A whole raft of new ships taking to sea

THE seas are awash in new ships this spring.

Pride of Hawaii, christened last week in the Port of Los Angeles, will join NCL America’s fleet of two U.S.-flagged ships sailing the Hawaiian Islands. It will begin seven-day sailings from Honolulu on June 5, stopping in Hilo and Kona on the Big Island; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili, Kauai.

The ship, which can carry more than 2,400 passengers, is NCL America’s largest and most expensive, costing more than $500 million. Info: (800) 327-7030, www.ncl.com.

Now reigning as the world’s largest cruise ship is Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas, which made its debut this month. The ship weighs 160,000 gross registered tons, is 208 feet tall and 1,112 feet long and holds 3,634 passengers, two to a cabin.

But it’s not only the ship’s size that’s making a splash. Consider some of its bells and whistles: a surfing simulator, whirlpools that hang high off the ship, a skating rink and a boxing ring.

The ship will offer seven-night sailings in the western Caribbean, starting in Miami and calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and the line’s private port in Haiti. Info: (866) 562-7625, www.royalcaribbean.com.

Princess Cruises will launch the Crown Princess at Brooklyn’s new cruise terminal on June 14. The new 3,080-passenger ship, which will have a kids-free zone called the Sanctuary, will sail from New York to the Caribbean for the summer, also calling at Bermuda and the Turks & Caicos, among other ports. Info: (800) PRINCESS (774-6237), www.princess.com.

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Handy help for young travelers

IF you are 13 to 30 years old and traveling, whether for school or just to wander, there’s a new travel card for you.

The Tripplus Travel Card works as a preloaded Visa debit card that can be used to get cash at ATMs, but it comes with added perks. It can be used as a phone card, it carries Travel Guard International travel insurance and 24-hour travel information and emergency telephone assistance, and it offers online document and information storage, which may help speed replacement of a lost passport.

The card is the idea of Nick Thomas, a former president of the youth-oriented travel agency STA. “Nick has always wanted to help young travelers maximize their travel experiences while minimizing the worry, hassle and expense often associated with hitting the road,” said Jenny Thomas, vice president of sales of the Studio City-based company.

Three cards have varying levels of services and insurance coverage. The basic card costs $25, the Xtra $45 and Pro $70. Cards are valid for one year and on multiple trips abroad or in the U.S. A young traveler or his or her parents can upload funds for the debit/phone card online, and there is no minimum balance, Jenny Thomas said. Some service fees and banking transaction fees are extra.

More details are available from (866) 690-6864, www.tripplus.com.

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TKTS booth is on the move

NEW York City officials are building a new booth for TKTS, which sells half-price, same-day tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows.

During the renovation, the discount ticket booth, operated by the Theater Development Fund, has relocated from its Father Duffy Square location at Broadway and 47th Street to West 46th Street outside the New York Marriott Marquis hotel at 1535 Broadway.

The fund also operates a TKTS booth at South Street Seaport at Front and John streets.

City officials hope to complete a new booth at Father Duffy Square by the end of the year.

The Associated Press

-- Compiled by Vani Rangachar

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Her World

Susan Spano is on assignment. The Her World column will resume next week.