Norwegian Pride of America Review

Pack your floral shirt and get ready to relax in Hawaii!

Aloha! Ever wanted to cruise around beautiful Hawaii? Let us introduce you to the Pride of America. This large cruise ship stays in Hawaii all year round and specializes in exploring every corner of one of the most iconic tropical destinations in the world. The Pride of America doesn’t sail anywhere else - not even the Caribbean - making it the perfect choice for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Hawaiian experience.

The Norwegian Pride of America is smaller than traditional mega-resorts at sea, accommodating up to 2,000 guests. To put things into perspective, the Norwegian Viva accommodates about 3,200 guests, while Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas can host up to 7,600 passengers. Since the Pride of America is based in Hawaii, the ship needs to be smaller to dock at and visit various destinations around the islands. This also makes for a more relaxed and intimate adventure.

The Pride of America proudly showcases its American spirit, with a giant bald eagle adorning the entrance to guest services. It’s a charming ship and should be a top choice if you’re planning to explore Hawaii. However, keep in mind that this cruise doesn’t sail TO Hawaii - you’ll need to arrive in Honolulu first, where the cruise begins. From there, you’ll explore the islands before returning to Honolulu. As mentioned, this ship stays exclusively within the Aloha State.

What we like about the Norwegian Pride of America

Norwegian Pride of America guest services.webp — Norwegian Cruise Line©

The best thing about the Pride of America isn’t even the ship itself. Ouch. Sorry, Pride of America, no hard feelings! The real highlight is that it offers an incredible way to explore multiple islands around Hawaii. In fact, the Pride of America might be the best option for visiting historical landmarks like Pearl Harbor and experiencing the many sides of the Aloha State. With year-round sailings in Hawaii, the crew is highly experienced and knows exactly what guests want to see and do.

The crew receives excellent reviews, and several factors contribute to this. First, since the ship isn’t massive, there aren’t as many people onboard, allowing the crew to provide more personalized attention. Second, the crew has remained largely consistent for a while, as the ship follows the same itineraries repeatedly. This allows staff to be highly trained, attentive, and fully dedicated to ensuring you have a fantastic experience.

If you’re using the Pride of America as a floating hotel and taxi, you’ll have a great time. This is an excellent way to see the entire island in 7 to 11 days, and honestly, that should be the main reason to book a trip onboard this vessel. Don’t worry about the limited entertainment options, the outdated design, or the limited food choices. The real draw is exploring and getting to know the beautiful Hawaiian islands more intimately.

What we don’t like about Norwegian Pride of America

Norwegian Pride of America deck bar.webp — Norwegian Cruise Line©

The Pride of America is an older ship, having launched way back in 2005. For cruise lines that release new ships almost every year, that feels like quite a long time. The ship does feel a bit dated in some areas and lacks some of the modern amenities found on newer vessels. Staterooms show their age, and there are no waterparks, waterslides or even a casino onboard.

Entertainment options are limited, making it clear that this ship is designed primarily for adults looking to relax and explore Hawaii above all else. There are no big Broadway-style shows, only a few magic or comedy performances on select nights. While there are pools and plenty of places to relax, and the food is decent, don’t board the Pride of America expecting a highly advanced ship. Your main goal here is to explore the island, disembark at every port, and discover all that Hawaii has to offer.