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Overview

Sailing under the American flag, the Hawaiian-themed Pride of Aloha features Norwegian's signature Freestyle Cruising. An array of dining options awaits, from the Polynesian fare of Kahili Restaurant to Le Bistro's Mediterranean cuisine. Pamper yourself with rejuvenating treatments at the Body Waves Spa while your little ones have fun at Kid's Korner. Teens will love The Zone, a hangout designed just for them. Shoot some hoops or practice your golf swing on deck, or simply lounge by the pool. Later, sip your favorite cocktail while admiring the view from Outrigger Lounge, or delight in a fine stogie at Churchill's Cigar Bar.

The 2002-passenger Pride of Aloha was converted to an American-flag vessel with an all-American crew for her year-round Hawaii cruises. While she has a lovely decor with vivid Hawaiian colors, large sculptures and enormous frescoes depicting the islands' history and culture, food and service have been a constant problem since the ship was reflagged in 2004. NCL has big problems keeping qualified American staff on these ships and the service reflects it: poor cabin service and a lack of professionalism in the Lido restaurant and main dining room. Ships sailing on this itinerary can't have casinos, so gambling has been replaced by the Kumu A`o Hawaiian Cultural Center, a first at sea. This venue provides a fascinating display of Hawaii's history, culture and geology, a great introduction to this cruising region.

Active cruisers will find some of the best shore excursions I've ever encountered, from ATV treks through local plantations to world-class snorkeling and high-speed zodiac rides to places of incredible beauty. Due to Hawaii's high ground costs, however, they are very pricey, and you may want to arrange your own tours prior to departure.

Come aboard Pride of Aloha – a sleek, beautiful ship that delivers world-class amenities and accommodations, along with a friendly crew ready to share their warm and welcoming “Aloha Spirit” with you. Enjoy a wonderful 7-day inter-island cruise to five fabulous ports of call on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Whether you choose to sail from Honolulu or Kahului, it’s a great way to discover all the beauty of Hawai‘i from the vantage point of your own floating resort, and it’s only from NCL America.

Public rooms

The central focus of Pride of Aloha is its three-deck-high atrium (it actually rises to the top deck of the ship, and so sunshine floods in during the daytime). On each level it is basically a place to pass through on the way to another part of the ship, though reception and shore excursion desks are located here (plus a reservations desk for the boutique restaurants).

But the most important public room and even after two cruises I haven't spent as much time here absorbing the decor as I would like is the fabulous Kumu Cultural Center. Housed in the space that was formerly home to the ship's casino (casinos are illegal in Hawaii), the Kumu Cultural Center features a variety of exhibits from modern day Hawaiiana via gorgeous quilts, surfing memorabilia, ukuleles, and movie posters to a gallery that tells the story of the islands, from their volcanic origins to early Polynesian settlers. There are also video showings on different topics each day.

The Mark Twain Library is a lovely if cramped place; you can borrow from its rather moldy collection of books only when a staffer's on hand to unlock the cases. It's next to the card and game room (a great place, incidentally, to connect to the Internet via wireless).

The Stardust Theater is the main venue for Pride of Aloha's elaborate evening shows if you're not too tired from the day's adventures to attend them, that is! There's a charming coffee bar/Internet center (with wireless access); though the windowless space could feel grim, the ambiance is light and airy with the help of a ceiling mural of blue sky and puffy clouds. It adjoins the ship's Galleria, which offers a complement of interesting and typical-for-ship-shops merchandise (lovely Tommy Bahama clothing, for instance, and lots of NCL t-shirts and tchockes). One omission: duty free items (due to the ship's all-America sailings, the shop cannot offer them). Just down the corridor is the ship's golf shop it's elegant and well-stocked with everything from rentable clubs to sporty fashions.

Fitness and Reacreation

The Pool Deck, Sports Deck and Sun Deck are expansive, with shelter from the wind while at sea. The open space and the views they afford are invaluable when sailing into a spectacular port. Located forward on the Pool Deck, the two-room Body Waves fitness center has one room filled with up-to-date equipment and a view, and another for aerobics classes. I felt the equipment was too close together, and there was only one small area for free weights, which could only accommodate one person at a time. A full-size basketball/volleyball court on the Sports Deck, two golf driving ranges, a batting cage, jogging track and aerobics classes scheduled throughout the day complete the program. The Steiner Body Waves Spa includes massage and steam rooms. Two pools and four hot tubs on the Pool Deck are well-protected from the wind and enjoyable in most weather. A children's splash pool and another hot tub are located forward on the Sports Deck. For the kids there are counselors and special programs in the Kid's Korner as well as a teen disco.

The Body Waves Fitness Center on Deck 11 forward is open 24 hours a day, and is equipped with a good selection of treadmills, weight machines and exercise bicycles. There's an aerobics studio next door that offers yoga, spinning and aerobics classes.

When the Fitness Center gets crowded in the late afternoons, a brisk walk on the Promenade deck is a great way to burn off some calories (3.5 laps equals one mile) and admire the view (though we must admit that our adventure-oriented shore adventures provided pretty much all the workouts we needed). The ship also has a basketball and volleyball court, and two golf-driving nets. There are two swimming pools and four hot tubs, as well as a shallow children's pool.

The ship's Body Waves Spa offers the standard panoply of Mandara Spa treatments, such as facials, manicures and hair stylings. There's a Hawaiian twist to some of their offerings, such as Lomi Lomi massage and Coconut Body Polish. There's also a beauty salon that offers the usual (hair cuts, manicures, etc.). Prices range from about average to outrageously expensive.

One highlight of Pride of Aloha is its golf operation. NCL Golf Hawaii operates out of the aforementioned gorgeous shop between the coffee bar and Kumu Cultural Center, and offers club and shoe rentals, onboard clinics and loads of golf-themed paraphernalia. The ship also boasts a wide variety of golf-oriented shore excursions; cost for these includes green fees, transportation, and club rental (you can bring your own clubs, but there's a storage charge and we heard from golfers onboard who were quite happy with the first-rate selection).

NCL and NCL America take fitness as seriously as you do – they keep their Body Waves Fitness Center doors open 24/7. Although you may not be able to schedule an exotic skin treatment or massage at 3 am, it’s nice to know you can pump some iron or burn some calories on the stationary bike at any hour of the day. It’s also nice to know there are two jogging tracks on the Pride of Aloha – one down on Promenade Deck 6; another on Sports Deck 12.

The Health Spa offers free aerobics classes; spinning, yoga and specialized cardio regimens are available at a moderate extra cost. The spa features several massage rooms and sauna and steam rooms, too. Out on deck you’ll find two Golf Driving Nets, a Batting Cage and a Basketball/Volleyball Court available.

Looking your best isn’t always about calories and cardio; sometimes it’s about scissors and shampoo and that’s where the services of the Body Waves Hair Salon (gals and guys welcome) come in.

Entertainment

This ship's entertainment is above average, much of it Hawaiian-inspired. One of the best performances I've ever seen is the Tihati Polynesian Show, scheduled every Monday when the ship overnights in Kauai. Hula line dancing classes were packed each day, as were classes in coconut husking and making leis and shell jewelry.

More typical cruise ship fare is offered at night, including dancing, cabaret, pianists in three lounges and Broadway-style production shows in the Stardust lounge. Pride of Aloha's resident theatrical troupe offers two staged Broadway-style musicals per week in the Stardust Lounge (avoid the balcony because you will view the show through a railing). One of the prettiest spots on the ship is the Outrigger Lounge. It reminds me a bit of Raffles in Singapore, but with a panoramic ocean view. The Sports Bar honoring Duke Kahanamoku, the four-time Olympic swimming champion and renowned surfer, is great, with comfortable booths, ocean views, and video monitors offering a variety of sports programs or CNN, and a non-alcoholic juice bar serving protein and power drinks. Adjacent to this is the Zone, which morphs into a disco and karaoke spot after dark. The Plantation Club is a delightful, intimate watering hole adjacent to the Royal Palm Bistro on deck 12 aft. Each of the ship's other bars has its own unique ambiance. There is something for every mood, including the Blue Hawaii Night Club which offers shows, dancing to live music as well as disco.

Pride of Aloha has 13 different bars and lounges. The Outrigger Lounge, on Deck 11 forward, features panoramic views, polished wood floors and wicker furnishings. On more than one night, passengers took to the baby grand to give an impromptu concert. The Plantation Club on Deck 12 aft is also surrounded by windows, and is a convenient (and peaceful) gathering spot for a pre-dinner drink before heading for the nearby Royal Palm Bistro. Captain Cook's Bar on Deck 6 midship is a pub-like watering hole, with dark wood paneling, sturdy leather furnishings, framed etchings and models of great schooner ships all around (tucked away in the back is the Cigar Bar, with an excellent selection of aged Cognacs). It's pretty dead until the after-dinner crowd shows up then it's a fun spot. A pianist plays pop and show tunes.

During the day, the Blue Hawaiian nightclub on Deck 6 looks a tad ridiculous. A plexiglass statue of Elvis Presley, adorned in Hawaiian shirt and leis, guards the entrance. Banquettes in eye-popping pink, purple and green floral patterns crowd the vast space, and the walls are lined with images of Hollywood stars dancing with Hula girls. But at night the Blue Hawaiian makes infinite sense. There's a great DJ who manages to get baby boomers, teens, kids and seniors out on the dance floor together. Disco hits are especially popular with the multi-generational throngs.

At the pool area on Deck 11, there's an assortment of musical entertainment with Hawaiian flair throughout the cruise. On Monday evenings, a regional dance troupe, Tahiti Productions, performs a "South Seas Spectacular" in the ship's Stardust Theater. Two Las Vegas-style production shows round off the entertainment week in the Stardust.

Mother Nature also puts on a spectacular show for Pride of Aloha's passengers. On Tuesday afternoons, the ship does some scenic cruising along the velvety green cliffs of Kauai's Na Pali Coast. On Wednesday, Pride of Aloha takes a nighttime pass by the awesome Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. Waitresses serve glow-in-the-dark "lava flow" drinks to passengers assembled on the outside decks. In the pitch black, under a star-filled sky, there's nothing quite like the scene of the fiery orange-red lava flowing down the mountain, and hitting the ocean in a plume of steam.

And Pride of Aloha's shore excursion program on both this cruise and my first one is exceptional. There are hundreds of offerings covering all the islands and they range from more sedentary fare to daredevil adventures. While it's fairly simple to book your own independent tours with off-ship operators, we appreciated the convenience and the high quality.

Play Golf in Paradise
Imagine teeing off on a course that winds through mango forests, lagoons and along ocean cliffs. Sipping drinks at the 19th hole as you watch a tropical sunset. This is the ultimate golf vacation, designed for just about anyone who wants to play golf in paradise. We’ve selected some of the best courses in the Islands, set up pro shops on board and can guarantee all your tee times in advance. We’ve got everything you need to get into the swing of things.

Tie your hair back, get comfortable, and dive into the ongoing excitement head first. The staff of Pride of Aloha dare you to avoid having the most ultimate cruising experience ever. Our activities aboard this ship are more vast that the seas that you'll cruise through. You're guarantee to be satisfied to the utmost of our ability and whichever endeavor you're planning on taking part in.

• 2 Swimming Pools
• 5 Hot Tubs
• Splashes Children's Pool
• Body Waves Spa
• Fitness Center
• Jogging/Walking Track
• Basketball/Volleyball Court
• 2 Golf Driving Nets
• Golf Pro Shop
• Galleria Shops
• Mark Twain Library
• Aloha Atrium
• Kid's Korner
• The Club for Teens
• Video Arcade
• Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar
• Kumu Cultural Center
• Conference Facilities

Activities

Family

During the inaugural voyage, kids of all ages were hanging out in groups by the pool, on the basketball court, and even on the stairways, into the wee hours of the night. Fellow passengers didn't seem to mind dodging beach balls in the hallways, either. On our follow-up cruise, which occurred while kids were in school, there were only a handful onboard.

NCL offers Kid's Crew programs for kids ages 2 - 12 in the Kids Korner, located in an odd and out-of-the-way spot, all the way forward on Deck 7. If you've cruised on any of today's new mega-ships (including NCL's own newer ships), you'll find the facilities quite provincial, though the participants seemed to enjoy activities such as "Pirate Night" and family pizza making.

Teens have a few hangouts of their own. The Club, on Deck 7, is a teen center with beanbag chairs and tables set up for board games. At night, it becomes a teen disco. The Zone, on Deck 11, features karaoke, comfy lounge chairs and a close proximity to the pizza oven. The line is planning to add additional counselors for programs in the teen areas (which is a way of saying that on our voyage, the teens pretty much entertained themselves). There's also a video arcade onboard.

There is a group baby-sitting service while the ship is in port called Port Play. It's available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. while ship is in port, and every evening from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. The fee is $5 per hour, per child, with a reduction to $3 for other children in the same family.

Dress

Resort casual is the recommended attire most of the time. As a practical matter, that means passengers run around in shorts, bathing suits with cover-ups, and lots of flip flops (or slippers, as the Hawaiians call them). The ship has a rule against jeans, shorts, T-shirts or athletic wear in the main and specialty restaurants after 5:30 p.m., except in the Hukilau Cafe. There's one optional formal night per cruise.

The designated dress code is "resort casual". "Freestyle Cruising" means you can get as dressed up or down as you please. Blue jeans and shorts are not permitted in restaurants or public areas after 6 p.m.

Gratuity

When Pride of Aloha became an American-flagged vessel with an all-American crew, sailing round-trip from a U.S. port, NCL had to change its tipping policies. Replacing the standard prepaid gratuity is a mandatory $10 "service charge." In bars, you must add a tip manually, while spa charges have a 15% gratuity automatically added. The "service charge" of $10 per person per day is added to the bill, replacing a gratuity. However, poor service has led NCL to cancel pre-paid tipping entirely on many sailings. If you find someone good, be sure to tip.

There are no mandated gratuities on this ship (as opposed to the rest of the NCL fleet) though general guidelines $10 per day per person (adults), $5 (kids 3 - 12) will give you an idea of how to budget. You can't put gratuities on your shipboard account and there's no auto distribution, which can make tipping in the dining room a confusing affair we saw a number of people slipping servers cash on a meal-by-meal basis in the main dining rooms. We tipped our cabin steward $6 per person, per day. Also confusing (and quite frankly tacky) is the spa's practice of charging a 10 percent service fee which is not the tip (and the treatment therapists receive not a penny of it) which meant I tipped an additional 20 percent, making my spa treatment somewhat more expensive than anticipated.

Ship hightlights

• Public areas and onboard entertainment incorporating a Hawaiian theme
• Service by U.S. officers and crew, many of whom hail from Hawaii
• Internet Cafe featuring 14 computer terminals for email access at sea
• Intimate dining indoors or out
• Champagne bar, martini bar, cigar bar, and a wine and tapas bar
• The Club, a teen hangout area and disco, including a soft-drink bar
• Two-story show lounge with a state-of-the-art sound system
• 12 spacious decks and a glass-domed atrium
• Two swimming pools and four hot tubs
• Strolling musicians at high tea

Recommended for

• Passengers looking for a casual, easy-going, Hawaii-themed cruise environment
• Active families and singles
• Value-conscious vacationers who seek all-inclusive land & sea packages

Not recommended for

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