Staterooms

No question whether you've booked an inside or a suite, cabins on Pride of Aloha are small ... especially the inside units, which at 121 square ft. recall the oft-told joke about having "to go outside to change your mind." Outside and balcony staterooms both measure 152 square ft.; the latter's balcony adds another 50 square ft. to the total. That balcony can be a lifesaver in such cramped quarters although the furniture is so incredibly uncomfortable it's hard to spend much time there.

Regardless of size, cabins are quite cheerful with bright neon-like pink and green color schemes. Some enhancements noticed since our first sailing include mattress pads on the beds (no need to ask for egg crates to relive the experience of sleeping on those hard mattresses) and duvet covers stuffed with lightweight down comforters. A huge improvement!

Bathrooms on the other hand are quite desultory. Our small, shower-only bathroom featured dingy lighting (making us wonder: Do we really look this pallid?), flimsy nylon shower curtains that were forever ripping away from their rungs, and minimal water pressure (and a water temperature that typically fluctuated from steaming hot to cold). Shampoo and shower gel are provided.

Suites come in two varieties. There are 10 penthouses, which feature two separate rooms and a luxurious bathroom with whirlpool tub in about 311 square ft. Televisions have VCRs and balconies are outfitted thank heavens with furniture you can actually sit on. There are just four Owner's Suites. These are about twice the size of the penthouses and also feature living rooms with a dining area and balconies with private hot tubs. All suite passengers are entitled to butler service.

Pride of Aloha's cabins are among the tiniest you'll find in the cruise industry: ranging from a miniscule 121 sq. ft. for a standard inside to 149 sq. ft. for an oceanview. There is inadequate closet space for a week and there are some design flaws: e.g., reading lights over the bed are too low, and tiny door handles are difficult to open. Each cabin is pleasantly decorated and has a small sitting area, TV/radio, telephone, modem connection, refrigerator, safe and individual thermostat. A daily movie program is available on the TV, along with CNN and another satellite channel. All but a few outside cabins on Fjord and Norway decks have balconies. These measure just 154 sq. ft. plus a 48 sq. foot balcony; they are very narrow and feel tiny. Suites have concierge service, which is a very nice touch. The penthouses and owner's suites, located fore and aft, are larger (between 311 and 398 sq. ft., depending on location) and boast teak decks and private hot tubs on the deck of the owners' suites. There are also connecting cabins for families.

Owner's Suite Deck: Fjord, Viking Owner's Suites AA feature a separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to a private balcony with hot tub, living room with sofa bed, separate dining area, bar, private luxury bathroom with whirlpool tub and shower, butler and concierge service, refrigerator, safe, mints on pillows, duvet, wooden hangers, continental breakfast, 24-hour room service, TV, radio, and hairdryer. Approximately 522- to 558-sq.-ft. suite, with 220- to 400-sq.-ft. balcony.

Penthouse Suite Deck: Fjord, Norway, Viking Penthouse Suites AB feature a separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to a private balcony, sitting area, private luxury bathroom with whirlpool tub and shower, butler and concierge service, refrigerator, safe, mints on pillows, duvet, wooden hangers, continental breakfast, 24-hour room service, TV, radio, and a hairdryer. Approximately 450-sq.-ft. suite, with 255-sq.-ft. balcony.

Private Balcony Stateroom Deck: Fjord, Norway, Viking Private Balcony Staterooms BA feature two lower beds that convert to a double bed, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to a private balcony, a sitting area, private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, safe, mints on pillows, duvet, wooden hangers, continental breakfast, 24-hour room service, TV, radio, and a hairdryer. Approximately 154-sq.-ft. stateroom, with 48-sq.-ft. balcony.

Superior Interior Stateroom Deck: Fjord, Norway, Viking Superior Interior Staterooms II feature two lower beds that convert to a double bed, a sitting area, private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, safe, mints on pillows, duvet, wooden hangers, continental breakfast, 24-hour room service, TV, radio, and a hairdryer. Approximately 147-sq.-ft. stateroom.