NCL America today announced that the Honourable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labour, has agreed to serve as Godmother of its newest cruise ship, Pride of America.

The ship is the largest US-flagged cruise ship ever built and the first newly built cruise ship to join the US register for almost 50 years. The christening is taking place in New York City on 17 June 2005.

Secretary Chao is the first Asian American woman appointed to serve in the President�s cabinet in US history.

Pride of America will begin cruising in Hawai�i in July 2005, offering 10-night fly-cruises out of Honolulu, spending a day in Hilo (Hawai�i), two days in Kahului (Maui), a day in Kona (Hawai�i) and two days in Nawiliwili (Kauai).

The 81,000-ton, purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ship joins the refurbished Pride of Aloha cruising exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands and will be joined in spring 2006 by Pride of Hawai�i.

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Notes to Editors: Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line is an international cruise company and industry innovator that has 14 ships in service or under construction and sails to more than 140 ports around the world.

For further customer information on NCL, visit NCL�s web site at www.uk.ncl.com, or dial reservations on 0845 658 8010 or contact an ABTA bonded travel agent.

For further information and photography, contact: Camilla Kirwan / Rob Atherton Flagship Consulting Tel: 020 7886 8452 / 8449 Email: firstname.lastname@flagshipgroup.co.uk

About Secretary of Labour Elaine L. Chao Secretary Elaine Chao is the US� 24th Secretary of Labour. She is the first Asian-American woman appointed to a Presidential cabinet position in US history. When nominating Secretary Chao, President George W. Bush described her as an individual with �strong executive talent, compassion, and commitment to helping people build better lives.� Other government positions held by Secretary Chao include Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U.S. Department of Transportation. She was also Director of the Peace Corps, served as President and Chief Executive of United Way of America, and was a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Secretary Chao grew up in Queens, New York after her family emigrated to the United States aboard a freighter from Taiwan when she was 8 years old to join her father. She received her M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College. Secretary Chao is married to the United States Senate Majority Whip, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.