I made a very detailed blog review here:
https://adventuresandmisgivings.wordpress.com/
And a vlog here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBglg7OHEeg42GMtigyI4Vc_NAn6tYbbc
In summary:
I hope you don’t think I am a Debbie Downer complaining about everything. I really do have some amazing memories from our trip. But that was likely our one and only trip to Hawaii, and I made quite a few planning mistakes, and a few travel vendors had terrible customer service failures.
If I had to do it all over again, I would spend half the trip on Hawaii and the other half in Waikiki and skip the cruise altogether.
The cruise has several great features- you do get to see the 4 big islands (if the weather permits), you get a free lava flow cruise (I didn’t!), and a free Na Pali Coast cruise, hula lessons, lei making classes, and a hula show.
Where NCL falls far short is their insistence on making this cruise just like any other cruise. This ship only goes to Hawaii. The ship is American themed, and I know Hawaii is the 50th State and all, but I didn’t fly all this way to eat New England clam chowder. Hawaii is culturally and physically a world apart from the East Coast. The food on the islands was knock your socks off incredible, and there’s zero reasons why this can’t be continued on board. Even the fruit on board isn’t fresh Hawaiian fruit.
We never once saw our cruise director. There was very little to do on the ship. Once I was denied entrance to the pool because the crew was having a water volleyball match. Excuse me?
NCL America has to step up their guest services level. Most of the crew were on 4 month contracts and they didn’t CARE about losing their job. A ship full of temp workers isn’t going to be out to impress. And for all the garbage advertising they put in my door, they could have sent a note that said hey we are having some plumbing issues we hope to fix it by whenever. Honestly, I don’t think the crew communicated well with each other either, so this is a systemic problem coming from management.
It wasn’t a terrible cruise. I’ve been on worse by far. However this cruise cost two or three times what I’ve paid for much better cruises. Don’t charge Disney prices and follow up with Motel 6 service.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
No porters to take your bags. You had to haul your luggage to a baggage drop off room yourself. We have priority boarding with NCL but were not given any priority in line. The line wasn’t bad though.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
East Meets West was excellent. Key West Bar was okay. Jefferson’s Bistro was okay. Cadillac Diner was so disappointing. Liberty & Skyline were pretty terrible. When your steak arrives already covered in a mysterious nasty steak sauce, and it’s so bad you can’t stomach it, you know you should have just went to the buffet. Breakfast buffet was okay. Recommend eating off ship as often as possible.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
There wasn’t much available. The putting green was about ten feet by ten feet. Not that there were any clubs or balls available. The pool was often closed for crew volleyball games. There was a fitness center.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Polynesian Aloha had performers come on the ship from Maui and it was very good. A local Maui band came on board and played by the pool and they were great. The Hawaii cultural ambassadors were excellent. Never once saw the cruise director.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Most people on the ship were on a 4 month contract. A ship full of temps. It ran about that smoothly. My room steward was nice, but front desk were terrible. The water to our cabin was shut off every night and we didnt get a sorry or a letter or an explanation. I was given flat out false information by the front desk several times, either a bald face lie or complete ignorance, but it wasn’t appreciated.
The waiters for the most part seemed to still be in the game, but a few looked like me- ready to get off the ship for good.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
It looked clean and maintained. The carpet didn’t match and I suspect and hope they were just systematically replacing it.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Obstructed ocean view. Got the cabin behind the little lifeboat. It was plenty big.
Ship tip
Don’t do it... Pick an island. Go there. Relax. Eat good food.
Spent 3 days on Oahu before the cruise. Our favorite island. Driving was the worst I’ve ever experienced. Took 2 hours to get anywhere. Don’t attempt if prone to anxiety or panic attacks. Kualoa Ranch, Waimea Valley, Chief’s Luau are all highlights. Did the Monarch’s Tour shore excursion after the cruise and they refused to drop us off at the airport afterwards even though it was in my confirmation letter that they would. Shame on Roberts Hawaii.
It was lovely. Did the cloud forest hike. It was ok. Had more fun in town. Swim in the water right at the port! Outrigger canoe rides. Good food. Beautiful town.
Great port with a free shuttle into town. The town is microscopic but it’s better than the ship. Did Best of Kauai through the ship. The bus was so dirty on the outside I couldn’t take photos from in the bus. Great tour though. The next day did the Kauai Movie Tour through the ship and while the locations were beautiful the tour itself felt lackluster. The driver was messing with the movie screen while he was driving. That scared me. It really needed a driver and a separate guide. I hadn’t seen or heard of most of the movies highlighted on the tour.
We loved every cruise on the Pride, worlds only USA cruise ship. Going on 6th Pride cruise in few months. Odd complaints. Only US ship so it does not have to go to foreign port during stops. All supplies have to be shipped 2500 miles to Hawaii. Not a supply problem anywhere else for cruises. We never had a bad meal even in buffet. Pool volleyball of guests vs crew only one afternoon. There is another pool on the stern. Lots of events during day and evening on board. We never can do all and have to plan. Not as big as many cruise ships so it can get into island ports but nice to meet so many travellers and make new friends.
Totally opposite of our experiences. We've done this itinerary twice in the past two years and it's been wonderful both times. It's one of our favorite cruises. We love everything about it. Staff was friendly, servers were amazing, food was delicious, we even got to have an informal conversation with the Captain while in Kauai as he was enjoying a walk with his little boy. We felt as though they all cared about our experience. Best way to see Hawaii in my opinion.
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