Public Areas & Facilities

From bow to stern, Pride of America celebrates her homeland. Public rooms are decorated to suggest regions and cities across the United States, and each of three stairwells features a vertical slice of Americana. Huge photographic murals in the stair tower landings depict the beauties of natural America, man-made America, and Pride of America's cruising region -- Hawaii.

Should you choose to ascend the grand staircase from the atrium, you'll pass a miniature Washington Monument replica before reaching the Hawaii Museum showcases, which are chock full of artifacts and items of interest. Surrounded by a 360[deg] promenade, each public room on this deck has a distinctive style. The huge SS America Library, with cozy seating, ocean-liner memorabilia, and seemingly endless bookcases, is one of the best libraries on a mainstream cruise ship.

Restaurants

This is a Freestyle ship, so all seating is open during meal hours in the two main dining rooms, which are complimentary to all. Most specialty restaurants carry a cover charge and require reservations. Casul dining choices include the Lido deck buffet, with indoor and outdoor seating, a coffee bar, 1950s-style diner, an ice cream bar, and pizzeria.

What Works & What Doesn't

Visually stunning interiors reflect American pride, and none is better than the Napa Wine Bar, where wine tastings are held. The whimsical Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub, which is decorated in the traditional purple, green, and gold and features murals of New Orleans' infamous Bourbon Street, is another highlight. While we love the tropical feel of Pink's, the oddly pink-toned ceiling left us confused, especially since it's visible from the very dignified atrium below. Pride of America is the second of NCL America's all-American ships with an American crew, which has positives -- you won't encounter any language barriers -- as well as negatives -- you will find a more casual attitude among the crewmembers than on typical cruise ships.

Accommodations

Layout: All staterooms have gleaming wood cabinetry and paneling accents that provide adequate storage for a casual cruise in Hawaii. All except inside cabins have sitting areas. Even though they are on the small side, inside staterooms are cheery and have colorful Hawaiian-inspired prints. Strategically placed mirrors create an open feeling in the rooms. One of the most desirable of all features is a private balcony, and Pride of America has 660 of them.

Amenities: Wood cabinetry conceals a small refrigerator in all cabins, and you'll also find a tea/coffeemaker, personal safe, duvet on the beds, telephone with voice mail, and a hair dryer mounted over the dressing table. Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ship for an extra charge. Bathrooms have limited storage, but you'll find basic toiletries, including shampoo and soap in dispensers.

Suites: Stepping up the level of luxurious amenities and available space, deluxe penthouses, owner's suites, and the grand suite are some of the chicest digs at sea. Some have walk-in closets, double vanities and whirlpool bathtub, and entertainment centers with DVD players. Some balconies have hot tubs and sun beds. Butlers and a concierge are at the service of suite occupants.

Good to Know: For large families, family penthouses and family suites -- as well as many interconnecting standard staterooms and suites -- are ideal quarters that offer space and privacy for all. Twenty-two staterooms are wheelchair accessible.

	Size (square feet)
Grand Suite/Owner's Suite	1,382/766-875
Deluxe Penthouse Suite/ Penthouse Suite	676-697/494-598
Family Penthouse/Family Suite	607-650/330-360
Ocean View with Balcony	179-233
Standard Ocean View/ Standard Inside	144/132

Favorites

Too Cute: A special touch in the casual Kid's Café is a miniature buffet that's just the right size for children to select from their favorite menu items like macaroni and cheese and burgers and hot dogs. Adjacent seating is kid-sized as well.

Best Splurge for Two: Share massage time with your partner in the Santa Fe Spa's room designed just for couples, and then enjoy the saunas and steam rooms and laid-back tranquility of the relaxation area.

Favorite Place for a Nightcap: We like Pink's Champagne & Cigar Bar, where caviar and foie gras are a special treat (for a charge) to savor with a premium port, cognac, or single malt Scotch. Bring your own or purchase a hand-rolled cigar.

Best Spot for Food Fun: The Cadillac Diner celebrates the 1950s and the memory of Elvis at his peak in Waikiki. The best seat in the house to chow down on modern-day diner fare is the cherry red Cadillac, but even better is a table outside on the Promenade Deck.