|
 NCL
has a lot to be proud about. The Pride of America is the largest American
flagged ship to have ever been built. It received one week on day time live TV
from the Reggis and Kelly Show. It has made numerous stops already on the east
of the US to show off the ship to agents and the media and now heads to the west
coast. Worldwide was pleased to be asked to do lunch and an one night inaugural
on the ship last week in Miami.
While doing a one-nighter, especially for the trade, is hardly going to give you
a real feeling of the ship you can get some pretty good views of service and the
hardware. Starting with the hardware the Pride is a bold ship designed for it's
intended purpose of cruising year round in Hawaii. The ship is themed top to
bottom in Americana. Each of her ten bars are uniquely different ranging from
the subtle Napa Wine Bar to the brightly colored Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge to
the basic Gold Rush Saloon. All the public rooms are striking different and
generally brightly colored.
Other public rooms include a great area for meetings including a very well a/v
equipped auditorium for general sessions and there are also numerous smaller
break-out rooms. This complex, including it's own seemingly private bar, is
located on the very top deck of the ship and well out of the way of normal
traffic. The main swimming pool deck area on the other hand seemed quite small
for this size ship. Also missing is a casino due to State and Federal
regulations.
The 8 restaurants on the Pride range from the Cadillac Diner to East Meets West
Japanese/Chinese fare with Italian, French, a Steakhouse and typical cruise fare
in between. Each room is unique again in its décor some great and some so so.
It's really never fair to comment too much about service on a brand new ship
doing functions such as this. We did notice that the crew didn't seem prepared
to handle large numbers of people all coming at once which is of course NOT what
Freestyle dining is all about. FreeStyle dining lets passengers chose the dining
room, some with surcharges, when they dine and with whom they want. Great for
FITS but can present problems for incentives. I would suggest you call us for
details.
NCL always has done great suites on their ships and the Pride is no exception.
All of the cabins and suites again use bright colors throughout. The standard
outside balcony cabins are smallish in comparison to other contemporary ships of
today. Bathrooms and closet space will be a push for seven nights.
Currently NCL has a lock on the 7 night Hawaii market and judging from pricing
we are seeing are doing quite well in the market. The Pride also offers certain
tax benefits, just like hotels but even better in some ways, for meetings in
particular. If you want to see the islands and not have to pack and unpack this
might be your answer. |
