When NCL America’s SIU-crewed Pride of Aloha began its maiden voyage last summer, it marked an historic occasion—the rebirth of the deep sea U.S.-flag cruise ship industry.Now, more good news is on the way as the company continues preparations for launching its second vessel, the Pride of America. Seafarers are expected to begin reporting to the vessel this month in anticipation of a July 2005 maiden voyage.
“It’s the continuation of an incredible story and another example of job growth for our union,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “If you look at where the U.S.-flag deep sea cruise ship industry was after 9-11, and compare that to today, it’s really unbelievable.”
NCL America also plans to launch a third SIU-crewed cruise ship—the Pride of Hawaii—in 2006.
Meanwhile, Seafarers will fill the unlicensed positions aboard the Pride of America, which is undergoing some finishing touches in a German shipyard. The vessel is 921 feet long with a beam of 106 feet. It features 15 decks and will have a passenger capacity of more than 2,100. The vessel’s gross tonnage is 72,000.
In promoting the new ship, NCL America described it as “a spectacular salute to the many regions of the United States with vibrant Stars & Stripes artwork on the hull. An Alaskan Gold Rush Saloon, a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge, a French restaurant inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and a Waikiki Bar are just a few of the great choices that include eight restaurants and 10 bars and lounges.”
Like the Pride of Aloha, the newer ship will offer round-trip Hawaiian itineraries. However, the Pride of America also is scheduled to offer voyages with stops in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Once NCL America’s plans are fully implemented, its U.S.-flag ships are expected to generate more than $828 million in U.S. economic activity and 20,400 jobs, according to a study by one of the nation’s leading economic consultancies.
Both the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (located in Piney Point, Md.) and its affiliated Seafarers Training Center (located in Hawaii) are providing training for NCL America crews. Both facilities offer fire fighting and safety training; the Piney Point campus also provides departmental training for non-marine personnel.
As previously reported, the curriculums are wide-ranging and include (among other topics) communication and diversity training, effective listening, team building, conflict resolution and stress management. Students take STCW Basic Safety Training and courses covering shipboard security, environmental responsibility and medical awareness. They also spend approximately one week in department-specific courses.
The NCL America curriculums blend classroom instruction with hands-on training.
An article in the Cruise Week newsletter last month that focused on the Piney Point training described the facilities as “surprisingly extensive,” the courses as “rigorous” and the students as “happy about what they were doing” at the school.
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