FH & I are contimplating a Hawaiian cruise with NCL as part of our honeymoon, so we can see more of Hawaii. We would do 3 or 4 nights in Oahu and then the 7 night cruise, which leave from Honolulu, makes 2 stops on the Big Island, and then stays overnight in both Kuaui and Maui.
The cruise is on NCL's Pride of America.
Has anyone ever cruised with NCL before? I love cruising but have only ever been on Royal Caribbean and Princess.
Let me know if anyone has any reviews
TIA
geegee827
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
I've never done it, but a friend of mine did that cruise earlier this summer. They loved it but said they wish they had more time on the islands.
RJP523
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
'More time'- I find that's always the case
This is part of my love/hate relationship with cruises. I love Love LOVE them for every reason- except I always wish for more time in the ports.
We went to Alaska this year with RC, and I really wish they would have just left me there for a week or two and then came, picked me up, and dropped me at my doorstep haha
Notwedyet08
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
I sailed on NCL Star when they did 4 island stops & stop in the republic of Kirabati (before the pride of america ship).
We spend two nights in Oahu before the cruise; and sailed for 7 nights stopping @ Hilo; The Big Island, Republick of Kir. & Maui. There were problem w/the ships engine so we missed a port in between but i can't even remember which one!
Had an amazing time on board. All the activies had hawaian themes -Hula lessons; lai lessons; some other leaf art & craft thing; necklaces out of those big black beads (i think Kona?). Restaurants were yummy-had a lot of Mahi Mahi!
Enjoyed our time on the island we stopped at got to see the Hilo Tsunami museum and a luau in Maui. Saw the cliff jumpers and mount Haleakala (sp) Dissapointed in our stop at the REp of Kirb. but it was nice to say we crossed the International Date Line! Just wish we had a little more time in Maui-would have liked to be able to stay over night so that's a plus on the cruise you're looking at!
I went on a girls trip w/my Mom & sis so the 3 of us stayed in one room (inside cabin) nights were rough; heard a lot of waves crashing (were at the front of the ship). But we saw a ton of newlyweds.
Did you have any specific questions?
ETA: I said on RCL last year and had a blast (freedom of the seas). Def. different atmosphere; thought RCL was a little more 'fun' but the NCL pride of Aloha could be a nice relaxing cruise that would equate to an amazing honeymoon; as opposed ot not stop fun & games you'll find on other cruise lines.
RJP523
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by Notwedyet08
I sailed on NCL Star when they did 4 island stops & stop in the republic of Kirabati (before the pride of america ship).
We spend two nights in Oahu before the cruise; and sailed for 7 nights stopping @ Hilo; The Big Island, Republick of Kir. & Maui. There were problem w/the ships engine so we missed a port in between but i can't even remember which one!
Had an amazing time on board. All the activies had hawaian themes -Hula lessons; lai lessons; some other leaf art & craft thing; necklaces out of those big black beads (i think Kona?). Restaurants were yummy-had a lot of Mahi Mahi!
Enjoyed our time on the island we stopped at got to see the Hilo Tsunami museum and a luau in Maui. Saw the cliff jumpers and mount Haleakala (sp) Dissapointed in our stop at the REp of Kirb. but it was nice to say we crossed the International Date Line! Just wish we had a little more time in Maui-would have liked to be able to stay over night so that's a plus on the cruise you're looking at!
I went on a girls trip w/my Mom & sis so the 3 of us stayed in one room (inside cabin) nights were rough; heard a lot of waves crashing (were at the front of the ship). But we saw a ton of newlyweds.
Did you have any specific questions?
ETA: I said on RCL last year and had a blast (freedom of the seas). Def. different atmosphere; thought RCL was a little more 'fun' but the NCL pride of Aloha could be a nice relaxing cruise that would equate to an amazing honeymoon; as opposed ot not stop fun & games you'll find on other cruise lines.
Thanks! This was really helpful. I figured we'd have our beach time in Oahu and our exploring Hawaii time with the cruise. I think my main concern (& this might sound a little snooty, but I've sailed with RC so many times I've sort of become a little bit of a RC snob ) is the quality- the service, the food, the entertainment, the overall ship....
J79
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
I've cruised with both NCL and RC. There are pros and cons to both.
I thought the ship was newer and nicer and more things to do on RC. Our last NCL cruise was to the meditteranean sea tho and they focused more on the ports than the ships.
I also think the freestyle was a lot better on NCL. I liked being able to get a table for 2 everytime and not have to sit with strangers. I also liked the flexibility of eating whenever I wanted and where I wanted.
RC had no specialty restaurants, whereas NCL had like 8! They were all amazing and we only ate in the main dining room once and paid the cover charge.
RC also has Hawaii cruises. If you really like RC you can do their cruise in Hawaii???
Notwedyet08
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by RJP523
Posted by Notwedyet08
I sailed on NCL Star when they did 4 island stops & stop in the republic of Kirabati (before the pride of america ship).
We spend two nights in Oahu before the cruise; and sailed for 7 nights stopping @ Hilo; The Big Island, Republick of Kir. & Maui. There were problem w/the ships engine so we missed a port in between but i can't even remember which one!
Had an amazing time on board. All the activies had hawaian themes -Hula lessons; lai lessons; some other leaf art & craft thing; necklaces out of those big black beads (i think Kona?). Restaurants were yummy-had a lot of Mahi Mahi!
Enjoyed our time on the island we stopped at got to see the Hilo Tsunami museum and a luau in Maui. Saw the cliff jumpers and mount Haleakala (sp) Dissapointed in our stop at the REp of Kirb. but it was nice to say we crossed the International Date Line! Just wish we had a little more time in Maui-would have liked to be able to stay over night so that's a plus on the cruise you're looking at!
I went on a girls trip w/my Mom & sis so the 3 of us stayed in one room (inside cabin) nights were rough; heard a lot of waves crashing (were at the front of the ship). But we saw a ton of newlyweds.
Did you have any specific questions?
ETA: I said on RCL last year and had a blast (freedom of the seas). Def. different atmosphere; thought RCL was a little more 'fun' but the NCL pride of Aloha could be a nice relaxing cruise that would equate to an amazing honeymoon; as opposed ot not stop fun & games you'll find on other cruise lines.
Thanks! This was really helpful. I figured we'd have our beach time in Oahu and our exploring Hawaii time with the cruise. I think my main concern (& this might sound a little snooty, but I've sailed with RC so many times I've sort of become a little bit of a RC snob ) is the quality- the service, the food, the entertainment, the overall ship....
Sorry for all my spelling errors in my original post! I typed it pretty fast! LOL!
Ship alone; I definetely enjoyed my RCL cruise-we were on Freedom of the Seas and everything was amazing-food; activities; entertainment. The staff on RCL just seemed more energetic.
Don't get me wrong; we really enjoyed our hawain cruise. It's just that it was overall different; a more quiet; laid back crowd. It's freestyle dining so you don't meet the people you normally would sharing a table at dinner. I didn't do a lot of drinking since i was with my Mom but the Blue Hawaii i had one night the ship was great! Didn't do much of the nightlife again since I was with my Mom; so i don't know how that really was.
Where as RCL tends to highlight the actual ship; i found the NCL cruise (at least the one i went on) was more focused on the ports and the hawaiin culture (which is actually good so you get to really feel like you're learning all about the islands and experienceing everything instead of being on an amazing ship that just so happens to stop in hawaii.
OH-also one night the captin noticed a huge volcanic eruption and he actually got us as close as possible; stopped the ship; even slowly rotated it so EVERYONE could get a view! IT was amazing!! It wasn't quite dark yet so we had an amazing view of it. Almost the entire ship was upstairs on the top deck taking pictures of this eruption behind us!! It was cool that he turned the ship too! THis way we weren't all crowding on one side to get a view. Everyone got a chance to see it! We were so close we could see the lava flowing down the volcano and into the water! (trust me not that close; but as close as we can get).
Notwedyet08
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by J79
I've cruised with both NCL and RC. There are pros and cons to both.
I thought the ship was newer and nicer and more things to do on RC. Our last NCL cruise was to the meditteranean sea tho and they focused more on the ports than the ships.
I also think the freestyle was a lot better on NCL. I liked being able to get a table for 2 everytime and not have to sit with strangers. I also liked the flexibility of eating whenever I wanted and where I wanted.
RC had no specialty restaurants, whereas NCL had like 8! They were all amazing and we only ate in the main dining room once and paid the cover charge.
RC also has Hawaii cruises. If you really like RC you can do their cruise in Hawaii???
Good point-see if you can find a cruise to Hawaii on RCL-this way you get the ship experience you're used to as well as the islans!!
FuTuRe MrS MaZz
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
I went on an NCL cruise as part of my HM and i LOVEDD ncl... but honestly, i think our cruise director had alot to do with it... he got the crowd so involved in everything... really makes a diff... the only thing i didnt like about ncl was that the menu was relatively the same from night to night... as for the freestyle thing, i think most of the cruiselines are now gettin on board with the whole anytime dining so ncl doesnt even stand out anymore bc of that
J79
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by Notwedyet08
Posted by J79
I've cruised with both NCL and RC. There are pros and cons to both.
I thought the ship was newer and nicer and more things to do on RC. Our last NCL cruise was to the meditteranean sea tho and they focused more on the ports than the ships.
I also think the freestyle was a lot better on NCL. I liked being able to get a table for 2 everytime and not have to sit with strangers. I also liked the flexibility of eating whenever I wanted and where I wanted.
RC had no specialty restaurants, whereas NCL had like 8! They were all amazing and we only ate in the main dining room once and paid the cover charge.
RC also has Hawaii cruises. If you really like RC you can do their cruise in Hawaii???
Good point-see if you can find a cruise to Hawaii on RCL-this way you get the ship experience you're used to as well as the islans!!
i just looked. RC only offers them in April or Sept, whereas NCL is year round
RJP523
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by J79
Posted by Notwedyet08
Posted by J79
I've cruised with both NCL and RC. There are pros and cons to both.
I thought the ship was newer and nicer and more things to do on RC. Our last NCL cruise was to the meditteranean sea tho and they focused more on the ports than the ships.
I also think the freestyle was a lot better on NCL. I liked being able to get a table for 2 everytime and not have to sit with strangers. I also liked the flexibility of eating whenever I wanted and where I wanted.
RC had no specialty restaurants, whereas NCL had like 8! They were all amazing and we only ate in the main dining room once and paid the cover charge.
RC also has Hawaii cruises. If you really like RC you can do their cruise in Hawaii???
Good point-see if you can find a cruise to Hawaii on RCL-this way you get the ship experience you're used to as well as the islans!!
i just looked. RC only offers them in April or Sept, whereas NCL is year round[/QUOTE
Yes, that was our problem. NCL is the only cruise line that offers Hawaiian cruises anywhere near our wedding date of 6/25/11. In fact, it seems in my search that most cruises leave either the day before or of my wedding or 2 weeks after
I did see that NCL has a lot more dining options, which I liked. I also do like that you don't have to sit with other people for dinner. We like to make friends, but I think for my honeymoon I'd like to eat dinner with my new husband by myself (selfishly )
I definately feel better about it, since hearing everyone's opinions. Thanks girls!
meghan13
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
If you've been on Royal you won't like NCL. NCL's not bad, but its not like Royal at all.
I've been on Royal, Carnival and NCL. I'd never pick NCL over those two.
stx29kls
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by RJP523
Hey Girls,
FH & I are contimplating a Hawaiian cruise with NCL as part of our honeymoon, so we can see more of Hawaii. We would do 3 or 4 nights in Oahu and then the 7 night cruise, which leave from Honolulu, makes 2 stops on the Big Island, and then stays overnight in both Kuaui and Maui.
The cruise is on NCL's Pride of America.
Has anyone ever cruised with NCL before? I love cruising but have only ever been on Royal Caribbean and Princess.
Let me know if anyone has any reviews
TIA
OMG!!! I am going on that cruise too!! We are doing the same thing because we don't want to island hop by plane because it is more time in airports and packing and less time enjoying being in Hawaii. We are basically using the ship as our floating hotel and are not expecting much from the cruise experience. Let me know how planning goes. If you need help, FM me.
geegee827
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Just a little tip. Oahu is actually the most 'un-Hawaiian' island. If you're looking to have great beach time, extend your stay at another island. Unless you go up to the north shore, you may be disappointed.
Notwedyet08
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
Posted by geegee827
Just a little tip. Oahu is actually the most 'un-Hawaiian' island. If you're looking to have great beach time, extend your stay at another island. Unless you go up to the north shore, you may be disappointed.
ITA!! Oahu was like being in Florida to me-we even walked to the huge Mall. Not something i thought i'd be doing in Hawaii!
monamiestephanie
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
I went on a family vaca in 2002 on the very same cruise you're going on, and LOVED it! I loved being able to visit all the other islands.
I highly recommend renting a car on Kauai and possibly Maui because there are so many beautiful places to see on those islands, and visiting a macadamian nut factory if you have the chance. I loved seeing the volcanoes erupt on the Big Island.
MrsL2010
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Re: Honeymoon-Related Question
we just got back from the Pride of America cruise........I thought it was great. if you have any specific questions, feel free to FM me
