My wife wasn't sure about Pride of America's decorating scheme from my descriptions. I told her it seemed like a Disney version of America, and she feared it might be too much Americana.
Once on board, she loved it. The Washington, D.C., influenced atrium, complete with a large Presidential Seal, and the red, white and blue Liberty Main Restaurant might have become overwhelming had that patriotic theme been repeated throughout, but instead, most public spaces showcased the best of the states, like the Key West Bar, Hollywood Theatre, Skyline Main Restaurant, Napa Wine Bar, Mardi Gras Cabaret, Cadillac Diner and Gold Rush Saloon.
"Coming to America," an all new show produced for Pride of America, dazzled us with a cross section of music and cultures of the United States that made the audience stand up and cheer. The cast of singers and dancers proved to be outstanding. All of the shows during the course of our seven night cruise were great in their own ways, but this one definitely should not be missed by anyone.
Kauai is perhaps the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, and for me, the most scenic area is the Na Pali Coast.
We drove to Ke'e Beach, where we began one of the prettiest hikes in the world along the Kalalau Trail.
The last time we trekked up the moderately steep path through the jungle along the panoramic coast six years earlier, it seemed a lot easier but no less gorgeous.
Small waterfalls cross the path and make the footing slippery at some points, but the views make it worth the struggle.
Eventually, we made it to gorgeous Hanakapi'ai Valley, where fresh water cascades down the mountainside and joins the turquoise ocean. Upon hiking back to Ke'e Beach, we enjoyed great snorkeling over the shallow reef shell. Driving back, we took time to enjoy some of the awesome views of farmlands and beaches near Princeville.
The next morning, we found our legs stiff from the hike (this kind of stuff didn't happen when we were a little younger), but we got back in our car and headed to Poipu, on the sunny side of Kauai, for a little snorkeling and reading on the beach. 
In the afternoon, we boarded the ship and enjoyed an afternoon cruise along the Na Pali Coast, giving us another view of the most photographed section of Hawaii.
Once on board, she loved it. The Washington, D.C., influenced atrium, complete with a large Presidential Seal, and the red, white and blue Liberty Main Restaurant might have become overwhelming had that patriotic theme been repeated throughout, but instead, most public spaces showcased the best of the states, like the Key West Bar, Hollywood Theatre, Skyline Main Restaurant, Napa Wine Bar, Mardi Gras Cabaret, Cadillac Diner and Gold Rush Saloon.
"Coming to America," an all new show produced for Pride of America, dazzled us with a cross section of music and cultures of the United States that made the audience stand up and cheer. The cast of singers and dancers proved to be outstanding. All of the shows during the course of our seven night cruise were great in their own ways, but this one definitely should not be missed by anyone.
I think it would be possible to have a great vacation without leaving this wonderful ship, but every day we found ourselves in Hawaii, on islands with more to see and do than time allowed. As you might have guessed, this makes the Hawaii cruise one that should be taken at least once and then be repeated regularly.
Kauai is perhaps the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, and for me, the most scenic area is the Na Pali Coast.We drove to Ke'e Beach, where we began one of the prettiest hikes in the world along the Kalalau Trail.
The last time we trekked up the moderately steep path through the jungle along the panoramic coast six years earlier, it seemed a lot easier but no less gorgeous.
Small waterfalls cross the path and make the footing slippery at some points, but the views make it worth the struggle.
Eventually, we made it to gorgeous Hanakapi'ai Valley, where fresh water cascades down the mountainside and joins the turquoise ocean. Upon hiking back to Ke'e Beach, we enjoyed great snorkeling over the shallow reef shell. Driving back, we took time to enjoy some of the awesome views of farmlands and beaches near Princeville.
The next morning, we found our legs stiff from the hike (this kind of stuff didn't happen when we were a little younger), but we got back in our car and headed to Poipu, on the sunny side of Kauai, for a little snorkeling and reading on the beach. 
In the afternoon, we boarded the ship and enjoyed an afternoon cruise along the Na Pali Coast, giving us another view of the most photographed section of Hawaii.
