Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, has launched over 30 new port-intensive cruises across Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, for a total of 85 voyages from September 2024 through March 2026 on new-to-the-region ships – Norwegian Spirit, Sun and Sky.

For the first time in its history, NCL will deploy the most ships in this part of the world for an extended season of bucket-list worthy voyages from 15 departure ports, which includes:

• Auckland, New Zealand
• Bali (Benoa) Indonesia
• Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
• Manila, Phillippines
• Papeete (Tahiti)
• French Polynesia
• Seoul (Incheon), South Korea
• Singapore
• Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan
• Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan
• Vancouver, Canada
• Sydney, Melbourne
• For the first time, Cairns, Australia, and
• Lautoka, Fiji

This will also mark the brand’s first summer cruises in Asia, offering guests more choices to discover the diverse scenery, culture and culinary delights of the region.

Asia is of growing interest among travellers, with the Asia-Pacific region set to be the primary driver of travel growth, up 20% over 2031.

With top destinations in Asia like Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei City, Taiwan and Hong Kong in, NCL said it is living up to its commitment to deliver immersive port-rich itineraries to these cities and more.

These new nine-to-19-day voyages offer guests an average of 10 hours in port to over 60 dream locations, including brand-first calls to Albany, Busselton, Fremantle, Port Douglas and Townsville, Australia; Matsuyama and Niigata, Japan; Aitutaki in the Cook Islands; and Suva, Fiji. 

Spanning 18 months, this season will also feature 36 overnight port stays in Asia Pacific to 11 unique places.  They include:

• Osaka, Japan, where guests can explore over 1,600 temples and fascinating heritage
• Himeji, Japan, home to Himeji Castle, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site
• Tokushima, Japan, where guests can savour a wide variety of culinary specialties, as well learn about the town's deep history and culture, and even visit the Tatsue-ji Temple. 

Other overnight calls include:

• Hong Kong, where ancient traditions blend with modern marvels, making it Asia’s culinary capital
• Bangkok (Laem Chabang), home to splendid golden temples and palaces, including the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the opulent Royal Palace
• Melbourne, Australia, where guests can spend extra time exploring striking architecture, chic galleries and even encounter native wildlife at nearby parks.
• For the first time, NCL will overnight in Bali and the idyllic island of Lembar (Lombok), Indonesia

“With the increased interest in more immersive and exotic itineraries, we are excited to expand our season and offer additional ships to cater to travellers looking to uncover the most sought-out cities in the region, but also those less discovered,” said David J Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. 

“Countries in Asia Pacific provide unmatched diversity, from so many captivating cultures across Asia to island-hopping in the South Pacific and the rugged natural beauty of Australia and New Zealand. Now, with more voyages, choice of ships and departure ports to choose from, guests can curate their vacation to this region their way.”

Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Spirit will debut in Asia on May 26, 2024 for a 10-day Japan cruise departing from Tokyo. Then, in the fall, she will return for a season of nine-to-15-day voyages to Japan and Southeast Asia, from September 22, 2024 through November 17, 2025.

During this time, she will explore both well-known and off-the-beaten-path cities that invite a deeper exploration, and truly come alive after dark, such as Himeji, Osaka, Tokyo and Tokushima, Japan; Hong Kong; Incheon, South Korea; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; and Bangkok (Laem Chabang).  From December 2025 to March 2026, she will return to offer a series of 11-to14-day journeys to-and-between Australia and New Zealand.

Norwegian Sun

In December 2024, Norwegian Sun will make her Australian debut, arriving in Brisbane and Melbourne on December 18 and 21, 2024, following a leisurely 18-day French Polynesia and South Pacific sailing, which departs Papeete on December 3, and visits eight ports.

She will sail a section of 12-to-15-day voyages between Australia and New Zealand, including a new collection of Brand first itineraries to the Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific between Cairns and Lautoka, Australia, which is also NCL’s first turnaround in both ports. 

She will also sail six island-hopping French Polynesia cruises between Fiji and Tahiti and two Asia cruises through May 21, 2025.

From November 2025 to March 2026, Norwegian Sun will sail a selection of 11-to-15-day itineraries exploring Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and other highly sought out destinations in Southeast Asia.

Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Sky will debut in Asia in January 2025, offering select Japan and Southeast Asia cruises ranging from 10-to-17 days through March 2025.

Guests looking to maximise their Asia Pacific cruise adventure can take advantage of NCL’s Free at Sea programme, which delivers more value with holiday enhancing benefits including specialty dining credits, unlimited beverage package, shore excursion credits, Wi-Fi minutes and more; as well as extend their holiday with one of NCL’s Cruisetours in Auckland, New Zealand; Taipei, Taiwan; as well as Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney. – TradeArabia News Service