Unfortunately, this is the only cruise available around Hawaii

Item: Pride of America
Rating: 3
Author: donream

Pride of America Cruise Review to Hawaii

donream

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Hawaii (Honolulu Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 18, 2016

Ship: Pride of America

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 7614

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Main dining food portions were a joke, and service was extremely slow. Ate in the buffet most of the time. Food there was good, and the service very friendly. Charging for "premium" meals" in the main dining room was also a joke! NCL charges a fee or gratuity for almost everything. Probably will not take another NCL cruise. Teen club was dominated by older teenage boys with a lot of cussing, and nothing was done about it. Our two younger teenagers decided they didn't want to go to the teen club because of this. This ship had the most cramped staterooms of any ship we've been on (8 cruises total). We had a "partial ocean view" room. A lifeboat outside the window totally obstructed any view of the ocean! This stateroom was no better than an inside cabin with no window. The shore excursions were fine.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Main dining room has small portions and slow service. Steaks and lobster, that was included in all of our other cruises, is now considered a "premium" meal, and costs extra. A small lobster costs $35 with service fee and gratuity. A cheap $10 bottle of California red blend wine, costs $51with service charge and gratuity. There is a service charge and gratuity added to almost everything you purchase onboard. Ate in buffet most of the time. Food was better with great variety, and friendly service.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Teen club was dominated by older teenage boys with a lot of cussing, and nothing was done about it. Our two younger teenagers decided they didn't want to go to the teen club because of this. One of our two younger grand kids (8 years old) has a nut allergy that requires pills or an epipen if nuts are eaten. We explained this to the Kid's Club attendent, informed the ship of this issue prior to the trip, and explained to the attendant that the child knew what to do. The Kid's Club attendant freaked out, and scared the hell out of him in front of us by the things she was saying. Consequently, neither grand child would go to the Kid's Club.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

This ship had the most cramped staterooms of any ship we've been on (8 cruises total). We had a "partial ocean view" room. A lifeboat outside the window totally obstructed ANY view of the ocean! This stateroom was no better than an inside cabin with no window. It should have been priced that way.

Ship tip

If you have the money, see the individual islands by land. Unfortunately, this is the only cruise around the islands. Norwegian Cruise Lines has an exclusive contract with the government of Hawaii to be the only cruise line to operate there. I guess they pay more for the privilege.

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