Pride of America Review

Great, except for food!

Review for Hawaii Cruise on Pride of America
User Avatar
PianoBabe1
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2018
Cabin: Penthouse with Large Balcony

Picked this cruise because it's the only one that starts and ends in Honolulu. All others depart from California coast and have a LOT of days at sea. I LIKE days at sea, but not that many! We did the three-day pre-cruise extension in Honolulu. We paid extra for an ocean view room at the Hilton, and it was worth every penny. We could see the beach and could enjoy the music from a beach-front venue that we could just barely hear from our balcony. Extension included daily tours, which were good, but a bit long. DO NOT go walking late at night in the Waikiki beach area … naïve tourists have been murdered by drug addicts in the wee hours, according to a family member that lives in Waikiki. At boarding, there was no one directing traffic, and we ended up in the general boarding line, when we had a penthouse suite. There was a separate line, but no one to direct us there. Other than that, boarding was a breeze. Room was huge, worth the expense. Only drawbacks were jetted tub was very narrow, and "dressing area" between bath and bedroom was cramped and a daily traffic jam. Staff was wonderful. We only had one experience with a staff person who was distracted and inattentive. Plenty of bars and restaurants. Main pool a little small. Plenty of activities for travelers of all types and interests. Our only complaints were in the food area. We did not dine at the buffets. We enjoyed the embarkment barbecue. Ate at Liberty, food "ok." Ate at La Cuchina, spouse's food ok, my shrimp fra diavlo disappointing. They chop their shrimp, and I only found two pieces of any size, about the size of a large pea. You'd expect 4-5 large shrimp in an upgrade restaurant. Moderno, the Brazilian barbecue was 'ok,' and they gladly accomoodated our difference in prefererence for "doneness." Tepanyaki, the Japanese grill, was entertaining, but steaks were apparently all overdone at our table, as much was left on the plates. My seafood entre there was small but good. Cagney's steakhouse was "ok." Spouse's veal chop there was very good, but my seafood combination was again, rather lackluster for a an upgrade restaurant. Our cabin steward and butler were great. So sweet to get a bottle of champagne upon arrival. Daily snacks appeared, sometimes good, sometimes inedible. Canapes were the worst. Fruit and chocolate were great, and one day they even gave us potato chips for the salty palate. We were big dummies and booked Thanksgiving week, not thinking about the huge number of young families that would be on board! But there were no problems, other than the kids monopolizing the pool and hot tubs, which one would expect. Excursions were good, and we will always be thankful we sprung for the Blue Hawaii helo tour of Kauai. Disembarkation was the easiest we've ever experienced, even as suite passengers on other lines. We would do this cruise again, but not on a holiday week!

Cabin Review

Penthouse with Large Balcony

Cabin SE

HUGE balcony, big bath with jetted tub, separate shower with rain head and body jets, double sinks. Plenty of storage for toiletries. Clothesline for wet bathing suits. Mattress might have been memory foam, as we both slept comfortably. Daily towel critters. Daily afternoon snack. Champagne upon arrival. Mini-bar not always restocked, unless you asked. Fresh fruit. Breakfast on the balcony or at Moderno restaurant. Georgia, our butler, was a delight.

2 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a Pride of America Cruise from $1,249

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.