Pride of America

[mccindy]

I am booked on the Pride of America cruise in category AG. Does anyone have any info or pictures of this room that would be willing to share? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[plumie]

I found these sites while looking for AF photos. Hope this helps :)

 

http://www.hawaiicruiseoutlet.com/virtualtours.asp?ShipID=172

 

http://www.02cruise.com/lines/Norwegian%20Cruise%20Line/Pride%20Of%20America/photos/

[wharvey]

McCindy,

 

How was this room? I am thinking of booking it also.

 

Thanks,

[wedfan]

Has anybody done the Hawaiian Cruise? If so what is your over-all opinion?

Have you done anyother cruise and can you compare the service?

Has anybody booked an Cat AF cabin, if so how was it, good & bad?

Any and all imput greatly appreciated looking to book in Nov 2009.:)

[ohioNCLcruiser]

The aft facing wrap around balconies are great! Its a great way to get a taste for all the different Hawaiian islands.

[woodley]

I did this cruise oct 2006. We were in AA cat. We really enjoyed the space the suite gave us but the service was awful.

 

We also spent a lot of time on the islands and felt we missed the sea days. Usually we enjoy our sea days for total relaxation. If we ever did another cruise that was port intensive we would go for the cheapest inside cabin as you really do not spend any time in your cabin.

 

The perks we were supposed to get really did not warrant the price we paid.

 

Our cabin steward was fantastic our butler awful.

 

The ship is nice but as stated before did not have time to make full use of it and activities offered were few.

 

However NCL did compensate us and we have cruised since (Jewel)and really enjoyed it. We are really loyal to NCl as we have enjoyed all our cruises with them except for POA.

 

Having said all that, it was a really inexpensive way to see the islands and for that reason alone I am glad we went on the cruise.

 

Hope you enjoy your trip.

[mylesf]

I have sailed on both the Pride of America (twice) and the Pride of Hawaii. Best way to see the islands. Service all three times was the best. American crew throughout the entire ship did a nice job making our stay feel special. Would recommend and will consider doing this a fourth time!

[avalanche2]

Pride of America is a great ship but dont book too far in advance as NCL has been trying to sell their operations in Hawaii and if they can not turn the fiasco around, they will cease operations on the island. Disney and all other have all declined buying NCLA, hence two ships leaving the market.

 

NCLA is a great product and you will certainly enjoy your cruise and especially the American crew

[mylesf]

Pride of America is a great ship but dont book too far in advance as NCL has been trying to sell their operations in Hawaii and if they can not turn the fiasco around, they will cease operations on the island. Disney and all other have all declined buying NCLA, hence two ships leaving the market.

 

NCLA is a great product and you will certainly enjoy your cruise and especially the American crew

 

Where are you getting your information? NCL has not been trying to sell off their Hawaii product. They had every intention on keeping two ships there. The Jade still has the hawaii theme in the interior and can easily be converted back over to the Pride of Hawaii. After careful review, they determined that the Pride of Aloha was not what they wanted in the Hawaii market and pulled it back. Hence, down to one ship. Look for NCLA to re-introduce a second ship in the future. I have cruised with NLCA three times and none of my cruises would I consider would fall under your term "fiasco". I look forward to a fourth cruise with them. I don't think you know what you are talking about here and your comments have no creditability with me....

[ohioNCLcruiser]

mylest-I love your comment but in avalanche2's defense he is also a huge NCLA supporter. He has cruised in the top suites on the Hawaii and America several times BUT that Disney rumor was great though! People took the news about them opening up a hotel on Oahu to them buying NCLA.

 

The America did make a profit last year so its going to be a great year for us.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Where are you getting your information? NCL has not been trying to sell off their Hawaii product. They had every intention on keeping two ships there. The Jade still has the hawaii theme in the interior and can easily be converted back over to the Pride of Hawaii. After careful review, they determined that the Pride of Aloha was not what they wanted in the Hawaii market and pulled it back. Hence, down to one ship. Look for NCLA to re-introduce a second ship in the future. I have cruised with NLCA three times and none of my cruises would I consider would fall under your term "fiasco". I look forward to a fourth cruise with them. I don't think you know what you are talking about here and your comments have no creditability with me....

 

When are you coming out for your next cruise? I love meeting cruise critic people.

[cvanhorn]

The Jade still has the hawaii theme in the interior and can easily be converted back over to the Pride of Hawaii. ....

 

Better check further, once the ship was reflagged as a foriegn vessel it cannot be reflagged U.S. (Unless the good Senator can wangle another exemption and I doubt with all the trouble he's causing with this PVSA mess on NCL/A's behalf the government would be amenable.) If I am wrong and the law does allow reflagging back to U.S. flag please post the referance.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Better check further, once the ship was reflagged as a foriegn vessel it cannot be reflagged U.S. (Unless the good Senator can wangle another exemption and I doubt with all the trouble he's causing with this PVSA mess on NCL/A's behalf the government would be amenable.) If I am wrong and the law does allow reflagging back to U.S. flag please post the referance.

 

Actually they agreed that it could. I'm going to try to find the news about it and I will post it once I find it.

[cvanhorn]

Actually they agreed that it could. I'm going to try to find the news about it and I will post it once I find it.

 

Thanks, I will be watching for your post.

[CC Help Michell]

Actually they agreed that it could. I'm going to try to find the news about it and I will post it once I find it.

 

I agree with James here, I saw that someplace... but I really think it was lip service... nobody drydocks and adds a casino, etc. for a ship that's being "temporarily" redeployed elsewhere. I think the Jade is the Jade from now on.

 

I do believe that this year we have seen a lot of fallout from this NCLA Hawaii, American-flagged, business model, and I think the most positive thing to be said about it is that (unlike the others who have tried this approach (American Hawaii comes to mind)) at least the Pride of America is still sailing and in business, and probably will be for at least several months to come.

 

Honest to goodness, I hope thie Pride of America thing succeeds financially, because I'd sail the PofAm with no qualms and I really like cruising among the Hawaiian islands without having to spend several days on a ship from the North American coast.

 

To Wedfan, whose post took the OP's question in a different direction, I would say that MANY people have done the NCL Hawaiian cruises, and if you want a variety of opinions about it, check out the Member Reviews here at CC for the Pride of America, Pride of Aloha, and Pride of Hawaii.

[mylesf]

I agree with James here, I saw that someplace... but I really think it was lip service... nobody drydocks and adds a casino, etc. for a ship that's being "temporarily" redeployed elsewhere. I think the Jade is the Jade from now on.

 

I do believe that this year we have seen a lot of fallout from this NCLA Hawaii, American-flagged, business model, and I think the most positive thing to be said about it is that (unlike the others who have tried this approach (American Hawaii comes to mind)) at least the Pride of America is still sailing and in business, and probably will be for at least several months to come.

 

Honest to goodness, I hope thie Pride of America thing succeeds financially, because I'd sail the PofAm with no qualms and I really like cruising among the Hawaiian islands without having to spend several days on a ship from the North American coast.

 

To Wedfan, whose post took the OP's question in a different direction, I would say that MANY people have done the NCL Hawaiian cruises, and if you want a variety of opinions about it, check out the Member Reviews here at CC for the Pride of America, Pride of Aloha, and Pride of Hawaii.

 

I am still going to disagree with you on now that the Jade is the Jade it will remain. I think at some point they may bring it back as the Pride of Hawaii. They did very little to the ship when they drydocked it. They added the casino, took out the self serve laundry facilities, replaced them with inside cabins and painted the hull. Originially, they were going to redo the interior and take out the tropical theme but changed their minds. With these minor changes it would be easy to change it back to the Pride of Hawaii. They did not intend to only sail one ship around the islands. They pulled the Pride of Hawaii to decrease bed capacity, which increased the price point and profits. Maybe we can agree to disagree on this one and wait to see if either of us will have the right call on this one! :)

[mylesf]

Actually they agreed that it could. I'm going to try to find the news about it and I will post it once I find it.

 

You are correct here. They did check and the ship can go back as a US flagged vessel.

[CC Help Michell]

I am still going to disagree with you on now that the Jade is the Jade it will remain. I think at some point they may bring it back as the Pride of Hawaii. They did very little to the ship when they drydocked it. They added the casino, took out the self serve laundry facilities, replaced them with inside cabins and painted the hull. Originially, they were going to redo the interior and take out the tropical theme but changed their minds. With these minor changes it would be easy to change it back to the Pride of Hawaii. They did not intend to only sail one ship around the islands. They pulled the Pride of Hawaii to decrease bed capacity, which increased the price point and profits. Maybe we can agree to disagree on this one and wait to see if either of us will have the right call on this one! :)

 

:) I'd be thrilled to be wrong on this one -- we loved the Pride of Hawaii and if she were to sail again in Hawaii we'd book her, I have no doubt. My brain tells me that's not gonna happen (I have a different take here, too, having been burned when American Hawaii folded, so I KNOW how hard it is to make the Hawaii market work) -- but still, this is one where I won't bet you -- I'd LOVE for you to be right and me be wrong! :)

[mylesf]

When are you coming out for your next cruise? I love meeting cruise critic people.

 

 

Not sure. Just got off the Gem three weeks ago this coming up Saturday. I will let you know when I do and which ship. :)

[cvanhorn]

My only beef is the way that NCL/A is trying to force the R/T west coast-Hawaii cruises out of the business. More power to all who do not want the sea days and love to fly. A lot of us Want the sea days and wouldn't fly on a bet. NCL/A looks at the R/T's as their competition when in actuality it is two different segments of the cruising market. If they were strictly an American company, with Ametican built ships I could see their point, but they are a Foreign company with Foreign built ships with waivers and they compete in the Alaskan markets with the same "technical" foreign port stops that they are trying to eliminate on the Hawaii route. If they succeed you can bet that a 7 day inside cabin on the POA cruise will be over $3,000.00! so they can have a normal profit with what they now lose due to American labor laws, no casino, no bingo, no krack-it's, etc.

 

I am not cutting down NCL (see my signature for upcoming cruises), completly believe that POA has a future if they price it profitably and go after the market that wants to fly to Hawaii for a port intensive Hawaiian vacation and knock off worrying about and trying to shut down the R/T's which appeal to a different set of cruisers. Cliff