HISTORY MADE AS NCL AMERICA
CHRISTENS U.S. FLAGGED, U.S. CREWED PRIDE OF ALOHA
Mrs. Daniel K. Inouye christens first
U.S. Flagged ship in fleet
HONOLULU -- July 4, 2004 – Today marked a milestone
in U.S. maritime history as NCL America christened the first
modern U.S.-flagged cruise ship in nearly half a century.
The inaugural celebration of Pride of Aloha represents a new
beginning for the U.S. Flagged cruise industry that has been
dormant since 2001.
On board Pride of Aloha in Honolulu, Star Cruises Chairman
Tan Sri KT Lim, NCL America President and CEO Colin Veitch
and Godmother of Pride of Aloha, Mrs. Daniel K. Inouye were
joined in the celebration by Hawai`i Senator Daniel K. Inouye,
Hawai`i Congressman Neil Abercrombie and dignitaries from
the Maritime Administration, the Seafarers International Union,
and other invited guests.
A leader in the Hawai`i community who embodies the islands’
charm, warmth and character, Mrs. Daniel K. Inouye christened
the vessel during the ceremony.
“We are proud to celebrate the inauguration and christening
of the first modern U.S.-flagged ship in almost 50 years,
the spectacular new Pride of Aloha,” said Star Cruises
Chairman Tan Sri KT Lim. “With today’s christening
of our first U.S.-flagged ship, travelers cruising in Hawai`i
will have an unparalleled experience on a ship that celebrates
the best of Hawai`i with a crew hailing mostly from the islands
offering the famous ‘Aloha Spirit’ onboard.”
"I am pleased to have sponsored legislation that led
to the return of the U.S. flag to passenger cruise ship operations
in the United States, and especially in Hawai`i," said
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. "The Pride of Aloha will
be a welcome addition to Hawai`i waters, and the visitor industry
and all of Hawai`i will benefit from its activities."
“On this day when Americans celebrate our independence,
NCL America is proud to inaugurate a whole new cruise experience
-- one that represents all that America and Hawai`i have to
offer,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL
America. “This is truly a proud day for NCL.”
“The state is proud to welcome the Pride of Aloha
to Hawai`i,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “This
beautiful new NCL America ship will bring more visitors to
Hawai`i, increase business for our merchants on the different
islands and provide more job opportunities for our residents.
The year round porting of this ship in Honolulu demonstrates
NCL America’s confidence in Hawai`i as a visitor destination,
while supporting our efforts to grow Hawai`i’s tourism
market and provide visitors with memories that will last a
lifetime.”
Additional festivities at the ceremony included traditional
Hawaiian entertainment featuring hula dancers, the Honolulu
Boys Choir and the Royal Hawaiian Band.
“The arrival of the Pride of Aloha is a tremendous
boon to our state’s economy,” said Hawai`i Congressman
Neil Abercrombie. “Having a U.S. flag ship operating
among our Islands will have vital long-term economic benefits
including the creation of thousands of new jobs.”
Travel agents and the public had the opportunity to have
a front row seat at the christening during a live web cast
of the ceremony.
“The revival of oceangoing U.S.-flag cruising is great
news for the U.S. Merchant Marine,” said Captain William
G. Schubert, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration.
“NCL America’s planned U.S.-flag expansion, starting
with Pride of Aloha, helps grow our U.S.-flag fleet and create
thousands of jobs for American seafarers, which is vital to
our economic well-being and national security.”
“Pride of Aloha represents a partnership between NCL
America, the shipboard workers and their unions,” said
Mike Sacco, president of the Seafarers International Union.
“We’re all in this together, and I’m 100
percent confident that we’re going to succeed.”
Beginning today, the entirely U.S.-crewed Pride of Aloha
will sail seven-day, round-trip Hawai’i itineraries,
visiting all four main islands and giving passengers up to
96 hours in port. Ports of call include: Honolulu, O`ahu;
an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kaua`i; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i;
and an overnight in Kahului, Maui.
Pride of Aloha features NCL’s signature Freestyle
Cruising, offering a diverse choice of six restaurants without
fixed dining times, resort casual dress code and relaxed disembarkation.
She also has 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools, a spa
and fitness center and conference facilities among her many
amenities. In addition, the ship features a Hawai`i museum
called the Kumu Cultural Center (Kumu is Hawaiian for source
of learning).
The 77,000-ton Pride of Aloha is a 2,000-passenger ship
and is projected to annually generate more than $275 million
in expenditures, $199 million in direct and indirect wages
and salaries, $42 million in federal tax revenues, and nearly
7,000 jobs. Once NCL America’s plans are fully implemented,
its U.S.-flagged ships are expected to generate more than
$828 million in U.S. economic activity and 20,400 jobs, according
to a recent study by one of the nation’s leading economic
consultancies.
For further information on NCL or NCL America, contact a
travel agent or NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030;
visit NCL’s web site at www.ncl.com;
or on AOL at keyword: NCL
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