PRIDE OF AMERICA LAUNCHES IN NEW YORK

London 24 June 2005: Norwegian Cruise Line’s new cruise ship, the impressive 81,000 tonne Pride of America made her star-spangled debut in New York on June 17 2005, with a christening ceremony performed by the Honourable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labour.

Sailing under the company’s NCL America brand, Pride of America is the largest US-flagged cruise ship ever built and the first newly built cruise ship to join the US register for almost 50 years.

After a series of inaugural festivities across the US, including the christening ceremony in New York, Pride of America will make her way to her homeport of Honolulu, where she will begin her inaugural season cruising the waters of Hawai’i on July 23 2005.

“This is the most impressive cruise ship ever to fly the ‘stars and stripes’, and she is among the most spectacular ships in our fleet,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL. “The launch of this ship marks another first in US maritime history by NCL America, and is a testament to NCL’s innovative approach to cruising.”

Pride of America will cruise year-round on the Hawaiian Explorer itinerary from June, taking in the ports of Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona and Nawiliwili. Prices for this ten-night fly-cruise start from £1449pp.

Pride of America is the second ship to join the NCL America brand, following Pride of Aloha in 2004. When the brand’s third vessel Pride of Hawai’i joins the fleet in 2006, it will represent a total investment of $1.2billion in US-flagged ships by NCL and provide 4,000 seafaring employment positions.

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