Pride of Hawai`i christened in ceremony in los angeles
NCL America's newest and largest ship named by the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye,
Senior United States Senator from Hawai`i
Six female crewmembers from Hawai`i christen third U.S. Flagged Vessel
Los angeles, 30 May 2006: NCL America has again made U.S. maritime history by christening Pride of Hawai`i, the largest and most expensive U.S. flagged cruise ship at a glittering ceremony in LA on 20 May. The historic presentation of this new ship continues NCL America’s dynamic revival of the U.S.-flagged cruise industry.
At the official christening ceremony, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT LIM and NCL Corporation’s President and CEO Colin Veitch were joined by the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, senior United States Senator from Hawai’i, who sponsored and named the vessel at the pier side event. The Senator was joined by six female crewmembers from Pride of Hawai’i, all hailing from the islands, who christened the ship with the traditional bottle of champagne.
Also participating in the ceremony, were Captain Paul Wiedenhoeft, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach; the Honorable Julie Nelson, Acting Deputy Administrator and Chief Counsel of the Maritime Administration; and Mike Sacco president of the Seafarers International Union and the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
The Pride of Hawai’i crew members participating in the ceremony were Jana Anguay, a singer; Shastein Colon and Monica Pratt, both room stewards; Shari An Pontin, a senior officer utility; Janhavi Cleveland, a massage therapist; and Heather Holmes, a dancer.
“Today is the culmination of our effort. This is the third and largest ship in a planned three ship U.S. flagged fleet,” said Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT LIM. “We have invested over $1.2 billion building these three world class mega ships, purpose built for our unique Freestyle Cruising and outfitted to reflect the spirit and Aloha of the Hawai’i Islands.”
“NCL has always been at the forefront of industry developments. We have done it so consistently for 40 years now that we like to think that we have created a tradition out of breaking with tradition. And today we celebrate what is undoubtedly our greatest break with tradition,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. “I’m very proud to celebrate the completion of a daring project to convert a large part of our business from the traditional model of the international cruise industry to the much more challenging and less developed model of US flag cruising”
Senator Inouye, Pride of Hawai’i’s sponsor said, "The christening of Pride of Hawai’i is the capstone of America's return to the cruise industry and I am very proud to serve as her sponsor."
Pride of Hawai’i is the third in a series of U.S.-flag cruise ships sailing under the NCL America brand and built for the Hawai’i market. At just over 93,500 tons, carrying more than 2,400 guests, and costing over half a billion dollars, sheis by far the largest and most expensive U.S. flagged cruise ship ever built, employing a crew of over 1000.
Francis Riley, General Manager NCL UK, comments, “The popularity of Hawaiian cruising from the UK is growing and we at NCL are pleased and proud to be leading the way on innovation in this market, with new ships and exclusive itineraries. We are working closely with the Hawai’i tourism body to promote the destination to cruisers from the UK and this is reaffirmed by the predominance of the NCL America product in our Hawaiian cruise programmes.”
Pride of Hawai’i features 10 restaurants, three swimming pools, family-friendly accommodations, a state-of-the-art spa and dynamic public rooms. The ship features a new style of accommodation – 10 Courtyard Villas – which along with the ship’s two Garden Villas make up the largest, most luxurious, most innovative suite complex in Hawai’i. The suite complex boasts a private courtyard and sundeck and both Courtyard and Garden Villa guests have a concierge lounge available to them.
Additionally, Pride of Hawai’i features “Bar Central,” a Martini bar, a Champagne and wine bar, and a beer and whisky pub all connected, with three distinct personalities, plus nine other bars and lounges for guests to enjoy.
Pride of Hawai’i will sail seven-day, inter-island itineraries out of Honolulu year round beginning June 5. Ports of call include Hilo, Hawai`i; an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Kona, Hawai`i; and an overnight Nāwiliwili, Kaua`i.
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Editors Notes:
For high resolution, downloadable images, please log on to NCL's website at www.ncl.co.uk/image_library
NCL Corporation Ltd. is the holding company for various subsidiary companies involved in owning and operating the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.
NCL plans to build two new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery in 2010. NCL today has the youngest fleet in the industry, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and has recently added its latest new ship, the 2,400 passenger Norwegian Gem.
Issued by Flagship Consulting
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