Pride of America cruise ship launch

Today at 3:30 PM EST in New York, Norwegian Cruise Line will launch the Pride of America. It's the first new US flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years. You can watch the christening ceremony live on a webcast.

From June 18-24, 2005, “Live with Regis and Kelly” hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will broadcast a full week of shows (airing June 20-24) from aboard the new Pride of America, cruising the historic ports of the eastern United States on her maiden voyage. Regis and Kelly have commandeered the whole ship, giving away free cruises to 1,000 contest winners and fans. The cruise will travel north from New York to Boston, then head south for stops in Philadelphia, Norfolk and Miami.

Pride of America is the first new U.S. flagged cruise ship in a half a century and is the biggest passenger ship ever built for the U.S. registry. The ship boasts an all-American crew and celebrates a ‘Best of America’ theme, with public rooms inspired by the diverse regions of the United States.

On June 25th, it leaves on a 13-day Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Los Angeles. The Pride of America will be based in Hawaii.