Cruise Ship Review

First Impressions

When NCL America's Pride of America finally made its way to U.S. waters from its German shipyard in 2005, the event marked the culmination of an arduous and heartbreaking couple of years. Pride of America, slated for launch in July 2004, had been swamped in a gale while being built, leaving a good portion of its hull under water. The unfortuante event caused NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Lines U.S.-flagged subsidiary, to rush another ship in its international fleet -- now known as Pride of Aloha -- into service. Now that Pride of America is in Hawaii, the cruise line has two fully-functional U.S.-based ships plying the waters around the islands, with a third, Pride of Hawaii, to debut in June 2006.

Pride of America's biggest distinction is its status as the first U.S.-flagged passenger cruise ship to be built in over 50 years. (Pride of Aloha was transformed from the Norwegian Sky.) Both ships, along with Pride of Hawaii, are distinctive in that the crews and officers are primarily American or citizens from U.S. territories. The advantage to both the U.S. registration and the staffing requirement is that the vessels can sail seven-night itineraries around the Hawaiian Islands without having to embark (or disembark) in Vancouver or Ensenada. Nor do they have to travel a couple of thousand miles out of the way to visit Fanning Island. That's because the Passenger Services Act, requiring a foreign-flagged cruise ship to stop at a foreign port when leaving or returning to U.S. waters, does not apply to these ships, creating itineraries chock full of port stops and overnights in the beautiful regions of the U.S.'s 50th state.

Unlike Pride of Aloha and Pride of Hawaii, both of which have largely Hawaiian themes, Pride of America is a paean to the United States. Everything onboard this ship celebrates American culture and history, from the kitsch of the Cadillac Diner to the sober statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Liberty Dining Room. You get a feel for the ship as soon as you board: stepping into the marble lobby, you are greeted with a huge seal of the United States embedded in the flooring. It almost feels irreverent to walk across it.

At 81,000 tons, and with 1,069 passenger cabins, the ship is big but not too big. It's easy to navigate, and having a largely American crew brings its own rewards to the ambiance. It's fun to hear "Mornin'!" or "How y'all doin'?" while walking the hallways or public spaces.

After some unanticipated and fairly disastrous staffing issues two years ago, NCL America has pretty much got it nailed. The staff is bright and cheerful, most love their jobs, and whether they are looking at short-term or long-term employment, they all seem dedicated to bringing the best cruise experience possible to their guests.

Cabins

I had toured this ship before and had seen the standard staterooms, so I warned my friend Michael to be prepared. "They're really small," I had mentioned to him. "We'll need to adapt ... "

What the cheerfully decorated cabins lack in space, however, they more than make up for in convenience and efficiency. Within minutes, we had our stuff put away and organized.

Standard rooms are decorated in colorful tones of turquoise, fuchsia, yellow, lime and orange. But rather than feeling garish, these hues exude tropical good cheer.

The addition of a balcony extends the "living space" to the outdoors, and since 62 percent of all cabin categories have balconies, even the smallest spaces expand into the Hawaiian atmosphere.

While this ship has neither NCL's celebrated Garden Villas nor the newest Courtyard Villas, there are a wide variety of suite accommodations, including several with verandah hot tubs. We love the cheery, breezy decor of the suites; no pretentiousness, just pure island fun.

There are a wide range of ADA-compliant staterooms in all configurations.

Dining

NCL America shares NCL's innovative Freestyle Cruising concept, which basically means dine anytime you want, with whomever you choose. There are nine restaurants on the ship including two main dining rooms, the casual cafeteria and two no-charge alternative dining spots. The other four require a surcharge; reservations are nearly mandatory.

The main dining rooms, Liberty and Skyline, are located at the aft, one above the other. Both carry through the Americana themes, with Skyline -- a Deco-version of New York City -- and Liberty paying homage to American patriotism. Both restaurants offer the same hearty menus. Little Italy, one of the no-surcharge restaurants, runs alongside the Lido Deck cafeteria. Reservations are required even though there is no additional charge. The Cadillac Diner, a favorite for family lunching, early dining and late-night snacks, is located at the promenade level with access to the outside.

Lazy J's Steak House is dedicated to the Paniolos, America's first cowboys, who continue their traditions today at the Parker Ranch on the Big Island. My friend Michael was in heaven over the butter-soft filet mignon and lobster tail, while I chose a New York cut. The surcharge here is only $15; if you get the lobster tail, it's $20, and well worth it.

We loved the Cadillac Diner for family fun and great meals, too. Most of the booths are either in or surrounding a Caddy hood or rear end (complete with fins). Menu items run the gamut from Mom's meatloaf to gigantic burgers. The only charge is for a float or milkshake ($3.50 each) or other soft drinks.

Reservations are recommended for the specialty dining spots as soon as you board, but don't go to each restaurant: Check in, then call from your room. If by any chance you are told that a restaurant is full for the whole week, don't despair. Pride of America has nifty LCD-TV's strategically located in public spaces that tell you which restaurants have openings at any given time. If you're flexible, you'll more than likely get to dine where you want.

Room service is available at all hours, but the menu for guests in standard accommodations is limited. The pizza and children's grilled cheese sandwich are good, as is the chicken Caesar salad. Suite guests can choose menu items from the main restaurants during meal times; those in upper-level suites have a butler to deliver it.

Fitness & Recreation

This ship (and this itinerary) is a fitness buff's dream. Not only is there the well-equipped Santa Fe Spa and Fitness Center, there are also plenty of spots for walking, jogging and sports.

There may not be rock-climbing walls or ice-skating rinks on this ship, but there is a bungee trampoline located on the pool deck, open during specified (and attended) hours.

One of the best fitness and recreation aspects of this cruise is the range of golf programs offered. You can choose your courses from an array of municipal and private greens, from reasonably priced to outrageously expensive.

The Santa Fe Spa, located at the aft of the ship, is big and elegant. Run by the Mandara division of Steiner Leisure, it offers the usual at-sea spa treatments, but the destination also allows it to creatively provide themed services like Hawaiian ginger and lime scrubs, or hot lava-stone massages. Port days (and there are a lot of them) mean discounts, on everything from manicures to teeth whitening.

Note: Almost all signage indicates that you have to use the aft stairs to get from Deck 11 to the spa, but non-mobile guests can access it by using one of the aft elevators.

There's a jogging track and sports court on Deck 14, Ping Pong available just outside the Aloha Cafe, and Pilates and yoga classes (at a surcharge) available at the fitness center.

Family

NCL is one of our absolute favorite lines for family cruising, and Pride of America is no exception. This ship has designed family staterooms in multiple configurations (some with two rooms, some with an alcove) to accommodate the family in comfort. There are also several adjoining cabins.

Rascal's Kid's Club is bright, cheery and well attended. The Connections Teen Club, a "mom and dad-free zone" for the 13 to 17 year olds, is comfy and relaxing with its leopard-print couches and bean-bag chairs, music library, and computer stations.

Programs for the kids are free of charge; some late nights are included. Other times, you can arrange for private child care through the front desk with advance notice; expect to spend about $6 to $8 per hour.

Fellow Passengers

NCL America's guests run the gamut from multi-generational family groups to honeymooners and everyone in between. This is a relaxed, destination-intensive cruise designed for people who want to experience Hawaii; while the ship offers everything you need and want, NCL America wisely knows that it plays second-fiddle to the islands' allure.

Dress Code

Dress is tropical-casual, with one discretionary formal night (you are not required to dress up). There are several "Polynesian" and "Hawaiian" nights if you have the duds; otherwise, nighttime dress is resort casual. Shorts, bathing suits, tank tops and jeans are not allowed in the dining rooms after 5 p.m. For dining in the Jefferson Bistro or Lazy J's Steakhouse, cocktail attire is appropriate.

Gratuities

NCL has the most tortured gratuities program in the industry. First, it levies a "fixed service charge" on all onboard accounts; it's $10 a day for adults and $5 per day for kids ages 3 - 12. Folks unhappy with the charge should bring their issues to the reception desk for resolution.

The line does not automatically charge a 15 percent gratuity on drinks so cruise passengers are encouraged to leave cash or add the tip to the receipt. As well, on NCL America many folks using the main dining rooms (where no extra service surcharge exists) say they leave cash tips after each meal.

Also confusing (and quite frankly tacky) is the spa's practice of charging a 10 percent service fee which is not the tip (and the treatment therapists receive not a penny of it) -- which meant I tipped an additional 20 percent, making my spa treatment somewhat more expensive than anticipated.

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