Dear Fellow Cruisers:
We were on the May 28 2022 POA and on the three day pre tour. Overall we were satisfied with the experience but there were some "hits and misses". On the pre tour we were disappointed with the Hyatt Regency Hotel (lacked soul) and the unusually early starts to two days of the tour (6:45 and 7:00 a.m.). The sights and tours were enjoyable but the included lunch was poor.
The ship was very nice and well maintained. The staff was excellent and very friendly and helpful. We sailed with less than 900 passengers and the ship felt empty most of the time. The food in the Aloha Cafe was good for breakfast (fruits, bread/pastries, french toast and coffee) but mediocre at lunch (the Asian section was good). The MDR service was excellent but the food quality (Hake was served twice and Tilapia once) and preparation was very spotty. The coffee and expresso were not drinkable. Cagney's was passable and the Bistrot was very good. Coffee and expresso were awful. Entertainment was either absent or High School quality and the House Band was mediocre. The only worthwhile act was the Pinks Bar "lounge singer". The island visits were very good and most tours were worthwhile. The only negative was the cancelling of the Kona stop because of phantom winds effecting the Tenders.
We enjoyed the cruise and were satisfied. It was our first time on Norwegian but we have sailed HAL, Viking and Oceania. After the cruise we stayed for three days at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (Ali Tower) and it was very superior to the Hyatt. We were told that the POA pre tour used to stay at the Hilton HV.
I will try to answer any specific questions.
Joel Barry
