The ships will sail under the company's new US Flag brand - NCL America - with 100 per cent US officers and crew.

Pride of America will be the first new ocean-going passenger ship in nearly 50 years to sail under the American flag. She will begin service in Hawaii in July 2004, offering seven-night inter-island cruises round trip from Honolulu.

She will have over 660 balcony staterooms, the broadest range of family-friendly interconnecting cabins available at sea, state-of-the-art entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children's facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms, and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea. All inspired by the diverse regions of America. The ship will also include several firsts for NCL including a conservatory, a new category of family suites, a tennis court and an art gallery.

Says Colin Veitch, NCL president:

"As the first new ocean-going ship to hoist the Stars and Stripes in nearly 50 years, Pride of America has been designed to reflect many diverse parts of the country. From an Alaskan Gold Rush Pub to a New Orleans' Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge to a Hawaii-themed Aloha Cafe and Waikiki Bar, passengers will be able to experience the flavour of the US while enjoying the Aloha Spirit of the Hawaii crew on board."

Pride of Aloha, currently Norwegian Sky, is a modern 2,002-passenger ship that was the first NCL ship to offer Freestyle Cruising when the programme was introduced in 2000. She will be 100 per cent US crewed and will begin her Hawaii service in October 2004, offering three and four-night inter-island cruises round trip from Honolulu. The company will announce detailed plans of the redesign for the ship in the next few months.