Best Dining Experiences on Pride of America

[mary_228]

I am a first time NCL cruiser and will most likely dine in the complimentary venues onboard. With only 7 dinners, I wish to enjoy them to the fullest! My TA has given us dinner for two in a specialty restaurant as well. In the past on Princess we usually chose the steakhouse, as the meat there is much better than the main dining rooms. But POA has so many more choices! What did you love? Which to avoid?

Edited March 24, 2023 by mary_228
correct spelling errors

[1025cruise]

When are you sailing? I'm not sure POA has fully staffed all the specialties yet.

[mary_228]

My cruise is in May. One of the reviewers from Nov 2022 stated that all were open at that time. I am hoping some recent POA cruisesrs may see my post and weigh in.

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, mary_228 said:

I am a first time NCL cruiser and will most likely dine in the complimentary venues onboard. With only 7 dinners, I wish to enjoy them to the fullest! My TA has given us dinner for two in a specialty restaurant as well. In the past on Princess we usually chose the steakhouse, as the meat there is much better than the main dining rooms. But POA has so many more choices! What did you love? Which to avoid?

Don't know that you can go "wrong". 

 

Food choice is a personal preference....

 

We would pick one of the following: 

Jefferson's Bistro (French)

Teppanyaki 

Moderno (Brazillan BBQ)

 

On one of your overnights, try to book a Luau on shore. A Hawaiian must do. 

[NikiPinkston]

We sailed on the POA last November and, at that time, not all of the specialty restaurants were open, but I believe they all opened for business shortly after we disembarked on November 18. Our favorite restaurant on NCL ships is always Cagney's (the steakhouse), and the POA was no different.  We used both of our specialty dinners credits there. We usually get the filet mignon and have never been disappointed. The food in the MDR was good, except for a steak that DH got. The buffet was hit and miss. The Cadillac Diner, another "free" venue, was wonderful. The crew on the POA was incredible. You're going to have a fabulous time!

[ironmagnolia]

Our TA has included the Free at Sea promotion on the POA in August 2023. Are we able to use our Unlimited Beverage package inside the specialty dining restaurants? How about inside the Main Dining rooms?

[ironmagnolia]

First time NCL cruiser here. Our TA has included the Free at Sea promotion on the POA in August 2023 that will include the Unlimited Beverage package as well as 2 SDR meals. We have never had a beverage package before so have questions:

 

Are we able to use our Unlimited Beverage package inside the specialty dining restaurants? How about inside the Main Dining rooms?

 

Also, "each guest is eligible for 2 drinks per person per transaction". Does this mean that each time we order a round of drinks, that we cannot order more than 2 drinks each? 

 

I see that there is a "Hawaii Beverage package" on the POA. Is this simply another choice of beverage packages along with the usual ones because this is an Hawaii Cruise? The Unlimited Beverage package is still available on this cruise correct?

 

What are "VAT and or taxes for certain ports" ? Will we experience this tax in any of our Hawaii ports? 

[ironmagnolia]

Well shoot, did not mean to post the same thing twice.....apologies

[carohs]

If you read the beverage package description, you'll notice in Hawaii you will have specialty coffee included in the dining rooms and bottled water. This is not included in the UBP. VAT seems to be a Hawaii thing that to me is like a sales tax but I haven't quite figured it out yet. I expect it's the same on the islands. 

[bookbabe]

18 hours ago, ironmagnolia said:

First time NCL cruiser here. Our TA has included the Free at Sea promotion on the POA in August 2023 that will include the Unlimited Beverage package as well as 2 SDR meals. We have never had a beverage package before so have questions:

 

Are we able to use our Unlimited Beverage package inside the specialty dining restaurants? How about inside the Main Dining rooms?

 

Also, "each guest is eligible for 2 drinks per person per transaction". Does this mean that each time we order a round of drinks, that we cannot order more than 2 drinks each? 

 

I see that there is a "Hawaii Beverage package" on the POA. Is this simply another choice of beverage packages along with the usual ones because this is an Hawaii Cruise? The Unlimited Beverage package is still available on this cruise correct?

 

What are "VAT and or taxes for certain ports" ? Will we experience this tax in any of our Hawaii ports? 

Hawaii has stricter liquor laws so NCL has a different description and inclusions in the Hawaii beverage package as opposed to the regular one.  It adds a few items, and I’m told that they are stricter with the limits of how many drinks you can get at a time.  (Normally the bartenders don’t care.) But they don’t have a listed frequency limit, so just order more often.  Yes, your drink package works everywhere on the ship, including all the restaurants (yes, specialty too, and the buffet).  The VAT is charged per drink when you are at port, I’ve read something like $0.30 to $0.50 per drink depending on what you order.

 

FYI, if you are new to PoA, you should also know that there is no casino or other gambling on board, again due to Hawaiian law.

 

[OhioGranny]

On 5/4/2023 at 3:40 PM, ironmagnolia said:

First time NCL cruiser here. Our TA has included the Free at Sea promotion on the POA in August 2023 that will include the Unlimited Beverage package as well as 2 SDR meals. We have never had a beverage package before so have questions:

 

Are we able to use our Unlimited Beverage package inside the specialty dining restaurants? How about inside the Main Dining rooms?

 

Also, "each guest is eligible for 2 drinks per person per transaction". Does this mean that each time we order a round of drinks, that we cannot order more than 2 drinks each? 

 

I see that there is a "Hawaii Beverage package" on the POA. Is this simply another choice of beverage packages along with the usual ones because this is an Hawaii Cruise? The Unlimited Beverage package is still available on this cruise correct?

 

What are "VAT and or taxes for certain ports" ? Will we experience this tax in any of our Hawaii ports? 

we will be doing POA in September and have the sane questions !!  

[ggTexasGal]

Hawaii Beverage Package

For sailings on or after to January 1, 2023:

• Hawaii Beverage Package is applicable to Pride of America sailings only.
• Applicable to guests 1-8 on the reservation.
• Eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction.
• Includes a variety of beverages up to $15 USD retail price.
• Also includes fountain soda, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (still and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee (specialty coffee inclusion shall be limited to dining rooms only).
• Does not include: specialty coffee outside of the restaurants, room service, mini bar purchases, or vending machines.
• Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.

  For sailings prior to January 1, 2023:

  • Guests are responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Hawaii Beverage Package ($19.80 USD per person per day) prior to cruise
  • Retail value of Hawaii Beverage Package is $99.00 USD per person per day. Package price is subject to change
  • Guests are responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Hawaii Beverage Package ($21.80 USD per person per day) prior to cruise
  • Retail value of Hawaii Beverage Package is $109.00 USD per person per day. Package price is subject to change
  • 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Hawaii Beverage Package are included when booking through the Australia office.
  • When booking through the Australia office, gratuities related to Hawaii Beverage Package are included.
  • The purchase of any alcoholic drinks within the Hawaii Beverage Package may, in certain individual circumstances, be restricted in accordance with Hawaii’s Intoxicating Liquor Law and applicable local rules and regulations.
  • No substitute for package if guest cannot consume all beverages included.