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The ship even remains docked at port in Maui and Kaua’i overnight and travel between ports mostly takes place after dark. You may have heard the Pride of America described as a “floating hotel” for that reason. Hawaii, not the ship or the sea, will be the main attraction for most. Our cruise fare with a balcony room, the beverage package, speciality dining package and some nominal credits totaled $4,768 for the two of us. The food and stateroom experience felt budget-level, but the cruise cost was far from being a budget price.
Avoid Deck 8 Balcony Cabins
Pop some bubbly and toast to the good life inside Pink’s Champagne Bar. Dance until the wee hours at New Orleans-inspired Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub. Whether you’re looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there’s always an opportunity to mix it up. The NCL Pride ship was initially planned as "Project America 1". Project America was to be a class name as plans included a second 70,000 ton vessel to be built by the USA shipbuilders Litton-Ingalls.
Bars, Bars & More Bars
The 2005-built Pride of America cruise ship is operated via the brand NCL America as a unique Project America-class (one-vessel only). Entertainment onboard is more low-key than on other NCL ships, which are known for their Broadway musicals and high-gloss production shows. Aboard Pride of America, performances are limited to vocalists, comedians, movie screenings, and game-show-like contests.
NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line's ship Pride of America restarts from Honolulu on April 9
The Gold Rush Saloon is a favorite watering hole, even though its bar service has been temporarily suspended. The rustic cabin vibe might be better served in Alaska, though, making this a perfect spot to eventually place a tiki bar instead. Mandara Spa was the first place we visited after checking into our cabin, I wanted to make sure I secured a massage slot! The salon offers extensive treatments including massage rituals, pedicures and manicures and hair styling. Passes can be bought to access the new Thermal Suite with heated chaise lounge chairs, huge showers, sauna and steam room. Alternatively, several other companies offer Shore Excursions.
You’ll likely pay a much higher per night cruise fare on the Pride of America than other ships that sail to/from Hawaii. Pride of America crew members are paid more, enjoy labor protections foreign workers do not, and turnover is higher, leading to increased cruise fares. Our total 7-night fare on the Pride of America was nearly double what we paid for a 15-night sailing on the Grand Princess round-trip to Hawaii from San Fransisco. In fact, it was our most expensive vacation ever (factoring in the expense of getting to and from Honolulu by air). Decor-wise, we liked the restaurants and lounges that had a “Hawaiian-feel” to them, but there weren’t many places onboard like that.
This is the only stop on the cruise where a tender boat is utilized. The short stop POA makes off the coast of Kailua-Kona is wonderful. The views are spectacular and the historic town is a nice place to stroll for a bit. The patriotic ambiance of the ship remains, as does its U.S.A.-themed public spaces. Still great is the S/S America Library and its historical passenger ship exhibits.
The Pride of America offers plenty of restaurants and lounges to enjoy throughout the one-week itinerary. This link describes all the complimentary (included in your cruise) restaurants on board and this link lists the specialty ($) dining options. As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to holiday on your schedule. We help guests find great shore excursions across all Hawaiian Islands. Please fill out this form to help organize your vacation to Hawaii.
Shore Excursions Galore
When each Hawaiian island offers so much to see and do for a week-long land vacation, how do you best spend your limited hours at each port? We’ve gone on many land vacations in Hawaii and we’ve taken the NCL Pride of America cruise of Hawaii, so we know Hawaii very, very well. As such, we’d like to share some thoughts and suggestions on the top tours to do in each port. Many guests arrive and stay for a couple of nights before or after in Waikiki. We recommend coming in a couple of days prior so you can enjoy the island of Oahu and then fly out the day the ship returns to port.
– As we mentioned above, for some fun, we love the Mountain Tubing Adventure. You would need to get their first tour at 9am to make this feasible for day two of your stop in Kauai. – Kalapaki Beach is a nice beach and just a short (approximately 0.5 miles) walk or shuttle ride from the cruise terminal.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line, before ending the current cruise in Honolulu on April 20, 2024, the 2005-built vessel is set to make a shortened visit to Nawiliwili. One of the most fascinating attractions in all of Hawaii is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s a park that is worthy of exploring for more than just a day, but as you’ll likely only have a day here, you’ll get to see some of the park’s highlights. Don’t miss it, especially if you have the opportunity to see volcanic activity. Please get in touch with us if you want to extend your stay in Hawaii before or after your Norwegian Cruise Lines – Pride Of America cruise.
While you might see people wearing beautiful leis at the airport in Honolulu and be tempted to purchase one, hold your horses (or your luggage in this case). You will receive a free fresh flower lei for women (pictured above) or a shell lei for men as you enter the cruise terminal. You’ll also have the opportunity to make additional leis later in the cruise (I’ll get to that shortly). Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their “freestyle” dining.
In addition to a fresh paint job in patriotic colors, the interior resembles that of a five-star resort. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your very own sweeping balcony. Inside, your private, spacious room is well-appointed with style.
Cruise lines skip Maui port calls - TravelMole
Cruise lines skip Maui port calls.
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
And when all is said and done, enjoy a pamper session at Mandara Spa. With so much to do, we'll always have you coming back for more. The cruise companies have excursions to see Pearl Harbor and some Honolulu sites with an airport drop-off. That is worth doing if you can fit it in and if you didn’t allow extra days on Oahu. If you are on the Pride of America, this is the port where the ship has arranged the option to go on a luau.
The photo above may cause introverts to run, hyperventilating, to the nearest paper bag (I’m breathing into one right now!). If you prefer a more private and serene place to relax, hit the sun decks above the Lido for comfortable and more secluded lounging options. Look closely at the above photo and spot the tiny red fish swimming in the wrong direction near where the carpet transitions to a different pattern.
The roundtrip itinerary calls at the most exotic islands in the popular travel destination – Hawaii, Kauai and Maui, with several optional shore excursions in the region. On her standard 7-night itinerary, Pride of America provides overnights on Kauai and Maui, as well as calls at Kona and Hilo, and an afternoon sailing of Napali Coast. If you do decide to dine at a specialty restaurant, be sure to book your preferred time early as the popular times fill up fast. A variety of enrichment lectures, activities, and crafts will be hosted by the ship’s Hawaii ambassador, a local resident of the islands.
As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to holiday on your timetable . Visit four Hawaiian Islands and five ports in seven days whilst you cruise through paradise in style. As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to vacation on your schedule. Visit four Hawaiian Islands and five ports in seven days while you cruise through paradise in style. Cruise line excursions are expensive and sometimes feel crowded and rushed. However, many cruise passengers are nervous about booking tours or exploring ports on their own for fear of missing the ship and becoming an unwilling youtube star as they desperately flail around on land, “wait, wait!
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