Pride of America vs other NCL Ships

[fstuff1]

I was going to take my free Ambassador 7day balcony cruise on Poa next April, mainly because I can't get that free from CAS because no casino.

 

Now, I'm not so sure I want to do that.

This year I've been to Hilo, kona , and Honolulu on Celebrity.

Maui was cancelled because fires.

 

Is just Maui worth it to use my 7day cruise benefit on an iffy ship?

[cruiser2015]

3 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

I was going to take my free Ambassador 7day balcony cruise on Poa next April, mainly because I can't get that free from CAS because no casino.

 

Now, I'm not so sure I want to do that.

This year I've been to Hilo, kona , and Honolulu on Celebrity.

Maui was cancelled because fires.

 

Is just Maui worth it to use my 7day cruise benefit on an iffy ship?

You forget Kauai.

That's 2 destinations you can enjoy.

[carohs]

I think you've gotten some pretty good answers into what is generally similar/different on the POA. But what is it you're looking for experience-wise? Are you looking for a ship first, destination second for a vacation? What I can say is that they still had a comedian, bands, bars etc. Layout all very similar, still feels like an NCL ship. It was nice to not walk through a smoke-filled casino. But, you won't find much entertainment during the day or even at night. Don't expect to be on the ship and have many options for things to do at any given time. It was all well and good for us, because we weren't there for the ship amenities and what was there was more than enough for when we went looking for it. We didn't care too much for the food tho. With no at sea days, and two overnight stops, you just won't have the same vacation vibes as a Caribbean destination for example. 

[jkbec101]

35 minutes ago, carohs said:

I think you've gotten some pretty good answers into what is generally similar/different on the POA. But what is it you're looking for experience-wise? Are you looking for a ship first, destination second for a vacation? What I can say is that they still had a comedian, bands, bars etc. Layout all very similar, still feels like an NCL ship. It was nice to not walk through a smoke-filled casino. But, you won't find much entertainment during the day or even at night. Don't expect to be on the ship and have many options for things to do at any given time. It was all well and good for us, because we weren't there for the ship amenities and what was there was more than enough for when we went looking for it. We didn't care too much for the food tho. With no at sea days, and two overnight stops, you just won't have the same vacation vibes as a Caribbean destination for example. 

We're headed to the islands to celebrate my youngest son and oldest daughter's graduations (HS and College).  When we priced out two islands with airfare, hotel, food etc. and compared it to the cost of the POA, it made sense for use to do the cruise.  

 

The only one of our family who's ever been to Hawaii is my wife and that was 30+ years ago.  So, we're going for the destination, but we also want to enjoy where we're sleeping too.  I just know that POA is different than say the Sun or Spirit and that difference has a lot to do with where the ship is flagged.  I just didn't know what the differences were, which is why I asked.  

You see, I'm a planner and by profession, I need to know everything in advance, I try and watch every Youtube video I can about the ship and destination.  When we sailed on the Epic our of Barcelona, I knew that ship like the back of my hand and I could walk from my hotel to all of the major sites blindfolded (not really, but you get the point).  What none of these videos or websites can tell you is, what's the service like, how do the various NCL ships compare to the POA from a guest perspective.  Not everyone wants to write a review and prefer to answer questions when posed.  

 

I just wanted to get a realistic picture of what to expect, nothing more, nothing less and I got what I asked for.

[Wzt9wj2]

On 11/17/2023 at 3:12 PM, Pens fan said:

 

I'll add that our concierge did come through in the end as we were exiting the ship.  He gave me a card with the website for submitting a complaint and encouraged me to do so.  

Could you please share the complaint website details?

 

[Pens fan]

3 minutes ago, Wzt9wj2 said:

Could you please share the complaint website details?

 

https://www.ncl.com/case-submission

 

[Wzt9wj2]

1 minute ago, Pens fan said:

https://www.ncl.com/case-submission

 

Thank you

[carohs]

On 11/20/2023 at 3:53 PM, jkbec101 said:

I just wanted to get a realistic picture of what to expect, nothing more, nothing less and I got what I asked for.

That's awesome. Not to knock CC but for the POA I was able to get a lot more detailed info for planning purposes from a POA FB group. Suppper helpful (and I tend to stay away from those including role calls).

[dacsmom]

I am booked on the POA in 2025. I am going onto the ship with the attitude of it being a floating hotel. No expectations. I am happy to see multiple islands. A day at sea is better than a day at work.