Not what I thought!

Pride of America Cruise Review to Hawaii

jspat07

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 29

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Hawaii (Honolulu Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 18, 2015

Ship: Pride of America

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9002

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Don't waste your money on a balcony! You travel at night and when you are in port all you see are container trucks and fuel tanks!

Buffet food was good but the dinning room food was very disappointing.Very little effort was put into their menu.The dinning room menu makes you look at the specialty restaurants for variety.(for $35 more)

All staff were very friendly and helpful and shore excursions were good(especially the Road to Hana) in Maui.

Keep in mind,if you plan on getting off the ship in ports you will need a taxi,rental car or excursion to see anything.

There were lots of hidden expenses to this trip.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Buffet good.dinning room lousy

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Friendly and helpful

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Room 9002 is right side of ship as far forward as you can go. This side of the ship faces terrible views(from a balcony) Do not waste your money on a balcony this side of the ship.Trust me !!

Ship tip

Eat at the buffet or prepare to pay extra for specialty dinning restaurants for a somewhat good,dinning experience.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Honolulu, Oahu

1 out of 5

Crowded and noisy.Pear Harbor is a must see!

Thumbs Up 5

Kahului, Maui

5 out of 5

Hilo, Hawaii

3 out of 5

6 Comments

pennpam 9 years ago

Yup, that's what I thought. We have never been hit with anything hidden!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

brendacc 9 years ago

There really are no hidden expenses, if you do your homework. All extras, including the Daily Service Charges ( gratuities ) are on the website. Things like Specialty Dining, alcohol, bingo, are extra like on any ship. I like to call the extras "choices". So nice to have!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

pennpam 9 years ago

Ok, now you hooked me. What were the hidden expenses. We booked a balcony a while ago and now the rates for an inside room are almost what we paid for the balcony. We are not willing to budge on the balcony thing, though I totally get what you are saying. We like to be up early and the balcony is good for us. Also like the fresh air all the time.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

brendacc 9 years ago

Hawaii is one of the most inexpensive places to visit. Why? Because most of Hawaii is "drive up", beaches, mountains, canyons, ,etc. For a $60 rental car, I can see multiple things in 1 day, no excursions needed. We spent very long days ashore, sometime enjoying dinner on the island. We found the buffet food excellent, but I love specialties, $15 to $30 and well worth it.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

WeCruiseToo 9 years ago

Aloha! Granted this would also be an added expense, but when cruising Hawaii we eat many meals ashore (there are a couple of over-nights, so even breakfast and dinner are possible). The food can be unlike what you’d find anywhere else and there are some truly amazing restaurants. Mahalo!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

glomarrone 9 years ago

Just wanted to let everyone know that if you visit the USS Alabama at Pearl Harbor, you cannot take very much with you - maybe a small camera. Leave packages, backpacks, large purses in your car or coach.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag