Sea America Dubbed Floating Conference Center

The year 2000 was another busy one for the cruise ship industry. European yards, which are filled to capacity with myriad orders of ship series from major operators - will have their hands full for the next five years. The U.S.' entrance has entered into the cruise shipping market - for the first time in more than 30 years has made headlines, as two separate contracts were signed with Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding last year for new vessels that will have the potential to shape the future of the U.S. cruise ship industry.

Known for constructing a variety of military and commercial vessels, Litton Ingalls will build two vessels for American Classic Voyages' (AMCV) new U.S. Lines. The vessels, which will be delivered in 2003 and 2004, will offer cruises exclusively through the Hawaiian Islands. Designed by the team of Tillberg Design, the ships will embody a classic Hawaiian elegance.

Litton Ingalls and Tillberg Design are also joining forces on another project for a new company called Sea America Cruise Line. Separate from the U.S. Lines project, the Sea America vessel is geared toward the traveler who opts to mix business with pleasure. Intending to be known as a floating conference center at sea, the ships will offer itineraries along the East, Gulf and West Coasts, under U.S. Registry.

Scheduled for delivery in late 2003 or early 2004, the first vessel, (which will be built according to ABS-classification standards), hopes to attract a variety of business, labor, civic and public interest groups who want to break away from typical land based conventions and meetings. Suppliers include Kvaerner Masa Marine USA and Kvaerner Masa-Yards of Finland, who will serve as principal engineering service vendor, V. Ships USA and V. Ships Monaco will provide technical support services and ABB has signed on to supply HVAC, propulsion and control monitoring equipment.