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When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 specialty treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services. Modern, comfortable and stylish staterooms with nice appointments throughout, including a window with clear views of the ocean.
Hilo (Big Island) Shore Excursions
The Hollywood Theatre, located on Deck 5 forward, is just one story and fairly small, with excellent sight lines. A bank of chairs has been set aside for mobility-impaired passengers. One deck above the theatre, Mardi Gras is the venue for funky-themed parties and smaller shows. By day, it shows movies, hosts lectures, dance classes and other events. Kids are allowed in Mardi Gras until 11 p.m., at which time it is 18 and older only. Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).
Balcony
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:16:17 GMT [source]
The Aloha Cafe (buffet) on the Pride of America was very crowded during breakfast hours as everyone was trying to grab a quick bite before heading out to port. For a more relaxing experience (and better food, in my opinion), eat breakfast in the Skyline dining room. The Hawaii Beverage Package includes most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including boxed water which is nice to have for port days) up to $15 (and you’ll just pay the difference for any drinks over $15). Note that you will pay tax on the retail price of each drink while at port in Hawaii. Most of the items on the bill I have posted above are tax charges on our drinks.
Hilo – Big Island
Pride of America (POA) is based in the Hawaiian Islands and cruises from Honolulu Harbor at 5 PM on Saturday and returns at 7 AM the following Saturday. Guests who come in the day before, or leave the day after have a full day to explore the island. 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.
Pride Of America Shore Excursions
Kona is a tender port, meaning the ship will anchor out in the open ocean and you’ll need to board a smaller boat to ferry you to shore. 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. We particularly enjoyed the flower lei making class, offered for free, that included plentiful and beautiful fresh flowers. We each made one and used them to decorate our cabin for the remainder of our voyage.
However, the significant expense involved in getting to and from Honolulu makes booking the Pride of America unique. Second, because the Pride of America has to abide by all American labor laws, the majority of crew members will be Americans, unlike other cruise ships that employ mostly foreign workers. The restart of Pride of America, some eight months later, is no less important. The very fact that this is being written onboard this ship as we sail the (admittedly stormy) seas between Kahului and Hilo is nothing short of miraculous. Our Lyft driver in Lihue spoke of regretting sleeping in on Thursday morning; he wasn't aware Pride of America was coming back this week. Shopkeepers at a local artisan store in Kilauea-Kona told us the ship played an important role in tourism in Hawaii, which is finally starting to expand beyond domestic visitors once again.
Avoid Deck 8 Balcony Cabins
HBO fans might recognize the landscape from the miniseries "White Lotus", which was filmed at the Four Seasons Wailea. In addition, the Skyline Main Dining Room is only open for dinner. Otherwise, the dining options for breakfast and lunch are the Aloha Café, the ship's buffet located on Deck 11 aft; and the Cadillac Diner, a surprisingly-great little spot of Americana tucked away on Deck 6 amidships. We always enjoy Hawaii regional cuisine at restaurants in Hawaii, but we didn’t find anything like that on the ship. At the Aloha Cafe on the final evening, they tried to have a “Taste of Hawaii” dinner, but it was disappointing. So, from a culinary standpoint, the ship doesn’t offer a true Hawaiian experience.
Cruise lines cancel voyages and reduce passenger capacity due to crew shortages
When Pride of America cast off its lines on April 9, the ship carried just 50 percent of its total passenger capacity on its triumphant return to this slice of Paradise. Setting sail on Pride of America's first voyage back, Cruise Critic found a ship that has matured considerably since it first entered service -- one that can hold its own against the inherent charms of Hawaii itself. For more insight into the cruise experience, check out our Pride of America Hawaii cruise video. So, those were all kind of first-world problems, but still, when you’re paying for a good experience and not getting it, it’s disappointing. Sometimes we had issues flushing the toilet and once in the middle of the night, we didn’t have any water at all. Our balcony room sleeps two people comfortably and a third with the pull out sofa bed.
The Roundtrip Honolulu Itinerary is a Winner
Norwegian Cruise Line to Resume Calls to Destination Hit by Wildfires - Cruise Hive
Norwegian Cruise Line to Resume Calls to Destination Hit by Wildfires.
Posted: Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
"Being the only cruise line to sail year-round from Hawai’i, we’re thrilled to be back at last," said Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer Harry Sommer in a statement released Monday. "Pride of America will once again offer thoroughly immersive itineraries and deeply authentic experiences that support business and tourism in Hawai’i, while providing travelers with everything they seek from a vacation in paradise." The 2005-built Pride of America is the only large-scale, U.S.-flagged ship in the entire cruise industry.
You will have some time, probably a couple of hours, from when you leave the dock to when you can see the Na Pali Coast. Check with guest relations for their estimated timing for that day. Seeing sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level on a dormant volcano is quite a unique experience. If your ship stays overnight on Maui, day two would be your only option for seeing sunrise from Haleakala. Guests wish they had more time on this island, the two days will not feel like enough.
Expect to be scolded for nearly everything you might do pierside -- including calling an Uber or Lyft. Only taxis are allowed within the dock gates; a long hike down a service road awaits -- in every port -- to board your rideshare service. While many are still learning the ropes (and some are on their first-ever voyage), we found the predominantly American crew aboard Pride of America to be friendly and hardworking. American crewmembers are supplemented by a smattering of international crew, who set the tone for professionalism and dedication to service. And what they may lack in polish (right now), they make up for in enthusiasm. It's hard to fault a crew who are trying their level best to ensure guests have a great vacation.
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. One more point regarding time and tours, don’t try to be overly ambitious with the tours you choose that are outside of what the cruise ship offers.
This cruise makes a two-day port of call with the ship docked at the pier the whole time. Guests will have up to 35 hours to explore Maui, leaving at 5 PM the following day. On the second day, you can get up early and watch the sunrise on Haleakala or ride out to Molokini for a snorkeling tour and even see humpback whales from Jan to April. Beach towels will not be provided in your cabin or freely available on loungers like you may be used to on other lines and ships. We've been surprised at just how relaxing this experience has been.
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