Norwegian’s Pride of America returns to Hawaii for island-hopping cruises

As cruising continues to make its comeback, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will soon be reintroducing its beloved Pride of America ship.

This ship sails roundtrip from Honolulu year-round, with generous time spent in port to fully enjoy each of the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai.

This is the only ship dedicated to sailing the Hawaiian Islands exclusively, and Pride of America is scheduled to restart its island-hopping cruises on Jan. 22.

With weekly sailings available throughout the new year, here’s what guests can expect on board Pride of America.

The itinerary

Throughout the immersive island-hopping itinerary, native ambassadors sail on the ship alongside passengers, offering bespoke opportunities for learning about Hawaiian culture.

One of the most stellar experiences aboard Pride of America is sailing along the Napali Coast, which is not truly accessible by land and seeing this beauty up close otherwise requires either a helicopter ride or boat charter. Yet during the Pride of America sailing, NCL introduces guests to this legendary landscape with a scenic sailing following port time on the island of Hawaii.

The cruise actually spends two days on the island of Hawaii, with one full day spent in Hilo and another day spent in popular Kona. Through each of these port visits, guests can explore local shops and eateries, enjoy hiking excursions, visit macadamia nut or coffee farms or find adventure at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

On the island of Maui, Pride of America guests spend two full days in port at Kahului. From this seaside town, guests can explore culture and cuisine in Lahaina Town, take up surf lessons on Kaanapali Beach, embark on horseback riding and hiking excursions, sample farm-fresh coffee or simply kick back on pristine sandy beaches.

Another overnight port is on the island of Kauai, where the ship docks in Nāwiliwili for early disembarkation one morning and a late afternoon departure the next day. During this generous port time, guests can explore the natural beauty of Waimea Canyon and the Wailua River, hike the rainforest, visit Hollywood film sites, sample craft beer and still have an evening free to join a luau dinner.

With the cruise starting and ending in Honolulu, guests can add on additional days to explore Oahu. Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri are musts for first-time visitors while exploring north shore surf towns are popular among regular visitors. Explore a coffee, pineapple or macadamia nut farm, then hang ten along Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.

Dining options

In between port activities, there are plenty of Hawaiian influences found aboard Pride of America. Complimentary dining included within the base cruise fare ranges from fine dining to casual bites, all with a touch of aloha.

One of the most popular dining venues is the Aloha Café, the ships’ buffet restaurant, which serves every meal from breakfast through dinner and even into late-night snack time. Then there’s East Meets West, an Asian venue featuring noodles, wok-fried dishes and authentic soups.

Also complimentary is Key West Bar & Grill, ideal for poolside quick bites and chilled drinks. Then two main dining rooms, Liberty and Skyline, offer refined full-service menus with traditional cuisine and culinary favorites.

For those who want to mix up their menus a little, a few specialty restaurants add even more flavor offerings. Moderno Churrascaria is an authentic Brazilian venue, while La Cucina specializes in Italian classics. As with most NCL ships, Pride of America also features Cagney’s Steakhouse for premium cuts, along with Teppanyaki for sizzling nights out.

For French food enthusiasts, guests will find Jefferson’s Bistro onboard offering intimate dining experiences. Fan of sushi? You’ll find a dedicated venue for traditional Japanese favorites, too.

Additional Hawaiian and Polynesian influences are found at the Aloha Lanai Bar and the Waikiki Bar, while eight other venues offer a different personality to meet all your thirst interests. Crave wine? Visit the Napa Wine Bar. Want some bubbly? Head over to Pink’s Champagne Bar. You’ll even find specialty pick-me-ups at the John Adams Coffee Bar.

Entertainment and activities

While most of your time sailing with Pride of America will undoubtedly be spent ashore exploring ports, there is plenty to occupy your downtime with onboard entertainment and activities.

Spend the night enjoying a complimentary musical production of "Lights, Camera, Music!" During this tribute to Hollywood musicals, guests can enjoy the energy and glamor of cinematic classics. Also in the Hollywood Theater are additional performances and special events for all ages, day and night.

Kids of all ages will also want to take a spin through a video arcade or challenge the parents to an onboard basketball game. Kids also have access to Entourage, a dedicated space for teens to play air hockey or hit the dance floor among peers. Splash Academy is another option for kiddos, specifically aimed at children ages 3-12, with creative games, arts and crafts and more supervised fun.

Adults will find their own oasis of fun at the onboard driving range and within the Mandara Spa & Salon. Then there’s a quiet library space and The Conservatory for enjoying calm mornings at sea. Or enjoy one of two pools to take in that warm Hawaiian sunshine.

In the evening, take a stroll through SoHo Art Gallery and the Newbury Street Shops to find souvenirs and keepsakes. For Hawaiian gifts, onboard Island Treasures and Na Hoku offer a great variety of jewelry, clothing and other collectibles.

Accommodations

At full capacity, Pride of America can accommodate just over 2,100 guests, yet don’t expect the first batch of sailings to be completely full. That means a little more room to stretch out and explore the ship before full capacity returns.

This NCL ship was fully refurbished in 2016, so stateroom décor and amenities have had a top to bottom refresh. One of the latest enhancements to NCL cruise ships is the studio suite selection. Gone are the days when solo cruisers had to book and pay for a cabin built and billed for two. Now solo travelers can enjoy their own dedicated sanctuary space with stylish cabins and exclusive access to the Studio Lounge. The lounge is a wonderful place to grab a morning coffee, retreat for quiet cocktails and mix and mingle with other solo travelers if desired.

Pride of America also offers wallet-friendly interior rooms and staterooms with ocean view windows. The most common accommodation, of course, is the balcony guestroom. In addition to spacious guest quarters, the balcony option provides floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes as you sail in and out of port.

Desire even more room for your whole family to stretch out? Opt for luxury with a suite, with options for accommodating up to eight guests. Select a suite to enjoy the spaciousness of separate bedrooms, a dining room and living space, along with larger private balconies and even a whirlpool tub. Suites also come with butler and concierge services to ensure the highest level of service in these luxurious accommodations.

Booking 

With the new year comes new savings, as wave season sales surface with cruise lines.

Bundle the best savings with Norwegian’s "free at sea" promotions, where select fares include free open bar, specialty dining, excursions and ship Wi-Fi. On select sailings, guests may even take advantage of the cruise first program offering a bonus $250 with a $250 cruise deposit.