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Dining Freestyle means choices, and we thrive on that. We are also grateful for the new flat-screen monitors, positioned in several public spaces, letting us know which specialty dining restaurants have availability on any given evening.
The Aloha Nui Cafe, Pride of Hawaii's Lido Deck eatery, has expanded its kiosk-style dining. It's still a bit confusing at the outset, but once you figure out where everything is located, it's easy to make the rounds to get your food. The Asian-themed dining space has been expanded, with room for more guests at the Teppanyaki tables. Our biggest surprise came when we ventured into the Blue Lagoon, which on most NCL ships is a fast-food joint with get-it-yourself pound cake and cookies, reach-in coolers for milk and a counter for ordering take out. Not on this ship. Although it serves the "comfort food" found in other Blue Lagoons (burgers, fries, meatloaf and Buffalo wings), and although it's open 24 hours, it's actually a genuine (and beautifully decorated) sit-down restaurant perched above the ship's atrium. Nothing says NCL or NCL America like Le Bistro, the first specialty dining venue on any contemporary cruise ship and the one on NCL ships that long preceded Freestyle Dining. As long as we can get our fruit and chocolate fondue at least once in Le Bistro, we're happy. Having coffee pots in the staterooms, especially when they come with complimentary coffee, is a real benefit too, and we admit to being spoiled one to which we look forward on all of our NCL cruises. As on all NCL ships, Freestyle Dining guarantees plentiful dining options – in fact, more venue choices than your cruise has nights to try them! Flat screen “dining status” monitors are strategically located in main passenger areas to help give you an update on which restaurants are busy; which ones aren’t. Quantity shouldn’t be confused with uncompromising 5-star gourmet quality, however. Aside from the ship’s excellent (but extra-cost) upscale venues, the main restaurants, alternative eateries, and buffet dining rooms aboard Pride of Hawaii offer good, well-presented – but not especially stellar fare. Our suggestion is to set aside at least one night during your cruise for dinner in one of the extra-cost restaurants. The modest fee is well worth the cost. The two main restaurants aboard Pride of Hawaii offer two distinct dining atmospheres. Grand Pacific is grand, formal and sophisticated; Alizar is more contemporary. Both offer identical menu choices ranging from familiar American and continental favorites to regional specialties. Table sizes vary from two to ten or more; reservations are rarely necessary. For buffet convenience, the always-casual indoor/outdoor Aloha Café fits the bill for on-the-go guests. The cuisine at Papa’s Italian Restaurant is self-evident – a trattoria with a country farmhouse appeal. The Aloha Lanai offers a “feel-good” menu of basic, no-nonsense entrees – and excellent 370-degree views out to sea thanks to its aft location. The Blue Lagoon, though somewhat small, offers burgers, sandwiches and similar fare 24 hours a day. Across the atrium from the “Lagoon” is Paniolo Tapas & Salsa Restaurant – more on the hot and spicy side. There are three extra-cost dining options aboard Pride of Hawaii. Prices are nominal but most agree, the cuisine is excellent and the dining ambiance is intimate. Le Bistro French Restaurant – an NCL hallmark – offers French and continental options. Cagney’s Steakhouse offers succulent, mouth-watering steaks and Jasmine Asian Restaurant features a main dining area as well as a separate Teppanyaki Room and an adjacent Sushi Bar and Sake Bar. This being a “floating resort,” there are more choices! The Grill, located just a few wet steps from the Waikiki Beach Pool, will grill your burger, hot dog and chicken breast to order. Upstairs is the Balitlai Bar & Grill. Head back indoors and down a few decks overlooking the atrium and you’ll find theJava Café where specialty coffees and pastries can be had. A limited 24-hour Room Service menu is also on hand for those who want to sleep in, watch a movie on closed-circuit TV or share their meal with the views from their balcony! Oh, and save room for the Midnight Chocolate Extravaganzas – another of NCL’s signature offerings! Restaurants The choice is yours. With Freestyle Cruising, you travel a world of dining options all in one week. From elegant French bistros and Italian trattorias to sushi and tapas bars, and more, there’s a different dining option for almost every night of your cruise. With up to 10 different restaurants, each featuring a diverse an ever-changing menu, you’ll always find exactly what you’re in the mood for. And there are no fixed seatings. Imagine restaurants open from 5:30 pm to midnight so that you can choose from an early dinner before the show or a later romantic dinner for the two of you. And of course there’s always the option of 24-hour room service. You’re free to dine where, when and with whom you choose. Just as it should be on your vacation.
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