's graduation trip. So many things that I've thought for sure we would do and your review just confirmed that they should be on our itinerary.

 

Enjoy that new bundle of joy! It's a wild ride, but worth every second!!!

[willowvacay]

Thanks again for providing such a detailed review with great pictures. We will be on board in just over 2 weeks and you have sure got us prepared for the cruise portion.

All the best when your new family member arrives and now you can focus on the Disney Cruise when he or she gets older.

 

Thanks! I hope you enjoy your Hawaii Cruise. We have already started looking into Disney Cruises for the future :)

[willowvacay]

Great review! We've done NCL's Hawaiian cruise 3 times before but it's been almost 10 years ago since our last trip and we always had to go to Fanning Island. We are scheduled to go again in August so I'm trying to figure out what all to do again. Thanks for letting us come along. Best wishes to you and your husband on your next adventure. :)

 

 

Have a great trip! And thank you we are so looking forward to the next adventure!

[willowvacay]

Wow. Great review. I loved it. Great Pictures, too!!

 

Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the review and the pictures!

[willowvacay]

This is probably the best review I've read here. Very detailed and you answered questions I didn't even think of. We have a 8:15 pm flight and since we are arriving 3 days before the cruise I haven't figured out what we are going to do for 12 hours. The hotel room is genius. Will consider in our plans. Love the pictures. When your little one makes his/hers appearance make sure you aren't the only one taking pictures. Moms need to be in pictures with the baby. Thanks again for the great report.

 

Wow that is such a nice compliment! I am glad you enjoyed the review! I cannot take credit for the hotel idea for the last day...it was totally my husband's brilliant idea. It seemed a little silly at first but we have spent less time than that at several hotels and it worked out amazing. I wouldn't do it any other way if we did the trip again. And don't worry, I will try to get in front of the camera more often once baby willowvacay arrives :)

[willowvacay]

I have to agree with froggykat....on of the best, if not THE best review I've read on all of cruise critic. Great pictures but most of all great detail without being boring. We've still got a long time to wait until our Hawaiian cruise but you've gotten us anxious for it to hurry up and get here!!! Good luck on your new adventure in life.

 

I hope your cruise is amazing. Thank you so much for the compliment on the review and for the well wishes! We are so excited!

[willowvacay]

Thanks for a great review! This is my next cruise so starting to research. The pics are a great help!

 

 

Enjoy the cruise! You will love it.

[willowvacay]

I have had many land trips there but would love the ship way too and to enjoy the ship some too and to be ready for Napili and the night volcano view w/o boarding a cheap boat...you did prefect regrouping and I so appreciate your tour. The no gambling makes the trip expensive,,I like that you had so many different kinds of experiences and dining and saw so very much..you did very well on every beach Luau everything...as an aunty and great aunty..it is always beautiful and the love gets you through...you are soon to meet the first love of your lives and were so smart to have another private bonding trip to fill your sails...you have had some and will have more but so many you will just want the kids and that will be so cool but different. You are obviously really well suited and welcoming baby under the best of circumstances..so happy for you. Loved getting to see ship was ok and getting a space it out review on plans..like the different restaurants like it would be on land there on the ship. You were so smart to not ruin your last day....it has to be planned to enjoy and be able to shower and change somehow,,even at a Beach resort plan and outdoor rinse..best money you ever spent to start that darn return fresh.,,You got me so excited,,,,peaceful wonderful next step to you..Sarah

 

We definitely missed the gambling on this trip. We usually like to go to the casino after dinner and even though we knew there wasn't a casino on board this ship we were still a little disappointed after dinner sometimes. Thank you for the kind words about our upcoming baby adventures. We are looking forward to it.