NCL Pride of Aloha
 

Hello, has anyone sailed this ship yet? Looking for some reivews. Am booked for 12/04. All responses welcome. :)

Heard some really bad reviews!
 

A colleague of mine just returned from the cruise from hell on Pride of Aloha. She said it was worse than a motel 6. The crew never cleaned their stateroom the entire cruise for starters. Think about changing lines...seriously.

Here's a couple of news stories that may be of help.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../bz/bz02a.html

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../bz/bz08a.html

Timely information like this is why I avidly read FlyerTalk. I was going to take my mom on this ship during Thanksgiving week. Now I think that other options will be MUCH more inviting!

Thanks for the heads up!!! ^

Updated News "Things Are Getting Better"
 

More news ...

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../bz/bz02a.html

I don't know how much "better" it can or will get in the near future.

My cousin just got back ten days ago. The ship is at about 50% staffing (number direct from the criuse line). Due to the ship being US Flagged, the crew must go through about 2 months worth of background work before they can sail.

Also, the famed NCL Chocolate buffet is not offered on this ship. They were told that NCL offers the buffet, NCL America does not.

I would avoid this criuse like the plague.

Pride of Aloha Article
 

Here is another article from the October 3, 2004 Washington Post .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Oct1.html

Ways both the pros and cons from their travel section point of view.

I was about to post that same link to the Post article. I highly recommend it, too, as it's a long article that talks about who did or didn't like the ship, and why, and with lots of details about passengers' concerns. It was the cover story in the Travel section from last Sunday's paper.

Despite the fact that "things are getting better" with the Pride of Aloha, I'd def. spend the money in exploring the islands on your own time (e.g., by purchasing a island hopper pass from Aloha Airlines, etc.). Money's probably better spent that way.

aloha

Was on the PoA Sept. 5 sailing. Our first time on NCL and we were treated like royalty. It was an absolutely fine cruise and we found nothing as reported on the cruise boards.

Freestyle cruising is not our favorite. We enjoy traditional dining, with set times. We will probably not go back to NCL; however, there is nothing wrong with a Hawaiian cruise on the PoA. You will have a great time.