Travel Agents and American Public Can View Historic Event Via Live Webcast On June 17, 2005, NCL America will inaugurate the largest U.S.-flagged ship ever built and the first newly constructed cruise ship to join the U.S. register in nearly 50 years, Pride of America.
Travel agents and the American public will have the opportunity to have a front row seat at this historic nautical event during a live webcast as the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, christens the all-American vessel at an official onboard ceremony.
Pride of America is a spectacular salute to the diversity of the United States and is designed to represent the best of America. As a U.S.-flagged ship, Pride of America also has the freedom to sail between U.S. ports of call without the need to include foreign ports, and will provide guests with the unique experience of a U.S.-based crew. In July, Pride of America will join Pride of Aloha in sailing the islands of Hawai`i
To view the celebratory events, visit NCL’s Web site, www.ncl.com, and click on the http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=29212 link at 3:30 p.m. EDT to see the stars and stripes of Pride of America and witness her glorious debut. Additional festivities at the ceremony will include traditional Hawai`i island entertainment featuring hula dancers, singers and presentations from the United States Coast Guard, the Seafarers International Union and the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO.
Web users will need to have access to the latest version of RealPlayer or Windows Media on their computer in order to link to the ceremony. RealPlayer may be downloaded free in advance through RealNetworks at www.real.com/player and Windows Media can be downloaded for free www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia.
“NCL has long been deemed an industry leader, breaking the conventional model for cruising. This week, NCL America is proud to introduce 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. “The presentation of this new U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed ship is truly a milestone for NCL and the cruise industry.”
Representing some of the United States’ proudest assets, Pride of America is a tapestry of Americana, including vibrant stars and stripes hull artwork, a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge, Alaskan Gold Rush Saloon, Napa Wine Bar, Capitol Atrium, Santa Fe Spa and Fitness Center, Newbury Street Shopping area, Washington Library and the ship's Hollywood Theatre.
In addition to offering NCL’s signature Freestyle Cruising and superior customer service, the vessel also features several firsts for NCL including an onboard tennis court, a new category of Family Suites, the Soho Art Gallery and a Conservatory touting a tropical landscaped garden.
After a series of coastal sailings, Pride of America will arrive in her homeport of Honolulu on July 23, 2005 where she will begin offering a unique itinerary no other cruise line can deliver. As the first new ocean-going passenger ship in nearly half a century to sail under the U.S. flag, Pride of America will visit all four main islands in one week-long itinerary and offer passengers up to 100 hours in port, more than any other cruise line sailing the islands. The seven-day cruises from Honolulu will feature a day in Hilo, Hawai’i; two days in Kahului, Maui; a day in Kona, Hawai’i; and two days in Nawiliwili, Kaua’i.
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NCL America today announced that the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, has graciously agreed to serve as Godmother of its newest cruise ship, Pride of America. The ship is the largest U.S. Flagged cruise ship ever built and the first newly built cruise ship to join the US register in half a century. Secretary Chao will christen Pride of America in a ceremony aboard the ship in New York City on June 17, 2005.
“Secretary Chao came to this country as a young immigrant, speaking no English, when she was eight years old. Today, she is the first Asian American woman appointed to serve in the President’s cabinet in history and has shown what can be accomplished in America with hard work and determination,” said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation’s president and chief executive officer. “She is an inspiring and accomplished leader who we are very proud to have serve as Godmother of Pride of America.”
Pride of America employs 100 percent U.S. officers and crew and will generate millions of dollars for Hawai`i and the U.S. economy.
“The Pride of America is the first newly constructed ocean going U.S.-flagged cruise ship in 50years,” Secretary Chao said. “It will provide thousands of jobs for American workers.”
The 81,000-ton Pride of America is NCL America’s second U.S.-flag ship, joining Pride of Aloha which began inter-island Hawai`i cruising in July 2004. Pride of Hawai`i, NCL America’s third U.S. Flagged cruise ship will be delivered in 2006. Once all three U.S.-flag cruise ships are operational, employing nearly 4,000 American seafarers, NCL America will be the largest private employer of U.S. merchant mariners in the nation.
About Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Secretary Elaine Chao is the nation's 24th Secretary of Labor. She is the first Asian-American
woman appointed to a Presidential cabinet position in U.S. history. When nominating Secretary Chao, President George W. Bush described her as an individual with “strong executive talent, compassion, and commitment to helping people build better lives.”
Other government positions held by Secretary Chao include Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U.S. Department of Transportation. She was also Director of the Peace Corps, served as President and Chief Executive of United Way of America, and was a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation.
Secretary Chao grew up in Queens, New York after her family emigrated to the United States aboard a freighter from Taiwan when she was 8 years old to join her father. She received her M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College. Secretary Chao is married to the United States Senate Majority Whip, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Source: NCL Website
[ 06-15-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]