8 Reasons Why Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America Does Hawaii Best

Table Of Content

• Touring the road to Hana with Valley Isle Excursions
• Is Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America a good ship to cruise on?
• Search and you shall (hopefully) find!
• It sails shorter itineraries.
• My favorite thing to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
• Maui Shore Excursions
• The best Hawaiian island excursions on NCL Pride of America and other Hawaii cruises

As the only U.S. flagged cruise ship, Pride of America sails year round from Honolulu, giving you the freedom and flexibility to holiday on your schedule. The 2200-passenger ship Pride of America became operational in 2005 as the first USA-flagged cruise ship to be built in more than 50 years. The unique thing about the vessel is that its crew and officers are from America or US citizens.

Touring the road to Hana with Valley Isle Excursions

Norwegian Replaces Calls to Maui, Pledges Donations - Cruise Critic

Norwegian Replaces Calls to Maui, Pledges Donations.

Posted: Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

As you journey from one exotic island to the next, learn about the Hawaiian culture through the eyes of native ambassadors on board our ship. Come aboard and learn why no one does Hawai'i like Norwegian. Come aboard Pride of America, our only cruise ship that sails round trip from Honolulu year-round so you can holiday on your schedule.

Is Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America a good ship to cruise on?

It’s nice that you don’t have to worry about individual plastic containers and that’s a win for the environment. It would have been better to have had a name brand soap and shampoo or something with a tropical scent to fit the Hawaiian Islands, instead of of what appears as a mass-produced, inexpensive product. There are quite a few options, from interior rooms without views, rooms with picture windows and rooms with balconies. Some rooms with windows or balconies have obstructed views and are noted in the room category.

Search and you shall (hopefully) find!

The spacious vibe is also helped by the fact that most of the ship empties when in port, and the ship is in port every day. As of early June, only Cagney's Steakhouse and Jefferson Bistro are open, along with complimentary dining venues Skyline Main Dining Room, Aloha Café, and Cadillac Diner. One of the most popular hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is the 4-mile roundtrip Kīlauea Iki Trail. This would give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Years ago, we wrote this article — I only have one day on Kauai. It’s still good advice as you’d get to see the Kalalau Valley Lookout, Waimea Canyon, Spouting Horn and two of Kauai’s most iconic waterfalls — Opaeka’a and Wailua Falls .

It sails shorter itineraries.

We chose a balcony room with a non-obstructed view for our cruise. While it’s considered a non-obstructed room, we felt that the view of the lifeboat wasn’t exactly unobstructed. You don't have to pay admission to the Maui Ocean Center ($39.95 for adults/$26.95 for children) to dine, but if you love aquariums consider a visit; the new 3-D "Humpbacks of Hawaii" immersive experience in The Sphere is captivating.

A limited number of beverages are included in the standard cruise fare. Regular coffee, tea and ice water are generally your only “free” options, except some fruit juices at the breakfast buffet. The package we booked included a free perk of the “Hawaii Beverage Package” which included bottled water, sodas, beer, wine and mixed-drinks up to $15. A 20% service charge was applied to our package prior to the cruise. With any cruise in Hawaii, you’re only going to get to see a few highlights of each island and that’s it. There’s far more to see and do on every island than what can be toured in just one or even two days!

If you are not taking the Pride of America’s cruise of Hawaii and are visiting from another ship, please verify that our suggested tours and activities align with the time constraints of your cruise ship’s itinerary. As the Pride of America cruise of Hawaii is quite popular, we’ll roughly follow their itinerary as we look at each port. Note that this cruise is the only one that continuously cruises within the Hawaiian islands.

Maui Shore Excursions

Spring and fall are slower travel months and ideal times to visit the park. Trekking conditions are much more comfortable without the intense summer heat and you’ll likely find better airfare prices and hotel rates at nearby hotels. The park does get a surge of visitors during spring break and around the weekend of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long hula competition based in Hilo around late March or early April. The busiest travel seasons in Hawaiʻi are summer and winter – summer is peak vacation time for families and winter lures travelers eager to escape colder climes.

The best Hawaiian island excursions on NCL Pride of America and other Hawaii cruises

The boat has 14 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins. This is a bucket-list trip for many, and the star of the show -- onboard and ashore -- is Hawaii itself. Those looking for a late-night libation will have to head on over to Pink's Champagne Bar on Deck 6 (open until Midnight), or the bar within the Mardi Gras Lounge, which is open "until late". During my evening walkabouts around the ship, I've also noticed new LED-lighting fixtures in elevator banks and lobbies and new wall treatments.

In fact, it was our most expensive vacation ever (factoring in the expense of getting to and from Honolulu by air). Because Pride of America is based in Hawaii, it wastes no time getting there and, therefore, moves at a less frenetic and more relaxing pace than other ships, opting not to rush from port to port. Passengers booked on one of its standard seven-night voyages can expect two overnights -- one on Maui and one on Kauai -- as well as two days on the island of Hawaii (Big Island), with one day in Hilo and the other in Kona.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adjusts Itineraries Due to Lahaina Devastation - Cruise Hive

Norwegian Cruise Line Adjusts Itineraries Due to Lahaina Devastation.

Posted: Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

For a ship that’s dedicated to sailing within the Hawaiian Islands every day of the year for many years, it sure could use more Hawaiian or tropical decor. While this itinerary visits four islands, first-timers should plan for at least two nights on Oahu—home to Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Fly in early, book a hotel in Waikiki and try your hand at surfing or outrigger canoe paddling. If you feel energetic, reserve a time (early morning is best) to hike to the summit of Diamond Head for panoramic views. Or visit Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum to experience the royal Hawaii of old. With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favorite may take a few days.

The weather on the Islands doesn’t vary much, with temperatures fluctuating between 66-85°F throughout the year. Winter and early spring, though, tend to be rainier and cooler than other times of the year and hurricane season runs from June to November, which can mean tropical storms, whipping winds and torrential rain. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Pride of America has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Indulge in a refreshing swim at the Oasis Pool or the Miami-inspired South Beach Pool. Go for a run with the best views on the jogging track, or break a sweat at the Santa Fe Fitness Centre.

This is a ship that, much like Hawaii itself, is fun, colorful, and steeped in tradition. When Pride of America cast off its lines on April 9, the ship carried just 50 percent of its total passenger capacity on its triumphant return to this slice of Paradise. On a calendar, April 9, 2022, seemed like any other Saturday. For Hawaii cruise enthusiasts, it marked the day that Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America started sailing again, after a two-year absence from the region due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting sail on Pride of America's first voyage back, Cruise Critic found a ship that has matured considerably since it first entered service -- one that can hold its own against the inherent charms of Hawaii itself. For more insight into the cruise experience, check out our Pride of America Hawaii cruise video.

The No. 11 Red Line runs between Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, stopping daily at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. There is no public transportation or shuttle service within the park, so you’ll need a car to get around. There are a variety of hikes within the national park, from the easy 1.2-mile Kīpukapuaulu Trail to the challenging backcountry treks up Mauna Loa that can take two days. And having an extra day means you can visit the park’s quieter and less crowded Kahuku Unit on the southerly slopes of Mauna Loa.

Most of the common areas of the ship are decorated with bright, exciting colors. Generally speaking, the decor was in good taste and reflected the excitement and adventure of a cruise. In some ways, the Pride of America looked brand new – especially in the common areas such as dining rooms, shops, guest relations, hallways, etc. If you love seafood, reserve a table (at least three months in advance) at Mama's Fish House for some of the freshest catches imaginable—yes, it's pricy, but totally worth the splurge.