NEW ORLEANS -- American Classic Voyages began construction of the
first of its two planned 1,900-passenger, 72,000-ton ships at the
Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., during the Independence Day
weekend.
The ship, which will sail the Hawaiian Islands under the United
States Lines brand, is slated to enter service in 2003 as the first
major cruise ship built in the U.S. since the 1950s.
Ingalls also will build its sister ship, which is scheduled to
debut in 2004. The $1.4 billion contract also includes an option
for a third ship.