Pride of America Review
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This was our second time on the POA as Hawaii is a favorite destination for us. It offers the best itinerary and is the most relaxing way to see all the islands, offering overnights in Maui and Kauai, two ports on Hawaii, and an hours long sail by of the Na Pali coast which I don't believe anyone else offers. POA is the only cruise ship which sails strictly inter island and weekly, year round. Other lines offer only seasonal, trans Pacific cruises. However, this cruise the POA was returning from an extended dry dock in San Francisco and offered a unique 11 night return to Hawaii combined with the nearly normal inter island itinerary ( we lost the overnight in Maui ). Because it was a last minute change in dry dock location from Hawaii to San Francisco, we were able to book a suite for about what we had booked a balcony on our previous POA cruise. Too good to pass up.
I have seen in other reviews that posters referred to this as a "luxury" cruise and it did not meet their expectation for a "luxury" cruise. Perhaps they were basing this on the cabin prices? When in paradise, there is a premium to pay. Hawaii is expensive and the POA is the only game in town. But Norwegian is not a luxury line, but very comparable to other mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean. If you go in with the right expectations, there is no better way to see Hawaii. In port daily, with overnights, it allows maximum time to explore the islands.
This was our 9th cruise with Norwegian. We generally avoid the main dining rooms, preferring the specialty restaurants or the buffet. New menus were recently introduced. Three of the specialties are now "a la carte". Buying a 3 to 7 night dining package highly recommended. An a la carte meal including lobster which might otherwise cost $50 on an can be had for @$20 with a package, which has no restriction on items ordered.
Cabin Review
Penthouse with Large Balcony
We were the first to stay in this newly refurbished cabin located port side forward on deck 11. One large room. New furniture, carpet, tv, bedding, mattress, and deck furniture. Neutral colors with pops of color from the wall decor and accents. The mattress was heaven, wall mounted tv perfectly placed for viewing from anywhere in the room. Tub with glassed shower. Water was HOT. Loved the walk through closet/dressing area accessed either from the hall or from the bedroom area with Vanity table. Lots of drawers in the open closet space and vanity. Lots of space there for luggage storage, no shoving under the bed. Fixed pane floor to ceiling window next to the bed, sliding door next to the couch. Huge balcony. 2 padded lounge chairs and round table with chairs.
Port Reviews
Maui
We rented a car through Discount Hawaii Car rental and drove to Lahaina for shopping and lunch. Shuttles for the rental companies run continuously from the pier, but have a reservation made in advance. No advance payment, cancel without penalty. You can do a two day rental for the overnight ports allowing for a quick getaway the morning of the 2nd day. There is not much that can't be accessed easily from your own car, making expensive tours unnecessary. We had not been to Lahaina for years, scenic drive, Kaanapali Beach is just down the road, good shopping and lots of water front restaurants.
Kauai
We again rented a car on day 1 in Kauai and headed out for the Poipu area which we had never stopped at. The drive was very scenic along the coast. We had lunch at Brenneckes Beach Bar across from Poipu beach. Afterward we took a drive into Waimea Canyon, but did not go all the way to the top lookout as it was hazy and began to sprinkle. We have done the canyon on past trips by car, and also a helicopter tour which included a flight over the canyon.