Continuing our grand Hawaiian
journey with Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Holidays, aboard the only
year-round ship to sail purely in Hawaii, Pride of America…
Pride Of The Fleet
So, we’ve been focusing primarily on the destination so far
as we have sailed from Honolulu to Kahului (Maui), Hilo (the Big Island) and
Kona (also on the Big Island), en route to Nawiliwili (Kauai) and then back to
our starting point on the island of Oahu.
But what about our travelling vehicle for the week, I hear
you ask? Well, the Pride of America
is an eight-year-old member of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet but a very
different proposition in many ways. She is the only American-flagged vessel,
which means she carries primarily an American crew and therefore conforms to the
Jones Act, which prevents foreign-flagged ships from sailing just in US waters.
All other vessels to Hawaii have to call at a Mexican or
other foreign port to comply with the Jones Act, which prevents them from
operating the kind of unique 7-day itineraries the Pride offers.
That, in turn, means she can feature overnight stays in Maui
and Kauai and still cover all four main islands in a week. Hence this is a singularly
Hawaiian vessel, with the onboard style and ambience to match. None of the
other 200-plus cruise ships in the world can do this.
With that advantage in mind, this modern 2,000-passenger
floating hotel (it is, really, a resort in all but name, as virtually all of
the sailing is done at night) is still an attraction in its own right, with a
terrific range of restaurant choice, plenty of entertainment offerings and, of
course, Norwegian’s distinctive Freestyle system, whereby guests can choose
where and when they dine and avoid any of cruising’s traditional formality and
rigidity.
This is not a dress-up cruise in any way, shape or form
(although you are free to don jacket and tie or evening gown if you so wish),
and the ultra-relaxed Hawaiian style is perfectly at home with the Freestyle
ethos.
The Pride is also
a stylish little (if 80,400 tons can still be called ‘little’ these days)
cruiser, with some subtle, small-scale rooms and décor and an easy-on-the-eye
overall design concept that puts a lot of her glitzy brethren to shame (witness
the two-storey central atrium, which is a far cry from the huge, multi-storey
offerings on many other ships of a similar size).
For dining choice there are the two main dining rooms, the
Skyline (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and the Liberty (dinner only), with the
latter offering a slightly more intimate and upscale style. The extensive Aloha
Café is the buffet alternative for all three meals, while the small-scale
Cadillac Diner offers menus around the clock and 24/7, meaning the old Midnight
Buffet is a thing of the past.
Another lunch alternative can be found at the on-deck Key
West Bar & Grill and Ocean Drive (counter service), while those happy to
pay a little bit extra for excellent sushi and Asian noodles can also enjoy the
East Meets West restaurant (with a la carte pricing).
Finally, the dinner choice extends to a full 11 options,
with the above four joined by East Meets West (Asian, at a $15 supplement), the
Lazy J Steakhouse (which is also used for breakfast and lunch for Suite guests,
plus an elegant dinner at $25/head), Little Italy (tasty Italian, at a $15
supplement), the Teppanyaki Room (Japanese ‘Teppan’-style dining at $25/head),
more Asian at Shabu Shabu (a $15 supplement), the Sushi bar (a la carte) and
the signature French restaurant of Jefferson’s Bistro (at $20/head).
Just in case anyone loses track of the alternatives, there
is also 24-hour room service and a 24-hour Pizza delivery (at $5 extra). It is
a fabulous array and, while the main (no-extra-fee) dining is certainly a fine
choice, we especially like the excellent Chinese fare at East Meets West, the
Italian splendour of Little Italy and the true gourmet style of Jefferson’s (see bottom picture).
As an additional note, a big April 2013 refit of the ship,
which will completely remodel Deck 13 with its rather empty spaces and add more
suites, will provide the additional choice of a Brazilian Churrascaria
restaurant while the Lazy J will be transformed into Cagney’s, the truly superb
steakhouse currently aboard Norwegian
Epic.
Entertainment simply is everywhere on this ship, which is
another Norwegian trademark. From the small-scale (art auctions and pub games
around some of the nine bars) to the music-orientated (with the likes of
singer/guitarist Tim Dion in the Napa Wine Bar, pianist David Pellegrene in
Pink’s Champagne Bar and the Hawaiian Kama’aina Duo, plus pool deck band The
Wave and a resident DJ), and on to the grand shows at the Hollywood Theater.
These latter have featured some big-stage productions and
the resident singers (notably for the excellent Frankie Valli tribute show, above),
plus visiting band Toby Beau and comedian Noodles (who have also appeared in
the Mardi Gras second show-lounge). Pool parties, karaoke and a crew show
complete an impressive line-up, ensuring there is always something for
everyone.
Our favourites? Definitely the Frankie Valli/Four Seasons
show, plus Tim Dion for an excellent range of music in the Wine Bar, with his
distinctive voice proving a great reason to just sit and listen.
Elsewhere, Hotel Director Tony Winkler keeps everything
humming along with smooth Austrian precision while Cruise Director Scottie belies
his youthful looks with a polished approach to the entertainment quotient.
Concierge manager Thomas is a real gem while other staff to catch our eye
include bright young waitress Siraya at the Lazy J each morning and Stephanie
in the Skyline dining room.
Our cabin steward, Francis, also deserves a name-check for
seemingly always being ready with a cheery greeting when we leave our cabin,
which always turns out to be spotlessly clean and tidy when we return, as if by
some sleight of hand that puts him in at least two places at once.
Everyone is unfailingly polite and efficient, though, and
the spirit of Aloha comes through in almost every aspect of the ship.
But, for all her charms, Pride
of America does have to take second place for much of the time – to the
magnificent islands of Hawaii.
Because, we must confess, we have spent just about every
moment in each port of call off our maritime ‘home,’ with the opportunity to
really get under the skin of these amazing isles, even in just seven days.
Being second-best to a destination like this is no real
handicap, though. And, with the forthcoming refit due to spruce up the few
areas of the ship that are showing her age (notably on some of the outer
decks), it seems clear the Pride will
continue to provide a great experience for some time to come.
Next up: Coffee
Country on the Big Island.
