Norwegian Cruise Lines Raises U.S. Flag over "Pride of Aloha"

Published Jun 14, 2004 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

In a ceremony in San Francisco, executives from NCL, MARAD, and the Coast Guard raised the U.S. flag over the "Pride of Aloha." The ship was built in 1999 as the "Norwegian Sky" and formerly flew a Bahamian flag.

"Reflagging this ship is more than symbolic," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta said. "Raising the Stars and Stripes over more ships raises our maritime strength and increases jobs."

NCL said the "Pride of Aloha" will complete a series of Pacific Coast cruises in June before
setting sail to her new homeport of Honolulu.

NCL projects the ship to generate $275 million in expenditures, $199 million in direct and indirect wages and salaries, $42 million in federal tax revenues, and nearly 7,000 jobs.