Do they exist? (Even Disney Cruisers fly the flag of The Bahamas) Does US Homeland Security have "sea marshalls" that sail with foreign flagged ships? Even ships that sail from Capetown S.A. to Australia? Anyone? Thanks in advance.
I know it was you, FREDO -- you broke my heart -- you broke my heart!
I know at least some NCL ships around Hawaii sails with American flags, namely Pride of Aloha, Pride of America, and Pride of Hawaii coming next year. The U.S. flag means it can travel directly from U.S. port to U.S. port, unlike most ocean liners, which are registered in foreign countries. It's a status the US government has to grant you.
I don't know enough about it, but it's kind of hard to imagine cruise ships around Indian ocean can fly Amercian flags. I know if not all ports are American, it's not likely the cruise would get to fly the flag.
The "flagging" of merchant vessels all depends on where the company registers the ship. If the ship is registered in the U.S., however, you must crew it with americans, which got so expensive that most companies register in the Bahamas, Panama, etc. Liberia used to be a favorite, and that country didn't even have the proper harbor facilities for most ships.
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