Sea Princess Discount And Cruise Review

First Glimpse
Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, now in relatively final stages of construction at a German shipyard, may well be one of the mostly highly anticipated new ship debuts of the 21st century.


The ship was originally designed by now-defunct American Classic Voyages, which aimed to build the first ship in half a century in a U.S. shipyard. The significance, beyond the patriotism, was that a vessel waiving a U.S. flag (and thus able to avoid Jones Act-related calls to foreign ports) could sail all-Hawaii itineraries. Alas, the company, following the devastating financial impact of September 11, filed bankruptcy and the ship's hull lay, only partially built, in a U.S. shipyard.

NCL ultimately snapped up the unfinished ship, meant to serve as its flagship in Hawaii, and barged its hull to a German shipyard. Work progressed until yet another tragic occurrence -- a severe storm in early 2004 at Lloyd Werft's Bremerhaven shipyard swamped the vessel. Pride of America was flooded up to the third deck, listed 15 degrees and sank to the bottom of the shallow 11-meter deep water-bed.

As a result of this -- and other difficulties, such as the shipyard's bankruptcy following -- Pride of America's debut was delayed for nearly a year. The good news? It's definitely on track for its June 2005 premier.

Pride of America is the first new-build ever to be created specifically for Hawaii -- which means that design elements take that state's fabulous weather and scenery into consideration. Balcony cabins are plentiful (and affordable) and there are more options than usual for dining al fresco.

The ship will sail seven-night, all-Hawaii itineraries from its home port in Honolulu on a year-round basis. Ports of call include Maui, Kauai, and two stops on the "Big Island" -- Kona and Hilo.