Mannequins overlooking smaller pool on the bar deck of NCL's Pride of America off coast of Hawaii.

ABOARD THE PRIDE OF AMERICA, Hawaii - One year ago, NCL America launched the first U.S.-flagged ship to cruise the Hawaiian Islands in 50 years - a seven-day sailing that offered a taste of tropical beauty but was fraught with problems that left many passengers unhappy.

In July, the cruise line tried again. The Pride of America, newly constructed and dressed in an all-American motif, joined the Pride of Aloha in cruising Hawaiian waters. But we wondered if the glitches that had plagued the first ship - from service to food to long lines - would resurface this time.

My conclusion: Although the cruise is still a great way to sample the state’s four most popular islands - Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii - without having to unpack, it still has some problems. Nothing that spoils the views of pristine beaches and swaying palm trees but just enough to get on your nerves if you’ve cruised before.

Much has improved. Those annoyingly long lines on the Pride of Aloha, for instance, were few or non-existent on the Pride of America. Food was better, exceptional in some cases. Service was improved but remains one of NCL’s shortcomings. And the daily ‘‘service charge’’ - a marketing disaster that forced the cruise line to offer partial refunds on its initial sailings - still seems confusing.

Customer service has been an ongoing problem for the cruise line, primarily because most of its crew members are U.S. citizens (typically, foreign-flagged ships hire foreign workers) with little or no experience aboard a ship. A few still quit in midcruise this time, although it’s happening less frequently than it did a year ago.

Because of complaints about service, NCL designed a three-week training course in Piney Point, Md., where the Seafarers International Union training center is, to prepare recruits for their jobs and life at sea.

‘‘It’s clearly a work in progress, but it’s a dramatic improvement over where we were a year ago,’’ said Andy Stuart, the executive vice president of marketing, sales and passenger service for NCL America, the brand name that Norwegian Cruise Line stamps on its Hawaiian ships. ‘‘We’re seeing attrition at the training center rather than on the vessel, and we’re taking out people who the job isn’t for or who aren’t going to work out.’’

Despite the training, a few problems still exist. One afternoon in Kauai, a passenger told me that a ship photographer yelled at his wife on two separate occasions, once when she inadvertently stepped into his shot while he was trying to pose disembarking guests. A few workers wore perpetual frowns. And one crew member on his way to the kitchen stepped in front of me rather than let me pass first; that never would have happened on a high-end cruise line with its more solicitous service.

NCL also has tried to sort out confusion over its daily service charge of $10 per passenger, although I’m not sure they were successful. The non-refundable fee, initially called a gratuity but changed to a service charge, caused an uproar last year because many guests felt they were being charged a tip against their will despite poor service.

With the daily service charge, NCL insists that tipping isn’t necessary. But every time I ordered a drink and was asked to sign for it (beverages, including soft drinks, are not included in the cruise price), I noticed a space for a tip. At the bottom of the receipt it said, ‘‘Gratuities not included.’’

Does that mean I tip in some cases but not in others? NCL says that some staff positions provide service on an individual basis and should be rewarded with ‘‘appropriate gratuities.’’ Apparently, this includes bartenders. That was fine with me, but on my second day on board, after I purchased a drink card for $35 that allowed me to order unlimited soft drinks without having to sign, I felt I was treated differently. Twice, after I requested a drink, a bartender gave it to a member of the wait staff to serve to me - even though I was standing just a few feet away.

Stuart said the service charge is still used as an incentive for crew members in addition to their salaries, which are the highest in the industry.

‘‘As to whether people need to tip anymore, they don’t,’’ he said. ‘‘But as with anything, if you’ve received exceptional service, you can feel free to tip. That’s completely appropriate.’’

In many ways, the 2,138-passenger Pride of America is uniquely and pleasantly different from its predecessor. It’s longer and bigger than Pride of Aloha, has more dining options and features an all-American theme throughout, from stars and stripes on its hull to the decor inside.

The Cadillac Diner, for instance, is a re-creation of a 1950s diner, including neon lighting, Elvis posters on the walls and waitresses dressed in blue blouses and white poodle skirts. The Jefferson Bistro, which offers French cuisine, is modeled after Thomas Jefferson’s library at his Monticello home. Waiters at the Lazy J Steakhouse dress in jeans, cowboy hats and boots.

Stairway landings have blown-up photos of Yosemite National Park, Alaskan glaciers and the Golden Gate Bridge. There are a Gold Rush Pub, a Mardi Gras Lounge, a Hollywood Theatre and a Napa Wine Bar. The floor of the ship’s reception area has a re-creation of the Great Seal of the United States made from inlaid marble, glass and brass.

Frankly, I’d prefer a Hawaiian theme throughout. Some of the costumes and restaurant interiors make you feel as if you’re in a theme park, and occasionally you may feel the need to look outside to make sure you’re in Hawaii. But after a while, you get used to it.

The ship has all the usual services and luxuries, including a state-of-the-art gym, spa, theater, library, art gallery, Internet center and beauty salon. Shore excursions ranged from a helicopter ride over volcanoes ($299) to a round of golf on the Big Island ($275) to snorkeling in Maui ($85).

One significant improvement that passengers seemed to like: TV monitors in several locations that informed guests of the restaurants’ capacity level. Next to each restaurant’s name, bars were color-coded from green (open) to yellow (getting full) to red (no available tables). On the Pride of Aloha, long lines at some restaurants were a usual occurrence.

Although one passenger shrugged when I asked her if she liked the food on board, I found it generally good, especially at the two specialty restaurants I sampled. But if you cruise just for sumptuous eating, avoid the buffet-style Aloha Cafe. Warmed-over scrambled eggs aren’t tasty, no matter how pleasing the view.

But the New York sirloin I ate at the Lazy J was tender and cooked perfectly, and the $5 all-you-can-eat sushi at East Meets West was wonderful; each order was individually prepared by one of two sushi chefs. Three of the ship’s restaurants tack on an extra charge for dinner, with the $15 at the Lazy J the highest.

I also tested the Pride of America’s room service. Last year, on the Pride of Aloha, I heard about a woman who ordered a pizza at 8 o’clock one night, only to have it delivered at 2 a.m. - long after she had given up and gone to bed.

On my last night, I did the same thing. Happily, it took just 37 minutes for my pizza to arrive - longer than I would expect from pizza delivery but within acceptable limits here.

But in the end, a cruise shouldn’t just be about food or service or the number of swimming pools. I reminded myself of that on the ship’s final day at sea, as we sailed past the Na Pali Coast and watched a rainbow drop from the misty clouds above the mountains.

Cruising is also about the destination, and although a day or two on Maui or the Big Island might not seem long enough to anyone who’s been there before, it’s a pleasant visit for a first-timer and one that I’d recommend.

But you’ll probably want to come back - and stay longer.

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THE FACTS ABOUT PRIDE OF AMERICA

Passenger capacity: 2,138

Guest cabins: 1,069

Length: 926 feet

Speed: 22 knots

Decks: 15

Restaurants: 8

Lounges/bars: 7

Pools: 2

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IF YOU GO:

SAILINGS: Seven-day Pride of America cruises depart at 8 p.m. every Saturday from Honolulu and return at 7 a.m. the following Saturday.

Cruise itineraries vary slightly, but most include port stops in Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui (overnight); Kona, Hawaii; and Nawiliwili, Kauai (overnight).

CABINS:

Prices are per person and based on double occupancy:

Inside cabins start at $1,049 (accommodates up to four people);

Oceanview cabins start at $1,299 (up to four);

Balcony cabins start at $1,699 (up to four);

Family suites start at $2,499 (from five to eight);

Penthouse suites start at $2,899 (up to four);

Deluxe penthouse suites start at $3,499 (up to five);

Owner’s suites start at $3,949 (for two);

Grand suites start at $5,449 (for two).

DETAILS: For more information on NCL America cruises on the Pride of America and the Pride of Aloha: www.ncl.com, (888) 625-4292.