Pride of America Review: Hawaii in One Week
Peter Coloyan’s review of NCL’s US-flagged ship that sails Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai in seven nights.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesTravelers ask Peter about this ship more than almost any other. He used to say that to truly experience Hawaii you needed a week on each of the four main islands — until he sailed NCL’s Pride of America, which visits Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai in a single week. Here is his review.
The Itinerary: Four Islands in Seven Nights
Pride of America sails round trip from Honolulu, with calls on Maui, at Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and on Kauai. It is the itinerary that makes this cruise special: there is no other way to see this much of Hawaii in a week without flying between islands and packing and unpacking at each stop.
Because she is a US-flagged ship, Pride of America can sail purely between Hawaiian ports. Foreign-flagged ships sailing from a US port must also call at a foreign port, which is why most other Hawaii cruises are longer voyages from the West Coast. (More on that rule at American Cruise Center.) The US flag also means a largely American crew — and, under Hawaii law, no casino.
The Ship
The ship is spacious and well equipped, with a range of dining options, entertainment venues and activities. Peter first saw Pride of America in Miami in 2005, when she was less than two weeks old, on a one-night travel-agent visit before she sailed to Hawaii. When he sailed her years later, he found she had aged very gracefully: minor blemishes here and there, but extremely well maintained and “fresh” for her age.
Cabins are comfortable, with the amenities you would expect. There is also plenty for families, including a kids’ club and a teen lounge, which makes her a good choice for multigenerational trips.
Dining: The Standout
“Undisputed fact — GREAT DINING,” says Peter. At the time of his sailing, Pride of America had two main dining rooms, a buffet, a 1950s-style diner, an Asian restaurant and an outdoor bar and grill among the complimentary choices, plus extra-charge specialty restaurants. His favorites were the teppanyaki (“the best hibachi at sea”), Cagney’s Steakhouse and the Brazilian Moderno Churrascaria. After this cruise, Pride of America joined his personal top five ships for onboard dining. (Restaurants change over time, so ask your counselor for the current line-up.)
Service, Entertainment and Excursions
The service was excellent, with friendly, attentive staff who went out of their way for guests — “exactly what all cruise lines should aim for in the large-ship market,” Peter says. The shows, entertainers and musicians were top-notch, and the cruise staff’s daily activities (trivia, dance and exercise classes, lei making and more) were well run and fun.
The shore-excursion team helped match the right tours to each island: snorkeling, hiking, whale watching, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and sightseeing. The excursions were well run and fairly priced — but this is the USA, so budget a little more for excursions than you would in the Caribbean. For ideas, see Shore Activities.
The only drawback for some travelers is the absence of a casino, slot machines and bingo. Peter, who enjoys an onboard casino, says he honestly didn’t miss it.
Mister Cruise’s Ratings
Peter’s verdict: a great option for travelers who want to see the beauty and culture of Hawaii with the comfort and convenience of a cruise ship. Ratings are Peter’s own, from his sailing; ships are refurbished and change over time.
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