Sky vs. Pride of America

[KMB83]

Curious if any frequent cruisers can break down the major differences between these ships?

 

I have cruised on other lines previously, and after my most recent (first time w NCL) experience on the Sky, I swore I would never book another Norwegian cruise. Granted, we were on a quick four-day cruise, and the stops were great, however the ship disappointed. The food options in the dining rooms was comparable to a school cafeteria. We were traveling to slow down and relax, but waiting a minimum of an hour for drinks or salad each night to even begin dinner was a bit too slow. Also, the crew did not seem too engaged or informed. I am open minded and didn't have incredibly high expectations, but I was more-so bummed for those who I was traveling with and had convinced to cruise.

 

So- my family is now researching options for a vacation to Hawaii next summer. A cruise has been mentioned and NCL Pride of America is our only choice during this time of year. I am hoping that someone who has cruised both ships before will tell me that it is a great cruise and my Sky experience was unusual or a result of just doing a quick long weekend cruise...

 

Anyone?

Edited August 2, 2015 by KMB83

[azappraiser]

Curious if any frequent cruisers can break down the major differences between these ships?

 

I have cruised on other lines previously, and after my most recent (first time w NCL) experience on the Sky, I swore I would never book another Norwegian cruise. Granted, we were on a quick four-day cruise, and the stops were great, however the ship disappointed. The food options in the dining rooms was comparable to a school cafeteria. We were traveling to slow down and relax, but waiting a minimum of an hour for drinks or salad each night to even begin dinner was a bit too slow. Also, the crew did not seem too engaged or informed. I am open minded and didn't have incredibly high expectations, but I was more-so bummed for those who I was traveling with and had convinced to cruise.

 

So- my family is now researching options for a vacation to Hawaii next summer. A cruise has been mentioned and NCL Pride of America is our only choice during this time of year. I am hoping that someone who has cruised both ships before will tell me that it is a great cruise and my Sky experience was unusual or a result of just doing a quick long weekend cruise...

 

Anyone?

 

Although I can't comment on the "Sky", you should know the POA cruise is very port intensive... the ship is basically a floating hotel that takes you from island to island. You should also know the POA is going in for dry dock in the spring, so by summertime you'll be sailing on a newly renovated ship.

 

There's no water park, zip line, or bowling alley on board, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy... when you're actually on the ship. I can't over emphasize it enough; a cruise on the POA isn't about the ship... it's all about the ports. I'm quite certain everyone else that has sailed on her will agree.

[huskerc]

I've done both and completely agree with the previous poster.

[KMB83]

This is a great point that I will definitely be mindful of. I am certain we will not spend nearly as much time on the ship compared to my Caribbean experiences.

[chengkp75]

As others have posted, the difference between the Sky and the POA is that the Sky is a "weekend" casino/drink cruise, while the POA is a movable hotel that takes you to 4 Hawaiian Islands to explore.

 

The other main difference is the US crew on the POA.

[punkincc]

Although I can't comment on the "Sky", you should know the POA cruise is very port intensive... the ship is basically a floating hotel that takes you from island to island. You should also know the POA is going in for dry dock in the spring, so by summertime you'll be sailing on a newly renovated ship.

 

There's no water park, zip line, or bowling alley on board, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy... when you're actually on the ship. I can't over emphasize it enough; a cruise on the POA isn't about the ship... it's all about the ports. I'm quite certain everyone else that has sailed on her will agree.

 

The dry dock is in San Francisco sometime in February, I believe. Then she does an 11 night reposition cruise back to Hawaii on March 15. Excellent pricing for this cruise compared to the usual 7 day inter island prices. Might be worth moving your summer cruise up a few months.;)

 

Edit: Sorry AZ, I quoted you because of the reference to a "spring" dry dock, but actually speaking to the OP just to point out the earlier date and the unique trans pacific plus inter island opportunity this presents.

Edited August 3, 2015 by punkincc

[azappraiser]

The dry dock is in San Francisco sometime in February, I believe. Then she does an 11 night reposition cruise back to Hawaii on March 15. Excellent pricing for this cruise compared to the usual 7 day inter island prices. Might be worth moving your summer cruise up a few months.;)

 

Edit: Sorry AZ, I quoted you because of the reference to a "spring" dry dock, but actually speaking to the OP just to point out the earlier date and the unique trans pacific plus inter island opportunity this presents.

 

No apology necessary... however, in Arizona, Feb/Mar is "our" spring time ;)

[punkincc]

No apology necessary... however, in Arizona, Feb/Mar is "our" spring time ;)

 

If only that were true in northwest Indiana;)

[ocaladee]

That's why we left there 21 years ago. Did not want to wait for retirement to move to Florida

[DevCruise]

We've been on both ships and enjoyed both.

 

The dining room isn't generally meant for quick meals, however, if you let your waiter/waitress know, they will speed it up. They just need to know.

 

Like others have said, you'll spend a lot of time in Hawaii on the islands assuming you actually intend to see Hawaii. However, at least with us, we still spent a good amount of time on the ship.

[3red7s]

Hey KMB....we are in similar situation.....we are leaving for our 1st NCL 4 day cruise the end of January courtesy of Caesers Entertainment. (we have cruised 29 times before with RC) We have already booked for Pride of America in 12/2016, as they seem to cover most of the islands. I am concerned about all the negative comment for the Sky and for the Pride...I am hoping to obtain more info also

[Kingofwylietx]

As others have posted, the difference between the Sky and the POA is that the Sky is a "weekend" casino/drink cruise, while the POA is a movable hotel that takes you to 4 Hawaiian Islands to explore.

 

The other main difference is the US crew on the POA.

 

We've done both and Chengkp is correct. For Hawaii, the ship is your floating hotel. I didn't think it was as nice as some other ships we have cruised, but that was insignificant to us. We had excursions at each port. We mainly used the ship for sleeping, breakfast, and dinner......for those things the ship was sufficient. It's a great way to see Hawaii, since it's actually pretty expensive to transit yourself between islands.

[TrixieBel]

We sailed on POA in August and it was our first cruise. Thoroughly enjoyed it and it made for a great floating hotel.

 

We made the ship work for us and used the amenities we wanted and left the rest. We had two adjoining cabins on the correct side of the ship to be able to watch the Kauai coast from our balconies; we found a favourite bar right at the stern of the boat that very few families seemed to come to; we went only once to the main dining room and the rest of the time we went to specialty restaurants or the buffet; and, we found the one cafe on the ship that makes a real cappuccino coffee and sent one of the husband's down each morning to collect the coffees.

 

The real reason we were there was to see as much of Hawaii as we could without having to pack and re-pack all the time, and POA was perfect for that. We did have some good service, but we are Australian/New Zealanders and are pretty casual.

[SH&GH]

Be sure not to get the port side mid ship - 2 of 7 days our balcony had a crane like structure view inches from our balcony. You will end up paying for a balcony and have no use of it. NCL does not tell you about it and because they consider this a captive market they take a 'dont care attitude'. Their customer service and shipboard staff will not help you if you complain or ask to be moved. BTW, all the ports are industrial ports.