Tag Archives: Pride of America

Pride of America Returning to Kona, Hilo

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Norwegian Cruise Line
PHOTO: Norwegian Pride of America (photo courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the Pride of America will be resuming its ports of call in Kona and Hilo on Hawaii Island, often called the Big Island, starting next week.

Earlier this summer the cruise line announced it would be halting stops at the two ports due to “uncertain conditions” after larger-than-normal eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano.

“As we have always said, Hawaii is an incredible destination,” said the cruise line in a statement. “We have visited its ports for well over a decade and we are very happy to be returning to Hilo and Kona. Please know that the safety and security of our guests and crew remain our first priority so we will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.

Pride of America will resume calling upon Hilo every Tuesday, starting June 12, and Kona every Wednesday, starting June 13, as part of its regular cruise schedule in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaii Governor David Ige and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) are praising Norwegian Cruise Line for its decision to resume the calls.

“We are very grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line for reinstituting its port calls in Hilo and Kona,” said Governor Ige. “This is especially wonderful news for the small businesses in and around those communities that service the wishes of the ship’s guests as they venture out to experience the incredible beauty and fascinating attractions throughout the island of Hawaii.”

Norwegian’s Pride of America cruise ship, which carries up to 2,500 passengers and 900 crewmembers per week, home-ports in Honolulu and makes weekly cruise tours throughout the Hawaiian Islands, with port, calls in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili, Kauai.

“Visitors who enjoy the Hawaii cruise experience will be thrilled knowing they can port in the island of Hawaii and see for themselves what makes the largest and most environmentally diverse of all the Hawaiian Islands so captivating,” said George D. Szigeti, HTA president and CEO. “We thank Norwegian Cruise Line and appreciate the careful thought their executives put into making this decision, as this message to resume port calls in Hilo and Kona will be valued by potential travellers who are considering a trip to the Hawaiian Islands.”

Norwegian had temporarily halted the two port calls in mid-May 14.

Kilauea, an active volcano since 1983, is one of Hawaii’s most popular attractions. Currently, most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is closed until further notice.

Norwegian to auction cabin upgrades

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Haven Suite photo by Dave Jones

Borrowing a page from Priceline, Norwegian Cruise Line said it will allow select passengers to bid on cabin upgrades prior to sailing but after making final payment.

The process would let passengers upgrade one or two meta-categories. So for example, a guest in an oceanview cabin could bid to move to a balcony or mini-suite, but not a suite.

Norwegian said passengers eligible would be notified by email, as will their travel sellers. Selection is based on a variety of criteria including but not limited to what guests already paid and the type of cabins available on their sailing.

After bidding a “nominal” amount, guests will be notified with an immediate confirmation email of a winning bid. If a bid has not been accepted, guests can improve it or cancel it up to 48 hours prior to departure.

Travel agents are only notified of winning bids, and are eligible for additional commission on the upgraded fare. They will get incremental commission due in a separate commission payment, Norwegian said.

Norwegian is not taking bids on identifiable cabins or specific categories, but only at the meta-category level. Guests eligible to bid on suites or The Haven will be able to bid on each separately.

Norwegian did not say if minimum bids would be set.

The program, called Upgrade Advantage, is scheduled to start Feb. 8 on the Norwegian Escape, Getaway, Breakaway, Epic and Pride of America, with the remaining fleet set to begin participating in the second quarter.

Agencies are allowed to opt out of eligibility by sending an e-mail to NCL sales.

In a note to agents, Norwegian senior vice president of sales Camille Olivere said a pilot program tested very well with guests and agents.

“I highly recommend that you participate in this program,” Olivere wrote. “Upgrade Advantage is a great way for you to enhance the guest experience and earn more commission with very minimal effort.”

Currently, Norwegian offers upgrades through an Upsell Department, which identifies sailings with potential for upgrades and emails guests, who can then call in and bid on upgrades.

“This new system will be completely automated and allow for a level playing field where all guests can easily bid for an upgrade simply by clicking through,” Norwegian spokeswoman Christina Baez said. “It also notifies the travel partner who made the booking and automatically provides them with the commission on the higher fare if their bid is accepted.”

Refurbished Pride of America ‘essentially a new ship’

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The refurbished East Meets West restaurant.

The Pride of America, Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship in the Hawaiian Islands, has returned from a drydock during which the ship received new venues, redesigned public spaces and refreshed décor.

The cruise line’s president, Andy Stuart, calls the Pride “essentially a new ship.”

“This is much more than just a fresh coat of paint and new drapes,” Stuart said.

Every stateroom received new bedding, new furniture, new flat-screen televisions and updated flooring.

New venues include the Soho Art Gallery, featuring works of art available for purchase; the Perspectives Photo Studio; and Dolce Gelato. The ship’s wedding chapel is in a new location on deck six with new flooring, furniture and wall fixtures.

The new Perspectives Photo Studio.
The new Perspectives Photo Studio.

The ship’s pool deck underwent a refurbishment with a refinished pool, new loungers and Jacuzzis.

The Skyline main dining room got a new entrance, new carpet design, new furniture upholstery, new window drapes and new columns throughout the restaurant. La Cucina, Norwegian’s signature Italian restaurant, is now an “elegant and intimate venue,” Norwegian said.

The ship’s specialty restaurants East Meets West, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Jefferson’s Bistro also received enhancements.

Menus in all dining outlets offer additional choices, Norwegian said.