Overpriced, too many issues with the food and accommodations, and an old ship. It was obvious that the crew is exhausted as they work 7 days a week for 5 months. It came across in the attitude of several.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
We got on the ship with little delay and our room was read within 2 hours but we didn't get our luggage for more than 5 hours.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
On three occasions we have stomach and other problems after eating in the Skyline Dining Room and Aloha Cafe. One of those problems caused us to missed our Maui Beach Day Excursion and we did not get reimbursed for that cost. Food was greasy, bacon was always broken up bits, and usually cool to the touch. Unimpressed. We were unable to get reservations for premium restaurants being told they were booked but every time we passed these restaurants there were always many empty tables.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
All music and food was placed at the front pool for the non-smokers. There was only one place for the smokers and that was at the back of the ship with a very small pool. There was only music from a radio...no bands and no food was ever put out. We had to walk down two levels if we wanted food. The drinks were extremely overpriced...$14.95 for a captain morgan and diet coke...and it tasted like pure diet coke. For the amount of money we spent on the cruise itself and the onboard charges, we could have spent a week in a suite at the Ritz Carlton, including food and drink.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
A couple of good singers in the lounge areas inside but only radio on the outside deck in the back of the boat. Most of the entertainment was for kids.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Many had an attitude. Bartenders catered mostly to their favorites. Until we started tipping upfront (before service) we were invisible most days. Guest services was 50/50. Some were extremely friendly and accommodating whereas others were clearly annoyed when you spoke with them.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Our toilet was out of service on two separate days. The only (1) bathroom down by the pool/smoker's lounge was always out of order or out of toilet paper, and it smelled most of the time. Our room was clean and tidy. The ship felt old and out-of-date.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Beds were comfortable. Stateroom was clean and tidy every day but sometimes our room wasn't made up at 1-2 PM when we left at 8 AM. So we had to leave to give her time to complete the service. For the most part, the room was okay, except when the toilet was out of order two separate days for a "ship" issue.
Ship tip
Book a resort instead. The excursions are expensive and leave much to be desired.
The first day in port, we rented a car and made our own excursion so we could see exactly what we wanted. The second day in Maui we had a Beach Day Excursion that we could not attend because of food illness. We were told we could be reimbursed for our expenses if the ship's doctor stamped our excursion tickets. We went to the Level 3 Medical Center three times and it was always closed so we could not get our tickets stamped and DID NOT get reimbursed.
We did two excursions and were disappointed in both. We were driven through run down areas and shown buildings that were abandoned and destroyed (i.e. hotel from Blue Hawaii). The first excursion was a full day ending in the Luau. The Luau show was excellent! The waterfall was so far away we would barely see it. Most time was spent driving through horrible areas. The second excursion was half day and most of the sites were the same as the day before except it ended at the Fern Grotto, which was nice. Both drivers even told the same jokes.
We carried our own luggage off so we could leave at any time...when the line was quiet. We didn't have to search for our luggage in a "sea of bags" when we got off.
We have been on Pride of America twice and second time was with our children and their partners - fabulous time was had by all. We travelled a long way from Australia and if cruise had been as bad as you made out, we definitely would not have returned a second time. Perhaps cruising is not for you. 🍹
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