Pride of America Review

Really great cruise; if you CAN go, DO!

Review for Hawaii Cruise on Pride of America
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RJ in SC
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Jan 2016
Cabin: Mid-Ship Balcony

Most cruise ships are at sea most of the time, so they need to entertain you. The Pride of America (PoA) is more like a floating hotel. They're a lot like most cruise ships - good dining, shows, pool and spa, bars, etc. But no casino and no rock wall, skating rink, that kind of thing. You don't take a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands to be hanging out on the ship. You are in port every day and several nights - there are no sea days. P.S. no duty free shopping, as you are in the United States the entire time. The ship is in good condition but is headed to drydock so will be pretty close to all-new by the end of March!

Cruised Jan 30-Feb 6. Get the package: includes 2 nights in Honolulu before the cruise, morning tour, plus transfers. The cost savings is significant and you don't have to worry about getting Pearl Harbor tickets. This is definitely a cruise I would do again because they maximize your chance to see the Islands. You get 2 days on every island except Kauai. In Maui, we did a Road to Hana tour Day 1 (Valley Isle Excursions), then whale watching on Day 2 since it was definitely the season. Big Island - another 2 days - did a long tour on Day 3 to include the volcano, Rainbow Falls, orchid farm and more, then did Kona Day 4. Last stop was Kauai (1 1/2 days) and loved it! Did a so-so tour Day 5, plus a great helicopter ride Day 6 (Blue Hawaiian) before the ship pulled out mid-day and we cruised the Na Pali coast that afternoon - that is some gorgeous scenery! Was not using tours through the ship, but in every port, tours and buses were easy to get to, whether through the ship or not.

The ship has a lot going on, even though most people get off every day. I was too busy to catch 2 of the 3 lei-making classes and wish I had caught them all. Also missed hula lessons; might have been a blessing there. The shows were fun and music onboard was really good. Food was generally good in every dining option we tried. Husband got 32-oz steak in Cagney's and swore it was the best he's had. My filet there was fantastic: tasty, moist, and done just right. I loved one appetizer in the main dining room - portobello mushroom with goat cheese and pine nuts. Their ice creams and sorbets are wonderful.

Cabin Review

Mid-Ship Balcony

Cabin BA

Cabin is a typical cruise ship cabin. It's small but well-designed. Our steward kept it tidy - at least as much as he could with all our "stuff" in there.

If you get a balcony, try to get the port/left side. When you cruise the Na Pali Coast, you'll want to be on the port side. HOWEVER, if lava is flowing into the ocean when you cruise, they also go past that and you would then see it best from the starboard/right side.

Port Reviews

Honolulu

Post-cruise, did this on our own. Really incredible views plus the historic angle that it was a fort. Not an easy hike for someone almost 60, but I took it slow and made it to the top. Well worth the effort!

Honolulu

Roberts was a pre-cruise tour. Picked us up at hotel, toured Pearl Harbor National Monument, did a short tour of downtown Honolulu, and returned us to hotel. Only down side was we didn't have much extra time at Pearl Harbor.

Honolulu

Post-cruise, rented car and went to PCC. Great place! Loved the shows and the Hawaiian crafts, etc. Stayed for luau and evening show, Ha, the Breath of Life. Well worth the money.

Honolulu

Pre-cruise, part of Peal Harbor/Honolulu tour.

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