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Great Way to See Hawaii by
A Traveler from Long Beach, CA Sailing date: Dec 2009Pros: Every port we visited was beautiful. We got to see much of Hawaii in 7 days. Cons: The cost of excursions and extras on the ship quickly added up to a very substantial amount of money. This ship was not as grand as the last NCL ship on which I cruised. The lobby is only one story, the shops are minimal, and the spa is tiny. However, the main dining rooms are very attractive and tastefully decorated & overall the ship seemed relatively new (built 2004). Our cruise through Hawaii was "port intensive" (we spent most of the time docked at various islands) so most people spent a lot of time off the ship. This made the lack of grandeur less important. Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityThe room was a bit dated with a stained floor and faded couch. Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & ActivitiesThere was no main act for entertainment. They had a comedian and a magician, and a comedy troupe that performed a number of times.  37 out of 38 people found this review helpful.
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  Beautiful destination by
A Traveler from Dallas, Georgia Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: my cabin, my balcony room, ease of dining, entertainment, ease of disembarkation Cons: Food, 7 of the 11 restaurants on board you had to pay up to $25 pp extra, the food in the other areas wasn't very good The ship is the only one that sails under the American Flag. If this were my first cruise, I wouldn't know better but I've cruised alot. The destination is great, how can you mess up Hawaii? But one of the things I look forward to the most is the great food. I can honestly say the best thing I ate all week was a chilled strawberry soup. I had a steak in the main dining room that was awful and so was the beef loin. The night we had lobster, it was a very small tail paired with a very bland grouper filet and I had to ask for the drawn butter. Who eats lobter without butter? The service is usually perfect on a cruise, not this one. Tables were dirty in the buffet area, dishes were empty and not refilled, I was appalled. Many of the workers were busy talking to each other rather than paying attention to their jobs. This was a perfect cruise other than the food and the service. Also remember, you pay extra for sodas, pictures, food, and just about everything else you need. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodFood not good at all. Dining convenience was great. Stateroom Quality
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Hilo, HawaiiVolcanoes National Park
Don't Miss: Volcanoes National Park Kailua-Kona, HawaiiDon't Miss: Captain Zodiac rafting and snorkeling Nawiliwili, KauaiDon't Miss: Canyon Kahului, Maui
31 out of 34 people found this review helpful.
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A good time was had by all. by
Susan from USA Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: CUSTOMER SERVICE Clean and friendly, Free Style dinning (time to clean up after shore excursions). Everything you would want or need ready when you are. I put in my vacation request at work, my boss asked where I was going. I explained I was taking one of my grandsons on a cruise to Hawaii, she said do you really think he will enjoy it he will be so bored. I had never been on a cruise before so I became very nervous as I did want him to have a good time with trip edition. On August 18, 2007 we bored a flight to Honolulu, and subsequently "The Pride of America". There my worries about fun for both of us were soon laid to rest. The shipboard activities led to friendships my grandson became part of a group doing things together every night. Daytimes were filled with shore activities Trip to Hanna one day and snorking on Maui with ship mates two days with a great family. Five kids and adults and we all had a great time. Kauai zip lining and tubing with other ship mates by coincident or design not surprising as the ship was. Each day into the next was filled. One of the best things that happened was for no reason one night while being entertained my grandson reached over and gave my the biggest hug ever and later in the evening surprised me and asked me to dance. We both agreed we will never forget this experience; my boss was wrong because a great time was had by all. Dining/FoodImpressed with quality, taste presentation and excellent service. Great experience.
Stateroom QualityVery happy few plumbing problems attended to promptly and with excellent service by all staff.
Ship Staff QualityI cannot say enough about the staff I think that they are second to none in fact I want to take another cruise with NCL when I go back to Hawaii I will book Pride of America to ensure that I will enjoy another wonder experience. The staff made me feel very welcome and made me want to come back a time I will never forget.
Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: Great organization of activities very clean helpful staff members although we were on shore most daytime hours walking on deck observed the aforementioned.
Entertainment: One of the best values on board, so nice to be able to go from one show to another very enjoyable loved comedy, music dance , magic was in the air something for everyone a lot of variety loved the audience participation sooo much fun. Children's ProgramsI could see how much fun all children were having I had to stop and watch from hula-hoop contacts to creative activities almost like going to camp on board great camp counselors they seemed to have as much fun as the kids I have recommended at work for families to take their children on Pride of America for a great family vacation.
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Hilo, HawaiiFun at Hilo Hattie.
First day worried about getting lost not confident, saw a shuttle and boarded to Hilo Hatie's spent at least two and a half hours because we discovered that they would ship our purchases, we decided we would do all of our shopping for friends and family and that would be one obligation done. Then we were please to find great promotions as well between my grandson and I, we ended up with three good size boxes to be sent home. While there I picked a oyster that produced 2 pearls that will be ear rings. We then returned to the ship inasmuch as I had not slept for two days the rest of the day we just ate relaxed and napped. Basically geared up for Maui two days of activities planned. Glad we did.
Don't Miss: Excursion Desk on board should be first on list they are so helpful. Kailua-Kona, HawaiiKona a day with a local.
Walked around shops nothing planned. A local had a sign out for a three hour tour the tour was rather disappointing the area we saw included the painted church and a nut farm but all seemed a bit depressed next time I stick to the pros.
Don't Miss: Planned activity such as swimming or snorkling or a professional guide of area. Kahului, MauiMaui everything you heard and more.
Trip to Hana was I ever glad we had a great super driver, met a wonderful family and saw some of the most beautiful scenery in my 66 years the driver stopped by waterfalls, picked fruit along the road stopped at black sand beach we all had so much fun exploring and playing in the surf. A stop at an orchid farm food was provided for both breakfast and lunch and all tasted good. This was a full day and we were all very tired but very happy. The next day the family we had met with on our trip to Hana was also on the same snorkel adventure again another beautiful day with a wow of a barbeque and the most wonder staff one of the greatest days even though I do not know how to swim they showed me how to snorkel I actually got to see a sea turtle swim right under me, got so excited I ended up with a mouthful of sea water it was wonderful Maui. Every where you looked there was beauty and we decided to take a city bus back to the cruise ship as the taxi ride w
Don't Miss: The trip to Hana I almost did. Maui offers so much do not miss anything. 23 out of 26 people found this review helpful.
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Terrible service, not friendly staff - d by
Michele from Hesperia, CA Sailing date: Aug 2007We were very unhappy with our overall experience. We managed to create our own fun - the ship and its crew should be worked on to make it a much nicer experience. Dining/FoodImpossible to get reservations, not a good variety, what was on menu was not what was served.
Stateroom QualityThe state room was filthy. The bed was never once made up only the spread was placed over messed up sheets. Service to room - not any could never find the attendant.
Ship Staff Qualityvery poor service at restaurants and room. Nice folks in lounges and helpful excursion staff.
Entertainment & Activities
Children's ProgramsPub crawl was fun.
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Hilo, HawaiiGood.
Kayaking is fun, waterfall was beautiful.
Kahului, MauiBad weather prevented the molokini excursion - bummer.
We had fun with our rental car. Beach day was just okay.
Don't Miss: Snorkeling molokini. 25 out of 35 people found this review helpful.
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Somewhat Disappointing by
A Traveler from Virginia Beach, VA Sailing date: Mar 2011Pros: Workout area was fantastic Cons: Food was not that good The ship decor was beautiful. Staff was friendly, but some not well-trained. Received coffee when requested, but no cream or sugar offered. No salt or pepper on table and none offered. We had to wait 20 plus minutes to eat in the "free" restaurants while there was no wait for the specialty (cover charge) ones. The food was just OK. Overly salty. Very few of the desserts were good. The menu was limited-pretty much the same every evening. Our cabin was noisy at night-we could hear banging sounds all night long. Onboard entertainment was good, but not as varied as expected. Ship Quality
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Hilo, HawaiiVery scenic
Don't Miss: Lava tube Nawiliwili, KauaiThe luau was so much fun. Great food and entertainment.
Don't Miss: luau Kahului, MauiWear a hat or sunscreen for whale watching!
Don't Miss: Whale watching 18 out of 21 people found this review helpful.
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NCL Hawaii cruise by
Leslie T. from Kilauea, Hawaii Sailing date: Jul 2009Pros: Cruising around the Napali Coast Cons: Food, entertainment and cruising at night so you couldn't see the islands. I would only recommend this cruise to someone who has either never been to Hawaii, or who has never cruised before. The food was nothing special and the restaurants that charge $25/ea extra weren't even special - cept for the sushi restaurant. They were the best restaurant on the ship. The tipping is automatic, so we felt that while they were ok, they didn't work as hard as they do when they have to earn their tips. We live in Hawaii, and we took the cruise hoping to see the islands from the sea. The Napali sail by was exceptional - very beautiful and I took about 300 plus photos. Met some wonderful new friends and have good memories of being with our son - he has fun, but was disappointed their wasn't more to do. Had hoped for skeet shooting. Again, good if you don't compare them to Royal Caribbean, showed them up big time in the food and entertainment.. Ship QualityThe Ahoha Cafe, which is the big buffet you can eat at, and the food was good, had been decorated as if the person who did it was on LSD. Nothing, and I mean nothing went together... almost made ya seasick.... Dining/FoodOpen pretty much, so good to eat when you want within reason. Food quality was not great. Friend had a steak, one of the "good" steaks, that was like an old shoe. Disappointing. Stateroom QualityLots of storage and that was great. Had a balcony so the the Napali coast cruise by was beautiful. Ship Staff QualityPeople were very nice. Entertainment & ActivitiesEntertainment compared to other ships was pretty sad.... The improv people were funny, but you really have to like improv and some just don't get it - like my husband.
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Kailua-Kona, HawaiiWe just went in for a beer at the brewery. Didn't do any activities....
Don't Miss: Guess the snorkeling tour was great. Nawiliwili, KauaiWe live on Kauai, so didn't do the tourist stuff... went and checked on our animals. Make sure you tell people to take a helicopter ride and be sure to drive to the North Shore. Met many who didn't even know that the N. Shore is where the waterfalls are....
Kahului, MauiMaui was ok. Sorry we couldn't see more of it from the sea... I used to live there, so know it but have never seen it cruising by.
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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great cruise! by
A Traveler from central nj Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: itinerary much better than reviews we had read Ship Qualityvery clean ship ,seating always available at buffet and poolside Dining/Foodalways immediate seating at all restaurants..all staff in restaurants were friendly and professional..well organized Stateroom Qualitystaterooms was in good condition,comfy mattresses and pillows ,room was a bit small , as was balcony Ship Staff Qualityvery friendly and polite staff Entertainment & Activitiesgood magician and comic. could have had one production show/musical to add variety
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Hilo, Hawaiivolcanos park was terrific..very different
Don't Miss: volcanos Kailua-Kona, Hawaiinot much to see..took half day tour
Lahaina, Mauia no tour day took cab to whaler's cove area to see beautiful hotels and beach
Nawiliwili, Kauaibeautiful island , canyon, fern grotto..all nice took full day tour
Kahului, Mauifull day tour to volcanic depression( 10,000 feet high) beautiful! lunch at lavendar fields, though they were not in bloom
Don't Miss: volcano 13 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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The poorest attitudes of employees. by
William from Hilo, HI, USA Sailing date: Jul 2007Pros: Design of ship. My daughter and I found that the employees of the cruise line were very rude and at best, non-personable. Maybe they're overworked; maybe the attitude of their employer trickled down to them. At times, I found them only nice and helpful if a tip was expected or in your hand. I had waiters and staff that wouldn't even step aside in dining areas, passages, etc. They would absolutely come straight at you and let you bump into them without even the courteously of an apology. VERY RUDE BEHAVIOR for a hospitality business. There was times when my room wouldn't even be made up and other passengers that left tips on there bed would be made. I'm sorry that my first cruise with my 18 year old daughter's first cruise was so unpleasant because of the staff. We'll pick another cruise line before we go on another NCL. Dining/Food
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Hilo, HawaiiHilo was great.
Hilo was educational.
Don't Miss: Volcano. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kahului, Maui
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Hawaiian Cruise by
Patricia D. from Detroit, MI Sailing date: Sep 2009Pros: What each port offered Cons: The speciality restaurants were hard to getand the showers were too small. The ship was very impressive. I felt like I was a star. Ship QualityThe room was too small Dining/FoodI expected more of a selection and seafood especially, Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & ActivitiesI enjoyed the show 14 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
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An All-American Cruise by
Bruce F from Denver Sailing date: Jun 2009Pros: Saw all the islands Cons: Cruise-sponsored tour Great ship - a little smaller than the mega-ships. One pool. A nice private resturant if you are staying in one of the suites - well worth it! Ship is pretty modern and the layout is very efficient and pleasing. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodFood about as good as the usual cruise stuff. The best place was the private resturant accessible to guests in suites. Stateroom QualityLargest cabin we have had. Very quiet, great for getting people together. Ship Staff QualityExcellent. Entertainment & ActivitiesHaving cruised 7 or 8 times now, I have become increasingly weary of cruise-sponsored excursions. Thier advertizing bullies you into believing that freelance shore companies are all criminals and the only safe way to go is with the cruise company. But, the cruise company packs you into enourmous groups, subjects you to the "pre-excursion shopping stop" then the "post-excursion shopping stop", then the "buy cruise merchandise pitch". You're better off in most cases doing your own research and setting up your own excusions. The one excepetion is Luau Kalamaku. Do not miss this one. Children's ProgramsGet your kids involved! It is safe and they will love it. Biggest mistake we made on previous cruises was not letting the kids go do their own thing. 11 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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