Flamingos are on the June20th Pride of Aloha

[livermorenancy]

Greetings from the Pride of Aloha!!!!

Flamingos have all met up and are having a super time!!!

FYI-

Embarkation- Three of the families arrived at 10:30 and were met by thousands of porters. Lots of NCLA Agents were standing around to greet us as we were leaving the van. One escorted us right to registration. We were told boarding would be at 11:30 (2 ½ hrs. ahead of time). We were introduced to our 2 butlers right at registration who led us right through to a waiting area. Pictures were taken right before the waiting room area for your first welcome to POA portrait. By 11:10 someone walked in and said we could board. We were greeted with live flower leis for women and shell bead necklaces for men. We then had another portrait done in the atrium with Hawaiian dancers. Our room was ready and we walked right in. (One thing, inside staterooms and reg. ones are REALLY tiny and no storage so be prepared to keep stuff in your luggage under your bed unless there is only 2 of you. Also sleeper opens and blocks the way to the bathroom so make sure that person is the one who gets up all night.)

 

Ship experiences-

Carpet shipment was late so our first 2 days still had some workers gluing new Carpeting on the step areas. You can take it both ways- laugh or complain. Several people we ran into pretended they were “sniffing glue” as they walked by the areas and make the rest of crack-up. Others of course, just complained. They worked as quickly as possible to get it finished and it looks beautiful.

Staff-Everyone has been sooo.. nice. If we see someone who looks a little tired or worn-out, we just give them a big smile and Aloha and they break into a big smile back. The full crew is not onboard yet. When the Sky switched to NCLAmerica-Pride of America it had to jump through the “governmental hoops” so to say. Every crewmember had to obtain their Merchant Marine cards to work on the ship. I talked to some crewmembers and they told me they had to take some classes and pass a test. The ones that did it through Baltimore are still waiting for their cards- they passed but the Coast Guard is backlogged. They tried to come aboard as guests and only act as supervisors but in San Francisco they were told they had to leave the ship. Several (I have heard as much as 40) are waiting at a hotel in San Francisco until their cards arrive and then they will be aboard. Most of them were the crew from the original Sky…example: Assistant Cruise Director, Head of Kids Corner, and lots of dining staff… The staff I have met are doing the best they can under the circumstances. Patty, the Cruise Director, is doing a great job, especially since she is missing her Assistant for the time. She was emceeing the Not-So-Newlywed game last night till 9:30 and zipped to the theater to announce the 9:30 show. The Freestyle Daily is filled with many diverse activities. Many times I have had to choose between 2 since there is so much to do. Lots of art and crafts, dance lessons, bingo (but that will have to end as soon as we hit Hawaiian waters tonight), good musicians, diverse shows (Jean Ryan Dancers are AWESOME- such high energy!), golf/ basketball/ ping pong tournaments, trivia games, talent shows, theme nights- 50s Sock hop, 70s Disco Party, Paniolo (country western),Evening Hawaiian deck Party, and I could go on and on. If you are bored, you haven’t tried to get involved! If you want to eat in the main dining room-don’t do when a show let’s out. Put your name in, go to the piano bar or a lounge and come back in 45 min. or so. I have had to wait on other cruise lines for Freestyle dining and have also been able to work around the “peak” times. Most of you booked on later cruises will probably have full dining staff aboard and this will only be a minor inconvenience then. The crew is sometimes pulling double duty so a smile from you or a thank you, goes a long way…Attitude and outlook makes such a difference.

Rooms- My suite-so far so good. Ryan and Chris, our butlers, and Kathleen and Nathan, our cabin stewards, are all super! YES- there are still some stewards who know how to create Towel Animals!!! I have had a monkey, peacock, and elephant so far! (Remember, not everyone can do it, so if you’re lucky like me, you are in for a treat). As I mentioned above, regular staterooms, both inside and outside, are crowded with 3 or 4 and storage is very limited. The beds do have space, though, for even the largest luggage to fit under so you may have to live out of your suitcase if you run out of hanging/shelf space. No rods or string to hang up your wet laundry except in suites.

 

Cruise Critics- YES, NCL and this staff DOES read our posts. I emailed our concierge, Al, ahead of time with the names of everyone I knew from the boards and their room numbers and they set up a fabulous Cruise Critic Party in one of the lounges. They supplied wine, drinks, and appetizers. James Deering , Hotel Director, Al, the Stateroom Manager, Patty, the Cruise Director, and several other staff ( sorry, I’m drawing a blank) were there. Mr. Deering asked if we had any questions or comments and took it all in. When introduced to Mr. Deering he knew several things about me that could only be known by people who have read our posts. They have been so attentive to everyone in our group- from inside staterooms to the people in suites- we all have been treated equally. They have held private parties with the Captain and his staff and he also reads our posts. So everyone-let them know your concerns and they will try to work with you. If you just sit there and complain without finding out what’s up or letting them know, then you will continue to not enjoy yourself. If something isn’t working or is broken, tell them. Maintenance has been on top of everything I have reported. Reception has called back to follow up that repairs were made.

 

Photo package is available for $199. (12days). Photographers are EVERYWHERE. Package includes ALL snd EVERY photo you are in!!!! They are great. Will let you know if they do the laundry bag for 20 dollars>

 

Sorry, I have not posted earlier, but they have us very busy on board. Post some questions and tomorrow I will try to answer them and update you-we arrive in our first Hawaiian port in the morning.

Aloha, Nancy

[MareT]

Nancy,

 

Thanks for taking the time to let us know how the cruise is going. I'm so glad you are all having a great time. Jane, your fellow Flamingo, posted earlier as well. I had major concerns about my August sailing and couldn't wait to hear the reviews from those of you on board now. Your positive posts are just what I've been waiting to read. Thanks again!!!!

 

Maryann

[margu1241]

Nancy,

This sentence from your review caught my eye:

 

"They have been so attentive to everyone in our group- from inside staterooms to the people in suites- we all have been treated equally."

 

From what you can see are non-cruise critic members being treated the same as you, or do you feel at all that you are getting preferential treatment? I am not asking to be mean, and hope you don't take it that way, but I will try to drum up more support on the roll call for my trip if it seems that would help ensure the best possible service.

 

Hope I didn't offend you, I just remember the postings from the last sailing of the sky and they felt they definitely got perks for being associated with cruise critic.

 

Patty

[California_Gurl]

Hi, I just read your post, I wanted to know how the food is on the ship, I've read bad reviews that the food in ship is not that great. And Also that the restuarants aren't open late. And how long are the restuarants open. Also do they have a midnight buffet. If you could please answer my questions, it would be so wonderful, cause i'm going on the POA in August, and I just want to know how the service and foods is.

 

Thank You,

 

California Gurl

[Sthronds]

Hey Flamingoes! If you read this on board then hope you are having a great time! If you are home, I hope you had a wonderful time. I am sure I am not the only "lurker" who is missing your daily posts and am looking forward to hearing more from all of you! Enjoy yourselves and Nancy, thank you for posting such a positive post!

[voltdoc]

Thank you Nancy for posting your review. It is good to know that the Aloha is beginning to live up to our expectations. Please keep sending your reviews and tell us about the shore excursions. We'll be sailing on the Aloha on 9/12. Thanks again.

[ACCagent]

I would also like to know if you feel that the non-Cruise Critic guests are getting the same treatment as you. I want you to have the very best but also want to know that any of my clients will have a great time and good service..... not just the ones that join us here. Do you see a difference.