NCL – Pride of America, Hawaiian Cruise Day Seven & Departure Morning

Continued from Norwegian Cruise Day Six

On the last day of our Norwegian cruise we were invited to tour the kitchens and jumped on the opportunity. We were very lucky to be led by Frank DeAmicis the ships Food and Beverage Director. The tour was truly impressive! The care and attention that is given to ensuring the food is kept at the right temperatures, and the processes in place to keep waste to a minimum are impressive. They make everything they can from scratch, including their own soup stocks, breads and pastries.

Pride of America Kitchen

Norwegian Pride of America Kitchen Staff

Pride of America Fish

We also got a peak at the recycling center. They recycle not only cans, plastics and glass, but everything down to hangers! Even the waste that comes out of the bathrooms, goes through a filter system that has microbes added to it to neutralize the bad stuff, and once it’s clear it is sent out to sea (if out at least 4 miles).

Pride of America Recycling

Pride of America Recycling 2

Frank was kind enough to take us into areas that few passengers get to see, including the staff mess hall, staff kitchen (there is an entire crew devoted just to cooking for the all of the workers on board the ship), officer mess hall, and crew bar. We witnessed what they call Route 66 here on the Pride of America, the main passageway that runs the entire length of the ship that the crew utilizes to get their jobs done. It was very busy!

Pride of America Crew Cafeteria

The last day also found us cruising along the Na Pali coastline, perhaps the most beautiful in all the world! We were treated to a gorgeous bright rainbow that curved out of the clear blue sky, dipped over the green cliffs and into the sea. We watched it all from the comfort of our balcony. Sigh.

Pride of America cruise Na Pali Coast

Day 8, time to depart.

 The cruise is at an end and it is time to disembark. We were very impressed with the top notch professionalism of the officers on board, and the extreme kindness that was shown to us. We have been won over and will continue to sail on Norwegian and recommend them to anyone looking for a cruise!

We’ve since sailed on the NCL Epic and reviewed the NCL Escape as well if your looking for more. James Cowling from MilesGeek has also reviewed the NCL Star through the Panama Canal.

Check current pricing and support MilesGeek with our affiliate CruiseDirect.

Hollin Stafford
Hollin Stafford

Hollin holds her degree in Sociology and was a flight attendant for United Airlines up until the time she had her son. She, her husband and son are now happily living with their three dogs in Portugal. Hollin home-schools so they can explore the globe, and teach through experience. When not writing about travel, Hollin’s focus is on writing fiction. Her work has received rave reviews from critically acclaimed agents and editors. She has a unique voice embodied through rich descriptions of shared human condition. She recently published her first YA novel, Degrees of Light and enjoys writing literary short stories. In 2017 she was listed on Glimmer Train's honorable mention list and was considered for the Fulton Prize from The Adirondack Review. Her short story, Blue, was featured in Literary Mama’s 2018 Mother’s Day Edition. She is originally from California.

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7 Comments

  1. Looking st cruising Hawaii and found your daily summaries informative and refreshing. Loved your open honesty about the good and not so good.

  2. The package that included flights was terrible! We had to leave Florida at 6AM and our return home flight was scheduled on Sunday 11Pm, although we had to disembark on Saturday 9PM.
    The excursions are not worth the high prices and the food was average at best! We found and paid for our return flight on Saturday, because NCL was was totally negligent. Happy cruising!

  3. I took the same Cruise around the Hawaiian Islands my first time there we had a wonderful time on the ship I loved the fact that we got to see different islands. Would recommend this cruise to anyone looking to see Hawaii.

  4. Worst cruise ever, the stateroom was horrible. The cruise director sent a bottle of non alcoholic wine to make up for it. Should be out of business. We found out later the special meals that were a perk were part of our bill, we were charged for them!

  5. My husband and I experienced our very first cruise on the Norwegian – Pride of America about 6 years ago. Best experience of our life!!! We have been on 3 cruises since then and only have been cruising with NCL. Staff are friendly and efficient. Food is excellent and state rooms clean. Thank you NCL!!! For making our vacation trips wonderful!

    • So glad you had a great time. We’ve had a range from great to good on all the cruise lines, and luckily never bad.

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