'Independence'

'SS Independence' To Embark Upon 1,000th Voyage

Landmark Cruise Heralds Entrance Of New U.S.-Flag Vessels Into Domestic Trades

The SS Independence, currently the only U.S.-flag deep-sea cruise ship in operation, was to have made its 1,000th voyage Aug. 14, 1999. The Independence won't be alone for long--American Hawaii Cruises plans to bring a second U.S.-flag cruise ship into the Hawaiian trades in 2000.

      The SS Independence, manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, was to have marked 20 years of cruise service in the Hawaiian Islands Aug. 14, 1999, with its 1,000th voyage.
      "Voyage 1,000 is an opportunity to note the promising potential of cruising for Hawaii," said T.E. Carman, Executive Vice President of American Hawaii Cruises.
      "Our parent company has contracted for the construction of two new state-of-the-art cruise ships carrying up to 1,900 passengers each, which are scheduled to start service in Hawaii in 2002 and 2003," Carman said. "We expect before the end of the year to have a second ship with 1,200 to 1,500 passengers joining the Independence, making the same weekly circuit of the islands."
      The 1,000th voyage of Independence, the only remaining U.S.-flag deep-sea cruise ship, marks the beginning of a prosperous era in U.S. cruise tourism.
      As noted by Carman, the company that owns the Independence is currently building two 1,900-passenger deep-sea cruise ships at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi for operation in the Passenger Vessel Services Act trades. The company, American Classic Voyages (ACVC), will also acquire a foreign-built cruise ship and re-flag it under U.S. registry for operation amidst the Hawaiian Islands alongside the Independence.
      ACVC subsidiary Delta Queen Coastal Cruises recently contracted with a shipyard in northern Florida for the construction of two smaller U.S.-flag vessels as part of an eventual series of five. These ships will operate along U.S. coastlines and rivers, also under the Passenger Vessel Services Act.
      Additionally, ACVC subsidiary Delta Queen Steamboat Company recently acquired its fourth cruise vessel for operation in the Pacific Northwest.

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