NCL Pride of America Hawaii Review From Our 7-Day Cruise
What We Loved, What Fell Short, and Who Should Sail
Planning a Hawaiian island-hopping trip often means choosing between repeated flights and a cruise. Gary and I tried the NCL Pride of America Hawaii itinerary after visiting these islands on earlier trips. We wanted to see whether unpacking once could make exploring four islands easier.
After seven days aboard, we found clear advantages, a few disappointments and several lessons worth sharing. I’ll cover our cabin, dining, entertainment, service and independently planned port days. You’ll also learn who should book this cruise and who may prefer a land-based Hawaii vacation.
Is the NCL Pride of America Hawaii Cruise Worth It?
Yes, Pride of America is worth considering if you want to visit several Hawaiian islands in one trip. The cruise removes inter-island flights, hotel changes and repeated packing from your vacation.
However, the itinerary matters more than the ship itself. You’ll spend long days ashore, so plan transportation, tours and activities before sailing.
Our Quick Verdict
We enjoyed exploring Hawaii while returning to the same cabin each evening. The overnight stops also gave us time for relaxed dinners at Mama’s Fish House and Hualani’s.
The ship felt clean and comfortable, but the complimentary food was only average. We viewed Pride of America as convenient transportation between islands rather than the vacation’s main attraction.
Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?
Pride of America works well for travelers who want to experience several islands without flying between them. It also suits independent travelers who enjoy renting cars and planning their own days.
The cruise can provide an easy introduction to Hawaii for friends or family who haven’t visited. We would consider sailing again with friends if the price were right.
Who May Prefer a Land-Based Hawaii Vacation?
A land-based trip may work better if you want resort time or several days on one island. It also offers more opportunities to experience local restaurants, beaches, and communities.
Travelers seeking a large ship with extensive entertainment may also feel disappointed. Pride of America is smaller, and Hawaii remains the focus throughout the week.
What Makes the Pride of America Hawaii Itinerary Different?
Pride of America sails round trip from Honolulu without spending several days crossing the Pacific. That gave us more time in Hawaii and eliminated the need for repeated inter-island flights.
The overnight stops in Maui and Kauai let us explore without rushing back for an early departure. We rented cars, enjoyed dinners ashore, and planned each day around our interests.
Weather can still change the itinerary. Unfavorable currents canceled our Hilo stop, but the captain returned toward Maui for afternoon whale watching.
Our Pride of America Ocean-View Cabin
We booked an ocean-view cabin because it cost about half as much as a balcony. Since we planned to explore every day, paying more for outdoor space didn’t make sense.
The cabin felt small but offered plenty of storage for two people. Folded bunks along the walls made getting in and out of bed awkward.
Our Deck 4 location near the stairs made reaching the port gangway easy. The cabin stayed quiet and clean, although we never met our room steward.
Dining and Entertainment on Pride of America
We ordered room service breakfast every morning through Priority Access. The pastries were some of the best food we had onboard and made busy port mornings easier. Some days, we packed them in a zip-close bag to enjoy later.
The buffet and main dining room food tasted just OK to us. We enjoyed Jefferson’s Bistro, but East Meets West became our favorite onboard restaurant. Drinks cost more than $15 before gratuity and felt too small for the price.
We liked the magician and the performers at Pink’s Champagne Bar. The comedian wasn’t our style, and we missed the popular hula show.
How We Explored Hawaii Without NCL Shore Excursions
We rented a car for both Maui port days and planned everything independently. Highlights included whale watching, Ocean Vodka, Ali’i Kula Lavender, Ho’okipa Beach and dinner at Mama’s Fish House. Rain changed our second-day plans, but we found plenty of food and shopping stops.
In Kona, Priority Access let us board an early tender without collecting tickets. We rented from Big Island Buggy and explored coffee farms and local beaches at our own pace.
We also rented a car for both days in Kauai. Wings Over Kauai, Lydgate Farms, Hualani’s, Waimea Canyon and Poipu Beach were among our favorite stops. Independent planning saved money and gave us more flexibility than NCL excursions.
What First-Time Passengers Should Know
Pride of America isn’t a typical Caribbean cruise where you can walk off and explore every port. Only Kona and Kauai offer much near the ship. Arrange rental cars, tours, or other transportation before sailing.
The ship is smaller and older than many modern cruise ships, but it felt clean and easy to navigate. Dress remained Hawaiian casual, and we spent little time using the pool, gym or spa.
We paid $199 total for Priority Access and used it throughout the cruise. It provided priority check-in, early boarding, Kona tender access, room service breakfast and priority disembarkation in Honolulu. For our port-focused itinerary, those benefits made the purchase worthwhile.
Our Pride of America NCL Review Pros and Cons
The cruise made visiting several islands easier than flying between them. We unpacked once, avoided airports, and enjoyed overnight stays in Maui and Kauai. The relaxed Hawaiian atmosphere also matched our port-focused travel style.
The complimentary food disappointed us, although the pastries and specialty restaurants were much better. Drinks felt expensive, and the folded bunks made our cabin layout awkward. Missing Hilo became our biggest disappointment, even though the afternoon whale watching helped.
We would sail again if the price were right or if friends wanted their first look at Hawaii. Pride of America offers convenience, but travelers should plan each port instead of relying on the ship for less expensive shore excursions.
7 Tips for Sailing NCL Pride of America Hawaii
Pride of America makes island-hopping easier, but thoughtful planning will help you get the most from every port.
1. Get Off the Ship and Explore Hawaii
This cruise is less about the ship and more about maximizing your limited time on each Hawaiian island.
2. Plan Every Port Before Your Cruise
Research transportation and activities because several ports sit in industrial areas without attractions within walking distance.
3. Reserve Rental Cars and Tours Early
Rental cars and popular tours can sell out when Pride of America brings thousands of passengers into port.
4. Use the Overnight Stops
Plan longer drives and dinners ashore in Maui and Kauai without worrying about an early departure.
5. Enjoy Hawaii’s Local Food
The complimentary ship food was average, so we enjoyed local restaurants, bakeries and food stops whenever possible.
6. Consider Priority Access
Our $199 package simplified embarkation, Kona tendering, room service breakfast and final disembarkation.
7. Add Time in Oahu
Arriving early and staying one night afterward gave us time for Waikiki, the North Shore and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NCL Pride of America (POA) Hawaii
These additional questions cover practical details to consider before booking an NCL Pride of America Hawaii cruise.
U.S. citizens don’t need a passport for this Hawaii inter-island cruise, according to NCL. Bring a government-issued photo ID, and verify current documentation requirements before leaving home.
Gratuities aren’t included in NCL’s standard cruise fare. Expect a daily onboard service charge, plus separate service charges on qualifying beverages, specialty dining, spa and salon purchases.
Pride of America doesn’t have a casino because gambling is illegal in Hawaii. Travelers who usually spend sea days gambling should consider whether the ship’s destination-focused experience suits them.
Seeing the Nā Pali Coast from Pride of America isn’t part of the typical itinerary. Weather or itinerary changes may occasionally take the ship past the coastline, but passengers shouldn’t expect this viewing.
The Wrap-Up: NCL Pride of America Hawaii
Pride of America gave us an easy way to explore several Hawaiian islands without flights, hotel changes, or repeated packing. The ship wasn’t the main attraction, but its convenient itinerary helped us make the most of Hawaii.
Plan your port days early, reserve transportation, and leave time for local food and unexpected discoveries. Start with our Hawaii cruise port resources to create your own island adventures.
