Rooms need updating and Specialty Restaurants need new cooks!!!

Pride of America Cruise Review to Hawaii

dkluick

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Hawaii (Honolulu Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 23, 2016

Ship: Pride of America

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9626

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We have been on numerous (over 25) cruises and although we enjoyed the Itinerary, we were very disappointed in the ship. The rooms were very small with very little closet space. The couches were so worn they looked dirty and we did not want to sit on it. The towels had holes in them. The carpet was worn. For what we paid for this trip I truly expected more. We went to the specialty restaurants and they were all good except the Italian restaurant. Food needed to be sent back twice - cold and dried out. They did comp us for this meal but we were celebrating our 45th Wedding Anniversary so you can imagine our disappointment.

This is our first NCL Cruise - I think it will be our last.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

The food in the main dining room was cold and repetitive. Nothing special even for the Captains Dinner.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

The ship was very tired. The cabins needed to be updated as the couches looked dirty and worn and so did the towels and carpet. Rooms were very small compared to others that we have stayed in.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

See above

Ship tip

The Italian Specialty dining room was a big disappointment. Cold and dried out both times we sent it back. They did end up not charging us, but we were celebrating our 45th Wedding Anniversary and we were looking forward to a great meal. Never happened.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Honolulu, Oahu

3 out of 5

Kahului, Maui

5 out of 5

Hilo, Hawaii

5 out of 5

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

5 out of 5

Nawiliwili, Kauai

5 out of 5

15 Comments

jimreed 8 years ago

Treat it for what it is. I'm using the POA as a taxi around the islands after I stay a week in Waikiki. Not expecting anything extravagant. I'm especially not going to complain about a port being an industrial port, that's quite common. No cruise line can build thier own port every place the sail to.

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1prettyflower 8 years ago

That is so good to hear! We can't wait for this cruise .Hopefully after dry dock all the reviews will be good.

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pennpam 8 years ago

We just got back. Never once had a bad experience with ANY staff anywhere. They were friendly, helpful and competent. I cannot figure out why people keep saying things about how bad they are. What are the specifics. I found them fun and willing to engage. I cannot think of one time when any of the staff did something that was offensive or different than other cruise ship staff. I would recommend i

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melbry 8 years ago

My understanding is all other ships aren't registered in the US and therefore must either cruise out of, say, Vancouver or if out of the west coast, must make an "international" stop. The POA is the only US registered ship to my knowledge and I'd imagine the laws (think labor laws) that go with that are not worth it to the other cruise lines?

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melbry 8 years ago

I actually think the reviews are mixed. In fact, over on cruisecritic dot com, they are. for one greatly enjoyed my time on the POA. I wrote an extensive review over there under the name mel-b. I also believe I had proper expectations going into it. We used the POA as a means to an end. It was a floating hotel. I'm hopeful there will be improvements after dry dock

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littlescraper 8 years ago

Miss flower I was hoping the ship may improve, but the sour reviews keep coming . Dose someone know why POA has THE HAWAII market cornered an dose a poor job ? Yet its mostly filled I know its nonrefundable. You should get a hold of N C L . Let them know of all negative feedback on this site. I would not suggest this ship to anyone Let's hope the drydock makes great improvements Maybe the staff for a refresher course !

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travelinr0se 8 years ago

I am booked on the POA out of San Francisco Repositioning POA to the islands on March 15, 2016. It will be in dry dock in SF and according to the following post shared on another site, some of these issues mentioned will be addressed.

Originally Posted by Bennett'sCruise

"Ship: Pride of America

Dates: February 20 - March 15, 2016 Dry Dock
Details: In its first major refresh since the ship launched in 2005, most of Pride of America's restaurants will be redecorated, the Mandara Spa will be revamped, a new wedding chapel will be added and suites and staterooms will get new bedding, televisions, and furniture."
ALSO: under the new Norwegian Edge program enhanced menus/cuisine will be added. Should make everyone happy. Hopefully.....

With this information I am hoping for the best, as I couldn't resist taking this repositioning cruise out of SF. I

took the Norweigian Jade on an 18 day b2b in the Mediterranean 2 years ago & swore I would never do NCL again, mostly for the same reasons shown in the negative reviews. I have been on 2 cruised since then & stand by my thoughts on NCL having the worst food of any cruise line. I am looking forward to giving them another chance... and, well, if its awful, at least I am in Hawaii :)

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sharp352 8 years ago

This is our first and last NCL cruise. The Pride of America is in desperate need of repairs. It's extremely outdated and there's nothing to do. The first stop in Maui was at an industrial port. Nothing close enough to visit and the price of the excursions is outrageous!!

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littlescraper 8 years ago

1prettyflower As your cruise nears, try not expecting a glamorous trip. But It is a great way to see the islands My biggest problem was the staff.. It's sad to say , I feel it's because of mostly Americans. No PRIDE It's not a terrible cruise. Just the worst I've been on . RC has earned my business !

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dahster1256 8 years ago

Me and my wife went on it 2 years and have a theory. The POA is actually registered in the US so the majority of the crew are must be American. The other NCL cruises we have been on had better service on the crew. There were individuals that were exceptional, but overall the crew we thought were mediocre. The other cruises we went on with NCL (ships registered in the Caribbean ) had been better service from the crew. Those ships had a majority of foreign crew. We had a great time but noticed that the American crew did not have the same view of customer service that the foreign crews had. As an American, it is sad but true.

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mscieslak 8 years ago

coffee maker never worked. comfy bed and strawberry short cake was good. Food was very disappointing even in the steakhouse. We would not do this cruise again. Usually after they are in dry dock they update all that I am complaining about. No matter what you will love the islands.

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mscieslak 8 years ago

we had a suite and never seen our butler until Wednesday. the furniture was worn out and coffee makerour bed was comfortable and

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1prettyflower 8 years ago

We are cruising in April after dry dock ,now I'm worried about the big dollars we spent on this cruise.We have paid 500. and 700. on Carnival ships and had great food and Entertainment and great service! This cruise hopefully will not disappoint us .

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mscieslak 8 years ago

I Agee with you. Loved the islands but the ship was horrible.

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melbry 8 years ago

Pride of America is an anomaly. Do not use this ship as a measure against NCL or their other ships. The POA is a means to an end..a great way to view four Hawaiian islands in a week.

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