Hawaii cruise
Jul 13, 2015, 7:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: syracuse NY
Programs: AA, Jet Blue, Unitedd, Delta, Hilton, Marriot
Posts: 9
My wife and I took the Norwegian cruise lines, ship “Pride Of America” for our 40th anniversary in Oct 2012. Since they sail only inside of the United States, you don’t need a passport. Because they don’t leave the USA they are one of the only cruise ships to fly the American flag. This means they are required to have mostly American staff, instead of foreign staff.
The ship departs and returns to Honolulu after a seven day tour of some of Hawaii’s islands, Maui, Hilo on the big island of Hawaii, Kona, on the south side of the big island and lastly Kauai. The ship travels mainly at night and when it arrives in port, most people leave the ship for island tours. We rented cars on each island and planned our own itinerary. The ship is like a traveling hotel. We were off the ship, almost as much time as we were on the ship. So, if you are used to a regular cruise, you may be disappointed. There was not a lot of ship time to chill out. We loved it, it was our first trip to Hawaii and we wanted an overview of the islands. That’s exactly what we got. We are going to Maui this October and staying put in one place.
There is a web site the www.cruisecritic.com It has hundreds of reviews of “Pride Of America”. It will give you a good idea of what the cruise is about, good and bad. The only thing I would really recommend is to get a cabin with a balcony. The views are priceless.
The ship departs and returns to Honolulu after a seven day tour of some of Hawaii’s islands, Maui, Hilo on the big island of Hawaii, Kona, on the south side of the big island and lastly Kauai. The ship travels mainly at night and when it arrives in port, most people leave the ship for island tours. We rented cars on each island and planned our own itinerary. The ship is like a traveling hotel. We were off the ship, almost as much time as we were on the ship. So, if you are used to a regular cruise, you may be disappointed. There was not a lot of ship time to chill out. We loved it, it was our first trip to Hawaii and we wanted an overview of the islands. That’s exactly what we got. We are going to Maui this October and staying put in one place.
There is a web site the www.cruisecritic.com It has hundreds of reviews of “Pride Of America”. It will give you a good idea of what the cruise is about, good and bad. The only thing I would really recommend is to get a cabin with a balcony. The views are priceless.
Jul 13, 2015, 9:42 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
http://www.un-cruise.com/hawaiian-islands-cruises
something different
i would not recommend silversea, but theyve done transoceanic that included hawaii, and will do custom 5 night itineraries
something different
i would not recommend silversea, but theyve done transoceanic that included hawaii, and will do custom 5 night itineraries
Jul 14, 2015, 9:47 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA GLD (1MM), DL GLD, Marriott Plat, RCL D+, X Elite
Posts: 3,229
A colleauge of mine just returned from an NCL Pride of America cruise. As others have said, the ship is American flagged, you'll have mostly American crew, and no passport required. He really enjoyed the cruise. Didn't do any organized excursions, just rented a car in each port and did one chopper ride.
My sense is that NCL's American-flagged operation had a rough start initially, but they have invested in training and service. I'd like to try it sometime myself. Enjoy your cruise!!
My sense is that NCL's American-flagged operation had a rough start initially, but they have invested in training and service. I'd like to try it sometime myself. Enjoy your cruise!!
Jul 14, 2015, 9:59 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: Choice Hotels/FFOCUS
Posts: 7,256
Thanks everyone. This will also be our 40th & we are looking @ Pride of America. We've been to several of the islands many years ago.
If other folks have more, keep them coming. Thanks.
Oh one other thing did you all use a travel agent or cruise line direct ? I'm retired airline but have little to no experience with cruises.
If other folks have more, keep them coming. Thanks.
Oh one other thing did you all use a travel agent or cruise line direct ? I'm retired airline but have little to no experience with cruises.
Last edited by coachrowsey; Jul 14, 2015 at 10:02 am Reason: Added last paragraph.
Jul 14, 2015, 6:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: syracuse NY
Programs: AA, Jet Blue, Unitedd, Delta, Hilton, Marriot
Posts: 9
We did use a travel agent to book our 40th anniversary cruise. We had never been on a cruise before and did know not what questions to even ask. She was able to gauge what we were looking for in a cruise and help us find the right cabin. Our cabin was on the same level as the restaurants and pool. I guess, there are some cabin locations that have problems. She was also able to get us a cabin that was slightly larger than others of the same price bracket, due to the ship contours. It was still pretty small, but it had a huge balcony.
The travel agent was very helpful in helping us make decisions. After the cruise, we thought she was right on in her advice. I’m glad I listened to her. I don’t know if it cost more for our trip. I kind of think the agent got her commission from the cruise line, rather than us. Maybe someone is more knowledgeable in that area.
The travel agent was very helpful in helping us make decisions. After the cruise, we thought she was right on in her advice. I’m glad I listened to her. I don’t know if it cost more for our trip. I kind of think the agent got her commission from the cruise line, rather than us. Maybe someone is more knowledgeable in that area.
Jul 17, 2015, 10:09 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA GLD (1MM), DL GLD, Marriott Plat, RCL D+, X Elite
Posts: 3,229
Be advised that Princess cruise includes a stop in Mexico to comply with US law (either Jones Act or PVSA...I always confuse the two). But...since it is closed loop, begins and ends at the same US port, you can travel with a birth certificate. Should be fine, just something to be aware of.
This is straight from Princess.com.
"US citizens traveling on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” voyages may also travel with an original certified birth certificate presented together with a valid government-issued photo identification. These voyages include:
Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
Canada/New England roundtrip from New York
Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, New York or Houston
Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Francisco
Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Francisco
Panama Canal roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale"
This is straight from Princess.com.
"US citizens traveling on U.S. roundtrip or “closed-loop” voyages may also travel with an original certified birth certificate presented together with a valid government-issued photo identification. These voyages include:
Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
Canada/New England roundtrip from New York
Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, New York or Houston
Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Francisco
Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Francisco
Panama Canal roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale"
Jul 17, 2015, 12:59 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
May I add my vote for NCL -Pride of America. My wife and I went for our 30th Anniversary and absolutely loved it. Can fully recommend. No passports needed.
Last edited by GRALISTAIR; Jul 20, 2015 at 7:19 am
Jul 19, 2015, 2:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 190
January is the month for Hawaii cruise
January is the month for a Hawaii cruise.
NCL's Pride of America is intra island itinerary from/to Honolulu.
In January, there are other options with Princess and Carnival. Depending on your departure port (if west coast base), the cost is more effective than flying to Hawaii.
http://shop.cruisedeals.com/cs/forms...0%7C999&sort=6
NCL's Pride of America is intra island itinerary from/to Honolulu.
In January, there are other options with Princess and Carnival. Depending on your departure port (if west coast base), the cost is more effective than flying to Hawaii.
http://shop.cruisedeals.com/cs/forms...0%7C999&sort=6