{{Short description|Cruise ship}} {{for|the album by Charley Pride|Pride of America (album)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox ship | infobox_caption = ''Pride of America'' | display_title = ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Pride of America seen from Aloha Tower (4677840953).jpg | image_caption = ''Pride of America'' docked in Honolulu, 2010 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | flag = {{shipboxflag|United States|civil}} | name = ''Pride of America'' | owner = Pride of America Ship Holding Inc.<ref name="dnv" /> (NCL America)<ref name="equasis" /> | operator = NCL America | registry = Honolulu, {{flag|United States|civil}} | country = United States | ordered = October 6, 1998 | builder = *Litton-Ingalls, Pascagoula, Mississippi (hull) *Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany (outfitting) | original_cost = | yard_number = *7671 (Litton-Ingalls) *"Project America" (Lloyd Werft)<ref name="dnv" /> | way_number = | laid_down = October 10, 2000<ref name="dnv" /> | launched = September 16, 2002<ref name="dnv" /> | completed = June 7, 2005<ref name="dnv" /> | christened = June 17, 2005 | sponsor = Elaine Chao | acquired = | maiden_voyage = | in_service = 2005–present | out_of_service = | fate = | status = In service | identification = *{{IMO Number|9209221}} *Call sign: WNBE *{{MMSI|366994450}}<ref name="equasis">{{csr|register=E|id=9209221|shipname=Pride of America|accessdate=25 July 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2020}}</ref> | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (as designed) | type = | tonnage = {{GT|80,439}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|850|ft|m|abbr=on}} | beam = | height = 61 m (200 ft) | draught = | draft = | depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | sail_plan = | power = | propulsion = | speed = | capacity = 2,500 passengers | crew = | notes = Purchased by NCL in 2001 as an unfinished vessel following the bankruptcy of American Classic Voyages. }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (as built)<ref name="dnv">{{csr|register=DNV|id=24785|shipname=Pride of America|accessdate=7 November 2011}}</ref> | tonnage = *{{GT|80,439}} *{{NetT|50,632}} *{{DWT|8,260}} | displacement = | length = *{{convert|280.6|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} (overall) *{{convert|257.6|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} (between perpendiculars) | beam = {{convert|32.2|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} | height = 61 m (200 ft) | draught = {{convert|8.0|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} | depth = {{convert|20.07|m|ft|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} | decks = 15 | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = 6{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Wärtsilä 8L46C (6{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}8,400{{nbsp}}kW)<ref name="shipgaz">[http://www.shipgaz.com/old/magazine/issues/2005/24/2405_locked_article2.php "Pride of America": A dramatic shipbuilding saga is over] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101042420/http://www.shipgaz.com/old/magazine/issues/2005/24/2405_locked_article2.php |date=1 January 2013 }}. Scandinavian Shipping Gazette, 18 October 2006. {{retrieved|accessdate=25 July 2012}}</ref> | propulsion = *Two Rolls-Royce Mermaid pods (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}12.5{{nbsp}}MW)<ref name="shipgaz" /> *Three Rolls-Royce bow thrusters | speed = {{convert|22.2|kn}}<ref name="shipgaz" /> | capacity = 2,186 passengers<ref name="cc review">{{cite web |url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review_page2.cfm?ShipID=349 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120072114/http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review_page2.cfm?ShipID=349 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 January 2013 |title=Pride of America Review |publisher=Cruise Critic |date=30 November 2006 |accessdate=8 January 2009 }}</ref> | crew = 927 | notes = }} }}
'''MS ''Pride of America''''' is a cruise ship operated by NCL America, a division of Norwegian Cruise Lines, to sail itineraries in the Hawaiian Islands. Construction of the ship began in 2000 in the United States as part of a plan for a U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged cruise ship under Project America, but the project failed and she was eventually purchased by Norwegian Cruise Lines and completed in Germany. She was inaugurated in 2005, and was the first new U.S. flagged, U.S.-built (aside from the outfitting) deep water passenger ship in nearly fifty years since the SS ''Argentina'' of 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/shipInformation.html?shipCode=PRIDE%20AMER|title=Pride of America|publisher=NCL|accessdate=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216015105/http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/shipInformation.html?shipCode=PRIDE%20AMER|archive-date=16 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Construction and design == For much of her early build history, ''Pride of America'' was known as Project America 1; the first of a pair of 70,000-gross ton cruise ships to be built with heavy federal subsidies. Project America was intended as a means of improving the competitiveness of U.S. shipyards in constructing merchant ships, as well as creating the first U.S.-registered passenger ships of any real size in decades.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=2010-10-23|title=Archives: American Classic Voyages – Project America|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/4519-archives-american-classic-voyages-project-america.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>
The ship was intended to primarily operate in the Hawaiian islands under the revived name of United States Line, and replace the temporary MS ''Patriot'' and American Hawaii Cruises aging SS ''Independence'', both American Classic Voyages subsidiary brands.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2001-02-20|title=U.S. Lines' MS Patriot Challenges Cascade General|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/challenges-patriot319421|access-date=2021-01-08|website=MarineLink|language=en}}</ref> A letter of intent was signed on October 6, 1998, with Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi to construct two passenger ships for Hawaii inter-island service with options to build up to four additional vessels.<ref name=":2" /> The keel was laid down for ''Project America 1'' at the Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard in October 2000.<ref name=":2" /> The ship was to feature a four-deck-high atrium, a 1,060-seat dining room, an 840-seat theater, a 590-seat cabaret lounge, and a "uniquely Hawaiian" outdoor performance stage, with interiors by designer John McNeece and his company.<ref name=":4" />
The Project America program collapsed in 2001. American Classic Voyages, the parent company, filed for bankruptcy in October 2001.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Peter|first=Bruce|title=Cruise ships. A design voyage.|date=2017|publisher=Ferry Publications|isbn=978-1-911268-08-6|location=Narberth|oclc=1003587263}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stieghorst|first=Tom|title=American Classic Voyages Moves Into Bankruptcy|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2001-10-20-0110200197-story.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Sun-Sentinel.com|date=October 20, 2001 |language=en-US}}</ref> Work on the ship would be suspended on October 25, 2001, after the United States Maritime Administration decided to cease all funding for the vessels' construction, leaving the shipyard no choice but to stop production.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Work Suspended on Cruise Ship|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2001/10/22/daily62.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2001-12-05|title=AMCV Demise Sinks U.S. Cruise Building Hopes For Now|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/building-demise-cruise322134|access-date=2021-01-08|website=MarineLink|language=en}}</ref> The ship was 40 percent complete, and 55 percent erected, with 91 percent of the material having already been purchased.<ref name=":3" />
In August 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd acquired the 40 percent completed hull, along with all the materials and equipment for the Project America vessels.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Street Journal|first=Evan PerezStaff Reporter of The Wall|date=2002-08-21|title=Norwegian Cruise Line to Finish Project America Ship in Europe|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1029887496914499835|access-date=|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> The hull was towed from Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding to the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany for completion as ''Pride of America'' for their newly launched NCL America division. In the process, the ship was lengthened from {{convert|850|ft|m}} to {{convert|920|ft|m}}, increasing the gross tonnage from 72,000 to more than 80,000.
Under NCL America, the ship was initially slated for completion in 2004, but the delivery date was pushed back to 2005 after a major storm hit the Lloyd Werft shipyard in January 2004 that caused considerable damage to the vessel causing her to sink at her berth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/pride_of_america_2004_haveri.htm |title=M/S Pride of America (2004) |accessdate=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212073828/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/pride_of_america_2004_haveri.htm |archivedate=12 February 2007 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Homola (NYT)|first=Victor|date=2004-01-15|title=World Briefing {{!}} Europe: Germany: Rains Tilt U.S.-Flagged Cruise Ship (Published 2004)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/world/world-briefing-europe-germany-rains-tilt-us-flagged-cruise-ship.html|access-date=2021-01-06|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Damage assessments reveal that the ship had suffered no damage to the hull, although extensive work was required to repair and replace equipment and interior fixtures, which were submerged for more than a month. The delay caused Norwegian Cruise Line to reshuffle its fleet, and move the ''Norwegian Sky'' to the NCL America brand, renaming it ''Pride of Aloha,'' and takeover the ''Pride of America's'' original 2004 itineraries.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
''Pride of America'' was repaired, and completed sea trials in May 2005. In June 2005, it left Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Germany, passing the retiring fleet mate SS ''Norway'' (which had been used to house workers for ''Pride of America'') and sailed for New York City for its christening.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S.S. NORWAY|url=http://www.classicliners.net/SSNORWAY.html|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.classicliners.net}}</ref>
== Service history == The ship was christened at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 17, 2005, by then-United States Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao who released the traditional bottle against the ship's hull.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cruise Ship Sails Under American Flag|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4709434|access-date=2021-01-07|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> The naming ceremony was significant as the first new U.S.-flagged cruise ship in nearly fifty years, and would fly the American flag donated from the U.S. Capitol Building on its inaugural voyage.<ref name=":1"/>
The ''Pride of America's'' pre maiden voyage was an East Coast publicity cruise June 18–24, 2005, with ''Live with Regis and Kelly'' broadcasting their morning show from on board the ship. A special platform was built on top of the sports court for Regis and Kelly's morning desk. The voyage sailed from New York City, north to Boston, then headed south for stops in Philadelphia, Norfolk and ending in Miami.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Live with Regis and Kelly'' Teams Up With NCL America for a Groundbreaking Full Week of Shows on Board the New Pride of America |work = itravel magazine|url=http://www.itravelmag.com/travel-articles/live-regis-kelly-new-pride-america/|access-date=2021-01-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
The ''Pride of America'' continued its maiden voyage sailing through the Panama Canal, up to San Francisco and then over to Honolulu, where the ship joined its fleet mate, the ''Pride of Aloha.''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Norwegian Becomes American, Debuts Pride of America with U.S. Hull, U.S. Crew, U.S. Routes and All {{!}} Frommer's|url=https://www.frommers.com/tips/cruise/norwegian-becomes-american-debuts-pride-of-america-with-u-s-hull-u-s-crew-u-s-routes-and-all|access-date=2021-01-07|website=www.frommers.com}}</ref> The ship was assigned to a weekly itinerary around the Hawaiian Islands with roundtrip cruises from Honolulu, and stopping at Kahului, Hilo, Kailua Kona and Nawiliwili.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pride of America Cruise Ship: Pride of America Deck Plans |publisher = Norwegian Cruise Line|url=https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pride-of-america|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref>
''Pride of America'' entered a 14-day, $30 million dry dock on 23 March 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The ship's renovations including the addition of 24 ultra-luxurious suites (replacing the former top deck conference center and observation deck); four Studio staterooms and four inside staterooms; a Brazilian-style steakhouse; ship wide wireless internet connectivity; new carpeting throughout; flat screen televisions in all staterooms; updated décor; upgrades to the fitness center; new directional signage; renovations to the gift shop, photo gallery and art gallery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7812-pride-of-america-to-receive-major-enhancement.html|title=Pride of America To Receive Major Enhancement|first=Oivind|last=Mathisen|date=5 September 2012|publisher=}}</ref>
''Pride of America'' entered a 24-day dry dock period in February 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncl.com/press-releases/pride-america-receives-bow-stern-enhancements|title=Pride of America Receives Bow to Stern Enhancements|website=www.ncl.com}}</ref> at the BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair facility. Normally, the ship uses facilities in Pearl Harbor, but these were already fully booked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/nclh-8-drydocks-in-2016-include-pride-of-america-in-sfo.html|title=NCLH 8 drydocks in 2016 include Pride of America in SFO|first=Anne|last=Kalosh|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106100831/http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/nclh-8-drydocks-in-2016-include-pride-of-america-in-sfo.html|archive-date=6 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-2/articles.cfm?ID=521|title=Upcoming Cruise Ship Refurbishments |work= Cruise Critic}}</ref>
During the COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships, the Hawaii Department of Transportation reported on 8 April 2020 that six crew members of ''Pride of America'' had tested positive for COVID-19.<ref name="pride.hidot">[http://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/04/08/six-covid-19-cases-confirmed-on-the-pride-of-america Six COVID-19 cases confirmed on the Pride of America] State of Hawaii Department of Transportation</ref> Two of the crew members were taken to a hospital for treatment, while the other patients were isolated on board the ship.<ref name="pride.hidot" /> Another positive case was later announced, bringing the total number of cases to seven.<ref name="pride.staradvertiser">[https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/04/09/breaking-news/4-oahu-residents-to-disembark-pacific-princess-cruise-ship-at-honolulu-harbor-on-monday/ 4 Oahu residents to leave Pacific Princess at Honolulu Harbor Monday; 7 Pride of America crew members have COVID-19] Star Advertiser 9 April 2020</ref>
Following the suspension of cruise operations to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, ''Pride of America'' did not carry passengers after 14 March 2020, and docked at Honolulu Harbor, her homeport, with a complement of roughly 500 crew members.<ref name="pride.hidot" /> This number of crew was later reduced to approximately 140, most of whom are the professional mariners needed to keep the ship operational. By June 2021 she was dry docked at Vigor Industrial in Portland, Oregon with about 200 crew members.<ref name="pride.staradvertiser" /> In August, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Lines said that the ship would resume service in January, 2022.<ref>{{cite news | last =Burnett | first =John | title =Return of cruise ships still up in the air | newspaper =Hawaii Tribune-Herald | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =August 8, 2021 | url =https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2021/08/08/hawaii-news/return-of-cruise-ships-still-up-in-the-air/ | accessdate =August 8, 2021}}</ref> The first post-pandemic cruise departed on April 9, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saunders |first1=Aaron |title=Pride of America Is Sailing Again: Live From Norwegian Cruise Line in Hawaii |url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=6894 |website=Cruise Critic |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
== U.S. flagged cruise ship == A special exemption on the part of the U.S. government allowed the modified vessel and the mostly German-built ''Pride of Hawaii'' to attain U.S. registry since they had parts that were built in the United States (''Pride of Aloha'' was also given an exemption, despite being completely built in Germany).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Saunders, Aaron.|title=Giants of the seas : the ships that transformed modern cruising|date=2013|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|isbn=978-1-4738-5310-2|location=Barnsley|oclc=904209672}}</ref> Since ''Pride of America'' is registered in the U.S., she is subject to U.S. labor laws and is staffed by a mostly U.S. crew. This is in contrast to most other cruise ships, which are registered in flag of convenience countries and have mainly foreign crews. In addition, ''Pride of America'' has no casino on board, because she never leaves U.S. waters. The U.S. registry allows the ship to travel solely between U.S. ports, unlike all other foreign-flagged cruise ships that must abide by the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
The professional Deck and Engine officers on the ''Pride of America'' are represented by the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, and the M.E.B.A.'s president since 2021, Adam Vokac, had sailed as First assistant engineer on board.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
== See also ==
* List of American built passenger ships *List of current U.S. flagged cruise ships
== References ==
===Notes=== {{reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} *{{Saunders: Giants of the Seas}} *{{Smith: Cruise Ships 2010}} {{refend}}
== External links == {{commons category|IMO 9209221}} * {{Official website|https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pride-of-america}}
{{Norwegian Cruise Line}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pride Of America}} Category:Ships of Norwegian Cruise Line Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi Category:Ships built in Bremen (state) Category:2005 ships Category:Cruise ships involved in the COVID-19 pandemic Category:Passenger ships of the United States