After reading so many negative posts on several cruise boards we were NOT looking forward to our cruise on NCL Pride of Aloha. Especially since we are loyal
DCL cruisers! But we had a wonderful time on the cruise. There is so much port time on this cruise that we had little time to participate in onboard activities, but there were activities onboard for all ages. E.g, the chocolate lovers' buffet was held at 3 pm on a port day. Who was going to give up a Hawaiian beach or volcano tour (I forget which we did that day) even for chocolate!
We booked directly with a
travel agent, had a balcony cabin (which made the cabin seem larger.) It was more expensive (and slightly smaller cabin) than a comparable DCL cruise.
Next time, I will go to the NCL site and shop for the bargain sailings. They are offering a cruise in Sept. 05 on the new ship, Pride of America, that includes airfare from San Francisco for less than we paid for the cruise alone, with same type (but larger) cabin.
Clearly, NCL America has made significant improvements in every area since July 2004. Cabin service was excellent, food was good (except buffet at dinner.) The three special restaurants were excellent, but more $ than Palo. However, we were offered half-price cover charges on the first two nights.
THey also waived the $10 pp per day "service charge" that was intended to cover gratuities, etc. We tipped our cabin steward at the end, and tipped nightly in the restaurants. There is open seating ("Freestyle Cruising")in the two regular restaurants and the buffet.
The ship's decoration is lovely, very colorful. Like DCL, there is no casino, instead a "Hawaiian Cultural Center." They had several live stage productions, we went to only one - too tired after long days of touring. This is not a cruising vacation. There are no full days at sea. It is a great way to see four islands (with two overnight port stays) in seven days. The ship's excursions were many and varied. You name it, they offered it. Rental cars were inexpensive and available. We booked from home and a shuttle was waiting at every port to pick us up. The overnight ports (Kauai and Maui) had overnight parking for rental cars!
If anyone is considering going to the Old Lahaina (Maui) Luau, rated as one of the best on all the islands, BOOK FROM HOME as soon as you have booked the cruise. We waited and were disappointed to find out that there were sold out well into the summer. We did, however, accidentally find a wonderful Luau on Kauai, run by the Smith family. (Yes, they are Hawaiian!) It is located on the Wailua River, near the Fern Grotto. In addition to dinner, they have beautiful tropical gardens and a Polynesian show in a separate theater. The ship offers its own Luau at one of the hotels on Maui. From the people I talked to, it was not remarkable.
Three more suggestions:
It is worth ordering an Entertainment Book for Hawaii. We went to several nice restaurants for half-price. Many of the "major attractions" are in the book for half price also. The book cost us $15!
If you are military or a member of
AAA, take your ID cards, they'll save you $$. Always ask before buying a ticket. At the Smith Luau, I showed my military ID with my credit card and was surprised that I had saved $20 on each ticket.
IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, spend a couple extra days in Honolulu and tour the island. The ship offers a cruise and stay package, but we made our own arrangements.
I'd be happy to share any other info about this trip. If only DCL had a ship in Hawaii!
