Pride of America is one of four ships planned for the new NCL America division of Norwegian Cruise Line, and sails on seven-day inter-island cruises featuring the four main islands of Hawaii (including two overnight port calls). The 85,850 sq.-ft./7,975 sq.-meter open deck space includes a sunning/ pool deck inspired by Miami’s South Beach (think Ocean Drive/Lincoln Mall) and Art Deco area.

The stunning interior design of the ship is modeled after a “Best of America” theme (all the public rooms are named after famous Americans). Facilities include the Capitol Atrium (a lobby spanning eight decks and said to be inspired by the Capitol Building and White House), a large casino, a conservatory complete with tropical landscaped garden and live exotic birds, Soho Art Gallery (holding art auctions), Washington Library, and Newbury Shopping Center. The Rascal’s Kids Center and Kids’ Pool is a supervised facility designed around a theme of America’s native animals.

There are extensive meeting and conference facilities (US corporations qualify for tax-deductible meetings expenses as the ship sails under the US flag), with six dedicated meetings rooms ranging in size from boardrooms for 10 people to an auditorium for up to 250. The ship has a mainly Hawaiian crew, and you can expect lots of Americana. The on-board currency is the US dollar. A (non-changeable) service charge (this is not a gratuity) for staff is automatically added to your onboard account at $10 per person ($5 for children aged 3–12) per day; this is pooled for all crew and provides payment when they are on vacation. You will also be expected to also provide gratuities. In addition, a 15% gratuity, plus Hawaii sales tax (this is a US flag ship) is added to all bar and spa treatment accounts.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008