The Pride of Hawai'i, NCL America's largest U.S.-flagged ship, arrived in Nawiliwili, Kaua'i, yesterday for its first visit to a Hawai'i port.

The cruise ship rounds out NCL's fleet of three vessels to sail seven-day cruises around the Islands.

It follows the Pride of Aloha, which started cruising the Islands in 2004, and the Pride of America, which launched interisland cruises last year.

Costing more than $500 million, the Pride of Hawai'i is the most expensive U.S.-flagged passenger ship built, NCL said.

The ship can carry more than 2,400 passengers and will employ a crew of about 1,000.

The Pride of Hawai'i will arrive in Honolulu on Saturday and will begin sailing interisland cruises year-round next Monday. Ports of call include Hilo and Kona on the Big Island; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili.

NCL Corp. is also bringing in a larger ship next year, the Norwegian Sun, to replace the Norwegian Wind on its 10- and 11-day Hawai'i cruises that include a stop at Fanning Island.

With the four ships, NCL said it expects to bring about 450,000 passengers to Hawai'i in 2007.