NCL cruises planning on building 2 new ships

[Jason]

NCL plans to build two new ships

Norwegian Cruise Line is finalizing agreements to build two new ships, total cost $1 billion, that would start service in summer 2007.

The ships are intended to replace NCL's six ships that will be transferred to its parent Star Cruises between 2005 and 2008. This is in addition to the two new ships that are expected to join its Hawaii service over the course of 2005 and 2006.

NCL plans to have one ship built by Meyer Werft in Germany and another by Aker Finnyards in Finland. The German ship will be a replica of its Norwegian Jewel that is scheduled for delivery next August. The Finnish ship will be modeled after the Norwegian Star, which offered freestyle cruising in Hawaii. The design also includes a balcony for every stateroom.

With these additions, NCL would have added nine new ships to its fleet since 2000 at a cost of $3.75 billion. The Pride of Hawaii, being built in Germany and which will enter Hawaii service next year, is one of them.

[Dan]

Pride of Hawaii? Might they have meant Pride Of America, or is this another new name? Also, the Aker ship will have a balcony on all outside cabins, but there will still be inside cabins on this ship.

[ssatterly]

cool a balcony for every stateroom....

[TVLady2]

Hope one of the new ships sails out of New York. Ive been on the NCL Dawn 3 times now. booked for 2 more for next year, so Ill be ready to try the new one by then.