NCL releases name of Godmother for the "Pride of Aloha"

[Molokai-Chuck]

The following was posted on NCLs web-site under news.....



MARGARET INOUYE TO SERVE AS GODMOTHER OF NCL AMERICA'S PRIDE OF ALOHA

First U.S. Flagged Ship in NCL America Fleet To Be Christened on Independence Day

Miami, Fla., May 28, 2004 - NCL America today announced Margaret Awamura Inouye will be the Godmother of Pride of Aloha. As a leader in the Hawai'i community who embodies the islands' charm, warmth and character, Mrs. Inouye will christen NCL America's first U.S. flagged ship at a ceremony in Honolulu on July 4, 2004.

"Mrs. Inouye personifies Hawai'i's welcoming spirit and is the perfect Godmother for the Pride of Aloha," said Colin Veitch, NCL America's president and CEO. "The Inouye family has a long history supporting the U.S. maritime industry, and thanks to their support, NCL is now able to show travelers the best of Hawai'i aboard a seven-day, inter-island U.S.-flagged cruise ship staffed by U.S. seafarers."

"For all of the similarities our islands share, there are just as many differences which make island-hopping extraordinarily enticing," said Mrs. Inouye, wife of Hawai'i Senator Daniel K. Inouye. "NCL America's Pride of Aloha not only offers an unparalleled Hawai'i cruising experience, but also creates new U.S. jobs and helps attract more visitors and tourism dollars to Hawai'i. I am honored to be the Godmother of Pride of Aloha, and to help share our paradise with travelers from around the world."

NCL America's Pride of Aloha will be the first modern U.S.-flag cruise ship in almost 50 years. Beginning July 4, 2004, the ship will sail seven-day, round-trip Hawai'i itineraries, visiting all four main islands and giving passengers up to 96 hours in port. Ports of call include: Honolulu, Oahu; an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; and an overnight in Kahului, Maui.

Consistent with the long history of exceptional goodwill in the Hawai'i community, NCL America is hosting an overnight fundraiser cruise on July 3, 2004 to benefit five Hawai`i-based charities. All ticket revenue from the gala cruise will benefit Bishop Museum, Child and Family Service, Ready to Learn, The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial.

As a result of a multimillion-dollar transformation, the 77,000-ton, 2,000-passenger Pride of Aloha features a "Best of Hawai'i" theme throughout. In fact, there are several aspects of Pride of Aloha, which together, deliver a unique Hawai'i cruising experience:

• A U.S. crew hailing mostly from the Hawai`i islands provides guests with a warm, friendly "Aloha Spirit;"

• An overall design which captures the essence of Hawai`i's many rich and diverse elements. As soon as passengers board the Pride of Aloha, they will experience a vibrant and colorful world of flora, fauna and water-inspired details;

• The Kumu Cultural Center (Kumu is Hawaiian for source of learning), designed with a quiet and warm elegance, is available as an area of learning, for meetings and as a gathering place.

[ekistics22]

MolokaiChuck: Thanks for posting this. This is good. I am getting excited about sailing on this ship, even though our sail date is months away at Sept. 5, 2004.

CCL Ecstasy, Dec98, W. Carib.; CCL Imagination, Dec99, E. Carib.; CCL Fascination, Dec00, "Dutch Treat"; CCL Destiny, May01, So. Carib.; CCL Destiny, Dec01, So. Carib.; CCL Victory, Dec02, E. Carib.; NCL Majesty, Jun03, Bermuda; CCL Conquest, Dec03, W. Carib.; Gonna sail NCL Pride of Aloha, Sep04, Hawai'i; RCI Monarch of the Seas, Dec04, Baja Mexico