Our cruise around Hawaii

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sounds terrific!!!...A perfect way to get a taste of the various Islands.

[penguinpower Member Find all posts View Profile Close penguinpower]

Thanks for the report katiemack! My mom and I are going on the Pride of America for the 3/31 sailing, followed by two weeks of t/s. It's our first trip to Hawaii. My mom has always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so I didn't tell her but splurged on a balcony room for us to make it even more special. We're paying a bit more than $449 per person.

I am happy to hear how much you enjoyed the cruise, since reports of the service on Pride of America have been a little discouraging.

We love cruises but since becoming avid T/S travelers, it's been several years since we did one. Now, with this trip, we'll be combining both!

[LisaH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LisaH]

Hi katiemack, thanks for the info! I'd like to try a cruise again hopefully sometime next year.

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

Glad to hear a positive review- hopefully you just weren't lucky your week and te trend will continue. we sailed the Shame of Aloha (as we dubbed it) during its inaugural summer and, let's just say, we had a wonderful time despite the cruise. As a cruise experience it was awful- not only didn't the sheets get changed the entire trip, but we had to call twice to get clean sheets the first night (sorry- but someone else's blood stained sheets is not acceptable!). Freestyle dining meant 2 hour waits nightly for dinner. I am not exaggerating- it was that bad. Over the last 2 years I have spoken to several travelers who have subsequently been on the NCL Hawaii cruises and everyone had awful stories to share. I am glad that you had a great time and I hope this portends well for the future. It is a great concept, but after our experience, despite loving cruises, I will never set foot on another NCL cruise again.

It was so bad our week that passengers called the news media and reporters met us in port and there were several articles about the mismanagement. NCL's only concession was to halve our mandatory tipping (what a joke) and offer us 20% off on a future cruise the following year (which I'd venture to guess very few people took tham up on). I even sent a 3 page letter detailing what transpired to the corporate office without any real concessions being offered.

[vlariano Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vlariano]

I'm glad to hear such a glowing report about the Pride of America. I'll put it back on my list too. Several years ago we circled the islands on the Independence and loved the experience. I think that's a great way to get an overview of the islands, and sailing by the volcano is really awesome. Great review, thanks again.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Thanks for the report katiemack! My mom and I are going on the Pride of America for the 3/31 sailing, followed by two weeks of t/s. It's our first trip to Hawaii. My mom has always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so I didn't tell her but splurged on a balcony room for us to make it even more special. We're paying a bit more than $449 per person.

I am happy to hear how much you enjoyed the cruise, since reports of the service on Pride of America have been a little discouraging.

We love cruises but since becoming avid T/S travelers, it's been several years since we did one. Now, with this trip, we'll be combining both!

Penguinpower, yes, I know that the PoAm has had mixed reviews....and I heard from some recent cruisers about a few rough spots in service....but the good news was that when they took their concerns to a higher up (i.e. Head of Housekeeping or Matri'd....the reaction was prompt, helpful, and corrective to the situation)....so look forward to the trip!

What deck are you on? And location (aft/starboard)....have you gotten your docs yet? A Balcony room would be great fun! Let me know if I can answer any questions!

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Glad to hear a positive review- hopefully you just weren't lucky your week and te trend will continue. we sailed the Shame of Aloha (as we dubbed it) during its inaugural summer and, let's just say, we had a wonderful time despite the cruise. As a cruise experience it was awful- not only didn't the sheets get changed the entire trip, but we had to call twice to get clean sheets the first night (sorry- but someone else's blood stained sheets is not acceptable!). Freestyle dining meant 2 hour waits nightly for dinner. I am not exaggerating- it was that bad. Over the last 2 years I have spoken to several travelers who have subsequently been on the NCL Hawaii cruises and everyone had awful stories to share. I am glad that you had a great time and I hope this portends well for the future. It is a great concept, but after our experience, despite loving cruises, I will never set foot on another NCL cruise again.

It was so bad our week that passengers called the news media and reporters met us in port and there were several articles about the mismanagement. NCL's only concession was to halve our mandatory tipping (what a joke) and offer us 20% off on a future cruise the following year (which I'd venture to guess very few people took tham up on). I even sent a 3 page letter detailing what transpired to the corporate office without any real concessions being offered.

Yes, I have heard such terrible stories about NCL America's cruises, especially during the inaugaural seasons....and yes, I am sure it was horrible! There is no excuse for it at all....but I can assure you we waited no longer than 10 minutes for a table and that was just one night. However, we did use the specialty restaurants three times during the week....and thoroughly enjoyed that.

The management at the front desk, however, do seem to be trying, but struggling. It is not run like the regular NCL line (which have a much more professionally trained crew)....we have been on the Star and the Sun and the crews there are very different.

I do hope that things continue to improve on the Hawaiian ships, as the opportunity to see the islands this way at a more affordable rate is just great!

So sorry your trip was such a bummer!

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

I'm glad to hear such a glowing report about the Pride of America. I'll put it back on my list too. Several years ago we circled the islands on the Independence and loved the experience. I think that's a great way to get an overview of the islands, and sailing by the volcano is really awesome. Great review, thanks again.

The lava viewing was great fun....if I can figure it out I will post a couple of pictures ....but I never seem to do it right, so if I cannot get photos to run, I will ask for help!

[penguinpower Member Find all posts View Profile Close penguinpower]

What deck are you on? And location (aft/starboard)....have you gotten your docs yet? A Balcony room would be great fun! Let me know if I can answer any questions!

Hi Katie--oops, haven't checked back on this thread for a while. We got our docs via email. When I booked the cabin I asked for a port-side room since Cruise Critic members were recommending that side for the coastline views, so that's where we are, port side on the 8th floor, just slightly aft (not too far from elevators). I am totally hooked on balcony cabins and always spend a lot of time on ours, so definitely get my money's worth out of them. This time, since I'm sailing with my mom, it will be a lifesaver since she goes to sleep a lot earlier than I do, and I can go out on the balcony with my book and booklight and enjoy the Hawaiian breezes while I read.

I did rent a car for us in Maui, and have been wishy-washy about picking excursions at other ports. I think for the Kona and Hilo ports we might just stay on board or do something very minor, since we will be spending two weeks on the Big Island after the cruise.

I also might get my mom to splurge with me on a specialty restaurant or two. We have done quite a few cruises and never forked over the extra bucks for a specialty restaurant, but I have been looking over the menus for the week and I see a couple of nights where the regular menu just isn't that appealing.

This will be our second cruise on Norwegian. I expect it will be very different, but I know we will have a blast!

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Sounds like a great plan! I will love to read your review when you get back from the trip. We really enjoyed the Jefferson's Bistro and we highly recommend the Lazy J Steakhouse....I did hear from a friend that the Pacific restaurant had wonderful tempura.

Did you rent the car in Maui from Thrifty? They offered a great rate....Cruise Critic folks know the link....we rented a car for about $32.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Thank you so much for posting!! I want to go!! NOW!! Someday I would like to do that cruise followed by a week or so TS. shaggy