This is a review of the 12/13 08 sailing of the PoAm. We sailed the same ship during the same week last year and there were some noticeable changes and differences. Some were good, some were not. We arrived in HNL the day before and were well rested before our cruise. Our party of 3 included my wife, FIL, and myself. Embarkation was easy and took about 30 minutes. We arrived at the pier around 11:30am. Both security and NCLA (latitudes) lines were short and quick. As suite guests we were shown to the VIP waiting area in the terminal and 5 minutes later we were on board, greeted with sparkling wine, OJ, and mimosas. We waited at the Waikiki bar for our cabins to be readied. Our deck was called around 2pm (same as last year) and we went to our suites. Our luggage not being there yet, we went to the VIP lounge (Lanai room) to go through the weeks reservations and excursion bookings. This is a suite perk that allows for making reservations for the entire week. We already had our excursions pre-booked. By the time we were done our luggage had arrived. We unpacked then went to the muster at 4:30pm. Our cabin arrangement was an AA connecting to an AD. Both cabins were neat and clean and we noticed new carpeting since last year. Probably done during the 4/08 drydock. We also noticed the freestyle 2.0 improvements. A variety of pillows were provided and it was easy to find that perfect combination for sleepy time head comfort! One of the best changes is the new bed. A real king-not two doubles put together with a "rib" down the middle. Our steward, Cora, was very friendly and enjoys her work. She wasn't as detail oriented as our steward last year but did a good job of rectifying any of the small problems we had. Our butler, Angie was a disappointment after last year. It took 2 days to get the connecting door between our suites unlocked and requests for a dvd player remote were never fulfilled. She was friendly enough but fell short of what one would expect in a $6000 and $13000 suite. The concierge, James, was much better than what we had last year. He made rounds of the dining rooms nightly and responded quickly to any requests. In other words, He was accessible. I know this will disappoint some but I am not going to go into food in detail due to it's subjective nature. We never went hungry and were rarely disappointed. When we were, the problem was corrected quickly and satisfactorily. We had a couple of special requests and they were met adequately. The look on the waiters face when we asked about a second entree in the Liberty was priceless. We got the impression that he hadn't had such a request often but he said sure and got it for us! We ate at Liberty, Lazy J's, Jefferson's Bistro, Teppanyaki, Key west Grill, and breakfasts in the Aloha Buffet. All were good-if you expect 5 star dining you will be unhappy. The only big issue we had occurred our last night. As I mentioned earlier, we got to make our reservations for the entire week at the VIP get together. Jennifer was the restaurant rep who took the res info from VIPs. We chose to enter the Liberty MDR thru the Skyline MDR. Liberty is right above Skyline and they share a lower level entrance. At the entry point there was signage for reservation and non-reservation lines. We were shown to the grand staircase up to the Liberty where we were met by a line of at least 100. The greeter was non other than Jennifer herself. I asked her about the line for reserved guests and she said there was none to get in the end of the line. Reminding her that we had reservations she actually wagged her finger at me and told me "don't cause trouble now!" Although she was smiling, I found nothing funny about it. After we were seated I asked to see the Maitre d`. I explained my problem with Jennifer's attitude but my main issue was with having a reservation that meant nothing. I asked him if making our res a week earlier was only for psychological comfort and he said "basically". I then asked to see the director of restaurants. I was soon greeted by the Director of Outlets who listened and offered his apologies and a bottle of wine. I told him I didn't want anything other to to point out people who have made reservations don't expect to wait behind those without. The DoO said they have a group meeting that night and this would most certainly be addressed. On the way out of the dining room, Jennifer called me over and offered a heartfelt apology which was accepted. The only other dining issue is more of a question than an issue. The first half of this cruise the Aloha had stringent sanitation practices in place. Nothing was self serve. Not plates, not coffee, nothing. Then the last couple of days everything was self serve accept the action stations. This struck us as strange. We love this American themed ship and only had a couple of minor issues. I say minor because we politely addressed them onboard and they were resolved to our satisfaction. I do have a caveat for cigar smokers. The Pinks Champagne and Cigar Bar isn't. A cigar bar that is. Last year I was told that because the PoAm sails in Hawaiian state waters, that the no smoking in bars and restaurants applies. They apologized and said they were working on the correcting the signage. Here we are a year later and the cigar smokers I met at the Waikiki Bar (a very relaxed and enjoyable place to savor a cigar) were quite disappointed and had been told the same story I heard previously. This ship has been sailing Hawaii for over 3 years now. Come on NCLA-what do you gain by deceptive practices? To sum up our shipboard experience, this cruise felt dumbed down from last year. Overall service was of a lesser caliber although still quite adequate. Last year was exquisite, this year it was adequate. Last year $40 plates of canapes in our suite. This year, carrot sticks and ranch dressing. Last year all of our cabin service and perks were provided for by non American crew. This year it was a mix of foreign and American service crew for us. I dislike the notion that American crew is different but have experienced it first hand this year. I have also seen others experience the difference during both of our PoAm cruises. My sense of societal-cultural difference came to a peak when, during the night time lava sailby, a young male waiter (from the Waikiki I believe) overheard me comment to my FIL about some photography tips I had read on CC. He sarcastically asked what else I had read on CC and then rudely told me it was all lies and the posters are full of BS. WOW!!!! I literally had to avoid getting his name because I would have made his rehabilitation my personal business. I wouldn't let any of this deter me from sailing the PoAm again and believe that if you address issues as they arise you won't be disappointed. Excursions: Hawaii is a playground and park all in one. We can't imagine a bad excursion and after 2 years worth, all with NCLA, we still haven't had a bad one. Well rounded research and tailoring activities to ones desires will reap a big payoff. Maui, Sunday: Last yearHana Picnic. This yearthe same. It was worth repeating. 5 of us in a custom van. Other than a 20 something local cussing tourists and calling out our 50 something female tour guide to a fist fight over a covered place to eat on the beach, it was a good day. The chivalry within our group convinced the young man that his idea wouldn't work out the way he wanted and a fight was avoided! Maui, Monday: Last year Sunrise on Haleakala. Shear peace and beauty tho cold and early.This year4X4 trekker to Lanai. Only 6 total takers with three of us in each Suburban. A great way to see the island and also a couple of whales and some spinners on the way between Maui and Lanai. Hilo,Tuesday: Last year VNP. Very cool for being so hot! This YearCircle of Fire helicopter tour. Unbelievable! Kona, Wednesday: Last year  fishing and Magical Seahorse Discovery. Both enjoyable. This yearBody Glove Snorkel. This was a first snorkel for my DW and FIL. She loved it. Him not as much but it was the act of snorkeling, not the excursion that was his dislike. We saw many spinner dolphins a a few whales. The best encounter was when 2 adult and a much smaller whale came to within a few feet of the boat and just hung out with us for awhile! I upgraded to scuba while on the excursion boat. This requires some comments. Research will show that most if not all non-certified scuba excursions do not count towards certification. This particular upgrade does carry a one year referral good towards PADI certification. There is nothing in NCLA's description that shows either a scuba or a snuba upgrade being available. I not only took advantage of this offer but returned the following week during our post cruise stay and completed my cert with the same instructor on the same Body Glove Boat. On my 50th birthday!! My little gift to me. Mark is a great instructor and the price beat all quotes I got at home. Kauai, Thursday: Last year  10th anniversary so we enjoyed the day shipboard with our ann pkg perks. This yearbucket list a little emptier with Kauai Treetop Canopy Zipline done through Kauai Back country Adventures! So very cool and with 3 people afraid of heights we had no fear at all. You rock Pono!! Kauai, Thursday night: This year same as last-Luau Kalamaku Deluxe. The food is fair but the show is one of the top three on the islands in our opinion. For what it is worth (this is a critical review no?) the only issue we had here was that of NCLA employees rudely trying to move us from an authorized smoking area. This was an area we used last year and was again shown to us by the representatives of the Wilcox mansion. My wife and I go out of our way to show courtesy to non-smokers and resent being treated as second class citizens. Not to mention they had no authority here. And once again it was very young American crew members being less than professional. Naturally we did not let it detract from our wonderful evening. Kauai, Friday: Last yearenjoy the ship before 2pm sailing. This yearTubin the Ditch. Also a Kauai Backcountry Adventures tour booked through NCLA, this was to humor the missus! She thoroughly enjoyed it and it was relaxing. Sailing from Nawiliwili: The afternoon sailby of the Na Pali coast was spectacular as ever. Words don't do justice to the beauty and magnitude of this eroded coastline. Saturday back in HNL our disembarkation went smoothly and on our schedule. We were taken to the airport and proceeded on our 3 night Kona/3 night Lihue post-cruise recovery program. The ship was no where near as packed as last year and there are some definite cost cutting measures now in place. The PoAm does sell out so if full or not is important to you and you have the flexibility of schedule, some research will get you more of what you want in pax ambience. Although there were a few hiccups we would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants to experience a good sampling of the Hawaiian islands. Thanks to Jason, Scott, And Marla (Texas) from the Waikiki Bar. Thanks also to Christopher in Lazy J's. And we can't forget Helga and Myrtle (CD Tim and ACD Silas). The pub crawl was a blast!! There were others who made our cruise pleasant but you guy's are the real thing. Thanks to Famcruiser5 for setting up a CC meet and greet with a few officers in attendance. Aloha and happy sailing!!