Isle-style welcome for newest cruise ship

Hawai`i's newest cruise ship, the ms Patriot, recently arrived in Honolulu at Aloha Tower. The ship was greeted with an hour long Aloha Boat Days welcoming ceremony featuring hula dancers and fireboats.

Moana Chang musicians and dancers performed, leading up to the ships dedication.

The dedication itself began with the blowing of a conch shell, followed by Hawaiian prayers, a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band, a blessing and the traditional event of breaking a bottle of champagne across the ships bow.

Other highlights included Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's wife, Maggie Inouye, presiding as godmother for the event, Hawaiian chants and prayer, and the presentation of colors by the Royal Guard.

The dedication was followed by an Aloha Boat Days sendoff, and included a helicopter flower drop, fireboat spray and live music.

The Patriot offers seven-night cruises to Kaua`i, Maui, and Hawai`i before returning to Honolulu. ------ The 1,2120-passenger ms Patriot is the largest cruise vessel dedicated to cruising the Hawaiian Islands year round. American classic voyages Inc. plans to bring two new ships to the state by 2004.

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Source: American Classic Voyages Co.
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Aloha Boat Days