Sarah Bretz, ContributorNorwegian Cruise Line has announced a total of 85 new voyages across Asia Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. They’ll take place aboard Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky from September 2024 through March 2026.
For the first time in its history, NCL will deploy the most ships in this part of the world for an extended season of voyages from 15 departure ports including 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, and for the first time, Cairns, Australia; and Lautoka, Fiji. This will also mark Norwegian Cruise Line’s first summer cruises in Asia.
The nine to 19-day voyages offer guests an average of 10 hours in port to over 60 locations, including NCL-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, the season will also feature 36 overnight port stays in Asia Pacific to 11 unique places. Some of the highlights 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; and Tokushima, Japan, where guests can savor 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, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and Melbourne. Additionally, for the first time, NCL will overnight in Bali and Lembar (Lombok), Indonesia.
Norwegian Spirit
Norwegian Spirit will debut in Asia on May 26, 2024 for a 10-day Japan cruise departing from Tokyo. 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. From December 2025 to March 2026, she will return to offer a series of 11 to 14-day journeys to-and-between Australia and New Zealand.
Norwegian Sun
This December, 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 that will depart Papeete on December 3rd.
She will operate 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 — also NCL’s first turnaround in both ports.
Sun 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, the vessel 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.
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