MEYER WERFT starts production of new cruise ship

Papenburg, 16.07.2004 - The MEYER WERFT Shipyard of Papenburg/Germany today started construction of the new cruise ship Pride of Hawaii for Norwegian Cruise Line in the presence of Nils Nordh, Executive Vice President Corporate Newbuilding of Norwegian Cruise Line / Star Cruises. Nils Nordh pressed the start button of the computer-controlled cutting machine inside the shipyard´s prefabrication hall. This marks the start of production of the second in a series of two luxury liners with a length overall of 294 metres and a breadth of 32.20 metres. The vessels will have a speed of 25 knots and will be capable of carrying 2,376 passengers in more than 1,188 cabins. This new vessel now under construction will be delivered in Spring 2006. The Norwegian Jewel is the first ship out of this series for delivery in summer 2005 which is under construction at MEYER WERFT shipyard ships for Norwegian Cruise Line. These new ships for Norwegian Cruise Line will set new stan-dards in both design and technology. The cruise vessels will be fitted with so-called podded drives. The energy required will be generated by five diesel engines. The vessel will operate for the brand NCL America and will sail under US flag.