Press Release: United States Lines
February 1, 2001
NEW ORLEANS, LA -- There's an undeniable difference between United States Lines' ms Patriot and most other cruise
ships. It's not just that ms Patriot, at 33,930 tons and 1,212 passengers, is the largest U.S.-flagged cruise ship.
Or that it has an American staff and crew. Or that it's the newest ship sailing year-round in Hawaii, America's
paradise.
It's also because the ms Patriot is a ship with an attitude -- the spirit of aloha, generated by a staff dedicated
to helping passengers genuinely enjoy Hawaii and their cruise vacation.
This mindset comes naturally to the ms Patriot's staff and crew, experts in things Hawaiian. After all, unlike
other cruise lines' staff, they're not just passing through on their way to somewhere else -- they sail there all
year 'round on 7-night voyages that visit five ports on four islands.
The ms Patriot's passengers become experts, too, through the ship's signature Destination Learning Center and the
Kumu Study. The Destination Learning Center is an extensive collection of artifacts and resource materials about
the heart of Hawaii. The kumu is an honored teacher raised from childhood to relay the history, culture and attractions
of the islands with humor, stories and insight -- plus share a little Hawaiian language, hula dancing, ukulele
playing and lei making. Together, the Destination Learning Center and the kumu give passengers a great sense of
Hawaii and the islands they experience on any of 80 optional island explorations. The result is more Hawaii, more
adventure.
For those seeking a particular shoreside experience, the ship's Destination Services staff will create a customized
exploration package to fulfill a passenger's specific interest: fitness and adventure, eco-tourism, history, culture,
shopping or golfing (on 19 of Hawaii's famous courses). Each package is designed to make sure passengers see the
best of Hawaii's beauty, culture, history and extraordinary attractions.
Dining, always a highlight on any cruise, is treated with typical Hawaiian attention on the ms Patriot. The grand
Manhattan Dining Room offers premium American and Pacific Rim specialties on china custom-designed by the suppliers
of the original United States Lines back in the heyday of ocean crossings, in the early 20th century. Menus are
filled with art and history of the original United States Lines' fleet, plus reader-friendly information about
entrees, vegetarian specialties and the ms Patriot's Kohala Ranch Spa cuisine. A galley staff of 90 American chefs,
cooks and specialists create cuisine for the main dining room as well as the alternative Outrigger Cafe's breakfasts,
themed lunches, afternoon grill service and evening dinners. An ice cream parlor offers sweet-tooth delights, and
24-hour room service (including off-the-menu options during dining hours) keeps hunger pangs at bay.
Evening activities are a blend of the best of Hawaiian and mainland entertainment, created by the ms Patriot's
staff and a seven-member company of singers and dancers, complemented by a team of traditional Hawaiian dancers.
Hot revues, exciting cultural shows, nostalgia nights from the '60s and '70s, late-night comedy, a paniolo (Hawaiian
cowboy) party, passenger talent and lip-sync show, plus a farewell show that's a gift from the staff to their guests,
highlight the week's evening action in the two-tiered Stars & Stripes Show Lounge. Passengers also enjoy first-run
movies in the 230-seat Princess Kaiulani Theater.
But the biggest night of all is the ms Patriot's signature event: ``Madam Pele's Night of Fire and Romance,'' when
the ship passes the crimson lava flow of Hilo's Mt. Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Crew and passengers
gather on deck for a rousing recognition of Madam Pele, the volcano goddess. The festivities include an outdoor
Feast of Fire -- a volcano-themed gala buffet -- and a renewal of passengers' wedding vows, officiated by the ship's
captain. The celebration is capped by ``The Love Advisor,'' an award-winning comedian, in a hilarious late-night
comedy show.
The ms Patriot's musicians keep the dancing and listening crowd happy all week with a variety of jazz, swing, contemporary
Hawaiian and classic rock played throughout the ship's nine bars and lounges.
Daytimes are mostly island-exploring time, but for those who stay aboard or come back early, the ship has two outdoor
pools, a whirlpool and a long Lanai with comfortable wicker and rattan furniture for a relaxed view of the islands.
For those who can't exist without e-mail, there's an Internet Cafe with nine stations ready to surf.
The ms Patriot reaches out to the youngsters on board, too, with special programs and exclusive areas such as Kaleidoscope,
a kids' room, and Graffiti's, a teen center. Kids are surrounded by Kaleidoscope's sea life murals, a huge hollow
whale for playing Jonah in Hawaii, an arts & crafts area and a movie viewing area. Teens escape into Graffiti's
with its high-tech stylized surfing motifs, internet portals, video music screen, dance area and video game arcade.
When passengers aren't discovering the special ambiance of the ms Patriot's public rooms, they'll find relaxation
and a good night's sleep in the ship's 606 suites and staterooms, many with views of the Hawaiian shoreline.
Perhaps the most spectacular of accommodations is the Presidential suite -- influenced by the design concept of
a ``Pacific White House'' -- in blues and creams with cherry wood, a stone-floored foyer, Murano glass light fixtures,
blue and gold damask draperies, wet bar, study, dining area, bedroom with king-size bed and a bathroom with whirlpool
tub, glass shower and marble double vanity.
And for pampering, there's the Kohala Spa and Fitness Center, and a beauty salon with hair, skin and nail service
for women and men.
The ms Patriot's passengers are offered a variety of activities and services on board and ashore, all in an ambiance
of aloha -- Hawaiian for ``hello'' and ``love'' -- a nice way to enjoy a vacation in America's paradise.
For reservations, call your travel agent. For a complimentary full-color brochure, call United States Lines toll-free
at 877-330-6600 or visit the Web site at www.unitedstateslines.com.
United States Lines is a subsidiary of American Classic Voyages Co. (Nasdaq: AMCV), largest owner and operator
of U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed passenger vessels. AMCV's cruise lines explore the inland rivers and coastal regions
of North America, and sail throughout the Hawaiian Islands. For more information, visit www.amcv.com.
SOURCE: United States Lines