NCL has announced plans for the Project America vessel acquired in August 2002, alongside an expansion of operations in Hawaii.

This follows new US legislation which includes a provision for US registered ships to sail within the Hawaiian Islands without having to include a foreign port of call.

The legislation means that the unfinished ship (and materials to construct a second ship) bought from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) as part of Project America, will sail around Hawaii under a US flag with 100% US crew, joining NCL’s existing ship in the area.

NCL will be the first company to sail an ocean-going cruise Guest ship under US flag in Hawaii for almost 50 years. The expansion of operations by NCL in Hawaii looks set to generate more than $800 million in economic benefits including around 20,000 jobs.

The first Project America ship will be in operation by early 2004. After completing a series of introductory cruises on the way from the shipyard to her homeport of Honolulu, the ship will offer regular itineraries in Hawaii by Summer 2004.

As part of an agreement with Lloyd Werft of Bremerhaven, Germany, the design of the first Project America vessel has been modified for Freestyle Cruising and original environmental and safety specifications have been upgraded. The new ship will feature open-seating main dining rooms, nine restaurants, over 700 private balcony staterooms, state-of-the-art entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children’s facilities and spacious public rooms.

The announcement reinforces that NCL is on target to fulfil its goal of adding one ship per year to the fleet since 2002.

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March 4, 2003