Pride
of America
NCL
America
June 2005
Inaugural Preview
by
Linda Coffman
Aloha! (part 2)
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~ Capital
Atrium ~
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Public Areas
The Capital Atrium just might
inspire you to stand up and salute. Beneath a "dome" reminiscent
of our nation's own capital and a back-lit glass ceiling, you'll
find yourself standing on a decorative stone floor inlaid with
the Great Seal of the United States. Surrounded by faux stone
walls and decorative white balustrades, it's easy to believe
you're a special guest at the White House. Nearby, guests sip
specialty coffee at the John Adams Coffee Bar, check in
at Reception, and discuss tour options with the Shore Excursion
staff. Tucked into one corner is East Meets West
restaurant and another has comfortable seating in the Atrium
Lounge.
Forward, you'll
pass Newberry Street Shops on the way to the Hollywood
Theater where theater-style seating is comfortable and
sightlines are good throughout. It's a grand setting for the
lavish production shows presented on its proscenium stage. Aft,
a long photo gallery spans the passageway between Jefferson's
Bistro and the Skyline Restaurant.
Should you choose
to ascend the grand staircase from the atrium, you'll pass a
miniature Washington Monument replica before reaching Pink's
Champagne & Cigar Bar. While we love the tropical feel of
Pink's, the oddly pink-toned ceiling left us cold, especially
since it's visible from the very dignified atrium below.
Opposite the open grand staircase are the Hawaii Museum
showcases, chocked full of artifacts and items of interest.
Surrounded by the 360° promenade, each public room on this deck
has a distinctive style. My personal favorite is the huge SS
United States Library with its cozy seating and seemingly
endless bookcases. When fully stocked, it will be the best
library on a mainstream cruise ship.
Other spots to
freestyle the nights away should appeal to a wide array of
tastes... the rollicking Gold Rush Saloon, the Mardi
Gras Cabaret & Nightclub where good times are sure to roll,
and the ultra-chic Napa Wine Bar. The Lanai Bar &
Lounge appears to be a late-night favorite spot for a
nightcap. Is there something won't find? A casino, which is not
allowed due to Hawaii's gaming prohibition.
Finally, there are
outdoor bars, an Internet center, several meeting rooms, a
lifestyles room, card room, and lovely chapel.
For Your Active Lifestyle
Head for the Santa Fe Spa & Fitness Center and
book your appointments early. Staffed by the acclaimed Mandara
Spa, it boasts a full menu of salon treatments and spa
indulgences and reservations go fast. Plus, there is a fantastic
Relaxation Room and you'll find saunas and steam rooms in the
men's and women's changing areas. For those who consider
perspiration a sign of good health, the 24-hour fitness center
sports state-of-the art equipment and a wide range of classes
taught by certified instructors.
Joggers are sure
to admire the unique wall murals while doing their laps on the
wrap-around Promenade Deck. If sunning is your thing, you have
your choice between the South Beach and Oasis pools, each with
ample deck chairs and nearby bars. Did we mention the trampoline
(with harness, of course) and the space-age looking gyroscope
"ride" on the deck above the South Beach pool? Both look like a
lot of fun.
The Pride of America Experience
From the refined setting of the Napa Wine Bar to a
brewski and darts in the Gold Rush Saloon, Pride of America's
Freestyle Cruising should satisfy the tastes of even the
most discriminating passenger. A bonus is the Hawaii-themed
activities that demonstrate the tradition and culture of the
islands. Learn the hula and Tahitian dance techniques; make
kukui nut leis, ribbon weave leis, opihi necklaces, and beaded
bandanas; discover the history of tattooing and its evolution as
an art form; and weave palm fronds along with an inside look at
how Polynesians use the entire tree. On select sailings,
distinguished historians will present Lifestyle Sessions as part
of NCL America's Lifestyles Enrichment Program.
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~ Rascals
Kid's Club ~
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Parents can relax while their
children are being entertained in the Kid's Crew Program at
Rascals Kid's Club. Children are also well fed from one of the
special menus designed to suit even the pickiest junior
passengers. Families have the option to dine at their own table
or mom and dad can savor a "Night Out" while their youngsters
are having a pillow fight at a pajama party. Teenagers, always
difficult to please, can choose to participate in a wide range
of sports, dance parties, and entertainment options or simply
"do their own thing" with new-found pals in the Blast Off Video
Arcade or Connections Teen Club with its coke bar and jungle
print decor.
What You WILL Find:
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Abundant
choices
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Tasty meals,
creatively presented
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Service by an
All-American staff
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Activities to
suit a wide range of interests for all ages
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Freestyle
Cruising lifestyle
& enrichment programs
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Well stocked
shops (not duty-free; this is a US-flagged ship)
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A chapel for
weddings, marriage renewal of vows ceremonies, and religious
celebrations
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Numerous
connecting staterooms and suites for families
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Huge,
well-equipped areas for children and teens, including
Rascals Kid's Club and adjacent kids-only pool
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Duvets on
supremely comfortable beds
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Concierge and
butler service for suite guests
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The very best
entertainment afloat
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Extensive meeting facilities
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A fixed
service charge is automatically added to all accounts in the
amount of $10/per person, per day for adults and $5 for
children aged 3 to 12 (there is no charge for children under
3)
What You WON'T Find:
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A casino
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Structured
dress codes
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Rigid dining
schedules
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Boredom
Fast Stats
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81,000 tons
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926 feet long
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106 feet wide
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Speed 22 knots
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2,138 guests,
double occupancy
A Carefree Aloha Spirit Permeates Pride of
America
Set to sail weekly cruises year-round from Honolulu,
Pride of America will spend every day in port and overnight at
two islands--Maui and Kauai. In addition, upon leaving Port in
Hilo, she promises an evening sail past Mount Kilauea, the
active volcano on the big island of Hawaii.
Back to
Pride of
America Preview (Part 1)
Pride of
America Photo Tour, Part 1
Public Areas
Pride of
America Photo Tour, Part 2
Staterooms
Photos © Author's Collection & Courtesy of
Norwegian Cruise Line
