NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 18 -- From the moment the new United States
Lines(R) introduced its first ship, the 1,212-passenger ms Patriot, in
Honolulu on Dec. 9, 2000, a star-spangled tradition was born -- one befitting
the largest American cruise ship and the first major ocean-going passenger
vessel to be registered in the United States in more than 40 years.

Roderick K. McLeod, president and chief operating officer of the parent
company, American Classic Voyages Co. (Nasdaq: AMCV), says, "Every American
flag that flies over the ms Patriot during her weekly Hawaii cruises is not
simply a new, out-of-the-box flag, but one that has flown over the nation's
Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Stars and Stripes reflect our commitment to
providing high-quality, all-American cruise vacations and revitalizing the
U.S.-flag cruise industry."

The ms Patriot departs every Saturday night from Honolulu, Oahu, and cruises
to five ports on four islands in seven days including Nawiliwili, Kauai;
Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; and Kona, Hawaii; returning to Honolulu the
following Saturday. Passengers can choose from among 80 optional island
experiences featuring the beauty, adventure and culture of Hawaii.

In addition to the ms Patriot, United States Lines currently has two
1,900-passenger vessels under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division
of Litton Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss. The 72,000-ton cruise ships -- the
largest ever built in a U.S. shipyard -- will enter service in Hawaii in 2003
and 2004.

For United States Lines reservations, contact your travel agent. For a
complimentary, full-color brochure and more information, 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., the
largest owner and operator of U.S.-flag, U.S.-crewed passenger vessels. Other
AMCV 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.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit the following Web sites for press kits, press
releases and high-resolution, downloadable photos:
www.unitedstateslines.com,
www.amcv.com./