Pride of America

The 2005-built Pride of America cruise ship is operated via the brand NCL America as a unique Project America-class (one-vessel only).

The vessel (IMO number 9209221) is USA-flagged (MMSI 366994450) and registered in Honolulu Hawaii.

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE (NYC). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL, Oceania and RSSC-Regent.

The 2200-passenger ship Pride of America became operational in 2005 as the first USA-flagged cruise ship to be built in more than 50 years. The unique thing about the vessel is that its crew and officers are from America or US citizens. One main plus for this ship is that it has U.S. registration and doesn't have to embark or disembark in Vancouver or Ensenada (The Passenger Services Act orders foreign-flagged cruise vessels to go to a port when leaving or returning to US waters). Pride of America and her guests celebrate American culture and history, from the kitsch of the Cadillac Diner to the sober statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Liberty Dining Room.

The only mainstream cruise ship sailing regular round-trip voyages solely within the Hawaiian islands, Pride of America, returned to her Honolulu homeport at the end of March 2016, following an extensive refurbishment. The American-flagged, Honolulu-based ship underwent a 3 and a half week dry dock in San Francisco CA that included new venues, newly designed public spaces and refreshed decor in all cabins. The refurbishment is part of the line's $400 million investment program, The Norwegian Edge, in existing ships. The changes to Pride of America include:

• Updated flooring, smart HDTVs, new bedding and furniture in all cabins;
• New jacuzzis and loungers in the refurbished pool area;
• Expansion of Mandara Spa, with new Mexican décor and more treatment rooms;
• Addition of Dolce Gelato, Norwegian's signature gelateria;
• Addition of Perspectives Photo Studio and Soho Art Gallery;
• Six computer stations, new flooring and furniture in the card rooms and library;
• New decor, furniture and flooring in the Conservatory;
• A new location, furniture and flooring in the wedding chapel;
• Renovations in all dining venues, including Skyline Main Dining Room, East Meets West Asian restaurant, La Cucina, Cagney's Steakhouse, Jefferson's Bistro, and new menus, based on those found onboard the Norwegian Escape.

Decks and Cabins

Pride of America staterooms (1096 total, in 34 grades) include 69x Suites, 613x Balcony, 178x Oceanview and 230 Inside cabins, of which 740 are connecting (family-friendly). Most staterooms (63%) are sized 130-145 ft2 (13-14 m2). The largest accommodation is the 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite (690 ft2 / 64 m2, with terrace 190 ft2 / 18 m2). There are 64 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers), 24 of which are ADA-compliant.

The boat has 14 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Pride of America has 9 restaurants, including 2 main dining rooms, the no-charge Cadillac Diner and the casual buffet Aloha Cafe. The 5 specialty restaurants levy a surcharge. Better make a reservation if you prefer dining at a specific time, at a certain venue. Wednesdays and Fridays are the busiest nights in all extra-fee restaurants; Sundays are the slowest. Have in mind that not all specialty restaurants are open on embarkation day. The two MDRs, Skyline and Liberty, are one above the other, both located at the aft. These carry through Americana themes, with Liberty paying homage to American patriotism and Skyline serving as a Deco-version of NYC. There are pianos in both main dining rooms, and occasionally a musician provides background music for dinner.

Follows the complete list of Pride of America restaurants and food bars.

• Liberty Restaurant (aft Dining Room, complimentary, with Your Time dining)
• East Meets West (Asian restaurant, dinner-only, complimentary since 2015)
• Sushi Bar (12-seat East Meets West restaurant, a la carte); Sake Bar (inside East Meets West)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi specialty, reservations-only restaurant; US$25; open for Lunch and Dinner; features live cooking demonstrations)
• Skyline Restaurant (aft-location Dining Room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Jefferson’s Bistro (French specialty restaurant, reservations-only; cover charge US$20 pp)
• Cadillac Diner (24-hour fast-food restaurant)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Aloha Cafe (buffet restaurant, complimentary, with different food stations)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• La Cucina (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations-only, US$15 cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Key West Bar & Grill (complimentary fast food restaurant)
• Dolce Gelato (gelateria).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Hollywood Theatre, located on Deck 5 forward, is just one story and fairly small, with excellent sight lines. A bank of chairs has been set aside for mobility-impaired passengers. One deck above the theatre, Mardi Gras is the venue for funky-themed parties and smaller shows. By day, it shows movies, hosts lectures, dance classes and other events. Kids are allowed in Mardi Gras until 11 p.m., at which time it is 18 and older only. Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry/Self-Serve Laundromats. Norwegian Pride tipping/gratuities (US$12 pp per day). For your Pride of America cruise ship weddings there's a small chapel on board.

Follows the complete list of Pride of America lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Hollywood Theatre (868-seat; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand shows per night)
• Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub
• Pride of America Capitol Atrium (8-deck midship hub area with a big-size LED screen, dance area and live entertainment)
• John Adam’s Bar; Pink’s Champagne Bar; Napa Wine Bar; Ocean Drive Bar; Gold Rush Saloon; Mojito Bar; Waikiki Bar (cigar bar)
• SoHo Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Kumu Cultural Center;
• Internet Centre; SS America Library;
• Shuffles Card Room; Wedding Chapel;
Studio Lounge
• Newbury Street Shops (tax and duty-free shops)
• South Beach Pools area (two swimming pools, five Whirlpools, served by Key West Bar & Grill); Oasis Pool
• The Conservatory (retreat room)
• Santa Fe Fitness Centre & Mandara Spa
• Rascals Lounge & Club (kids area); Connections Teen Club; Blast Off Video Games Arcade
• Jogging Track; Combined Sports Court; Sun Deck area, Deck Games, Outdoor Chess, outdoor NASA model replica gyroscope - Gyrosphere; Bungee Trampoline; Golf Nets.

Hawaii Itineraries

NCL Pride of America itinerary program is based on 7-day Hawaiian Islands voyages from Honolulu. The roundtrip itinerary calls at the most exotic islands in the popular travel destination – Hawaii, Kauai and Maui, with several optional shore excursions in the region. On her standard 7-night itinerary, Pride of America provides overnights on Kauai and Maui, as well as calls at Kona and Hilo, and an afternoon sailing of Napali Coast.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, NCL America paused its operation for 2+ years (March 2020 thru April 2022). Pride of America's schedule was changed several times, eventually restarting NCL's Hawaiian Islands voyages from Honolulu on April 9, 2022.

The NCL Pride ship was initially planned as "Project America 1". Project America was to be a class name as plans included a second 70,000 ton vessel to be built by the USA shipbuilders Litton-Ingalls. This was a US Government lavishly funded program aiming to give USA-based companies experience in building passenger ships and to list the first US-flagged ship in 5 decades. American Classic Voyages Inc (the company behind the project) bankrupted and NCL bought the unfinished vessel (at hull stage). Its construction was completed in Germany (at the Lloyd Werft's Bremerhaven shipyard).

NCL changed the ship's name to "Pride of America", as well as its dimensions - tonnage (from 72,000 GT to 80,450 GT) and LOA length (from 850 ft / 260 m to 920 ft / 280 m). Delivery date was scheduled for 2004 but due to a storm damaging the vessel this happened in 2005. The US Government made an exclusive act giving a ship predominantly built in Germany a USA flag. Norwegian's Pride is the biggest cruise ship in the US register and the only USA-flagged ship home-ported in Honolulu Hawaii.

Pride of America's class is unique as no other similar ships have been built. Her Inaugural cruise was down the US East Coast and lasted from the 18th of June to the 24th. During the voyage, the vessel was a background for the day time TV show "Live with Regis and Kelly". Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa awarded their viewers with 1,000 free NCL cruises in a campaign before the show. Starting from the 16th of May they were giving 20 cruises to winners every day until the 10th of June. Thus they filled almost half of the ship's capacity.

Liner's godmother is Elaine Chao - US Secretary of Labor at the time. The naming ceremony was held in NYC New York on June 17, 2005. Prior to ship's christening ceremony, Mrs Chao (born in 1953 in Taiwan) had held different positions in US administration. All positions were connected with transport and maritime matters, such as Deputy Secretary at US Department of Transportation, Chairman of Federal Maritime Commission, Deputy Maritime Administrator.

Pride of America refurbishments 2016-2018 review

The ship’s last drydocking was in June 2021, conducted at Vigor Industrial's shipyard in Portland (Oregon USA).

The drydock refurbishments in 2016 (March, 3-weeks long) and 2018 (February) were done in San Francisco CA, and resulted in the following deckplan changes:

• All cruise cabins and the public areas were renovated. The renovations included new decors, furniture, lighting and flooring.
• New in the Skyline Main Dining Room is the entrance, carpet design, furniture upholstery, window drapes, columns. The La Cucina (Italian) was updated as well. All other restaurants were also redecorated, including East Meets West (Asian), Jefferson’s Bistro (French), Cagney’s Steakhouse.
• New dining room menus were introduced (based on the NCL Escape’s menus).
• Mandara Spa was expanded (with more treatment rooms) and re-decorated.
• The Conservatory received new decor, furniture, flooring.
• The wedding chapel was relocated and updated with new furniture and flooring.
• The card room and the library received new furniture and flooring. The library now has 6 Internet PC stations.
• New for the ship is Soho Art Gallery, Perspectives Photo Studio, Dolce Gelato (gelateria).
• The pool deck area was completely refurbished with a renovated swimming pool, new sun loungers, new Jacuzzi tubs, redesigned Ocean Drive Bar.
• All passenger rooms were upgraded with new furniture, bedding and flat TVs.
• During drydock 2016, Pride of America was retrofitted with new "scrubbers" (exhaust gas cleaning systems). The new scrubber technology reduces the equivalent of approx 1500 tons of the poisonous gas Sulfur Oxide. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise company retrofitting with a scrubber hybrid system vessels while in service. The new in-line scrubbers (5 units) are lightweight and able to operate in a dry mode, as well as in open and closed loops.

Both drydocks (2016 and 2018) were part of NCL's "Norwegian Edge" program for fleetwide upgrades (2-year project budgeted USD 400 million). Each drydock costs around USD 35-40 million.

Pride of America refurbishment 2013 review

The list of changes after ship’s 2013 drydock (in Honolulu Hawaii) included:

• (Deck 13) The old Lanai Lounge was transformed into 24 new suites. Here were added 24 “The Haven” luxury suites (sizes range 363-416 ft2 / 34-39 m2, balcony size 245 ft2 / 23 m2, max occupancy 6 pax), including 2 Deluxe Owners Suites (size 566 ft2 / 53 m2, balcony size 410 ft2 / 38 m2, max occupancy 4 pax, with connecting doors to the family suites for up to 10 pax if booked together) and 2 wheelchair accessible suites. The new 24 luxury cruise suites are with butler service, also featuring luxury mattresses, Lavazza coffee makers, Elemis bathroom products, speciality private dining, etc. Also, 4 new Studios (single-occupancy cabins) were added here (featuring full-size bed and separate bathroom) with the exclusive Studio Lounge. Another addition on deck 13 is the 4 new Interior rooms.
• (Deck 12) Fitness centre equipment was also upgraded
• (Deck 11) Interior decor renovations were done in the buffet restaurant “Aloha Cafe”. New Brazilian Steakhouse restaurant was added (named Moderno Churrascaria). The old “Little Italy” Italian restaurant was renamed “La Cucina”.
• (Deck 6) The old “Lazy J” steakhouse was renamed “Cagney’s”.
• (Deck 5) Photo Gallery and Art Gallery renovations.
• All cruise cabins (both passenger and crew rooms) were upgraded with new flat HD TVs.
• The list of other shipwide upgrades includes video-sound-light systems, new carpeting ((both in cabins and public spaces), Wi-Fi internet access (including in the crew/staff areas), and also to the digital signage system.
• The 2013 ship refurbishment project cost NCL over USD 30 million.