Pride of America Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,363 reviews

If you go with proper expectations it'll be great!

Review for Hawaii Cruise on Pride of America
User Avatar
DwayneG
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Jul 2015
Cabin: Large Balcony

I had read other reviews, so I knew what to expect. This is not so much a traditional "cruise" as a floating hotel that moved every other night. Because of this, things regular cruisers expect such as lots of shipboard activities during the day just aren't there. Heard a lot of people grousing about no casino too. If you're aboard POA during the day looking for something to do you got on the wrong ship. That said, we found service and food to be excellent except for terrible service once at Cadillac. We had the UDP, so ate at specialty restaurants 4 nights.

We stayed at Marriott Waikiki a couple days before...a good choice because if you purchase through NCL you check in for the cruise at the hotel when you arrive, and you get leis. Embarkation day you leave your tagged luggage in your room, get on the NCL bus, and your luggage appears in your stateroom later. Check in at the port was then a breeze (priority because of Marriott). The entertainment was good but not as great as some NCL shows (again, most passengers were worn out and crowds were small...on the plus side, don't need to line up for good seats). Staterooms are smaller than usual, but we spent less than an hour a day awake in the cabin and went to sleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

We rented a car in every port except Kona; there we took a tour with a taxi we found on the pier because it cost less than car rental + taxi to airport to pickup and return (no rental shuttle for Avis here, don't know about others). And the ports were the real reason for the cruise! Iao Valley, Old Lahina Luau and Four Winds II snorkel on Maui, Volcanoes National Park and Macadamia nuts in Hilo, coffee plantation, Painted Church and farmers' market in Kona, then Waimea Canyon (amazing) on Kauai.

Cabin Review

Large Balcony

Cabin B6

Smaller than usual, especially when couch was converted. But clean and livable. The large balcony was nice to watch sailaway.

Port Reviews

Honolulu

Had a rental, visited Iolani Palace, USS Arizona, hiked Diamond Head, Dole Plantation

Maui

A different world from Oahu! Went to Old Lahaina Luau (third visit, it's that good). Snorkled with Four Winds II, visited Iao Park

Kona (Kailua Bay)

Visited Greenwell Farms coffee plantation, smaller family-owned operation, good tour. Also Painted Church, a nice surprise, fun farmers' market which had lots of crafts and gifts.

Kauai

You must visit Waimea Canyon, about a 45 minute drive, but rivals the Grand Canyon.

Hilo

Visited Volcanoes Park, amazing! visited Muana Loa Macadamia Nuts, not much to see, but plenty of nutty stuff to buy...but prices were double for exact same stuff at Costco.

2 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a Pride of America Cruise from $899

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.