December 31st, 2008
Enhanced Cruising in Hawaii on NCL’s Pride of America
Freestyle cruising on Norwegian Cruise Line has recently taken on a whole new meaning.
"Freestyle 2.0" is NCL’s fleetwide initiative to improve their ships and guest satisfaction, and the results have truly changed the cruising experience.
In early 2008, the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of Hawaii were taken out of Hawaii, and the Pride of America is now the only cruise ship that sails solely throughout the Hawaiian Islands roundtrip from Honolulu. In the past, this ship has received mixed reviews from travelers, particularly those accustomed to a more formal cruise atmosphere. However, guests will have really been impressed with the "new" ship. The Pride of America departs Honolulu every Saturday evening at 8:00 pm for a 7-day cruise, returning to Honolulu the following Saturday morning at 7:00 am.
The major enhancements include an upgraded dining experience, upgraded staterooms, upgrades to the pools areas, upgraded to onboard activities and entertainment, and additional recognition, services, and amenities for guests booked in balconies and suites.
Upon boarding, guests are now greeted with complimentary sparkling wine and mimosas. All staterooms now have the new NCL Bliss Bed, which features Euro-top foam memory toppers on new, thicker mattresses, as well as upgraded linens and bath amenities. The variety and quality of the food in all restaurants has been improved, and there’s a new focus on lobster being served at least twice a week in the dining rooms and on all specialty restaurant menus. The Pool Deck experience has been improved, and the kids’ programs have been expanded.
Cruising is definitely an excellent value, and a great way to really experience the four main Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i. Cruise ships are floating resorts, where you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, transporation between the islands, accommodations, and so on. Your cruise fare includes all-you-can-eat meals, daily entertainment, and a wide variety of first-class onboard amenities.
"We completely enjoyed our vacation. The cruise was fabulous, the food awesome and the islands memorable. We saw so much by renting a car and going places most would not see. We enjoyed Pearl Harbor - our tour guide, Patti gave us the grand tour. We enjoyed her insights of all the history and antidotes.
We were disappointed when the luau was canceled [due to rain] but got a taste of the Hawaiian dances on the ship. I would encourage anyone that has never been to Hawaii to take a cruise to get a taste of the islands. Our favorite was Kona - we went snorkeling on Turtle Beach. The underwater pictures we got were awesome."
-Lori, Montana
"We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. A few things we really liked:
- not having to "dress up"
- taking the tender to shore
- seeing the red lava flow at night
- the Aloha Cafe - never had to wait in line to get food, could eat outside, had tons of choices including shrimp cocktail, asparagus, vegetarian, you name it. After one trip to a sit-down restaurant and the Cadillac Diner (way too noisy), we ate in Aloha exclusively and couldn’t have been happier
- making our own flower leis on the ship (free!), and having them last for the entire time we were on board
There are probably more things, but it was a great trip. Lucking out to have a handicapped room thrilled my husband no end. The ship was clean, the staff friendly, we loved it."