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A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Hawaii: Hawaii Inter-Island Cruise

7-night pride of america cruise.

From $1,348 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $257 - $2,464

Norwegian Cruise Line

Immerse yourself in the rich culture, incredible landscapes and delicious cuisine of Hawaii on this one-of-a-kind 7-day cruise from Honolulu on Pride of America. Where you can explore an island every day of your vacation – from the lush, fragrant vegetation of Kauai to the Big Island's dramatic volcanoes and the famous surfing beaches of Oahu.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Norwegian Cruise Line sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Anyone lucky enough to be going to Honolulu doesn't have to give a reason for going. They can just say, "We're going to Honolulu," and imagination will take care of the rest. Moreover, Honolulu can probably live up to and even surpass whatever we imagine. World-famous beaches and tropical weather set the scene for an amazing mix of Pacific cultures in this Hawaiian capital. There is a reason why Hawaii is consistently rated as one of the nation's top travel destinations; in fact, there are several of them. Waikiki Beach is the center of activity for Hawaii's biggest industry: tourism. This is one of the world's greatest resort playgrounds, featuring some of the most beautiful beaches and hotels in the world. Visitors from all over the world flock here to enjoy the sun, the sand and the incredible nightlife. Besides the beaches, visitors to Honolulu can take tours of the countryside surrounding the downtown area. These tours are amazing, bringing visitors to some of the most beautiful rainforests and volcanoes in the world. Animal and plant life are abundant, and the scenery is unsurpassed. A five-minute car ride from Honolulu brings visitors into some of Nature's most beautiful and awe-inspiring sights. Several museums, including the Bishop Museum, combine exhibits on Hawaiian natural history with lessons about history and culture of its many diverse peoples. The Waikiki Aquarium is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States, and it features many of Hawaii's most interesting sea animals. The Honolulu Zoo also features some of the unique mammals, birds, and reptiles that inhabit the forests just outside of the city. The history of Hawaii is very rich, as the islands have always attracted many different people. Visitors can tour the Iolani Palace, the residence of the last of the Hawaiian monarchs. They can also visit Honolulu's Chinatown, which is more authentic than many of its mainland counterparts. They can also visit the Arizona Memorial, commemorating the destruction of the battleship Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought America into World War II. Honolulu exhibits the best of Hawaii in every way. From its famous beaches to its incredible natural preserves, this town has attracted millions of people from around the world. Many of those visitors stayed, helping to make Hawaii one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse places to visit in the United States. Anyone lucky enough to be going to Hawaii knows that he won't be disappointed.

Kahului is located in Maui County on the west side of the island of Maui between Wailuku and Lower Paia along Highway 32 near the West Maui Forest Reserve and the Pacific Ocean.Kahului is heart of Maui, and the only deep water port for the island. This is where the major cruise and container ships come in, the main airport, Kahului Airport is located here also. Kahului has great variety in shopping and services, but lacks the variety of fine restaurants that Lahaina has, although some of the local dining favorites reside here. There are few hotels and resorts in Kahului, there is however, a new golf course. There are four major shopping malls with the largest being the Kaahumanu Mall.Most of 'industrial' Maui is located in Kahului. It is here where one of the main power plants is located, most of Maui's service oriented businesses, and the greatest variety in shopping. Everything from small local stores, catering to residents, to large discount stores such as K-Mart and Costco. Kahului has grown a lot in the past few years, unfortunately the infrastructure has not. As a result traffic is congested most of the working day. The traffic can be especially heavy while exiting the Kahului Airport area. Rush hour traffic is especially bad, both in the afternoons and evenings, traffic from Paia and Upcountry bottleneck at the intersection of Dairy Road and Hana Highway. Allow a little extra time for travelling through this area of Maui.

The Polynesians arrived in the Hilo area about 1100 A.C. They eventually inhabited the shores of Hilo Bay, farmed their crops, fished and traded their goods along the Wailuku River.  In the late 1700’s, the days of King Kamehameha’s rule, Hilo was the center of political activity and social growth. It was the prime place for the King to build his army of ships designed for conquering the Hawaiian Islands. By 1791 native Hawaiians had traveled as far as the United States and China. The King befriended many of the foreigners who traveled to the islands. With such considerable traveling, the Hawaiian way of life soon became influenced by products ranging from iron to livestock to non-native seeds.    Hilo became a stopping place for explorers, whaling ships, traders and those curious about active volcanoes. By the 1900’s, Hilo had grown into a commercial center. The sugar industry was booming, a number of wharves had been constructed, the breakwater was begun and a new railroad connected Hilo with other parts of the island. Then in 1946 – and again in 1960 – two destructive tsunamis swept Hilo’s Bayfront causing the relocation of Hilo’s government and commercial life. When the town was rebuilt, a large park and roadway were situated between the buildings and the shoreline to absorb future tidal waves.   Besides being a rare surviving example of an Hawaiian plantation town, cultural diversity is one of Hilo’s special charms. The local term, “mixed plate”, describes well the impact made by Polynesians, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Koreans, other Pacific Islanders and Europeans on Hilo’s mixed-race culture of today. All these ethnic groups blend in the faces of the people who give Hilo its charm. Its diverse shopping opportunities, its small scale and its friendliness makes Hilo the perfect town in which to linger just a little longer.

Kailua/Hawaii

Historians and researchers believe that it is possible that Kailua was home to Hawaiian families at least 1,500 years ago. The earliest settlers are thought to have lived fished and played on the slopes surrounding Kawainui Marsh. A Bishop Museum report on archaeological excavations of the marshland concludes that when the marsh slopes were first occupied about 500 A.D., agriculture was not possible. The report said that early Hawaiian occupants of Kailua apparently lived beside a lagoon or bay open to the sea hundreds of yards shoreside of today's shoreline. In the 16th century, Kailua attracted the ali'i giving birth to many rich Hawaiian legends, some of which may be found in written and oral reminiscences in Hawaii State Libraries. Many legends were born here including the menehune who were known for working at night in Kaiwainui Marsh and mo'o who took the shape of a large lizard that attracted fish. Kailua was densely populated before the arrival of Captain Cook and was the ancient capital of O'ahu's kings. The biggest event in Kailua and the entire Windward side was in 1795 when King Kamehameha I conquered O'ahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The King granted Kaiwainui Marsh and old Kailua, which included large freshwater fish ponds and saltwater ponds at Mokapu, to the warriors and chiefs that had helped him. The land was used in various forms for agriculture from sugarcane to rice to taro and eventually was used primarily for cattle raising. Kailua was a sleepy town of barely 3,000 in the 1940s. However, the events of World War II changed the appearance of Kailua. Kaneohe Ranch sold portions of land to the government for expansion of the Navy base and the Army's Fort Hase. Finally in 1942, Kaneohe Ranch closed down its cattle raising operations entirely, freeing thousands of acres for post-war development. Harold K.L. Castle, owner of Kaneohe Ranch, donated the land for many churches, schools, and for a new hospital. A new four-lane highway, tunneling through the Ko'olau Mountains, was completed in the late 1950s. In 1946, a small Liberty House (now Macy's) shop opened with three employees and upgraded to a full-line department store in 1953 with nearly 50 employees. The first bowling alley, a branch office of the telephone company, and the very first supermarket in Hawaii opened in Kailua in 1947. By the end of the 1950s, Hawaii had become a state and Kailua became the official postal designation. Castle Hospital opened in 1963. By 1960 the population was up to 24,400. The town has grown more than 100 percent since 1960 when its population was 24,402. It has a compact, easy-to-shop business district surrounded by mostly single-family homes. By 1992 50,000 residents encompassed a central urban core with surrounding residential areas.

Nawiliwili is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Kauai between Lihue and Nawiliwili Bay along Highway 51 near Ninini Point and the Huleia Stream.Kaua'i is divided into five major districts, or moku 'aina. Nawiliwili Bay is located in the moku 'aina of Puna on the southeastern coast. One meaning of puna is spring, and Puna has an abundance of springs and streams caused by its location on the windward side of the island. Around 1000 A.D., settlers from the Marquesas arrived, led by Punanuikaia'aina. He succeeded in creating a chiefdom independent of Kona in Puna.

Onboard the Pride of America

Pride of America

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2005
• Year Refurbished: 2022

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2186

Aloha! Come aboard Pride of America, the only cruise ship that sails round trip from Honolulu year-round so you can vacation on your schedule. As you journey from one exotic island to the next, learn about the Hawaiian culture through the eyes of native ambassadors on board the ship. Island hop Hawaii in style, with a wide variety of restaurants and bars and lounges, excellent family accommodations, spacious suites and balconies – perfect for whale watching, witnessing Kilauea Volcano or taking in the dramatic views of the Napali Coast.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Sports Facilities
• Walking/Jogging Track
• Golf Driving Net
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Conservatory
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Concierge Desk
• Safe Deposit Boxes

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Fitness Classes
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center

Main Dining

Liberty:  Dining at the Liberty is guaranteed to be a traditional experience as you step back into America's Colonial days. The decor features paintings of the Founding Fathers and important moments in American History.

Skyline:  Inspired by the architecture and skyscrapers of 1930's Manhattan, this Art Deco style restaurant offers a delicious, traditional dining experience.

Cagney's Steakhouse

Specialty Dining

Cagney's Steakhouse:  Steak is the standard at our American-style steakhouse. Sip your favorite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Certified Angus Beef® perfectly prepared. And don’t forget to order Cagney's famous truffle fries. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Dolce Gelato:  What's better than a Hawaii cruise? A Hawaii cruise with a delicious scoop of gelato. With so many flavors to choose from, all made fresh onboard, you may want to make it a double. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

La Cucina:  Enjoy the flavors of the Tuscan countryside at tables with room for old friends and new. Dine on classic dishes where you can taste the freshness of every tomato used to make an exquisitely delicious sauce. Try a twist on a classic like shrimp fettuccine, or keep it purist with an osso bucco. Just when you think you’re out, they’ll pull you back in with a toasty espresso and some macadamia nut ice cream. Delizioso! This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Jefferson's Bistro:  Have it au poivre or just go straight for the bouillabaisse at our signature French restaurant. Elegant interiors and attentive servers make this an intimate dining experience reminiscent of a Parisian café. By the end of your meal, you might just be proclaiming c’est magnifique! This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Moderno Churrascaria:  If you’re looking for a unique experience, Norwegian's authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar of imported cheeses, olives, cured meats, ceviche and specialty salads. Be sure to save room for the delicious skewers of slow-roasted meats including beef, pork, lamb and chicken – all carved table-side by Norwegian's Pasadores. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Sushi Bar:  East Meets West Asian Restaurant also has a Sushi and Sashimi Bar where you can enjoy the very best sushi and sashimi expertly prepared as you watch. The menu is priced a la carte. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Teppanyaki:  Flying shrimp. Onion volcanoes. Twirling knives. The sizzles and surprises never cease at our authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Sit around a lively shared table as a skillful chef slices, chops and grills steak, seafood and chicken on a large steel grill right before your eyes. Norwegian's chilled, sake-infused Wasabi Cocktail will have you flipping too. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Casual Dining

Aloha Café:  This indoor/outdoor buffet-style eatery features food stations where you can order omelets, waffles, fruit, soups, ethnic specialties and pasta. Set against a Hawaiian theme with outrigger canoes, Polynesian carvings and even a kid-sized buffet.

Cadillac Diner:  This totally retro 1950's diner has Cadillac seats, plays 50's Rock 'n Roll and offers up a classic menu of burgers, fish 'n chips, potpies and wok-fast dishes. Open 22-hours a day.

East Meets West:  Enjoy an Asian Fusion dining venue featuring freshly prepared noodles, delicious wok fried dishes, authentic soups, and more.

Key West Bar & Grill:  Enjoy casual dining to suit every taste. From grilled burgers to hot dogs, come as you are and eat as you like after a night out or before your day begins.

Room Service:  If you can't come to the restaurant, Norwegian will bring the restaurant to you. Norwegian offers a menu of items that can be delivered to your stateroom. Room service is available 24 hours a day (a convenience charge applies to each order placed).

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature modern design and can accommodate up to four guests.

Sailaway Inside (Category: IX)

A Sail Away Inside stateroom guarantees an Inside stateroom or better! Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned between time of booking up to one day prior to embarkation.

Inside (Category: IF)

With room for up to four guests, these staterooms are the most affordable way to cruise. They include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and some feature additional bedding to accommodate up to two more.

Inside (Category: IB)

Inside (category: ia), family inside (category: i4).

These Pride of America Inside Staterooms are a great way for the whole family to cruise. With room for up to four guests, they feature two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed as well as two pullman beds.

Solo Inside (Category: IT)

Category: IT

Staterooms feature either a picture window or porthole.

Oceanview With Picture Window (Category: OA)

With room for up to three guests, these staterooms include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and some feature a single sofabed to accommodate one more. You'll also have a big picture window to enjoy the amazing view. Plus, easy access to everything on board. Traveling with family or friends? Some can connect for even more options.

Solo Oceanview (Category: OT)

Category: OT

Spacious staterooms feature a private balcony with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors and a sitting area.

Sailaway Balcony (Category: BX)

A Sail Away Balcony stateroom guarantees a Balcony stateroom or better! Please note that the view from your balcony may be fully obstructed or partially obstructed. Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.

Balcony (Category: BF)

With room for up to three guests, these staterooms include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and some feature a convertible sofa to accommodate one more. Along with a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a private balcony offering great views. Plus some can connect so you can spread out yet stay together.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Balcony (category: ba), large balcony (category: b6).

Step out onto your large balcony and marvel at the awesome views. Mostly located at the front of the ship with room for up to three guests, they feature two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, some have a convertible sofabed to accommodate one more, plus a comfy sitting area. And many can connect so you can spread out yet enjoy the views together.

Family Balcony (Category: B4)

With room for up to four guests, these staterooms are great for the family to cruise together and spread out in comfort. They include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a convertible sofa and a pullman bed. Along with a sitting area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony. Plus some can connect so your group can spread out even more.

Aft-Facing Balcony (Category: B1)

These staterooms offer truly incredible views from the aft-facing balcony and a great way to feel the fresh ocean breezes. With room for up to three guests, they include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a sitting area with a single sofabed and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a large, private balcony. Plus some can connect to Two-Bedroom Family Suites so you can spread out yet enjoy the magnificent vistas together.

Solo Balcony (Category: BT)

Category: BT

Spacious suites and mini-suites feature private balcony and bath with shower. Suites feature butler and concierge service.

Penthouse with Large Balcony (Category: SJ)

With a large balcony to admire the amazing views and room for up to six guests, these modern Penthouses are the perfect way to cruise in style. Most Include a separate bedroom with king-size bed, additional bedding for up to four more, plus a luxury bath, walk-in closet and living and dining room. All with the indulgence of butler and concierge service. (See each category for specific details)

Penthouse with Large Balcony (Category: SI)

Penthouse with large balcony (category: sh), 2-bedroom aft-facing family suite with balcony (category: sg).

Perfect for the whole family, gather together and marvel at the unparalleled views from the aft-facing balcony. With room for five, these Suites include two separate bedrooms, one with a queen-size bed and one with a double sofabed, plus a single sofabed. Along with a luxury bath and living room to relax in. Plus they can connect to Aft-Facing Balcony staterooms so you can spread out yet enjoy the amazing views together. Butler and concierge service included.

Deluxe Penthouse with Large Balcony (Category: SA)

Enjoy the magnificent views from the large balcony of these amazing Penthouses that sleep up to six guests and include a bedroom with a king-size bed, plus a double sofabed and double murphy bed. Along with a luxury bath with bathtub and a living and dining area. They also can connect to an Owner's Suite with Large Balcony so you can spread out in ultimate luxury. Plus, you'll have the services of a butler and concierge.

• Ship Name: Pride of America
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2005
• Ship Class: Pride of America
• Maximum Capacity: 2,186
• Number of Passenger Decks: 11
• Number of Crew: 927
• Officers' Nationality: American
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 178
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 613
• Total Inside Staterooms: 226
• Tonnage (GRT): 80,439
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,186
• Country of Registry: USA
• Total Staterooms: 1,069
• Suites with Balcony: 52
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: American

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 06/08/2024, departure date - 06/15/2024, departure date - 06/22/2024, departure date - 06/29/2024, departure date - 07/06/2024, departure date - 07/13/2024, departure date - 07/20/2024, departure date - 07/27/2024, departure date - 08/03/2024, departure date - 08/10/2024, departure date - 08/17/2024, departure date - 08/24/2024, departure date - 08/31/2024, departure date - 09/07/2024, departure date - 09/14/2024, departure date - 09/21/2024, departure date - 09/28/2024, departure date - 10/05/2024, departure date - 10/12/2024, departure date - 10/19/2024, departure date - 10/26/2024, departure date - 11/02/2024, departure date - 11/09/2024, departure date - 11/16/2024, departure date - 11/23/2024, departure date - 11/30/2024, departure date - 12/07/2024, departure date - 12/14/2024, departure date - 12/21/2024, departure date - 12/28/2024, departure date - 01/04/2025, departure date - 01/11/2025, departure date - 01/18/2025, departure date - 01/25/2025, departure date - 02/01/2025, departure date - 02/08/2025, departure date - 02/15/2025, departure date - 02/22/2025, departure date - 03/01/2025, departure date - 03/08/2025, departure date - 03/15/2025, departure date - 03/22/2025, departure date - 03/29/2025, departure date - 04/05/2025, departure date - 04/12/2025, departure date - 04/19/2025, departure date - 04/26/2025, departure date - 05/03/2025, departure date - 05/10/2025, departure date - 05/17/2025, departure date - 05/24/2025, departure date - 05/31/2025, departure date - 06/07/2025, departure date - 06/14/2025, departure date - 06/21/2025, departure date - 06/28/2025, departure date - 07/05/2025, departure date - 07/12/2025, departure date - 07/19/2025, departure date - 07/26/2025, departure date - 08/02/2025, departure date - 08/09/2025, departure date - 08/16/2025, departure date - 08/23/2025, departure date - 08/30/2025, departure date - 09/06/2025, departure date - 09/13/2025, departure date - 09/20/2025, departure date - 09/27/2025, departure date - 10/04/2025, departure date - 10/11/2025, departure date - 10/18/2025, departure date - 10/25/2025, departure date - 11/01/2025, departure date - 11/08/2025, departure date - 11/15/2025, departure date - 11/22/2025, departure date - 11/29/2025, departure date - 12/06/2025, departure date - 12/13/2025, departure date - 12/20/2025, departure date - 12/27/2025, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's registry: U.S.A.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Thoughts on Hawaii Inter-island Cruise?

By 4thgrade , March 23, 2022 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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My husband and I are debating about a trip to Hawaii-by cruise ship or on land?  What are your thoughts regarding experiencing the Hawaiian Islands by cruise ship?

Thank you so much!

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BirdTravels

NCL's Pride of America is absolutely the best way to see Hawaii.  Fly in a few days early to get adjusted to the time zone and do some sightseeing. Then you are on a 7-night floating hotel. You're in port every day (2 days overnight to partake in evening activities like luaus or early morning activities like a bike ride down a volcano). 

The Pride of America cruise allows you to see the 4 main Hawaiian islands. Like BirdTravels suggests, fly in early and visit the many sites on Oahu. I really enjoyed visiting Hawaii this way. 

Should you decide you would like to do a land tour, there will be transportation between the various islands required. 

If this is your first time coming to Hawaii then my personal opinion is to do a land trip, there is so much to see and experience on each island that a day or two in port isn’t enough to really immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of each island. Pick one or two islands and spend multiple days on each so that you can really explore and feel the Aloha spirit. 

ChiefMateJRK

Pride of America is likely the only way I would visit HI.  Very enjoyable. 

Loved it years ago and looking forward to returning.

The first two times we visited Hawaii was on cruises, in 2005, and 2012.  Both excellent, and got to see different parts of each island during the port stops.  Cruising is an excellent way the first time or for us the first 2 times, as you are in a floating hotel without having to pack/unpack/fly/travel in order to see the 4 islands (Kona and Hilo on 2 sides of the Big Island).

After that we took a land vacation of Oahu and Big Island.  Being able to spend a few days at Kona, allowed me to do the manta ray diving and wife snorkeled.  For divers, the Kona manta ray diving is a must do in the lifetime.

mearsfansinboise

We’ve done a circle cruise to Hawaii. No different from other ports and other destinations but I really felt like we didn’t have enough time on each island. For us it was an incredibly long cruise, I think it was like six days there and six days back and then just four days in the islands. Don’t get me wrong, I love cruising, but it just seemed too long for me. And once we reached our destination and were heading back to the states, those were the longest six days of my life. But that’s a circle cruise … I am imagine a one-way and then fly back/there or whatever would be different. 

Travelling2Some

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said: NCL's Pride of America is absolutely the best way to see Hawaii.  Fly in a few days early to get adjusted to the time zone and do some sightseeing. Then you are on a 7-night floating hotel. You're in port every day (2 days overnight to partake in evening activities like luaus or early morning activities like a bike ride down a volcano). 

This is what we did and would totally recommend it.  We spent a few days before the cruise on Oahu in a little cottage up on the north shore.  Ideally we would have loved to return to Maui for an extra few days following the cruise but that was before retirement so we hadn't the time.  Rent a convertible and do the Road to Hana:)

cruisequeen4ever

It’s the most comprehensive of the Hawaii cruises. The upside is that you get to visit all of the islands at a better price than flying between them. The downside is that your time is limited on each island. It makes for a great overview, and then you can fly back to the island you most enjoyed. 

We have taken this cruise twice, and have it scheduled again for this December.  We also have a timeshare and trade it for week long trips to the islands.  You can't go wrong either way and we love the islands, especially Kauai.  Advantages to us of the cruise:  if you still work, its a great way to see several islands in a short amount of time, you don't waste time sitting in the various island's airports waiting to island hop if your time is limited, cruising the Napali coast is beautiful, there may or not be volcano action, one trip there was, one trip their wasn't, if you are not into renting a car, the ship's shore excursions are an easy (though pricy) way to get see stuff, if I sat here long enough, I'm sure I could come up with more items.  My suggestion - go a day or two early to check out Honolulu and all it has to offer, then take the cruise to get an overview of the islands, figure out which one you'd like to go back to first for a land trip, and then do that 🙂

BermudaBound2014

A cruise of Hawaii is a great way to sample the islands, but as with all port stops, you will only experience a very limited snapshot of what each island has to offer. That maybe just enough, or not.

Pro to cruising: Although a Hawaiian cruise may seem expensive out of the gate, it is likely this will be the least expensive way for you to visit Hawaii. Hawaii does have the highest Cost of Living in the USA and I get a giggle each time friends/family visit a supermarket here for the first time. You don't say where you are from. California residents are less shocked than those from the mid-west, but Expect to pay over $8 for a gallon of Milk. A package of hot dog buns are going to run you $5. Gas just hit $6. These prices are then reflected in restaurants. My local beach bar charges $25 for a fish sandwich. A draft beer is $9. So, on a cruise where all your main meals and drinks are included will likely be a significant cost savings.

Another pro to cruising is that you can visit multiple islands without unpacking or the hassle of commuter shuttles. This will give you a brief taste of the islands, but that maybe just enough for you to decide which island to return to for a land vacation.

Con to cruising: A growing number of residents are anti-cruise ship. This is not unique to Hawaii, as many popular cruise destinations are struggling with sustainable tourism, but I have witnesses some poor behavior from residents toward cruise passengers. It's not likely this will be overt, but the Aloha Spirit of the 80's has evolved.

Also IMO, a snapshot is just not enough to truly connect with the Spirit of the islands. There is just no way to have any sense of immersion with the culture on a limited overnight visit. The spirit of Aloha is more than just a greeting, it is being in the present and connecting to the essence of life. It teaches us peace, compassion, respect and a responsibility. Dare I say that on island there is great significance to the passage of time (;-0).  If any of this resonates with you, a longer stay in one island maybe a better choice.

In summary, like most cultural destinations, the longer you can stay in each island the better. However; lengthy destination stays are not always possible so we must compromise.

Regardless of either choice, these tips apply (to any destination):

1) Wear reef safe sunscreen. Read the labels. Many 'reef safe' sunscreens are not at all reef safe.

2) Support local whenever possible.  

3) Be ocean aware

4) Respect. Respect. Respect. The culture, the people, the land.

I'm sure I've missed a lot of important points. Hopefully the full time residents on the forum can add more insight. 

My husband and I took this cruise in 2016. It’s a fantastic way to see Hawaii without having to hop on and off planes.  We had a marvelous time and I would highly recommend it.  We hope to do it again someday.  I wrote a review if you would like to read it.  

NikiPinkston

We did the 11 day POA explorer cruise in 2016 and really enjoyed it as we had only visited Maui previously.  On Oahu, as part of our tour before we boarded the ship, we visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and the Dole Plantation, among other locations.  We were in the Marriott in an ocean view room & it was a great introduction to Oahu plus, as others have mentioned, once you board the ship, getting to see a bit of each island without the hassle of inter-island air travel is a big bonus.  I highly recommend it.  We're booked on the 7-day cruise this fall (after 4 cancellations due to covid) & will be staying in Waikiki for a few days prior to embarking.  On our schedule this time is the PCC again including dinner & their show, Ha (with pick-up at our hotel), the Monarch's Tour which includes a visit to the Bishop Museum & a tour of Iolani Palace, and time to visit some of the great restaurants in Waikiki, do a little shopping, and maybe take the HOHO trolley around town. The islands are so beautiful that, whatever you decide, you'll have an amazing time!

Longstockingpippi1

I was fortunate to visit right before Covid at a great price, I loved it ❤️ . I think it was a good first trip and gave me a sample of each island so I know where I want to go back to. Kauai 😍 😍  

With the hotels scarce there (last time I checked) the POA is a great way to travel. Oh, and some fantastic scenery awaits you as you head back to Oahu, everyone was trying to get a good view!!!!

13 hours ago, mearsfansinboise said: We’ve done a circle cruise to Hawaii. No different from other ports and other destinations but I really felt like we didn’t have enough time on each island. For us it was an incredibly long cruise, I think it was like six days there and six days back and then just four days in the islands. Don’t get me wrong, I love cruising, but it just seemed too long for me. And once we reached our destination and were heading back to the states, those were the longest six days of my life. But that’s a circle cruise … I am imagine a one-way and then fly back/there or whatever would be different. 

Hi, NCL’s Pride of America is RT seven days, visiting 4 Islands.  It sails every Saturday from Honolulu and returns the following Saturday.  It doesn’t sail to Hawaii from somewhere else. Its home port is Honolulu.  It is the only mainstream crisis line that does this.  Sunday/Monday-Maui , Tuesday-Hilo Wednesday- Kona, Thursday/ Friday- Kauai. Saturday Am back in Honolulu.  

2 hours ago, Longstockingpippi1 said:   ❤️ 😍 😍 Oh, and some fantastic scenery awaits you as you head back to Oahu, everyone was trying to get a good view!!!!

Be sure to get a stateroom on the port side of the ship for the best view of Kauai's Napali Coast.

janice2348-I would love to read your review!  We decided to add the three day Cruisetour!  

Thank you so much for your ideas and suggestions, everybody!    I am going to write them down!

@4thgrade So happy for you that you decided to book the cruise tour.  I know that you'll have an incredible time!  Here's another great review of the POA with some wonderful tips from Prof. Cruise:

https://profcruise.com/35-tips-for-your-cruise-to-hawaii-on-ncls-pride-of-america/

On 3/23/2022 at 9:10 AM, Travelling2Some said: This is what we did and would totally recommend it.  We spent a few days before the cruise on Oahu in a little cottage up on the north shore.  Ideally we would have loved to return to Maui for an extra few days following the cruise but that was before retirement so we hadn't the time.  Rent a convertible and do the Road to Hana:)

Your little cottage sounds great... can you share the details?  Am thinking I would love to do the same thing you outlined.

14 hours ago, NikiPinkston said: Be sure to get a stateroom on the port side of the ship for the best view of Kauai's Napali Coast.

Doesn't the ship sail past one way, turn around and then sail past the other?  It's been a while....

GeezerCouple

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said: Doesn't the ship sail past one way, turn around and then sail past the other?  It's been a while....

Yes, but on the "return" sail by that coast, it is apparently further out to sea, and the view is more distant... not as dramatic.

45 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:   Yes, but on the "return" sail by that coast, it is apparently further out to sea, and the view is more distant... not as dramatic.   GC

Thanks.  As I said, it’s been a while, but we’re planning to return in May. 

4 hours ago, lgdesign said: Your little cottage sounds great... can you share the details?  Am thinking I would love to do the same thing you outlined.

It was 15 years ago so I don't remember the contact info although it was a local rental agency (pre Air B&B!).  It was directly on the beach known as the Pipeline and the distinctive thing about it was that it was decorated in a Christmas motif year round.  It might have been called the Christmas Cottage but not sure on the name. 

don't-use-real-name

You are on the starboard side and should be on the port - well - - -

Remedy - go to one of the highest decks and watch with the crowds of others -

walk to the stern (aft) of the ship and around to the starboard side to see the

Cliffs of Na Pali and the coast from a slightly more distant view.

All I have seen reported here is the same ole same ole starboard turn -

WHY couldn't the POA do a full circle (like the Alaska Glacier viewing) or

make a port side turn instead ?

After viewing the Na Pali coast all that is left in the cruise is the night passage to

the home port and end of the cruise at Honolulu.

A leisure putt putt all night - - - - -  WHY the rush to getter over and done with ?

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2024 Hawaii Cruises: Explore Honolulu, Kona & More

As the only cruise line home porting in Hawaii, Norwegian has gained recognition for having the best Hawaiian itineraries by Porthole Cruise and Travel magazine. Dive into the exciting itineraries and unforgettable experiences awaiting you on a 2024 Hawaiian cruise vacation.

Ready to start planning? Explore all Hawaii cruises .

Norwegian's seven-day Inter-island Hawaii cruises set sail every Saturday from Honolulu aboard the Pride of America . Norwegian Spirit offers itineraries that include South Pacific island explorations or a unique Alaska and Hawaii combination for a more extensive journey. Whatever your choice, Norwegian can make your dream cruise to Hawaii happen.

Norwegian's 2024 Hawaii Cruise Ports

Get a taste of Norwegian's award-winning Hawaiian cruises by exploring the enchanting ports you'll visit on our weeklong sailings:

• Hilo: Discover Hilo's natural beauty, often compared to a giant greenhouse with stunning tropical flora.
• Kona: Experience the crystal-clear waters, state parks, coffee plantations, and historical sites of Kona.
• Kahului: Located in Central Maui, Kahului offers access to some of Hawaii's most famous natural wonders and attractions.
• Nāwiliwili: Explore Kauaʻi, the oldest and most northern Hawaiian island, known for its incredible beauty and the wiliwili trees that once lined its harbor.

Visit Exotic Destinations Alongside Hawaii

Longer Hawaiian cruises let you explore the stunning South Pacific or journey north to Alaska. South Pacific itineraries include breathtaking islands like Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, and Tahiti. Choose a Hawaii and Alaska cruise for a unique experience, stopping at three of the Hawaiian Islands before visiting Alaskan gems like Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan.

RELATED CRUISES: 12-Day South Pacific From Honolulu to Papeete: Kauai, Maui & Moorea 13-Day South Pacific from Honolulu to Papeete: Kauai, Maui & Moorea 15-Day South Pacific From Papeete to Sydney: Fiji, Moorea & Samoa

Unforgettable Experiences in Hawaii

Your cruise to Hawaii is about more than just the islands' natural beauty. Explore historic landmarks and cultural treasures with the following must-see sights and attractions for your cruise vacation.

Visit Wailuku River State Park in Hilo to see the mesmerizing 80-foot Rainbow Falls. Explore the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo, the only rainforest zoo in the United States, home to rare species like the Hawaiian hawk and Nene goose. Discover the awe-inspiring Kīlauea Volcano at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and stroll through the enchanting Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, a 30-acre Japanese garden offering serene views of Hilo Bay. If you're a wine lover, don't miss the opportunity to sample wines from a volcano winery.

Savor Hawaii's iconic coffee with a tour through Kona's famous coffee belt, visiting coffee plantations and learning about the bean-to-cup process. Dive into crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, or scuba diving to explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life. Escape to the secret waterfalls of Kohala. Discover ancient Hawaiian culture at the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, a sacred place of refuge in ancient times, and visit the Hulihe'e Palace, a former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty.

Experience the picturesque Road to Hana , admiring waterfalls, lava cliffs, and lush coastlines along the famous Hana Highway. Venture into the lush ʻĪao Valley State Park to see the iconic ʻĪao Needle, a towering, green-mantled rock outcrop. Explore the Maui Ocean Center, a state-of-the-art aquarium showcasing Hawaii's unique marine life, and relax on the golden sands of Kāʻanapali Beach, one of Maui's most famous stretches of coastline.

Discover the 1,000-year-old ʻAlekoko Fishpond, Kauai Museum, and Grove Farm homestead and sugar plantation museum in Nāwiliwili. Take in the majestic beauty of Waimea Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and visit the breathtaking Nāpali Coast, known for its emerald-hued cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

Spend time at the picturesque Wailua River, where you can kayak or take a leisurely riverboat cruise to the stunning Fern Grotto. Do you want to see a luau? Book the Luau Kalamaku with premium seating for an unforgettable cultural experience.

Immerse yourself in history by visiting Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri, and the USS Arizona Memorial. Explore the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about Hawaii's rich cultural heritage, and hike to the summit of the Diamond Head crater for panoramic views of Oahu's coastline. Relax on the world-famous Waikiki Beach and visit the historic Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States.

Norwegian offers several excursions, including airport drop-off, if you cannot spend a few days in Honolulu before or after your cruise. One of the most popular excursions is Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers various activities and adventures to suit every taste for your cruise vacation. We want to ensure that your 2024 Hawaiian vacation is truly unforgettable. Which cruise to Hawaii is right for you? Stay informed by signing up for Norwegian's cruise deals to receive the latest special offers directly to your inbox. When booking your 2024 Hawaii cruise, you can be confident you're getting the best deal available.

• Cruising Hawaii

Review of NCL Pride of America cruise around Hawaii

• 13 minute read

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The ncl pride of america hawaii itinerary, ncl pride of america ship overview, staterooms on the pride of america, dining and drinking aboard the pride of america, pride of america entertainment and activities, spa and fitness on pride of america, hawaiian influences on the pride of america, excursions from the ncl pride of america, pride of america video overview, final thoughts on our pride of america cruise of hawaii.

We cruised through the Hawaiian Islands on Norwegian’s Pride of America in October 2019.

What did we think of the experience?

We’ll share all the details, but if this is TLDR, the skinny is that the cruise itinerary is excellent, the destinations are amazing, the cabins are adequate, the food experience was sub par. Check out our video overview from our Pride of America cruise of Hawaii .

Possibly one of the very best aspects of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America Hawaii cruise is the itinerary. It starts in Honolulu on Oahu on Saturday, sails to Maui by Monday morning and stays overnight in Maui. Next, the cruise moves to Hawaii, the Big Island with a day in Hilo followed by a day in Kona. From there, the cruise goes to Kauai with an overnight stay there. The cruise finishes with a scenic cruise of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, then goes back to Honolulu, Oahu to disembark. This Saturday to Saturday itinerary is repeated week after week.

So, the NCL Pride of America itinerary includes all of the four major Hawaiian Islands – Maui, Kauai, Hawaii’s Big Island, and Oahu , but there’s not much time to explore Oahu within the cruise itinerary, so we recommend extending your stay on Oahu by a night or two at a hotel — either on the front-end or the back-end of the cruise.

If you’ve never been to Hawaii or tend to just go to one of the islands, this itinerary is a very good one. The Pride of America itinerary is especially good if you’re short on time and you want to get a taste of each of the four major islands . It’s a very efficient itinerary in that you travel from island to island while you’re having dinner, enjoying evening entertainment and sleeping.

The Destinations with Pride of America

Hawaii is an outstanding destination with so much beauty and culture. Though there’s little time to explore the embarkation/disembarkation port of Honolulu on Oahu, there’s a good amount of time to discover the three other major islands — Maui, Hawaii (Big) Island and Kauai. Actually there are two days each at those islands, which is double what you’d find on other cruises to Hawaii.

Each Hawaiian island has its own features and personalities. It’s definitely not the case that if you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all. Every island is amazing with way more to explore than the allotted time. So, the destinations of the Pride of America are all excellent!

You will have opportunities to see waterfalls, tropical flowers, volcanos and, of course, beautiful beaches. Hawaii is breathtakingly beautiful!

NCL’s Pride of America’s Major Advantage – No days at sea – All Hawaii all year long!

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the only ship that sails roundtrip solely within Hawaii. There are no days a sea on the Pride of America and every day is spent in Hawaii.

For any other ship or cruise line, they must sail to Hawaii from faraway destinations, such as from the west coast of North America, French Polynesia, Asia, Australia or New Zealand. For travel from those destinations, those ships will be in transit, at sea, for at least four or five days. That’s a lot of days at sea!

For comparison, I looked at the itinerary of another NCL cruise to Hawaii on their ship the Norwegian Jewel. It’s an 11-day cruise from Vancouver. This cruise is fairly representative of other cruises that don’t start and stop in Hawaii like NCL’s Pride of America. Here’s a screenshot of that itinerary:

Notice that on this Norwegian Jewel itinerary, there are five, full days at sea and only five days actually in Hawaii, with a disembarkation morning on Oahu. That’s a lot of travel time and distance for not many days in Hawaii!

How much can you see of Hawaii on a one-week cruise itinerary?

With any cruise in Hawaii, you’re only going to get to see a few highlights of each island and that’s it. There’s far more to see and do on every island than what can be toured in just one or even two days! We’ve created some excellent week-long vacation itineraries for each Hawaiian Island . Even with a week on each island, you’re not going to get to do “everything” the islands’ have to offer. We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been to Hawaii and we experience something new every time. So, with a cruise, you should set your expectations that you’re going to get to see some amazing places, but you’re not going to get to do everything.

The ship accommodates over 2,100 passengers. For a “floating hotel” of that size, it never really felt crowded, except for the arrival at Kona, when there were long, crowded waits for the tender boats to shuttle us from the ship to shore.

The ship was fairly well kept. In some ways, the Pride of America looked brand new – especially in the common areas such as dining rooms, shops, guest relations, hallways, etc. The ship was built in 2005 and refurbished in 2016.

Most of the common areas of the ship are decorated with bright, exciting colors. Generally speaking, the decor was in good taste and reflected the excitement and adventure of a cruise.

Decor-wise, we liked the restaurants and lounges that had a “Hawaiian-feel” to them, but there weren’t many places onboard like that. The Aloha Cafe, the main buffet restaurant of the ship, had some Hawaiian touches. We normally grabbed breakfast from here and took it out to the adjacent Aloha Lana’i Bar seating, which is alfresco. Pinks Champagne Lounge seemed to be an ode to the Royal Hawaiian hotel. For a ship that’s dedicated to sailing within the Hawaiian Islands every day of the year for many years, it sure could use more Hawaiian or tropical decor.

There are some odd themes on the Pride of America, too. For example, there’s a Gold Rush Saloon, decorated in a rustic, old west, 1800s style. It really felt out of place on a ship that only circles the Hawaiian Islands. The ship has two main restaurants, Liberty and Skyline. Liberty is decorated like something out of Washington D.C. with velvet and sequined drapes. Skyline is decorated like something you would see in an art deco style building in New York City. That was all interesting decor, but seemed really out of place for Hawaii.

If the ship could change anything structurally, which is extremely unlikely, we would suggest more elevators. At peak times of island arrivals and returns from tours, there could be long elevator waits. Many times, we opted to climb up or down four or five deck levels instead of waiting for the elevators.

The Pride of America has many stateroom options , from a studio that’s designed for the solo traveler, balcony rooms and for the posh experience, suites . While a limited number of staterooms can accommodate up to eight people, most comfortably accommodate two people.

There are quite a few options, from interior rooms without views, rooms with picture windows and rooms with balconies. Some rooms with windows or balconies have obstructed views and are noted in the room category.

We chose a balcony room with a non-obstructed view for our cruise. We were assigned to stateroom 8630. While it’s considered a non-obstructed room, we felt that the view of the lifeboat wasn’t exactly unobstructed. We didn’t complain, but we were disappointed.

For a quick overview, check out our video tour of our balcony stateroom on the Pride of America :

Our balcony room sleeps two people comfortably and a third with the pull out sofa bed. It’s difficult for us to imagine trying to fit a third person in the room. It would definitely be tight particularly if the third person is a teen or adult.

The bathroom is quite small with limited storage space. The shower space is also very confined. The following photo actually makes it appear larger than it really is. There’s only room for one person to move around in it.

The ship provides soap and shampoo in dispenser containers. It’s nice that you don’t have to worry about individual plastic containers and that’s a win for the environment. These toiletries were branded by NCL. It would have been better to have had a name brand soap and shampoo or something with a tropical scent to fit the Hawaiian Islands, instead of of what appears as a mass-produced, inexpensive product.

Our room seemed clean enough, though not overly so. I wiped off the little desk/vanity shelf to remove some powder I had dropped and a lot more dirt and gunk came off than just the powder I spilled. Also, the sofa was soiled. Overall, the cleanliness of the room wasn’t horrible, but still left me questioning how much the room actually gets cleaned in between guests.

Our room adjoined to the room next door. We could hear talking, coughing, etc from that room.

The ship’s plumbing seemed to be an issue occasionally. Sometimes we had issues flushing the toilet and once in the middle of the night, we didn’t have any water at all.

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for their “freestyle” dining. You can dine when you like, where you like and with who you like. You are not limited to a set dining time or assigned to a group table.

A limited number of beverages are included in the standard cruise fare. Regular coffee, tea and ice water are generally your only “free” options, except some fruit juices at the breakfast buffet. The package we booked included a free perk of the “Hawaii Beverage Package” which included bottled water, sodas, beer, wine and mixed-drinks up to $15. A 20% service charge was applied to our package prior to the cruise. We were glad to have the beverage package.

The Pride of America offers plenty of restaurants and lounges to enjoy throughout the one-week itinerary. If you prefer casual fare, they’ve got it. If you want a more upscale meal, they’ve got that, too.  This link describes all the complimentary (included in your cruise) restaurants on board and this link lists the specialty ($) dining options.

The complimentary main dining rooms of Liberty and Skyline were not as upscale as we’ve experienced on other cruise lines. We heard other passengers sharing similar sentiments. I’ll give an example from just one dinner at Skyline:

• My glass was chipped and cut my lip.
• I ordered a pork chop that must have been microwaved to re-heat it as it was super hot, tough and chewy. Even the flavor seemed missing. I only ate a few bites.
• I ordered a warm apple dessert. It was served cold.

So, those were all kind of first-world problems, but still, when you’re paying for a good experience and not getting it, it’s disappointing.

Our travel package included three specialty dining options. We’re glad that we had those options as the better food is definitely in the specialty restaurants. Jefferson’s Bistro, the French restaurant, was our favorite and the best meal we had on the ship. Cagney’s Steakhouse was good, and the only restaurant that we found that had lobster, but the service was very slow and our server got our order mixed up. I think our server must have been stretched too thin. At the Teppanyaki restaurant, our chef put on a great show, but the food was just okay.

For convenience, you can book reservations for both the specialty and the complimentary restaurants. We recommend booking your specialty restaurant reservations within the first day or two of boarding to make sure you get the time and day you want. You can book reservations during specific hours beside the Guest Relations desk. (Note that the off-site luau excursion is held on the overnight day on Kauai. If you plan to go to the luau, keep that evening open from dinner reservations on the ship.)

We only ate lunch on board one day. Most of the excursions we took were quite long and included lunch.

The islands of Hawaii have wonderful food. We always enjoy Hawaii regional cuisine at restaurants in Hawaii, but we didn’t find anything like that on the ship. At the Aloha Cafe on the final evening, they tried to have a “Taste of Hawaii” dinner, but it was disappointing. So, from a culinary standpoint, the ship doesn’t offer a true Hawaiian experience.

Overall, the food was edible, but far from being memorable. The waitstaff seemed to want to provide a good experience, but they also seemed very stretched trying to take care of so many other guests at the same time. With dining being such a big part of most people’s expectations of cruise, we felt that Norwegian fell short.

The Pride of America offers quite a bit of entertainment and activities . The “Freestyle Daily” lists the complete schedule of what’s happening each day. There’s so much going on — Hawaiian cultural lessons, culinary demonstrations, cornhole tournaments, trivia, live music, pool games, dance classes, karaoke and much more. If you are traveling with children or teens, the ship offers youth programs for them.

The staff delivers a “Freestyle Daily” to your cabin every night with information for the following day. It was usually four pages in length and full of great information on activities and entertainment.

Unfortunately, our full days of exploring the islands plus our jet lag got the best of us most evenings. We usually went to sleep shortly after having dinner. So we didn’t get to catch one of the evening shows in the Hollywood Theater. We especially wanted to see the Aloha Polynesia show, which sounds like the type of show you’d find at a luau.

What you won’t find on the Pride of America is a casino. This may be good news for your wallet. 😉

For some pampering, there is a spa onboard. Their menu includes several massage and facial offerings.

The fitness center is by far the largest we’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. It was stocked with quality equipment. It was also one of the most sparsely populated areas of the ship. In addition to the fitness center, water aerobics was offered at the pool.

We were pleased to find several Hawaiian influences during our cruise. Here’s what we found:

• Passengers are greeted with a lei at embarkation.
• A dedicated Hawaiian Ambassador was on board to introduce passengers to the Hawaiian culture. He taught lei-making classes, hula dancing and narrated the ship’s tour of the Na Pali Coast. I attended the kukui nut lei-making class and really enjoyed hearing about the significance and culture of this type of lei.
• You can enjoy live bands playing Hawaiian music on most days.
• Most of the staff wore a Hawaiian shirt and/or lei and often greeted passengers with a warm “Aloha.”
• Stateroom decor have artwork and/or fabrics with beach-y influences.
• Photos from Hawaii and some artifacts were on display in the stairwells and by the elevators.

NCL has done a nice job curating their menu of excursions to suit both the adventure seeker and the casual sightseer. For adventures, there’s hiking, zip lining, kayaking and snorkeling. For the sightseer, there are many tours filled with amazing island scenery that hit some of each island’s highlights. Skim through this link for some examples of the excursions offered through NCL.

We enjoyed a mix of excursions offered through Norwegian Cruise Line and some that we booked independently. We enjoyed them all. We’ll be writing more about excursion selections and our recommendations to help you get the most out of your limited time and vacation budget. Stay tuned!

We did some price comparison between what the ship offered and what we could find independently. The ship’s prices were always more expensive. We noticed that the closer that we got to our sailing date, the prices of the excursions increased.

The ship heavily pushes the Luau Kalamaku on Kauai. I heard mixed reviews from fellow passengers.

For more insight into the cruise experience, check out our Pride of America Hawaii cruise video .

Miscellaneous notes:

• You can look through more of our photos here .
• The Pride of America falls under the Jones Act, which requires that the crew consists of at least 75% U.S. citizens.
• The ship has some shops where you can buy souvenirs, clothes with “Hawaiian” prints and sundry items.
• There’s a library onboard.
• There’s a photography center.
• There is no casino on Pride of America.
• A tent was stationed at the end of the gangway at each port to sign out beach towels.
• We booked our cruise through Costco Travel.
• As is common with most cruises throughout the world, most of the dock locations were more industrial than scenic. Oftentimes there was a flurry of fork lift activity going on near our docked location.
• In Kona, there is no cruise ship dock, so passengers are transported by tender/lifeboats to the shore.
• We were glad that we had a port side cabin on the day of the Na Pali Coast tour as we only had to step out onto our balcony to enjoy the scenery.
• The best opportunities to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset are from Kona and after the Na Pali Coast cruise on the final evening.
• If you have questions about this cruise, check out NCL’s FAQs .

The itinerary is excellent and the island destinations are fantastic. It’s a great way to see the four major islands in seven nights , though, as the itinerary is planned, there’s minimal sightseeing time for Oahu.

The food and service were unfortunately sub par.

The stateroom cabins are compact , but adequate.

Our cruise fare with a balcony room, the beverage package, speciality dining package and some nominal credits totaled $4,768 for the two of us. That does not include excursions. That’s quiet a hefty price for seven nights. In my opinion, that’s not a good value. The food and stateroom experience felt budget-level, but the cruise cost was far from being a budget price.

New – we’ve compiled a detailed list of what to see and do on a cruise at each Hawaiian port .

Have you taken the Pride of America cruise in Hawaii? How was your experience?

Sheila Beal

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter , Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook , or Instagram .

I cruised on Pride of America nearly 13 years ago and I still talk about it today. It was amazing! The cabin was homely & very comfortably, the food was lovely, the entertainment was very good, the places it took us was breathtaking & the staff….. well they were amazing! What ever you wanted they would do their best to sort it. They are so hard working, very friendly, considerate, helpful, if they had time they would have a chat with you. I recommend NCL Pride of America to everyone that talks about cruises. I can’t speak highly enough of it.

By the way I’m from the UK

Thank you for this wonderful website and overview of NCL Pride of America cruise. I’m curious to know what you did at each port. Which NCL excursions did you take? Any excursions through other companies? Rent a car? I’m cruising on POA in April staying two nights in Oahu before embarkation. Thank you!!!

Those are great questions. We did a mix of NCL excursions and non-NCL excursions. We’ve intended to write about which excursions we did along with recommendations for others. We’ll aim to get that article written my mid-January, hopefully before. If you’d not already subscribed to our free articles by email, you can do so here: https://govisithawaii.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ff2ac3a235f8da3d2131ef4c7&id=f471f8c491 That way, you’ll get the article in your inbox when it’s published.

Belinda – we just published our recommended activities at each port https://www.govisithawaii.com/2023/01/10/the-best-hawaiian-island-excursions-on-ncl-pride-of-america-and-other-hawaii-cruises/

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