Widely considered to be the greatest superliner ever built in the USA, the S/S United States was engineered to be faster, safer and more technologically advanced than anything else afloat when she was christened. To this day, her Atlantic crossing record has never been broken.

After news that S/S United States faced an uncertain future, NCL moved swiftly to purchase the vessel. NCL is now evaluating options for use of the ship under U.S. flag and determining the extent of renovations needed to convert her to a state-of-the-art, modern cruise ship. The ship is expected to offer mainland U.S. itineraries where cruise products are not currently available. The refurbishment of the hull and superstructure will be done at U.S. shipyards with the outfitting completed overseas (in Europe)?. NCL is no stranger to such projects, having converted the North Atlantic liner the S/S France into cruising’s first Caribbean megaship, S/S Norway.

“When we discovered this American icon was in jeopardy, we saw a unique opportunity and acted immediately. The ship is a classic, she was built in America and is eligible to operate in domestic service under existing law and regulation,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s president and CEO. “The S/S United States would be a phenomenal addition to our U.S. flag operation.”

On her maiden voyage, the S/S United States set an unbroken record by crossing the North Atlantic Ocean in 3 days, 10 hours and 42 minutes. Her service speed exceeded 35 knots and she was rumored to be capable of 50 knots. Designed by William Francis Gibbs, the ship is the longest Guest vessel ever built in the United States, at 990’6”, was considered an engineering marvel at the time, and held a near perfect operating schedule.

NCL also announced today the purchase of another classic, American-built ship, the S/S Independence, which until October 2001 was sailing in Hawaii but which was a victim of its owner’s post-September 11th bankruptcy. NCL purchased the vessel at auction from the U.S. Maritime Administration saving her from almost certain scrapping. The potential addition of the S/S Independence as a fifth vessel in NCL’s U.S. flag operation is being evaluated.

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April 15, 2003