First off, I am in my 40's and single. I cruise with my single gal friends. And we have cruised once before.. I have done 3 Cruises now.. Carnival Sensation 2002, Caribbean Princess 2005 and now NCL Pride of America October 2005... Wonderful to do 2 cruises in 1 year....lol...

We flew into Honolulu/Waikiki on the 27th of Sept. giving us 4 days before our cruise.. The best decision we could have made. Did the Pearl Harbor thing and other tours before the cruise.. I got to dive off Honolulu... In the pinnacles.. I loved it.... Warm waters, beautiful fish and didn't have to wear a hood or gloves.. That was awesome..Wonderful to not have to rush..

October 1st was embarkation day.. We went to the beach in the morning as we couldn't board until 1pm.. Embarkation was smooth... We tagged our luggage, dropped it off and away we went to check in.. Easy... We were told initially our cabin wasn't ready and we went to double check but didn't eat our cheerios that morning apparently as we couldn't get the door open..lol... We just weren't trying hard enough.. We had lunch @ the Aloha Cafe... Very good... Excellent shrimp..

I must stop to stay the ship is beautiful... the decor awesome.. the pursers desk is simple but nice..

On our second try we got in our cabin.... It was wonderful.. We were on Deck 12 in a Penthouse suite (an upgrade about 4 weeks ahead of time) on the Starboard side... The suite was big... Large king size bed, couch that was a double size bed, living area w/desk, espresso machine, wine glasses, frig, lot's of cupboard space, large walkin closet w/sitting area, large bathroom with tub.. It was luxurious... Glass doors not curtains and plenty of room to bathe.. the balcony was wonderful.. One could sleep on it if they wanted too... lol.. had 3 lounge chairs and a table with 4/chairs... I loved it.. The highlight was that I could wash my scuba gear in the tub then dry it on the balcony.. I think my roommates thought I'd lost my mind but hey, it worked....lol

We had a meet/greet planned from our roll call thread on Cruise Critic.com and met up with most of the group around 5:30pm after the 4:30pm muster drill... So glad we remembered.. We loved our group and bumping into them several times throughout the cruise... had breakfast with some, beach break with some and drinks in our cabin with some... it was great... Loved them all....

Now I have to admit, I was nervous with many of the reviews that came back.. I had visions of dirty linens, no towels, unkept room, but we had just the opposite. But I have to say, I think we got excellent service due to our location and that makes me sad. It shouldn't matter if your on the 12th deck in a suite or on deck 4 with an inside cabin.. We all deserve good service, clean room, and clean linens/towels.. Jessica was great.. Face it, 3 women in one room can be torture.. but we did well....

We ate at the Liberty restaurant, Skyline restaurant, Little Italy, the all-you-can-eat sushi and the Cadillac diner.. Liberty and Skyline restaurant had good food but it got somewhat boring.. The same standards, New York strip steak, BBQ'd Salmon or Chicken Breast... They need to change around the standards.. They had different selections with the standards but it was a little too different for me.. loved the desserts...Loved Lobster night.. Little Italy had great food.. Cadillac Diner was generic hamburgers/floats/french fries but it was good.. Ask for Cathy from Oregon.. She is a hoot.. And totally loved the Sushi place.. All you can eat for $5... And good sushi....

The excursions were fun... Did Hilo Circle of Fire helicopter tour, wonderful.. The Tropical/Botanical Garden tour awesome.. But do take insect repellent.. I used it but was still eaten alive by mosquitos....It's beautiful and not too aromatic. I dove in Maui with Lahaina Divers... Wonderful... The next day we did the Kaanapali Beach Break in Maui.. Awesome and a snorkelers delight. Lot's of fish and some saw turtles.... Bring your own snorkel gear if you have it... It's a little pricey.. Then we did the Kona cultural and snorkel tour in Kona.. The snorkeling was even better....Much more fish which surprised me as there were more snorkelers...But also lot's of turtles... we swam with turtles....it was awesome.. then off to the national park where the Hawaiian refugees sought refuge.. Quite cool... And the a Kona coffee mini tour.. it was fun.. The next day we did the Waimea Canyon tour... that was awesome... the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.. We stopped in Hanapepe to see the blowholes along the coast.. Very cool....

We didn't see many shows...Too busy...lol... I caught part of one show that looked like 60's music.. Wasn't sure... it looked good.. Then we caught most of the Polynesian show.. it was cool music and dancers but of the 5 girls onstage twirling these balls that looked like "knockers" from the 70's, 3 of them messed up.... I'm sure it was hard but if it's that hard, then take it out.. It was a shame..But the finale was cool.. About 200 of the crew including the Capt. and first officers came up on stage to sing on the finale song.. That was very cool.....loved it....

The internet cafe was fine... the chapel right across, not that I went there...lol.... the library was close too... I loved the Piano singer on deck 6.. Awesome voice.....

I have to admit, I didn't see all of the ship... Couldn't get enough time to get everywhere.... lol..... But overall I loved the cruise.. Would do it again..
We got our scenic cruising for the Lava flow. It was wonderful... I'm so glad whatever needed to be fixed was fixed to do that....It was a highlight.. Then on the Friday which was our sea day, we got the scenic cruising for the Napali coast... Very awesome... Spent the day at the pool.... There were alot of kids for the time of year but never felt overrun... I got a kick out of watching them.. Only at one point in the pool did they seem to not mind their manners of splashing or jumping but it was brief.. Mostly they were fun to be around.. Deck chairs could be tough in the main pool area but not so bad in the back areas..

Disembarking was way too easy.... we wanted to be stranded longer...lol .. We had VIP disembarking but left later after breakfast. Our luggage was there no problem. Even for those of us who had 3 pieces of luggage.... That final swipe of the sign/sail card was tough.. The transfer from the pier to airport was fine too....

Now for my complaints or suggestions.... After being on Carnival for my first cruise, I miss the "funness" of the staff..the singing/dancing in the main dining room... I know it's free style and with this cruise and due to excursions, it's a good thing it is...But I still miss the meeting of everyone in the main dining room at a set time....So I guess I like both ways.. Princess was very stuffy to me in regards to the dining room.... Everything else was fine. You can tell the staff is trying so hard to make up for shortcomings.. They are pleasant, polite, nice, friendly but they seem to forget the simple things.. I'd ask for sugar for my ice tea (which I shouldn't have to ask for) but they'd bring the container with no sugar, just equal or sweet/low... Or we'd have to ask for butter for the bread.. And we'd have to ask for more water or tea... that shouldn't be.. Again, it's the small things. The food was always hot though.. In the Sushi place it was top notch.... Unbelieveable.. I do however wish they had chocolate ice cream in the buffet.. Only Vanilla... yuck...

I have no room complaints.. Our steward was great....

Regarding excursions, my only suggestion/complaint was that the Kaanapali Beach Break and the Kona Cultural/Snorkel Tour weren't long enough... Only 2 hours with each snorkel... They should do a bigger group, earlier and longer..Otherwise, no complaints on excursions...

Pursers desk were always friendly and informative...

Elevators were much better than on Princess.. We would wait several minutes for them but not on Pride of America... they were fast and empty alot...

Overall the ship seemed big not where you'd get lost.. Never made it to the spa.. They were all booked up.... My advice is: For the Spa and the Specialty restaurants, book them the day you get on the ship....You can always cancel...

One of the highlights of the cruise was meeting Capt. Evans Hoyt.. I can't speak highly enough of this man.. My first cruise I only saw the Capt. once, at formal night.. On Princess, never saw him... However this cruise, many times. We met him at a VIP champagne meeting, but then saw him numerous times throughout the cruise. Got nervous when he would recognize us and comment on the "3 musketeers"... But he was always nice/talkative... He was very much out there to meet the passengers.. Very much a gentleman.... I enjoyed that.. Knowing he was available to the passengers.... There was one day that we ran into him 4 times. Amazing...
Overall I enjoyed the cruise... Would do it again.. It's an excellent way to see the Hawaiian islands if you've never been and to discover which island you may want to visit later on a longer basis... Decent amount of time in each port.. Never really felt rushed... I have to say I think it should be longer, like a 10 day cruise to give an overnight in Kona and an additional sea day.. Missed my sea days for relaxation... Let me tell you, we were like the energizer bunnies, just going, and going and going.... lol... It keeps you busy but you do need some down time too....

I think that about covers it.... If anyone has questions, I will try to answer... All I say it book it.... However, for the next 2-3 weeks of cruisers, have patience... There will be new staff as the others are going on vacation so things might be a little crazy.... Go, have a good time......
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