1st Newly Built U.S.-Flag Ship in Nearly 50 Years!

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I received this press release from NCL America and thought it would be
of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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NCL America to Inaugurate Largest Ever and First Newly Built U.S.-Flag
Ship in Nearly 50 Years - Pride of America

Travel Agents and American Public Can View Historic Event Via Live
Webcast

MIAMI June 15, 2005
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,
http://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
http://www.real.com/player and Windows Media can be downloaded for
free http://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.

NCL America is one of three brands under NCL Corporation (NCL), an
innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a
fleet of 16 ships in service and under construction. The corporation
oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and
Orient Lines. For further information on NCL or NCL America, please
contact your travel professional.