Pride of America

The main pool deck has two pools with hot tubs on either side, loungers in the sun and shaded tables underneath, plus cornhole, ping pong, a giant chessboard and shuffleboard. The pool bar keeps drinks coming, and Key West Bar & Grill next door serves burgers, hot dogs and Hawaiian favorites. At night the whole space turns into an entertainment zone, and sun decks with cabanas and a forward lookout sit just above.

All the way aft, the Oasis Pool is an adults-only escape with extra-soft padded loungers in singles and doubles, a hot tub a half deck down and the Waikiki Bar just above. The bar has lounge seating, tables for two, four or more and pub-style seats, and its full service extends down to the pool. The aft-facing views make it one of the calmest places on board.

The Aloha Cafe is the casual buffet, running the full width of the ship with stations on both sides, a made-to-order pasta bar, an egg and omelet station, a carvery, pizza ovens, fresh tropical fruit and soft-serve ice cream. A kids' cafe at the entrance is built at a shorter height. Out back, the Aloha Lanai adds a full bar and tables for two or four along the stern, under the U.S. flag.

Moderno is Norwegian's Brazilian steakhouse, and it was fully redone with new furniture, upholstery and decor. Dinner starts at a large salad bar with small tapas-style bites, then passadores bring skewers of slow-roasted meat from the open kitchen and carve them tableside. A card that is green on one side and red on the other tells them when to keep it coming. Seating runs from window tables for two to booths.

The Mandara Spa saw major updates, including a full salon, pedicure chairs with massage functions, couples treatment rooms with a soaking tub and a relaxation room with teas and infused waters. The thermal suite, which did not exist before the renovation, adds a unisex sauna and steam room on each side plus heated stone loungers. It requires a separate pass for the cruise. The Pulse Fitness Center nearby is large for a ship this size.

Cagney's is the most popular specialty restaurant on board, an unapologetic steakhouse with appetizers like ahi tuna tartare, crab cake and shrimp cocktail, followed by classic cuts and sides. The Napa Wine Bar sits right in front, so a glass of wine before dinner is a natural start. Danny also notes that full-suite guests get an upgraded à la carte breakfast and lunch at Cagney's.

Pride of America has two complimentary main dining rooms, each with a grand piano and a captain's table. Liberty, on the upper level, is the dressier of the two, with drapes styled like American flags and statues of figures like Abraham Lincoln and Lafayette. Skyline, one deck below, nods to New York City with Empire State Building details down to the gargoyles. Tables run from two up to a table for 12.

East Meets West is a three-in-one Asian dining area. The fusion restaurant mixes Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Californian and Hawaiian flavors, and the sushi bar next door lets guests watch the chefs or order rolls in the restaurant. Teppanyaki has four grill tables that seat up to eight, where chefs cook steak, seafood, chicken, vegetarian dishes and fried rice with plenty of jokes, singing and a tossed shrimp or two.