‘Pride of America’ Makes Her Star Spangled Debut

By P W Mooney

NCL America’s newest addition to the fleet—Pride of America— got a royal welcome when she made her debut in New York in June. The sleek-looking ship with modernistic Stars and Stripes painted on her hull was a sight to behold. She is not only America’s first newbuild in half a century but she is the largest US cruise ship built ever. She was docked at the New York Passenger Terminal which once was referred to as “Liner Row” in the days when the great ocean going vessels would dock there four decades earlier before the onset of the jet age. Ironically, a dock away from where Pride was berthed was the British Airways Concorde now a museum centerpiece on the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier.

Today, ships are back—they may look different from their forebears but they certainly signal a renaissance in ocean cruising. As part of the media invited for the event and a sleepover, it was impressive to witness this new pride in America’s sailing heritage.

There was not enough time to thoroughly inspect all the facilities on board Pride of America since much of the media’s time was taken up by inaugural festivities. But what I saw was enough to give a big plus for NCL America and parent company Star Cruises in bringing on America’s first new build—and its largest ever—to completion. They also deserve credit for jump starting the US maritime industry which naysayers said “could not be done.”

Pride of America is bigger than sister ship Pride of Aloha and more American—the entire ship is dedicated to good old USA themes. Pride’s ship design flows well and despite her size is a very easy vessel to maneuver. Throughout the ship, the color scheme simulates the vibrant colors of the southern Pacific and the Hawaii Islands where she will be cruising, creating a festive ambiance, which is, after all, what a cruise should provide.

What truly impressed this writer was the eagerness of the American crew who wanted to please—and impress—the guests throughout our stay. Cheerfulness, courtesy, and an eagerness to please their guests were evident. The crewmembers attired in their uniform—Hawaiian shirts of different colors over black pants or skirts depending in which hospitality department they worked—came from all over the US and had to undergo rigorous training before reporting for duty on the Pride. (See Sidebar on Training Program)

Americana Tribute: All the ship’s public rooms and lounges are named after some of the country’s favorite places or historic personalities. The two-deck-high Capitol Atrium—inspired by the nation’s Capitol building—with its sweeping double staircase and tall columns and with the United States of America logo emblazoned on the decorative stone floor is the focal point of the ship. The atrium is the first public area that passengers see upon embarkation and where the Reception and Purser’s area Desk, Concierge, and Shore Excursions desk are located. Adjacent to the atrium going forward are the Newbury Shops (named after Newbury Street in Boston} offering a selection of souvenirs, jewelry and other items for sale.

Then there is the Soho Art Gallery named after New York’s famed art district located near the atrium, but alas, it was filled with some garish works not usually seen in the real SoHo of New York. Hopefully, the art on display will improve.

Seven lounges and bars are named after American historic personalities or places or events, such as the John Adams Coffee Bar, the Gold Rush Pub, the Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge, and the Napa Wine Bar.

Continuing the tribute to the grand old USA is the two-tier, 880-person Hollywood Theatre with its towering golden Oscar figures and deep blue upholstered seating. Here guests can attend three alternating specially created NCL America productions that celebrate the American heartland—its history and music—and also presents a magical voyage through the South Sea Islands of the Pacific and Hawaii. For inaugural night it was the rollicking show “America’s Beat” that entertained the guests, many of whom were tapping their feet to the music.

The Santa Fe Spa and workout center is decorated with artifacts and flora from New Mexico. The ship’s main pool is named after Miami’s South Beach on Deck 11 with a gyroscope patterned on a NASA model to simulate the sensation of weightlessness. I saw a few brave souls try it out but that experience was not for this person. Behind the pool’s Ocean Drive Bar is a small conservatory with a tropical landscaped garden and bamboo seating.

Other well-appointed public rooms on the ship include the richly appointed SS America Library on Deck 6 with its entrance graced by a model of the former vessel of that name. Adjacent to the library is the Internet Café—open 24 hours—featuring the latest Wi Fi technology. Nearby is the Shuffles card and game room and the interdenominational chapel where weddings or renewal of marriage vows can be held. (Romantic ceremonies start at $1,100 and can be customized.)

‘Free-Style’ Dining: NCL credits itself with introducing Free Style dining—dining where and when you wish. In the two main dining rooms guests can choose where they want to sit. The larger of the two main dining rooms is the 644-person Skylight Room on Deck 5 aft with a décor that replicates the Art Deco 1930s skyscrapers of New York’s Rockefeller Center. Just above and connected by a stairway is the second main dining area—Liberty— which can hold 496 diners. More traditional in design and with large paintings recalling America’s Colonial era gracing the walls, it has a lower ceiling than Skylight and conveys a less spacious atmosphere. Both restaurants offer a more traditional-style menu incorporating international dishes along with American favorites. I had breakfast in the Skylight to sample how the restaurant worked. While the table service was very good, the food was less favorable.

Diners also have a choice of six other restaurants, three of which charge a fee and reservations are advised. The Lazy J Steak House has a Texan décor and serves Texas–style entrées. It can seat 104 and has a charge of $20. The 101-person East Meets West restaurant attempts to give an Asian ambiance for dining, serving up a variety of Asian dishes including sushi and sashimi. It also features a Teppanyaki room accommodating up to 32 diners and where Japanese food is prepared at the room’s two tables. There’s a $10 cover charge and additional fees for sushi dishes and dinners in the Teppanyaki room.

My favorite for décor and choice of menu was Jefferson’s Bistro, NCL’s signature restaurant that serves modern and classic French cuisine. The 88-person restaurant was inspired by the Monticello, Virginia home of Thomas Jefferson—the first US envoy to France. The 88-person restaurant has a $10 cover charge.

Children and adults will enjoy the fun Cadillac Diner on Deck 6. A throwback to the 1950s era, the diner incorporates the American Cadillac into its central-seating location and features, you guessed it, comfort food such as hamburgers and fish and chips. Jukebox supplies music of the 50’s and the restaurant extends outside to the Promenade Deck.

Dinner for me was in Little Italy on Deck 11. It is a nicely appointed eatery with large picture windows. A typical menu consists of Italian-style appetizers, soups, salads, the main course of meat or seafood, and dessert; or diners can select pasta or pizza dishes prepared the way they like. When I ate in Little Italy, I was offered an inaugural menu that consisted of a seafood appetizer, braised veal chop served with a mushroom ragout and a yummy zabaglione for dessert.

The colorful buffet-style Aloha Café is the dining spot most guests head for breakfast and lunch or anytime for that matter, as the restaurant is open 24 hours. Food stations serving an extensive array of hot and cold foods are well placed to avoid gridlock during peak times. Part of the café incorporates the special dining area called the Kid’s Café—with pint-sized chairs and tables and where foods that kids like best are served. The café food is satisfactory; there was a nice variety of salads and fruit as well as hot offerings at lunch.

A new Freestyle Dining booking system is being introduced on Pride. Using flat screens positioned around the ship, passengers without restaurant reservations can check availability and wait times at the various dining areas. Restaurant managers can also make bookings at other venues, using a color-coded method of red, orange and green to denote availability for different table types in each location.

About the Cabins: The ship has 1,069 guest cabins of which 660 have balconies. My balconied cabin on Deck 10 midship was on the smallish side. It had meager storage space for luggage and clothing if one were to take a seven-day-or-longer voyage. There was a pullout settee which I imagine would make the room quite crowded if a third person used it. The bathroom was quite tiny with a shower stall and narrow vanity/basin counter stocked with NCL-branded toiletries. A sliding glass door opened on to the balcony which had two deck chairs but the space like the cabin verged on being small.

One plus was that noise insulation appeared to be quite adequate. I also noticed that the exterior dividers between the balconies were made of steel not plastic, which affords more privacy and less noise than the usual plastic separators found on cruise ships.

In all cabins, there are a minibar, hairdryer, safe and a coffee/tea maker as well as an Internet connection. Interactive TV is available, which guests can use to book shore excursions, view dining menus or order room service by using a customized remote control. A wireless keyboard allows guests to send or receive CruisE-mail (NCL’s onboard service).

Family Accommodations: With families in mind, the ship features some 250 cabins that can interconnect with over 680 balcony cabins to introduce a new concept for NCL—family suites. With several cabins interconnecting, families of up to eight persons can be accommodated. There are also eight large family suites, which feature a private balcony, living room, den and a private bedroom. In addition, four other family suites measuring 330 to 380 feet have two cabins that interconnect and accommodate up to eight persons.

The ship also features five 870-square feet Owners suites, all named after Hawaii’s indigenous flowers; six deluxe Penthouse suites at 735 square feet offering king-size beds and walk-in closets and a full bathroom with a separate Jacuzzi tub.

Pride’s ultimate Grand Suite on Deck 12 offers 1,400 square feet of living space. The suite features a large living room with latest entertainment equipment. There is a dining room with a small grand piano, and a dining table seating six and a private butler to serve meals restaurant style. The master bedroom contains a king-size bed, a full bath with a Jacuzzi tub, a dressing area and a large walking closet. The large wraparound veranda allows guests to dine outside, or soak in a Jacuzzi holding to six people. The area is large enough to entertain up to 50 people.

Special Cabins and Amenities for the Handicapped: There are 22 wheel-chair accessible cabins with special bathrooms. An additional 40 staterooms are equipped with special doorbells, phone and emergency lights for hearing-impaired guests. And all staterooms and elevators have Braille text for the visually handicapped.

In the public areas, there are six dedicated wheelchair positions in the main Show Lounge on Deck 5. Eleven wheelchair-accessible public toilets are located throughout the ship, and there an electrical hoist for access to the ship’s pools and Jacuzzis.

Seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired are allowed on board and a doggie box is provided, which is replaced daily by a crew member. At embarkation, crew members are available to tour the ship with handicapped passengers to acquaint them to the ship’s facilities.

Largest Business Facilities at Sea: The ship was designed with extensive facilities to host large meetings or seminars. The multilevel, circular Diamond Head Auditorium on the top deck where glass windows afford different views of the sea is key to large groups. The area, which can be divided into two smaller presentation rooms, offers a high-tech audiovisual system that lowers from the ceiling and can be viewed by all attendees through the use of multiple screens.

Smaller groups can be accommodated in six additional meeting rooms, five of which can be interconnected. A business center and a separate area for meeting breaks and the Lanai Bar and Lounge complement the business facilities, which NCL says are the largest at sea. NCL also points out that since the ship is only serving US ports, she along with sister ship Pride of Aloha qualify for both corporate and individual tax deductions for meeting expenses.

For the Children: Not only has NCL gone out to accommodate families by building family friendly suites and interconnecting cabins, its complimentary Our Kids Crew and Teen Crew programs were designed for toddlers to teens—from a Teen Disco to pools for kids only. A video arcade, Playstation, and various sports activities are available and there is a supervised Rascal Kids Center for arts and crafts. Baby sitting services are also available for a fee. And while in port, family shore excursions can be arranged that could include, for example, a whale-watching adventure in Maui or meeting the dolphins in Honolulu.

Spa and Exercise: The Santa Fe Spa and Beauty Center on Deck 12 offers a variety of Asian-fusion beautifying treatments administered in its 14 treatment rooms. The Santa Fe Fitness Center has a steam room, saunas, the newest exercise equipment and Lifefitness cardiovascular machines, and a workout area where one take an aerobics or yoga class.

The ship has an excellent jogging track on the Promenade Deck—2.5 laps equal one mile.  On the Sports Deck near the South Beach pool, there s a basketball/volleyball court, a bungee trampoline and a gyroscope for a cyberspin experience. A shuffleboard track as well as a small tennis court and golf-driving nets are also available.

Final Assessment:  Pride of America is a well thought-out ship design wise. It’s clean; it has a cheerful décor; a trained staff; and a ton of activities to ward off boredom, especially with the teen set. Some things irked me such as food quality in some of the dining rooms or the paintings in the Soho Art Gallery but this was a beginning for the ship and she needs time to settle in. With such a great staff on board and loads to do, not to mention touring the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, vacationers are in for a jolly good time.