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Christening Set for 2nd NCL America Ship

June 2005

The Seafarers-crewed Pride of America—the second vessel in NCL America’s fleet—is scheduled for christening June 17 in New York City, signaling more new jobs for SIU members. The ship has been in the news a lot lately, largely because it is the first new deep sea U.S.-flag cruise ship in half a century and is the biggest passenger ship ever built for U.S. registry (921 feet long, with 15 decks and a passenger capacity of more than 2,100). But the Pride of America also grabbed headlines when NCL America announced that the popular television show “Live with Regis and Kelly” would broadcast a full week of shows (airing June 20-24) from aboard the ship. Last month, the vessel successfully was floated out at a German shipyard. It subsequently was scheduled for four days of sea trials, which in part were to focus on testing this ship’s diesel-electric propulsion system. As previously reported, Seafarers who are filling the unlicensed positions aboard the NCL America vessels are completing courses at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. and at its affiliated Seafarers Training Center in Hawaii. These facilities offer a range of key classes including fire fighting and safety training. A recent article about NCL America training on the consumer web site Cruise Critic noted, “The facility at Piney Point may look like a summer camp, with ponds, wooden signs, trees and grass. But a look beyond the surface will reveal an environment that’s all business, with an operational culinary lab, and state-of-the-art bridge and engine simulators…. And I’ve got to say that knowing my cabin steward or favorite bartender could save my life certainly puts my mind at ease.” A third NCL America ship—the Pride of Hawaii—is on schedule for a 2006 launch, joining both the Pride of America and the Pride of Aloha, which began sailing in 2004. In a news release announcing that the morning talk show with Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will take place aboard the Pride of America, NCL America noted that the TV personalities “have commandeered the whole ship, and are giving away free cruises to 1,000 contest winners and fans….” Contest details are available on the internet at www.liveregisandkelly.com. ###