Live from the Pride of America - 09/21-09/28/2024 - Hawai'i (Oahu to Maui to Hawai'i to Kaua'i)

[Seas2mountains]

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Beautiful Oahu sunset from Waikiki ... Mahalo.  Thank you for sharing. 

 

Jetlag being the worst in the mid/late afternoon for us as we fly in from the East Coast ... 

When we go to Alaska or Hawaii, we know the jet lag is worse for those from the East coast. We are in the Mountain time zone so it isn’t as bad for us. We are adjusting and stayed awake an hour later last night. 

[YVRteacher]

@Seas2mountains I hope you have a wonderful cruise! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos of Waikiki.

 

 

[Seas2mountains]

3 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

@Seas2mountains I'm enjoying your wonderful your posts with stunning photos!

They bring back good memories of Hale Koa and our cruise.

Thank you!   
It’s great that you also got to experience Hale Koa with a cruise. I love staying here so much. 

[Seas2mountains]

1 hour ago, MrsTocko said:

Do they offer day use for vets?  My brother from another mother, is a vet. He and his wife (my sister from another mister) have a timeshare in HI. but they often have long layovers on the flight home.  He would love this.  

I don’t think they offer any day use for veterans. They require people to be hotel guests to use the pools. They give a daily wrist band after confirming the guests are hotel guests. Maybe he could get a hotel room for one day? 

[Seas2mountains]

4 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

@Seas2mountains I hope you have a wonderful cruise! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos of Waikiki.

 

 

Thank you! 

[mking8288]

Well, gooooood morning and it is not even 6 AM local time there, rise-n-shine ultra-early and read like you won't be watching the sunrise from that partial oceanview.  How are those ABC stores that's on every other street corner in Waikiki ?   It's always fun to stop in there to look around but a Target store as the "anchor" for the International Marketplace ... hmmm.  

 

How about this at your nearby McD, in case you decided to check them out for breakfast - the local "specials" that you don't get in the lower 48 states/U.S. mainland ?  and there is something else on their island menu, not available here on the East or West Coast for that matter.  

 

 

OK, just kidding and wait, today is the big day ... Embarkation for the POA !  

 

Bon Voyage and keep those beautiful pictures coming ! 

[Seas2mountains]

Today is cruise day!! 😃
 

We were able to stay awake (barely) for the fireworks at 8pm. The internet said they were at 7:45pm which was incorrect. 
 

We got a table at the Pool bar patio area at the resort which is near the big family pool but isn’t poolside like the name sounds. 
 

The sky was beautiful for about an hour after the sun set and the weather was perfect with a light breeze. 

People definitely got there early to get seats. We got there about 7pm and all tables were taken. We asked a man sitting alone if we could join him and share his table. He kindly agreed and said he wasn’t planning to stay for the fireworks. 
 

There was bar service at the tables so my husband enjoyed some Mai Tais while I enjoyed drinking wine. 

[PhillyTravelBug]

Envious! Those photos and sunsets are heaven. Enjoy the cruise! I feel it’s the best way to experience Hawaii, I am just hearing mixed reviews in the pride of America. Have a wonderful time!

[mcmomny]

Still one of our favorite cruises ever! Enjoy your cruise!

[kelleyfarms]

I would like to hear if the free at sea beverage package includes alcohol and beer on the Pride of America?  We have it booked for next year and I'm not sure about this package. It says for all ages and makes me wonder about alcohol for ages 21 and up?

[YVRteacher]

Did you book the luau when in Kauai?

[Seas2mountains]

We arrived at the cruise terminal at about 10:30am. Porters were there to grab our bags as we got out of the Uber.
 

The general security line took about 15 minutes and the wait to check in agreed and a few minutes   
 

They handed out shell leis after security. We think they gave us flower leis when we got on the Spirit last year. We wore them for about 15 minutes so we are not disappointed.
 

We are waiting to embark. We were given a piece of paper that said we were in boarding group A.  We asked about priority for Diamond and were given a priority access piece of paper.
 

We are being entertained by a singer playing upbeat Hawaiian music on a guitar.
 

I have photos to share later from our walk this morning.  

[Seas2mountains]

1 hour ago, Seas2mountains said:
 

The general security line took about 15 minutes and the wait to check in agreed and a few minutes   

 

Oops -The general security line took about 15 minutes and the wait to check in took a few minutes.  Not sure how the word agreed got in there. 

[Seas2mountains]

Guests in suites embarked at about 11am. Priority access which was for Platinum and above and those needing assistance was called next. 

 

We got on the ship at about 11:08am. We went to the muster station, changed one dinner reservation, explored the ship a bit and enjoyed time in the hot tub. Our first drinks were a frozen margarita for my husband and a Rebellious Fish for me. I think it’s been a few years since I’ve seen a Rebellious Fish on the drink menu. 
 

Initial impressions are positive. Bar servers on the pool deck are friendly and we’ve been asked if we want a drink several times. Staff located around the ship have been welcoming. 

[Seas2mountains]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Well, gooooood morning and it is not even 6 AM local time there, rise-n-shine ultra-early and read like you won't be watching the sunrise from that partial oceanview.  How are those ABC stores that's on every other street corner in Waikiki ?   It's always fun to stop in there to look around but a Target store as the "anchor" for the International Marketplace ... hmmm.  

 

How about this at your nearby McD, in case you decided to check them out for breakfast - the local "specials" that you don't get in the lower 48 states/U.S. mainland ?  and there is something else on their island menu, not available here on the East or West Coast for that matter.  

 

 

OK, just kidding and wait, today is the big day ... Embarkation for the POA !  

 

Bon Voyage and keep those beautiful pictures coming ! 

Thank you for adding that info. I forgot about the Hawaiian McD’s menus being different. We had a great grab and go hot breakfast of “breakfast bowl” which was eggs, crispy tater tots which remind me of the former NCL hash browns and breakfast meat of choice. There was too much food and next time we need to share one for two of us. 

 

We passed a few ABC stores on our walk. They even have a daily food special listed at one we passed. 

[Seas2mountains]

5 hours ago, kelleyfarms said:

I would like to hear if the free at sea beverage package includes alcohol and beer on the Pride of America?  We have it booked for next year and I'm not sure about this package. It says for all ages and makes me wonder about alcohol for ages 21 and up?

They have the Hawaiian Beverage Package included with Free at Sea. It includes alcoholic beverages up to $15. It also includes bottled water. 
 

I’ll add photos of drink menus this week. 
 

Here is what I have seen so far. I don’t see any Sail and Sustain drinks so far. I don’t care for many of the Sail and Sustain drinks so it was nice to see the old NCL drinks on the menu. 

[trivia addict]

8 hours ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

Envious! Those photos and sunsets are heaven. Enjoy the cruise! I feel it’s the best way to experience Hawaii, I am just hearing mixed reviews in the pride of America. Have a wonderful time!

I have always heard mixed reviews of this ship.

We were on her last week for the first time, and in over 40 cruises on various lines, this cruise ranks as one of our favorites. 

 

You cannot go expecting bells and whistles. I would not recommend it for young families.

You go with the expectation of experiencing the Hawaiian Islands during the days and relaxing evenings of food, drink and meeting new, interesting, people and conversation at night.

We had delightful times sitting on the top open deck bar at night talking with people from all over the world.

Whatever you do, do not miss the sailaway from Honolulu from the top deck. It is one of the prettiest I have ever experienced.

 

The ship is clean, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and I love the retro look of the public spaces. Wooden columns and gleaming mahogany bars remind me of our first cruises at the turn of this century.

 

Not all is perfect tho. The buffet is small and dark. The cabins are small. The entertainment is lacking. I don’t expect produced shows, but more live music would be nice. And the pool gets crowded, with no Vibe for me to escape to!

Still, I look forward to sailing the POA again in the future.

[Seas2mountains]

6 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Did you book the luau when in Kauai?

We have heard great reviews about Luau Kalamaku on Kaua’i. We booked a Na Pali coast boat tour that conflicts with the Luau. 
 

We will keep this in mind for any return visits. We have been to a few luaus over the years. What was it about this luau that makes it better than the others? 

[YVRteacher]

My favourite luau in Hawaii used to be at the Hilton Kaanapali on Maui but now it’s oversold and way too crowded so you eat with someone’s elbow in your rib and their breath on your poi!
 

My dad and I have been to the one that is offered as a shore excursion on Kauai (Kalamaku) 3 times. Same show and food each time. What I like is the peaceful setting, the Hawaiian experiences ahead of time, the delicious food and the continuity of the story told through the dancing. My dad likes the beer!

You will love the Na Pali coast tour. Please take lots of sunscreen, hats and some seasick tablets if you need them.  Are you doing the catamaran tour?

 

Happy cruising on the PoA! All my cruises on her have been absolutely wonderful.

[Seas2mountains]

Thank you. That info is all very helpful. We didn’t have great luau experiences for crowds and food in the past so we were reluctant to pay for another one. This one you described seems different than the others. 
 

Yes, it will be a catamaran tour.  We are taking the Captain Andy’s sunset tour. 

[Seas2mountains]

1 hour ago, trivia addict said:

I have always heard mixed reviews of this ship.

We were on her last week for the first time, and in over 40 cruises on various lines, this cruise ranks as one of our favorites. 

 

You cannot go expecting bells and whistles. I would not recommend it for young families.

You go with the expectation of experiencing the Hawaiian Islands during the days and relaxing evenings of food, drink and meeting new, interesting, people and conversation at night.

We had delightful times sitting on the top open deck bar at night talking with people from all over the world.

Whatever you do, do not miss the sailaway from Honolulu from the top deck. It is one of the prettiest I have ever experienced.

 

The ship is clean, the staff is friendly and accommodating, and I love the retro look of the public spaces. Wooden columns and gleaming mahogany bars remind me of our first cruises at the turn of this century.

 

Not all is perfect tho. The buffet is small and dark. The cabins are small. The entertainment is lacking. I don’t expect produced shows, but more live music would be nice. And the pool gets crowded, with no Vibe for me to escape to!

Still, I look forward to sailing the POA again in the future.

Thank you for your comments. I’m glad to hear you had an excellent cruise despite a few disappointments.  
 

We are open to this different experience knowing the beauty of exploring the Hawaiian islands is worth it. 

[YVRteacher]

18 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you. That info is all very helpful. We didn’t have great luau experiences for crowds and food in the past so we were reluctant to pay for another one. This one you described seems different than the others. 
 

Yes, it will be a catamaran tour.  We are taking the Captain Andy’s sunset tour. 

We did Captain Andy’s! It was fantastic. I loved getting so close to the caves.

[Seas2mountains]

We are lunch at Skyline Restaurant. We arrived after 1pm and could see that all available tables were occupied. We were asked to wait 5-10 minutes. Within that time range, we were told our table was ready.  
 

We got a wine list as the wines on this ship are a bit different than what is available on other NCL ships. I’ll post that later. 
 

Our food came faster than we expected and everything tasted as expected. We left the restaurant at about 2pm. We did not order dessert. 
 

Spinach Caesar.salad with salad dressing on the side. 

Sweet corn hush puppies. We shared these. My husband said these were the best ones ever. It is common for us to order this on the first day of the cruise. 

Crustless vegetable quiche. Listed as an appetizer but had for the main entree

Cagun Chicken Pasta. 
 

Lunch menu below. 

[YVRteacher]

I don’t know if the PoA still does this, but on the departure out of Kauai they used to invite higher level Latitudes guests to the bow for a champagne sailaway. 

[Seas2mountains]

After lunch, we stopped by the Cruise Next desk to sign up for the Behind the Scenes tour and Dinner with the Officers.  We were convinced to do the Wines Around the World since we were available and reminded the wines are different on this ship. There is no Sail and Sustain mixology experience and it’s fine as we’d be the only people there. 
 

We asked about guest Laritude levels on this ship. There are no Ambassadors and we are the only Diamond guests on the ship. There are 14 Sapphire guests and I can’t remember the counts for the other levels.