NCL Takes Delivery of Pride of Hawaii

NCL Corporation (“NCL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Star Cruises Group, welcomed Pride of Hawai’i as the newest member to the NCL America fleet, with a handover ceremony at Eemshaven, Netherlands on 19 April 2006. At the onboard ceremony, Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay was joined by Colin Veitch, NCL President and CEO and Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, the shipyard that constructed the vessel.

“We are proud to take delivery of this beautiful new ship not only because she is our newest and largest U.S-flagged vessel but because she features the innovative design and the tremendous consumer appeal that have become synonymous with the Star Cruises Group,” Tan Sri Lim said. “Pride of Hawai’i is the ninth in a series of 11 such Freestyle Cruising ships delivered as part of a US$5 billion cruise ship building programme undertaken by Star Cruises and NCL since 1998.”

Pride of Hawai’i is also the third in a series of U.S.-flagged cruise ships, built for the Hawai’i market. At just over 93,000 gross registered tons, carrying 2,400 passengers, and costing over half a billion US dollars, Pride of Hawai’i is by far the largest and most expensive U.S.-flagged passenger ship ever built. Pride of Hawai’i will employ a crew of over 1,000, bringing the total seagoing workforce of NCL’s U.S.-flagged fleet to some 4,000, including those on leave.

“We are thrilled to complete our ambitious plan of bringing three U.S.-flagged ships to Hawai’i by 2006,” Colin Veitch said. “Pride of Hawai’i, along with Pride of America and Pride of Aloha, and our one international ship, will bring around half a million passengers a year to the Hawai’i Islands and not only offer an unparalleled Hawai’i cruise experience but will also help create more than 20,000 U.S. jobs and generate more than US$800 million of expenditures in the U.S. economy by the end of 2007 including over a quarter of that impact occurring in other parts of the U.S. outside of Hawai’i.”

After a series of inaugural events on the West Coast of the USA, Pride of Hawai’i begins sailing in Hawai’i on June 5, departing every Monday from Honolulu and offering the line's extremely popular itinerary with a full day in Hilo, Hawai’i; two days in Kahului, Maui; a day in Kona, Hawai’i and two days in Nāwiliwili, Kauai.

Purpose-built for NCL's signature Freestyle Cruising, Pride of Hawai’i features a vast array of accommodation including two luxurious Garden Villas with their own private gardens and sun decks, 10 Courtyard Villas sharing a private courtyard, pool and sundeck on deck 14, and a spectacular top-of-the-ship Owner's Suite. The ship also features multiple lively public rooms, 10 restaurants and impressive onboard amenities. A fact sheet on Pride of Hawai’i is attached.

NCL became a member of the Star Cruises Group in early 2000. Star Cruises is now the third largest cruise operator in the world with a combined fleet of 22 ships in service and due to be delivered, and about 35,000 lower berths cruising to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands. Star Cruises is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and traded on CLOB International in Singapore.

[ 04-20-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Below is a link to NCL's Hi-Res picture galleries of their ship. I have linked the page to POH's page. Link.

The U unfortunately must wait until PoH appears to be turning a profit. That's been the going line from NCL.

[ 04-20-2006: Message edited by: BigUFan ]

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Originally posted by BigUFan:
Quite nice. It looks like my attitude towards NCL may be changing.

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Although I've never cruise on one of the NCL newbuilds I did get to tour Norwegain Jewel.

Like 'Pride' the interiors were similar and VERY colourful, but more tasteful than they look in photographs. They certainly are not Carnival style tacky. Only the Casino 'blew my mind' - as the one does above.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I would say that NCL's newbuilds are at the forefront of modern ship design, along with RCI.

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Lets just hope this trend continues with their new class about to be announced...!

~Brian

Now they have a young state-of-the art fleet and hopefully NCL America will find its stride and an increasing number of cruisers will consider a Hawaiian Islands cruise as a fresh alternative to an increasingly over exploited Caribbean itinerary.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
However, they do need to get a grip omn the issues of food and service!

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Looks like they are one step ahead of you Malcolm!

NCL CORPORATION APPOINTS CLAUDE BOUDOUX AS VICE PRESIDENT OF FOOD & BEVERAGE