Hawaii is magical

Pride of America Cruise Review to Hawaii

MDregely

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 150

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Hawaii (Honolulu Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 27, 2017

Ship: Pride of America

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 8500

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The best part of this cruise for me was the Big Island. Volcano National Park was amazing and had active lava flow while we were there. Kona was incredible. Sea turtles were everywhere while driving and stopping on the side of the road to explore the black lava coast. Please know that when you get to Kona you will need to be tendered into port so allow extra time. My advice is to get off early and walk over to Lava Java for breakfast. Great food at an open air, on the coast restaurant with a live musician playing a Ukolele. Then head over to Fun in the Sun Rentalz and rent mopeds to cruise Kona. It's pretty inexpensive and great service and they offer military discounts. You can also rent snorkel gear here too for $5. Then moped over to Kahalu'u Beach Park for some excellent snorkeling... for free. My son had curious sea turtles swimming right up to him.

The cruise ship itself was fine. It's basically a floating hotel. You don't really spend much time aboard. There was one night that we went to a magic show and it was pretty good. The musicians were cruise ship standard. The bartenders at the Waikiki Bar are pretty entertaining and fun. If you are a smoker, you will get to know them well as this is the only place you can smoke aboard. If you are heading to Hawaii on the Pride of America, say hello to Marla from Connecticut and Dave from Hawaii at the Waikiki Bar.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

This is a large suite with walk in closet and soaking tub in the bathroom with a shower as well. Extra 1/2 bath off of the living room. The living room is plenty big enough for 2 roll away beds plus the 4 seat round table. The balcony is extremely windy but has a jacuzzi tub. The view is slightly obstructed because there is a steel wall to cut the wind. This suite will give you the BEST view of the lava flow on the Big Island and the NaPali'i Coast on Kauai.

Ship tip

Remember, you will need to get a tender ticket for a time to get off the ship in Kona. Get an early time so you can maximize your time in Kona. Go to Kona Brewing Company for lunch. The pizza is delicious! The beer is pretty ok too. ;)

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Honolulu, Oahu

5 out of 5

I love Waikiki. Go to the Hula Girl Grill at the Outrigger at sunset for dinner. You will not be disappointed.

Thumbs Up 4

Kahului, Maui

5 out of 5

Don't do an excursion from the ship for the Road to Hana. Go to discount Hawaii car rental online and rent yourself a Jeep Wrangler and download the Gypsy Guide Road to Hanna app. It's a guided tour through the app and it's awesome. Just make sure you bring a blue tooth speaker because you can't plug your phone into the car unless you have an aux jack (IPhone 7 & 7 plus, you need a speaker)

Thumbs Up 6

Hilo, Hawaii

5 out of 5

Again, discount Hawaii car rental and Jeep on over to Volcano National Park. Get the Gypsy guide app for the Big Island and it will direct you to all the must see areas. I suggest going to the Punaluu Beach Park first to see the black sand and sea turtles and then make your way to the Volcanos.

Thumbs Up 10

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

5 out of 5

Lava java for breakfast. Rent mopeds from Fun in the Sun Rentalz. Get snorkel equipment there too. Head over to Kahalu'u Beach _ark for some great free snorkeling!

Thumbs Up 4

Nawiliwili, Kauai

5 out of 5

Waimea Canyon in the early morning was breath taking! It truly is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Shipwreck beach was the perfect place to finish our vacation. If you go when the king tides are there, where a one piece, clothing is not optional but the current and tide pull of the ocean doesn't know that! I was in the water for about 15 minutes before I realized nature was winning and wanted my bathing suit bottoms as a trophy.

Thumbs Up 11