For my husband and I this was our first 'big ship' cruise [our previous cruises were less than 800 passengers]. so we were a little apprehensive but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We have no complaints about the variety & quality of the food available --we used the buffet and several of complimentary restaurants. If you can't find something to eat you are very hard to please! We were able to purchase beer and wine packages that suited our needs over the course of the week.

Our biggest issue would be access to drinking water. Pride of America does not allow passengers to bring bottled water on board and you are either forced to purchase bottled water packages [copious amounts of wasted plastic -- not environmentally sustainable!] or refill empty water bottles at the beverage station in the buffet -- heavily policed and forced to fill cup by cup! We ended up buying a larger water bottle in one port to make filling more efficient. Given the number of people trying to refill water bottles dedicated 'water stations' around the ship wouldn't go astray. Even our hotels in Honolulu had those in their foyers!

If you're an Aussie and love your coffee the John Adams Bar will make a lukewarm cap or latte however hint: the beverage station in the buffet has a dispenser for 'Americano' -- grinds coffee & dispenses like espresso! Unfortunately we didn't discover until the second last day! Read more