Pride of America

The 2005-built Pride of America cruise ship is operated under the NCL America brand as a unique Project America-class vessel (single ship 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 of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, is headquartered in Miami, Florida (USA), and is a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE. NCLH’s major shareholders include Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia), and TPG Capital (USA). In 2017, the NCL brand held a worldwide cruise market share of 8.7% by passengers and 8.4% by revenue. NCLH owns the cruise brands NCL, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC).

The 2,200-passenger Pride of America entered service in 2005 as the first USA-flagged cruise ship built in more than 50 years. A distinctive feature of the vessel is that her officers and crew are American citizens. Another major advantage is her U.S. registration, which allows her to operate without calling at foreign ports such as Vancouver or Ensenada, as required by the Passenger Vessel Services Act for foreign-flagged ships. Pride of America and her guests celebrate American culture and history, from the kitschy Cadillac Diner to the dignified statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Liberty Dining Room.

The only mainstream cruise ship offering regular round-trip itineraries entirely 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 ship underwent a three-and-a-half-week drydock in San Francisco, California, which introduced new venues, redesigned public spaces, and refreshed decor in all cabins. This refit was part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s $400 million Norwegian Edge investment program for its existing fleet. The upgrades to Pride of America included:

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

Decks and Cabins

Pride of America staterooms (1,109 total in 34 categories) include 81 Suites (including 12 Family Club Balcony Suites), 613 Balcony cabins, 178 Oceanview cabins, and 233 Inside cabins. A total of 740 staterooms are connecting, making them family-friendly.

Most staterooms (approximately 65%) measure between 130 and 145 ft2 (13-14 m2).

The largest accommodation is the 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite, sized at 690 ft2 (64 m2) with an additional 190 ft2 (18 m2) private terrace.

There are 64 wheelchair-accessible cabins for disabled passengers, including 24 that are fully ADA-compliant.

The ship has 14 decks, of which 11 are accessible to passengers and 8 feature cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Pride of America offers 9 restaurants, including two main dining rooms, the complimentary Cadillac Diner, and the casual Aloha Cafe buffet. Five specialty restaurants charge an additional cover fee. Reservations are recommended if you prefer dining at a specific venue or time. Wednesdays and Fridays are the busiest evenings for specialty dining, while Sundays are generally the least busy. Please note that not all specialty restaurants are open on embarkation day. The two main dining rooms, Skyline and Liberty, are stacked vertically at the ship’s aft and follow Americana themes, with Liberty honoring American patriotism and Skyline designed in a Deco-inspired New York City style. Both venues feature pianos, with occasional live background music during dinner.

Below is the complete list of Pride of America restaurants and food venues.

• Liberty Restaurant (aft main dining room; complimentary; Your Time dining)
• East Meets West (Asian restaurant; dinner-only; complimentary since 2015)
• Sushi Bar (12-seat venue within East Meets West; à la carte); Sake Bar (located inside East Meets West)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi specialty; reservations required; US$25 cover charge; open for lunch and dinner with live cooking demonstrations)
• Skyline Restaurant (aft main dining room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Jefferson’s Bistro (French specialty restaurant; reservations required; US$20 cover charge per person)
• Cadillac Diner (24-hour fast-food restaurant)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty dinner restaurant serving prime steaks and gourmet seafood; reservations required; US$30 cover charge per person; complimentary kids’ menu)
• Aloha Cafe (buffet restaurant; complimentary; multiple food stations)
• Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse; reservations required; US$20 cover charge per person; outdoor waterfront seating)
• La Cucina (Italian specialty restaurant; reservations required; US$15 cover charge; outdoor waterfront seating)
• Key West Bar & Grill (complimentary fast-food venue)
• Dolce Gelato (gelateria)

Pride of America’s 2025 drydock refurbishment added a new Starbucks Lounge & Bar within the Capitol Atrium on Deck 5. A pickleball court was also installed in the existing sports area on Deck 14.

The youth facilities (Splash Academy and Entourage) were relocated to Deck 6, occupying space formerly used by the SS America Library, Internet Cafe, and Chapel. A new Library/Card Room now occupies the former Shuffles Card Room location on Deck 6.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Hollywood Theatre, located forward on Deck 5, is a single-level venue that is relatively small but offers excellent sightlines. Designated seating is available for mobility-impaired passengers. One deck above, Mardi Gras hosts themed parties and smaller shows. During the day, the venue screens movies and hosts lectures, dance classes, and other activities. Children are permitted in Mardi Gras until 11:00 p.m., after which the venue is restricted to guests aged 18 and older. Entertainment options also include NCL’s FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), as well as productions such as “Rock of Ages,” “Cirque Dreams,” and “Illusionarium” (magician show).

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, a supervised children’s program (NCL Kids), Internet/Wi-Fi access, and self-service laundry facilities. Norwegian Pride gratuities are charged at US$12 per person per day. For onboard weddings, Pride of America features a small dedicated chapel.

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

• Hollywood Theatre (868 seats; Broadway-style productions; two main shows nightly)
• Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub
• Pride of America Capitol Atrium (eight-deck midship hub with a large LED screen, dance floor, and live entertainment)
• John Adams 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; Library/Card Room (formerly Shuffles Card Room)
• Newbury Street Shops (tax- and duty-free retail)
• South Beach Pools area (two swimming pools, five whirlpools, served by Key West Bar & Grill); Oasis Pool
• The Conservatory (quiet retreat lounge)
• Santa Fe Fitness Centre & Mandara Spa
• Rascals Lounge & Club (children’s area); Connections Teen Club; Blast Off Video Games Arcade
• Jogging Track; combined Sports Court (including pickleball); Sun Deck areas; deck games; outdoor chess; outdoor NASA Gyrosphere replica; bungee trampoline; golf nets

Hawaii Itineraries

Pride of America’s itinerary program is based on 7-day Hawaiian Islands cruises roundtrip from Honolulu. The voyages visit some of the most popular islands in Hawaii, including Kauai and Maui, with a variety of optional shore excursions. On her standard 7-night itinerary, Pride of America offers overnight stays in Kauai and Maui, along with calls at Kailua-Kona and Hilo, plus an afternoon scenic cruise along the Napali Coast.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, NCL America suspended operations for more than two years (from March 2020 through April 2022). Pride of America’s schedule was revised several times before NCL ultimately resumed Hawaiian Islands cruises from Honolulu on April 9, 2022.