Pride
of America
NCL
America
June 2005
Inaugural Preview
by
Linda Coffman
Show Us Your Red, White & Blue—PRIDE OF AMERICA
Nothing can keep
America down and the same spirit applies to NCL America's PRIDE
OF AMERICA. The largest US-flagged passenger ship to fly Old
Glory in over fifty years, her future looked grim in 2001 when
the former American Classic Voyages declared bankruptcy. The
partially finished ship languished at Ingalls shipyard in
Pascagoula, Mississippi until purchased by NCL America and towed
to Germany for completion. Then disaster struck at her
fitting-out pier when a winter storm caused the ship to take on
water up to the third deck. Refloated, her introduction was
delayed a year, but she's everything we hoped for and more.
Pride
IN America
From bow to stern,
Pride of America celebrates her homeland. According to NCL America
President & CEO Colin Veitch, her broader theme is the best of
America. 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. The beauty
doesn't stop there, though. Veitch points to her all-American crew
as the heart and spirit of the vessel. We found them to be
enthusiastic and eager to please.
Dining
Eight distinct restaurants serve a
variety of regional and international cuisines and offer open
seating and the flexibility of Freestyle Dining. What
would a cruise through the Hawaiian islands be without the best
local pupus (appetizers), kupas (soups), nui mea'ai,'ais (main
courses), and ono mea'ia momonas (dessert)? Pride of America has
that covered with signature dishes created by seven of Hawaii's
most celebrated chefs. One is featured each night in the main
restaurants along with a menu of traditional fare.
-
Skyline Restaurant—One of
two main restaurants with a cosmopolitan decor inspired by
the skyscrapers of New York City
-
Liberty Restaurant—The second main
restaurant, which celebrates important moments in American
history in a colonial-era setting
-
Lazy J Steakhouse—Angus beef, seared
to perfection, just the way you like it in a Texas
atmosphere (cover charge)
-
East Meets West—Exotic Asian dining
featuring Japanese cuisine, a Teppanyaki room, and a sushi
and sashimi bar (cover charge & a la carte pricing for
the Teppanyaki room and sushi dishes)
-
Jefferson's Bistro—Boasting an
exquisite representation of Thomas Jefferson's library at
Monticello, NCL's signature upscale French Mediterranean
restaurant features nouvelle and classic French cuisine
(cover charge)
-
Little Italy—A traditional Italian
restaurant where pasta, pizza, and crispy salads are
specialties and authentic Italian desserts are squisito
-
Aloha Café/Kid's Café—Buffet style
indoor/outdoor eatery open around the clock with special
kid-sized serving buffet and tables
-
Cadillac Diner—Diner-style eatery
offering snacks and fast-food around the clock and even has
outdoor seating on Promenade Deck
For attacks of the
munchies, head for Key West Bar and Grill, the lively Key
West-style beach bar overlooking the South Beach Pool for
burgers and snacks. Of course, room service never closes and
dining on one's private balcony is a sublime treat.
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|
~ Skyline
Restaurant ~
|
While there is a
charge for some restaurants, no one is pressured to dine in them
and, of course, there is never a charge for the main
restaurants. As Colin Veitch has stressed in the past, dining
fees in the specialty restaurants are levied for capacity
control, not exclusivity.
This is Freestyle Cruising and passengers
can choose resort casual attire every night or dress up for a
special dinner. The only "dress code" caveat is that no jeans,
t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops are allowed in any of the
restaurants at dinner. Most passengers select an array of
"country club casual" outfits, ranging from pant-and-top
ensembles to cocktail dresses. Aloha shirts are always
appropriate. Pack light and think mix 'n match with various
accessories. Without assigned dinner partners, it's unlikely
that anyone will notice a "repeated" garment.
For parents who want to share a romantic dinner
for two, the Kid's Crew program and group babysitting solves the
problem of child care.
Staterooms
So many categories, how do you select the right one? Although
there are over two dozen fare categories listed in the brochure,
Pride of America's accommodations range from standard inside and
oceanview staterooms to oceanview staterooms with balconies and a
variety of spacious suites, including accommodations that are
particularly family-friendly.
(Accommodations are illustrated in the Photo
Tour, Part 2).
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|
Oceanview with Balcony #10594
|
All staterooms
have gleaming wood cabinetry and paneling accents, a small
refrigerator, personal safe for valuables, telephone with voice
mail, and in-cabin coffee service. A professional style
hairdryer with real power is mounted over each dressing table.
Bathroom amenities include shampoo and soap dispensers.
At 144 square feet, the standard
oceanview staterooms are somewhat compact but nicely laid out
for efficiency. Although you can't overcome their 132 square
foot size, even inside staterooms are cheery and the use of
colorful Hawaiian inspired prints and strategically placed
mirrors achieves an open feeling.
One of the most desirable of all
stateroom amenities is a balcony and there are a whopping 660 of
them on Pride of America. Standard balcony cabins measure 178
square feet.
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. Who wouldn't
want their very own hot tub on the veranda?
For large families, family
penthouses and family suites, plus many interconnecting standard
staterooms and suites are ideal quarters offering space and
privacy for all. Passengers with disabilities haven't been
overlooked either—cabins of various types have been designed for
their special needs.
Continued -->
Pride of
America (Part 2)
Pride of America Photo Tour, Part
1
Public Areas
Pride of America Photo Tour, Part
2
Staterooms
