1st flamingo back from the POA Repo Cruise

[Cruise Mama]

Sorry - YES Tracey was right - everything (well almost) in the buffet was covered with gravy. (except the pork roast and pork chops on the last two days)

 

We were lucky - we didn't need the buffet too much. When we did need it (the kids liked a quick breakfast there - waffles, french toast, and omlettes --- the "eggs" were rehydrated - yuck for me!) there were things that we could find. But like I said it wasn't our first choice.

 

Something that the family is now reminding me --- buffet type food was not available 24 hours (with the exception of the "limited room service" - Roast Beef, Turkey, PB&J sandwiches, chicken caesar salad, ramen noodles, cookies, raw veggies, fruit plate, tea. coffee, hot choc, milk -- which worked well enough at most times) No "hot sandwiches and the chips that comae with room service had been in the fridge with the premade sandwiches and were "moist". There was a 24 hour Pizza - but like Tracey said they ran out. We were on there for 12 days after all - so maybe that was the problem.

 

It was funny really - sometimes they would tell us that they didn't get delivery of an item before they sailed with us and they would be getting it in Honolulu --- but that was where we were disembarking soooooooo.

 

NO FAMOUS Chocolate Buffet - hope that changes for the rest of you!

 

Coupons - can't use the gambling ones of course - they wouldn't take any of the spa ones because they said that we had special NCLA pricing and they were for "Signature" services which were already discounted. The Photo coupons weren't used by us because we bought the package - and just for reference 8x10 were $19.95, next size down were $9.95 and then next size down were $7.95 -- so they add up soon to more than the package of $199.95. Internet cafe coupon - you didn't need since they ran specials on the packages there too. We never found anyone for the commemerative bottle of wine for $18.00.

 

OH but we did use the buy two get one free embarkation drink coupon.

 

No lemonade - I guess that was in Honolulu too!

 

Ice cream bar was open in the afternoons.

 

Coffee bar was only open 10am to 3pm - I know they changed that at some point - but I wanted it EARLY - oh well.

 

Art Auction was fun - I am still hoping that Rob will send me the little blue beach chairs piece that I liked - as a "Sorry I woke you up at 4am gift)

 

Shows were good with the exception of __________ sorry I don't want to hurt his feelings but I was one of the people that got up and left - he even asked where we were going. Let's just say he called himself a comedy act because noone would come to see him if he said he was a juggler.

 

We made a suggestion about dining - maybe freestyle Breakfast and Lunch and then the more traditional scheduled dinners. This would allow people to schedule their excursions and get back in time for dinner or to dine and attend the shows.

 

Sorry this seems so fractured - but I am finally home in Simi Valley - (only took me 4.5 hours to drive) and the clothes are almost all put away - I have got to get this family readjusted to the time!!!

 

WORST part of the trip - two rolls of film from our Parasailing trip got left behind and there is no one available at NCL Customer Service on the weekends nor at the pier to take our call to let them know that we are missing them ---- so if any of you are on deck 10 cabins 0224, 0225, 0314, 0315 -- and find them I know 9 children who will be forever greatfull!

 

Oh and if anyone sees a portfolio of DVD's --- over 25 of them - including the software for our cameras -- those made it to someone else too!

 

Otherwise - we are full of great memories and can't wait to be with our flamingo families again! I think wine tasting (instead of whining) is first!!!

 

Until next time!

 

Happy sails!

[TxRose]

How could they run out of pizza?? LOL They knew it was a 12 day sailing! Was hoping the buffet would improve for you guys; it wasn't so great for us either on the LA-SF trip. Coffee bar was only open when we were on shore..would have been nice if open early morning/evenings. Sure hope it gets much better before the Pride of America sails next June. I am anxious to reserve it, but want to see if things improve from our PAL experience. Glad to hear the 'flamingoes' had a good time though.

[Cruise Mama]

Oh and the "kids crew" - we benefitted from all those sea days. The kids did or didn't use it based on the activity and the fact that they had so many flamingo friends to hang with.

 

The age groups were set up a little strange - 2-5 year olds (and they HAD to be two before sailing in order to participate - but remember under 3 doesn't pay that "service/resort fee" - UNTIL they turn 3 on the cruise and then they start paying - kinda works both ways for NCL doesn't it?)

 

The other group was 6-12 --- I think they didn't have another age group because the assistant kids crew director (or the director - not sure) still didn't have the "card" they need to be on the ship and so were stuck in a hotel in SF waiting for the card. Hopefully they are on the ship today!

 

By the way - that was part of the crew problem. They all received training in Feb (?) and they were supposed to get their clearance (I don't know what those cards are called) - the coast guard came on in SF or LA not quite sure where it happened and ordered all those that didn't have their cards (even though they had received the training) - off the ship. Thus the reduction in crew - that of course added to the crew that simply decided that it wasn't for them.

 

By the way - we were received in every Hawaiian port, Macadamia nuts in Hilo, flowers in Kona (then coffee from the visitors shack), pins and shell leis in Maui, pins and orchids in Kauai, and then flower leis in Honolulu.

 

We had a special greeting from the picketers in Hilo and Kona - I guess they aren't happy with something that NCL isn't doing.

 

Security was HIGH though - the Coast Guard escorted us through all the islands - they flew over as we came into port and we had divers under the ship in every port.

 

I can't wait for the rest of the flamingos to fill you in on their opinion of the trip - we all have such valuable perspectives - no kids, kids, lots of kids, younger, older, many cruises, 1st cruise.

 

Most of all I hope your trips are all as wonderful as ours.

[cnmiranda]

Cruise Mama, were the crew mainland residents or Hawaiian natives? Just curious.......Thanks :)

[cruiseone2003]

Thank you again Cruise mama,

 

I'll keep what you said about the coupons in mind when I give them to my clients. We never found the commorative bottle of wine but our server "Hazel" in the Palace restaurant was so wonderful to us that she ordered a bottle of Merlot for us and was able to accept the coupon which is really all we wanted.

 

Mahalo

[traceykp]

We just saw the Pride of Aloha Sail out below the Fireworks over Honolulu. It was a great ending to a great trip. I'm working on posting the pictures. Cruise Critic only allows 39kb photos and a I can only get it to a decent size @ 91kb.

 

With respect to where the crew came from. Many of the crew were from the Hawaiian Islands, but generally, it was a cross-section of the entire US.

[TheNightDawg]

"....doesn't measure up to other cruise lines..." Traveler39, just want to be fair to NCL. I think these comments.concerns from recent sailors are particular to THIS SHIP, and not to NCL in general. I have taken 7 other NCL cruises and I would rate all from very good to excellent. I think this is truly a case of NCL trying to find the right mix for Pride of Aloha. Given the fact that this "American" cruise has to live up to US Labor salaries, etc, something needs to suffer! Either NCL will need to significantly raise cruise prices for ther "American" ships (which they haven't quite done yet), or the food quality and "extras" will need to suffer on these sailings....and it certainly sounds like that has been the case thus far for Pride of Aloha!

 

So again, don't paint the whole cruiseline with a negative brush, it just sounds like the real problem is THIS ship.

[stacybnca]

I am a flamingo, also, just returning tonight!

 

I agree with a lot of things that Cruisemama said, however, we had a few different experiences.

 

We sent laundry out one day, got it back perfectly the next.

 

I only had one questionable dining experience - 3 hours - but the others were good! We even had one dining room dinner that 5 of us were in and out in 1 1/4 hours. We usually went with "new friends" to make the time seem shorter...

 

I never ate dinner at the buffet, I really go on the cruise for the food! But, until the last few days, my family thought the breakfast was fine. I agree that the BBQ on deck was the best!

 

I also ate in the specailty restauants 4 times - I have no problem with the fee and I love the food! My favorite was Pacific Heights ( we ate there 2 times) and it is 12.50 per person.

 

Yes, there were things I didn't like, but there are many places we go in life! Just remember that this is NCL America - expect things to be different! I took my 3 children - ages 8, 11, and 16 - and everyone of us had a wonderful time.

 

The crew is really trying...give them credit for that. If we did have a problem, it was solved right away. I felt that several of the crew went above and beyond and are working very hard to make things better!

 

Ok, time to change laundry and sleep! Aloha!

[margu1241]

Welcome back Flamingoes

I have a question about the kids crew-someone posted that they had one group for 2-5, and one for 6-12, but believed that was due to staffing problems. According to NCL website, they have the following groups (and I have included their note that they reserve the right to change things):

 

Junior Sailors (ages 2-5) Activities for Junior Sailors are now available year-round. Junior Sailors are amused by storytelling, T-shirt painting, arts and crafts, face painting, magic shows, and Circus at Sea. Outdoor and indoor games provide endless hours of fun.

 

First Mates (ages 6-8) Onboard NCL, First Mates participate in wacky cooking classes, decorative T-shirt painting, sing-alongs, and poolside root beer float parties. The "Kid's Crew™ Program" program also coordinates on-shore activities including a treasure hunt and sandcastle building competition on NCL’s private island.

 

Navigators (ages 9-12) Navigators test their skill at Sega and video games, and search for treasures on scavenger hunts. Evenings are filled with pajama parties, movies, and camp-outs with flashlights and tents.

 

Teens (ages 13-17) NCL entertains Teens throughout the daytime and into the evening. By day, Teens enjoy pool parties, volleyball and basketball, The Newlymet Game, and trivia contests. Evenings are filled with NCL’s Broadway-style shows and spectaculars, line dancing, teen disco, and special theme parties.

 

* Program and age groups subject to change.

 

I will be cruising with a child who will be turning 13 in 1 month. He will not be happy to be in a group with 6 year olds. Did they do anything to separate them within the groups, or should I prepare myself to not use the kids crew at all? Did they have anything for the teens group, 13-17? I will have a 15 year old as well and she is looking forward to it as well (however, I don't think she would be excited to have her brother join her in the older group-and we would not be either.)

 

Thanks,

Patty

[traceykp]

We were under the impression that the kids crew was going to be set up as NCLA stated it would with the 4 different age groups, but it was not. This worked out great for us because our daughter is only 8 1/2 but going into 4th grade so she would have wanted to be with the 9-12 age group. I was told that they were very strict about sticking to the age groups posted and that you could not be in a different age group if you were not that age, yet. (do not know that from personal experience, though). There was a teen program; they even had their own room to hang out in. I do not know how many teens utilized this as I saw many of them hanging out on the steps.

 

Remember, you will be on a very port intensive cruise with no sea days. You will only be using kids crew in the evening unless you plan to pay to leave your children on the ship during the day instead of taking them to see Hawaii.

 

Our daughter loved the kids crew on this ship more than on any other ship we have sailed on to date.

 

Tracey

[traceykp]

AlexMD

 

If you are in an owners suite, you will get your booze and you mixers for free!!

 

Tracey

[Cruise Mama]

Stacy - glad your back - I'm still on Hawaii time.

Tracey are you home now too?

 

Frank good point - I think everyone should understand that NCLA is a "new" thing - glad we were there for the beginning!

 

And in answer to the Kids Club:

Our 2 year old was hit or miss on the program (probably because Daddy took him a couple times and Daddy isn't used to "leaving" the kids). The 9 and 11 year old girls loved the activities --- and also loved being with their friends doing whatever. It was nice because they could pick and choose based on what the program listed as happening for the day.

 

Our 15 year old son loved (or shall I say lived) in The Zone. Right next to the pizza. (Tracey - I wonder if that is why they ran out of pizza - sorry!) And close enough to the hot tubs. He threatened to jump off the basketball court net enclosure into the pool. (and I threatened a Code Oscar!) And he kept telling us all the great places on the ship he could do skateboard tricks. The group of kids (15 and up) didn't have too much to do with the Teen Club really - I think they were more 13-15 year olds --- but those that did hang out in the Teen Club were definately having a good time.

 

All the kids on the trip were nice. Ours are happy to be home though. Let's just say that last night the 15 year old was outside getting his fix of skateboarding at midnight!

 

 

I found it the most fun that whenever something seemed a little off I would simply announce "I want a free cruise"

 

It made everyone laugh and lightened it up a bit.

 

Now - I have to figure out whether the repo of the Pride of America is where we should have our Flamingo Family Reunion!

[stacybnca]

Hi Tammy!

 

I, too, am doing WAY too much laundry!

 

My kids are 8 and 11, and didn't have much interest in the kids program, but I don't think it had much to do with the program itself! They spent hours in the pool during the at sea days, which was fine because I sat by the pool! The pool beverage service was very good and quick - and the drinks were not watered down, but strong!

 

I have a theory about American ships...other than the beverage servers, the employees do not directly get your money from the "resort fee" as they do from your end-of-cruise tips on international ships, so they are not pushing as hard to get your money. I never found any staff that was not pleasant and trying to do their job, they are just not dying for that money as on other ships. Also, they are paid higher and it is not as much of an issue.

 

We did, however, leave a little something extra for our room stewards.

 

The teens (mine is almost 17) found their own things to do, mostly in the zone or the hot tub or hanging around where they thought the adults wouldnt find them. Mine didn't go to the teen activity room other than the first day. We were also with a big group of people (The Flamingos), so there was no real pressure to meet other kids at first. That came naturally, as my daughter has a list of phone numbers and e-mails!

 

Information on ports and excursions was great! Night time entertainment was good (I agree with Tammy on the one "performer" however)...

 

Those of you with future cruises on this ship - don't worry! We had a great time on a beautifully restored ship! Different does not have to mean worse!

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Stacy

 

P.S. Anyone else home yet???

[patandcd]

Thanks CruiseMama for a great review. Enjoyed every word of it. (Just found out today I am what you call a lurker...LOL) You definitely sound like a woman whose glass is half full! Now I can take a bad haircut, but that pumice burn would have been a bit much. Glad you had a good time and welcome back.

[margu1241]

Have been on RCCL and Carnival with my kids and they have enjoyed participating in evening activities...what kinds of things did they have planned for the evenings when you were in Hawaii?

 

Thanks,

Patty

[Cruise Mama]

I would be able to tell you specifically - I brought the dailies and the kids crew info sheets home - or should I say I packed them - we lost one of our bags at the pier. We barely made it to the airport (we got off the ship when our color tag was called and made the last NCL shuttle to the NCL arranged flight- so we were too rushed to notice the bag) we were the last group to be boarding the plane even though we made it to the airport more than 2 hours before the flight.

 

I will ask the kids - and then get back to you.

 

Oh and tomorrow - after everyone is back at their jobs NCL customer service, the pier office etc. (holiday weekend you know) I will find out what has happened to our bag.

[gardencat]

Cruise Mama

Just want to let you know, I think you have a great attitude to enjoying your vacation. Despite your spa mishap, all the scrambling to get your group organized for meals, lost luggage etc. etc. you still feel you had a great vacation and, even though you must have been busy with unpacking, laundry and all the other 'getting back to normal' chores, you still took the time to give us all info and answer questions.

Thanks for going to all the trouble for us.:)

[stacybnca]

Here are some of the kids activities that I remember:

 

Carnival night, Pirate night, Learn how to face paint (practice on each other!), Harry Potter day leading into night, PJ breakfast with pillows and pancakes, Hawaii night....those are the ones off the top of my head. They also took them to some of the fun shows at night and they sat in the balcony!

 

Stacy

[margu1241]

Thanks for the help Stacy and CruiseMama-I know you all are busy getting back from vacation, and those of us leaving soon appreciate your thoughts.

 

Stacy-what age group did those activities?

 

I would love to see the kids crew progam for the 9-12 year olds if you have them,CruiseMama.

 

Thanks again all Flamingoes that are responding to our many questions!

 

Patty

[TheNightDawg]

Cruisemama.....so sorry to hear about that lost bag.....I certainly hope it shows up!

 

Perhaps had I been aboard and able to share the extra space for luggage storage, it might not have gotten lost! Oh......guess (like the Trinity!) the answer to that will just have to remain a mystery. ;-)

 

Seriously...hope it shows up safe and sound!

 

Frank

[LouChamp]

CruiseMama & Stacy...

Thank you both for taking the time to post even as you recover from your vacation. I want to thank you for the positive attitude you display which is what I try to do when on vacation. Oftentimes, letting all the mishaps upset you can be so detrimental to yourself and others while trying to enjoy a trip you work so hard for. Your reports and summaries are really appreciated!!!

All the best.

[Cruise Mama]

Thanks for all the positive encouragement! I figured yesterday - when I was talking to the insurance co (thank goodness at least they were open over the holiday weekend) that I could somehow claim a cruise ticket so that I could replace all the souveniers in the bag - including the two rolls of film from parasailing on Kona. ;)

 

It doesn't hurt to try.

 

Anyway I have already left a message with the new phone number that NCL gave me this am.

 

Here's a concern of mine - what if someone else simply took our bag by mistake? Remember the old days when you had to show a baggage claim check at the airport to claim your luggage? Well - there was none of that at the pier of course - nor at the airport even though we were given baggage claim tickets. :confused:

 

Oh well!

 

I am preparing my "list of excursions" I will be posting that later this am.

 

And I'll keep you posted on the bag - it's getting more time on the islands :(

[marilynbn]

I agree with all prior postings about food and service etc. We had a great trip all in all. I was however faced with some unexpected bad news from home while we were en route to the islands. My brother passed unexpectedly at age 46 of a massive heart attack. I am still grappling with this now that I am home and trying to help his wife and 3 children. I only wanted to chime in now to say that Hawaii is GORGEOUS and we didn't want to leave. The ship was beautiful and we felt privilaged to be on it with our flamingo and cruise critic friends. All things will be worked out on this sailing and since there will no longer be any sea days the crew will be better prepared and rested. We only experienced wonderful Aloha spirit both on and off the ship. My only dissappointment was the food. The buffet was poor and we only ate a few things at breakfast and avoided it altogether for other meals. I wished that there were not 3 pay restaurants since the food at these venues was excellent and on par with the standard non-specialty restaurants of other cruise lines. You were then left with 2 restaurants that had the same menu so really there was only one viable dining venue at dinner. I can understand having one "extra fee" restaurant but not 3! Especially when other options are so limited. We ate ate the pay restaurants 4 times.

 

I am too pooped to continue, emotionally drained at this point. Having nothing to do with our trip. I hope our flamingo family will forgive our absence at several events as this trip provided us with many unexpected family challenges that I will not get into here.

 

For those traveling on future sailings on POA. Go with a positive attitude and that is what will greet you. It's all good. Aloha, Marilyn

AKA Melelina

[cnmiranda]

To any recent POA cruisers:

 

Can anyone tell me if many of the crew were Hawaiian natives? Just curious, to me it helps with the Hawaiian experience.

 

Thanks for any responses.

 

Ps, Marilyn, so sorry to hear about your brother. Perhaps it may be a good idea for you to get a heart check up (you probably already know) since there may be an underlying family history. So sorry for your loss and condolences and warm wishes.

[gardencat]

Marilynbn

 

So sorry to hear about your sad family news. My thoughts are with you as you come to terms with this yourself, and help your family members at this time.

Thanks for taking the time to post at all.Under these circumstances, I think we will all understand if you are less available to give information and help on the board for a while.