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Overview

The Pride of America is the second NCL America brand ship to sail Hawaiian itineraries under the U.S. flag, featuring decor that reflects the cultural diversity and history of the United States. Over half of the staterooms have balconies, while a new type of suite and extensive children's activities make for family-friendly fun. A first for Norwegian Cruise Line, the ship also features a conservatory with tropical gardens and exotic birds, as well as a tennis court and art gallery. From the Steakhouse to Little Italy, indulge in delicious cuisine at eight restaurants. Relax at the Santa Fe Spa and South Beach pool area. Later, dance the night away at Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge.

Pride of America is the second vessel to enter service for NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Line's new division offering year-round, inter-island Hawaii sailings aboard U.S. flagged and U.S. crewed vessels. The vessel unfortunately foundered in the ship yard during a major storm in January 2004 forcing the delay of the vessel's delivery to June 2005.

On board, Pride of America has eight restaurants, over 660 balcony staterooms, three pools and extensive children's facilities. Firsts for NCL include a Conservatory, a new category of family suites, a tennis court and an art gallery. The S.S. America Library features memorabilia and artifacts from the historic ship.

Pride of America features hull art depicting the Stars and Stripes combined with the United States' national bird - the Bald Eagle. Graphic designer Keith Allan created the hull art for the ship and for Norwegian Dawn, the first NCL vessel to sport art work on the hull.

When NCL America's Pride of America finally made its way to U.S. waters from its German shipyard in 2005, the event marked the culmination of an arduous and heartbreaking couple of years. Pride of America, slated for launch in July 2004, had been swamped in a gale while being built, leaving a good portion of its hull under water. The unfortuante event caused NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Lines U.S.-flagged subsidiary, to rush another ship in its international fleet now known as Pride of Aloha into service. Now that Pride of America is in Hawaii, the cruise line has two fully-functional U.S.-based ships plying the waters around the islands, with a third, Pride of Hawaii, to debut in June 2006.

Pride of America's biggest distinction is its status as the first U.S.-flagged passenger cruise ship to be built in over 50 years. (Pride of Aloha was transformed from the Norwegian Sky.) Both ships, along with Pride of Hawaii, are distinctive in that the crews and officers are primarily American or citizens from U.S. territories. The advantage to both the U.S. registration and the staffing requirement is that the vessels can sail seven-night itineraries around the Hawaiian Islands without having to embark (or disembark) in Vancouver or Ensenada. Nor do they have to travel a couple of thousand miles out of the way to visit Fanning Island. That's because the Passenger Services Act, requiring a foreign-flagged cruise ship to stop at a foreign port when leaving or returning to U.S. waters, does not apply to these ships, creating itineraries chock full of port stops and overnights in the beautiful regions of the U.S.'s 50th state.

Unlike Pride of Aloha and Pride of Hawaii, both of which have largely Hawaiian themes, Pride of America is a paean to the United States. Everything onboard this ship celebrates American culture and history, from the kitsch of the Cadillac Diner to the sober statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Liberty Dining Room. You get a feel for the ship as soon as you board: stepping into the marble lobby, you are greeted with a huge seal of the United States embedded in the flooring. It almost feels irreverent to walk across it.

At 81,000 tons, and with 1,069 passenger cabins, the ship is big but not too big. It's easy to navigate, and having a largely American crew brings its own rewards to the ambiance. It's fun to hear "Mornin'!" or "How y'all doin'?" while walking the hallways or public spaces.

After some unanticipated and fairly disastrous staffing issues two years ago, NCL America has pretty much got it nailed. The staff is bright and cheerful, most love their jobs, and whether they are looking at short-term or long-term employment, they all seem dedicated to bringing the best cruise experience possible to their guests.

Does a staff and crew comprised mostly of U.S. citizens offer a different cruise experience? You bet it does. At once familiar and disorienting, it does take awhile to get used to being "served" by people from Plano, Texas, or Eugene, Oregon. And yes, there is less general fawning, which I found refreshing. The service was good, it was fun, and while not always perfect, it was just about right on a ship with such an island-intensive itinerary.

The way I see it, the cruise experience was less like going to Morton's or Ruth's Chris or Le Cirque every night, and more like going to Applebee's or TGI Friday's. It was an enjoyable change of pace, and as the week wore on, I appreciated it more and more.

Public rooms

With a ship-wide theme as broad as the U.S., the public rooms have a range of subjects to display, some of them strictly sentimental, some Yankee Doodle Dandy patriotic, and some just kitschy, funky Americana.

I think my favorite spot onboard is the Chicago-style speakeasy Pink's Champagne Bar, partly because it's located so perfectly for people-watching and partly because the piano player/vocalist had me swooning. The Napa Wine Bar is elegant, coolly lined with faux limestone walls; the Hollywood Theatre features life-sized Oscar statuettes at the entrance, the Mardis Gras Nightclub is glittery and the Gold Rush Saloon is ... saloony.

If you're getting some idea of the themes here, beyond the obvious there are some brilliant turns. NCL America has recognized Hawaii's appeal for the meetings and incentive market. If groups can go to land-based resorts, why not to a ship? As a result, Pride of America has one of the best meeting and small convention facilities on the seas, with a circular auditorium and several conference rooms all at the front top portion of the vessel, easily separated for private use if the need arises, but also quite useful for larger lectures and lessons.

Its Hawaiian Cultural Center, basically a series of displays along one of the passageway walls, gives an overview of Hawaii's history through photos and artifacts. I loved looking at the iconic bobblehead hula dancer kewpie dolls from the 1950's; I never realized that they had a real place in popular culture.

The library is well stocked, especially with books about the region. It is open during very limited hours, so make sure to check the schedule if you want to access any reading material.

There's also a great Internet center; rates for both wireless (using your own laptop) and on-site connectivity are reasonable, starting at the standard .75 cents per minute with package buy-downs to as low as .50 cents per minute. I had my own laptop and was able to access the wireless network from my room.

NCL ships usually have fabulous shopping opportunities, but the shops on Pride of America are small and expensive. There is no duty-free option, and all of the local (Hawaiian) items carry hefty price tags. I did find, though, a lovely large bottle of White Ginger cologne at a most reasonable price about $15 and a Pride of America hat for around $10.

Smoking is allowed in limited areas onboard, but not in any restaurant nor in the showrooms. Even outside, smoking sections seem to be quite limited, and since there is no casino, there really wasn't any area that got particularly smoky during my cruise.

While it did seem a little odd to go from the John Adams Coffee Bar (overlooking the aforementioned seal of the United States and a silly-looking replica of the Washington Monument) to the Waikiki Bar or for that matter to dine under the New York skyline while moored in Maui the ship's public spaces celebrate all that America is, including Hawaii. It's fitting to have a ship that is American-flagged, -staffed, and -themed sailing the waters around one of America's most glorious states, and the overall effect with no pun intended is pride in America.

Fitness and Reacreation

This ship (and this itinerary) is a fitness buff's dream. Not only is there the well-equipped Santa Fe Spa and Fitness Center, there are also plenty of spots for walking, jogging and sports.

The South Beach pool, located in the center of Deck 11, is appealing and active ... so much so that many people overlook the fact that there is a smaller, quieter pool, the Oasis, at the aft on Deck 12. Shhhhh! Perched above the Aloha Cafe's aft section, at the rear of the spa, this little pool is ideal for a quiet break. The main pool is surrounded by four hot tubs; the smaller Oasis pool area has one, off to the side.

There may not be rock-climbing walls or ice-skating rinks on this ship, but there is a bungee trampoline located on the pool deck, open during specified (and attended) hours.

One of the best fitness and recreation aspects of this cruise is the range of golf programs offered. Imagine golfing in paradise every day, sometimes more than once, at each of the islands visited. You can choose your courses from an array of municipal and private greens, from reasonably priced to outrageously expensive. You can even take a day trip to Lanai to play there. There is a full golf shop onboard, catering to even the most finicky of duffers.

Note: You can bring your own clubs or rent onboard, but you cannot take your clubs with you to your stateroom. There is a $40 charge for storage, but this also includes cleaning/conditioning and transport directly to and from the courses you choose to play.

The Santa Fe Spa, located at the aft of the ship, is big and elegant. Run by the Mandara division of Steiner Leisure, it offers the usual at-sea spa treatments, but the destination also allows it to creatively provide themed services like Hawaiian ginger and lime scrubs, or hot lava-stone massages. Port days (and there are a lot of them) mean discounts, on everything from manicures to teeth whitening.

Note: Almost all signage indicates that you have to use the aft stairs to get from Deck 11 to the spa, but non-mobile guests can access it by using one of the aft elevators.

There's a jogging track and sports court on Deck 14, Ping Pong available just outside the Aloha Cafe, and Pilates and yoga classes (at a surcharge) available at the fitness center.

Health and fitness buffs will love the Pride of America. Up on Deck 12 you’ll find the Santa Fe Spa & Fitness Center waiting. Outside of your stateroom and the multitude of dining rooms onboard, this may be your second home for much of your cruise. New Mexico’s the theme throughout with southwestern artifacts and plants mingled among the latest in treatment rooms, cardio and resistance machines, free weights and aerobic areas.

NCL offers “Dive-In,”one of the best diving programs offered by any cruise line. If you’re a certified diver, bring along your certificate because NCL’s Shore Excursion staff can see to it that you’ll be introduced to the best dive locations available during your cruise. Instruction is also available for non-certified divers. Snorkel tours are available as well. And did someone say golf? There are Shore Excursions that include a round of golf at a championship course, or, if you prefer, ask a staff member to arrange a tee time for you at a local course.

Deck 14 offers a Sports Court for volleyball and basketball. The teak Promenade that surrounds Deck 6 makes for the perfect Jogging Track. What’s the figure – five times around is a mile? And if that wind, sun and salt water do a number on your skin, just head back up to Deck 12 and let the folks at the Beauty Salon take care of your curls and pores!

Entertainment

NCL has always been at the forefront of entertainment options, and while this ship is different (no Jean Ann Ryan troupe of singers and dancers, for example), the entertainment is still excellent. On several of the nights, Hawaiian entertainers are brought onboard. This does not imply that the onboard entertainers cannot hold their own. The house bands and musicians throughout the ship are top-notch.

The Hollywood Theatre is fairly small and just one story, with excellent sight lines for most guests. There is a bank of chairs set aside for wheelchair and other mobility-impaired guests as well, which we thought was a nice touch. Entertainment in the theater usually consists of a magician, a juggler and other individual performers, but there are a couple of Broadway or Vegas type shows as well.

Karaoke is hot onboard Pride of America, whether it's taking place in the Gold Rush Saloon late at night or in the Mardi Gras Nightclub just after the main entertainment. And the Mardi Gras is a great venue for all night dancing and for the funky parties it hosts: New Year's Eve Bash, Disco Night, and other various themed evenings.

Note: Kids are allowed in the Mardi Gras and can take part in the fun until 11 p.m., at which time it's over 18 only. Drinking alcohol is strictly limited to those over 21.

Hawaii allows no gambling, so there is no casino, and there is no bingo, either. There are plenty of art auctions, dance classes, and arts and crafts classes with Hawaiian themes (make a lei, make a hat, make a seed or shell necklace...).

When the weather is good, there's a deck-side luau.

The absolute best though, is the crew show. I love these on all ships, but I am, of course, accustomed to the multiple nationalities showing off their country's culture. Pride of America has one nationality, American, and the range of talent is astounding. An opera singer, a couple of crooners, a guy who does a fire dance with two glo-sticks, country singers ... and one production number, Fountains, that is so genuinely funny it brought tears of laughter to the entire audience.

I cannot and will not explain Fountains; however, let me just say that I will never again listen to Enya in the same passive way, and further, that I would take this cruise again just to see a repeat performance.

Activities

Whether you're looking for a Low, Medium, or High adrenaline pumping cruise, your search has come to the right place. If you're interested in spending your days being pampered from head to toe, you'll find refuge in our Full Service Beauty Salon and Spa. If you can't seem to resist from checking your emails or surfing the web, you'll be able to click away in our cozy Internet Cafe.

• Variety of daily activities led by cruise staff
• Port & shopping lectures and shore excursions
• Atrium gift shop & 20,000 sq. ft department store for duty-free shopping, jewelry, souvenirs and logo items
• Wine Cellar offers wine tastings, displays and sales
• Photo Gallery and Photo Shop for cruise photos, film and developing
• 1 outdoor & 1 indoor swimming pool and whirlpools for total relaxation
• Kid's Water World pool area with space age theme
• Deck sports include volleyball, basketball, golf driving range, batting cage, shuffleboard, jogging track
• Full service Barong Spa includes extensive fitness center, indoor pool, aerobics, sauna & steam rooms and beauty parlor
• Conference Center has main boardroom and 4 meeting rooms
• Library for quiet reading
• Card Room for cards, games & puzzles
• Wedding Chapel for weddings or vow renewals
• Internet Cafe allows guests to go online while enjoying cappuccino or espresso
• Kid's Korner with supervised youth counsel

Family

NCL is one of our absolute favorite lines for family cruising, and Pride of America is no exception. This ship has designed family staterooms in multiple configurations (some with two rooms, some with an alcove) to accommodate the family in comfort. There are also several adjoining cabins.

Rascal's Kid's Club is bright, cheery and well attended. Potty-trained kids from 3 years old are welcomed; there are age- and destination- appropriate activities available for children up to 12 years old. The Connections Teen Club, a "mom and dad-free zone" for the 13 to 17 year olds, is comfy and relaxing with its leopard-print couches and bean-bag chairs, music library, and computer stations. We saw young adults in there at all hours (parents might not be allowed but you can see into the space through the windows).

Pride of America also encourages family togetherness by way of family craft activities, pizza parties and the like. Programs for the kids are free of charge; some late nights are included. Other times, you can arrange for private child care through the front desk with advance notice; expect to spend about $6 to $8 per hour.

Dress

If you've been hoarding those Hilo Hattie Muu-Muus or surf shirts that were popular in the 60's, bring 'em along. Dress is tropical-casual, with one discretionary formal night (you are not required to dress up). There are several "Polynesian" and "Hawaiian" nights if you have the duds; otherwise, nighttime dress is resort casual. Shorts, bathing suits, tank tops and jeans are not allowed in the dining rooms after 5 p.m. For dining in the Jefferson Bistro or Lazy J's Steakhouse, cocktail attire is appropriate.

Fellow passengers

NCL America's guests run the gamut from multi-generational family groups to honeymooners and everyone in between. This is a relaxed, destination-intensive cruise designed for people who want to experience Hawaii; while the ship offers everything you need and want, NCL America wisely knows that it plays second-fiddle to the islands' allure.

Gratuity

The cruise line, which initiated the industry-standard $10 per day automatic gratuity with the advent of its Freestyle program, has now changed its policy to read "service charge," and further states that "tipping" is not required but would be nice for those staff members who are deserving.

On Pride of America, no tips are added to bar bills, and the only way to make certain that dining room personnel are appropriately tipped for excellent service is to carry small bills and tip as you go.

Ship hightlights

• Public areas and onboard entertainment incorporating a "Best of America" theme
• Service by U.S. officers and crew, many of whom hail from Hawaii
• Capitol Atrium modeled after the Washington Capitol building and White House
• Conservatory with a tropical landscaped garden and live exotic birds
• Eight restaurants offering a range of gourmet, ethnic, and casual eateries
• Cabaret lounge, champagne and cigar bar, and a wine bar
• Family Suites and a wide range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins
• SoHo Art Gallery
• Newbury Street shopping area
• 9 bars and lounges

Recommended for

• Passengers looking for a casual, easy-going cruise environment
• Active families and singles
• Value-conscious vacationers who want to see more Hawaii in less time!

Not recommended for

• Passengers who insist on uncompromising elegance and sophistication
• Frequent cruisers who enjoy "international" staff and service