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June 17, 2005 – Today I had the pleasure of
attending the christening of the Pride of America. The first new US flagged
large cruise ship in almost 50 years. Ms. Elaine L. Chao - Secretary US
department of Labor, christened the ship and captured the audience with her
warmth and words. With the pull of a lever poolside, a bottle of Champaign
was released and smashed upon the hull. The actual breaking of the bottle on
the hull was broadcast live on a big screen TV on Deck 11. The TV was
installed just for the christening event. All of the festivities happened
poolside – including speeches by distinguished speakers including Colin
Veitch (President & CEO, NCL America), Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (Chairman Star
Cruises), Michael Sacco (President Seafarers International Union of North
America), Rear Admiral Thomas H. Gilmour (United States Coast Guard) and an
eloquent blessing of the ship was given by Reverend Kevin Johnson.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay spoke about his commitment to make the NCL America
brand successful in the Hawaiian Islands. Once the Pride of Hawaii is
introduced in April 2006, NCL America ships will employ over 4000 US
seafarers.
Rear Admiral Thomas H. Gilmour (United States Coast Guard) spoke about
the challenge to have the ship built overseas and assure that it meets the
US interpretation of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). He explained how the US’
interpretation is much sticker than the international interpretation. The
end product is one of the safest ships on the ocean that complies 100 % with
the US regulations.
Colin Veitch was the master of ceremonies. Mr. Veitch spoke about the
appropriateness that the Pride of America should be christened in the New
York at Ocean Liner row. He spoke about the s/s United States which last
sailed from the New York in the late 1960’s. He explained how the s/s United
States was made redundant by transatlantic flights. In addition he spoke
about how Norwegian Caribbean (later Norwegian Cruise Line) was a pioneer in
cruises from Florida, which also took passenger traffic from New York. He
stated that we made a full circle – cruising is more popular than ever and
NCL America is back in New York to christen its newest ship, which is
sailing under the US flag – The Pride of America.
In addition there was previously recorded, good wishes from New York City
Mayor Mr. Mike Bloomberg and New York Senator Ms. Hillary Clinton.
Entertainment for the event include Hula Dancers, Hawaiian music, Singers
and allot of patriotic music - National Anthem, America the beautiful. Neil
Diamond's We're coming to America was played just after the bottle was
broken on the hull.
Now to the ship….
The 81,000-ton, Pride of America has an unusual exterior profile with a
very short, stubby bow. The bow is ornately decorated with red and blue
streamers and stars that form an American eagle. The colorful hull
decoration does add to the ship’s exterior appearance and nicely breaks-up
her 920 foot white hull.
Throughout the ship there is an American Theme –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.
Restaurants themes include the
Skyline Restaurant inspired by the architecture and skyscrapers of the
1930's; the Liberty Restaurant featuring a Colonial design and paintings of
important historic moments; plus many other eateries on board.
The ship's
main lobby, the Capitol Atrium, is inspired by the Capitol Building in
Washington, D.C. is an ideal gathering spot.
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, the Soho Art Gallery and a Conservatory touting a
tropical landscaped garden.
The majority of the carpet on the ship is two tones - blue with light
blue stars (elevator banks have gold stars). The colors chosen for the
cabins and public rooms are very bright and in some instances unusual. Cabin
layouts are quiet functional and there are a number of Family/multi-room
suites. A number of the outside cabins have floor to ceiling windows that
are quite unique. I had the pleasure to inspect the Owner Suite (Room 8500)
which faces the front of the ship - with its living room, dining room,
private balcony with hot tub, separate bedroom with walk-in closet, CD and
DVD library, two TVs, luxury Bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower and
guest bathroom (oh and how can I forget) butler service and concierge
service is available. Less pricey outside cabins provide standard
accommodations which include 2 lower beds, sitting area, bathroom w/ shower
and either a porthole or picture window.
I enjoyed lunch on board the ship in the Skyline Restaurant. The
Restaurant has a Skyscraper theme. For lunch I chose the pickled Tiger
Prawns shrimp, wild cream of mushroom soup, Wheat-Crab-Avocado salad with
Mesclun Greens in a honey mustard sauce, Pacific broiled lobster tails with
Beurre Noisette and for desert the Imperial Orange Grand Mariner Cake with
Guava Sauce. Each course was delivered in a timely manner and delivered hot.
If seafood was not to your liking, there were other menu options, as well
as, the buffet in the Aloha Cafe which has something for everyone. Service
was good and the American crew was very friendly, energetic and attentive.
Not one crewmember that I met was unwilling to help and I was consistently
greeted with a smile and warm welcome, even when just passing someone in the
hallway. The Pride of America has a crew of approximately 800.
After eating a delicious meal, enjoy a vigorous or leisurely walk around
the spacious Promenade deck. This area of the ship is colorfully decorated
with Hawaiian themed wall paintings - providing artwork on one side and the
blue waters of the Pacific Ocean on the other.
The ship sailed on an overnight cruise to nowhere departing at
approximately 6:30 PM and slowly heading down the Hudson River. At
approximately 10:30 PM there will be a fireworks display by the Statue of
Liberty for the travel agents, media representatives and dignitaries
on-board. She will be departing New York on Saturday June 18, for a coastal
cruise between New York and Miami. During the weeklong cruise, the Kelly and
Regis Show will be broadcasting live from the ship. The ship will then
proceed through the Panama Canal to the West Coast and then on to her
year-round home – the Hawaiian Island. The 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.
Overall it was quiet a positive experience aboard the Pride of America
and I believe she will very quickly become a favorite among cruise
travelers. |
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Pride of America's godmother - Elaine L. Chao -copyright
NYCRUISEINFO.com
Pride of America departing NY._ Copyright NYCRUISEINFO.com
Pride of America Outside Suite Cabin - copyright NYCRUISEINFO.com
One of the Pride of America Alternative Dining Rooms
Jefferson's Bistro - copyright NYCRUISEINFO.com
Pride of America Pool Area - Copy write NYCRUISEINFO.com
Amenities
8
Restaurants
10 Bars and Lounges
3 Swimming Pools
4 Hot Tubs
Santa Fe Spa
24-hour Fitness Center
Rascals Kid’s Club
Connections Teen Club
Jogging/Walking Track
Basketball/Volleyball/Tennis Court
Golf Driving Net
The Chapel
S/S America Library
LifeStyles Room
Newbury Street Shops
Blast Off Video Arcade
Meeting Rooms & Auditorium
8 Restaurants
Skyline Main Restaurant
Liberty Main Restaurant
Jefferson’s Bistro
Little Italy
East Meets West
Steakhouse
Cadillac Diner
Aloha Café 10 Bars and Lounges
Hollywood Theatre
The Conservatory
Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub
Napa Wine Bar
Gold Rush Saloon
Pink’s Champagne & Cigar Bar
John Adams Coffee Bar
Ocean Drive Bar
Key West Bar & Grill
Waikiki Bar
US Law prohibits the ship from having a casino. |
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