Norwegian Cruise Line has announced over 30 new port-intensive cruises across the Asia Pacific region, 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.
This marks the most ships ever deployed by NCL 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.
The new schedule also marks NCL’s first summer cruises in Asia, offering guests more choices to discover the diverse scenery, culture and culinary delights of the region.
NCL says Asia is of growing interest among travellers, with the Asia-Pacific region set to be the primary driver of travel growth, up 20% over 2023. Top destinations for 2024 include Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei City, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and NCL will deliver immersive port-rich itineraries to these cities and more.
New nine-to-19-day voyages offer guests an average of 10 hours in port to over 60 locations, including first-time calls to Albany, Busselton, Fremantle, Port Douglas and Townsville, Australia; Matsuyama and Niigata, Japan; Aitutaki in the Cook Islands; and Suva, Fiji.
JP Osaka Castle pond during the day. (Photo Credit: Goway Travel/Taras Vyshnya/Adobe Stock)
Spanning 18 months, the season will also feature 36 overnight port stays in Asia Pacific at 11 ports. 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 savour a wide variety of culinary specialties, as well learn about the town's deep history and culture.
Other overnight calls include Hong Kong, Bangkok (Laem Chabang) and Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, for the first time, NCL will overnight in Bali and the idyllic island of Lembar (Lombok), Indonesia.
“Our company is committed to delivering more opportunities for our guests to explore the world with remarkable vacation experiences…and having lived in Asia with my family, I can attest to it being one of those unforgettable places,” said NCL president David J. Herrera.
“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.”
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 Sept. 22, 2024 through Nov. 17, 2025. 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.
This December, Norwegian Sun will make her Australian debut, arriving in Brisbane and Melbourne on December 18 and 21, 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. 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 destinations in Southeast Asia.
PHOTO: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky. (photo by Jason Leppert)
In addition, 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 maximize their Asia Pacific cruise adventure can take advantage of NCL’s Free at Sea program, as well as extend their vacation with one of NCL’s Cruisetours in Auckland, New Zealand; Taipei, Taiwan; as well as Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney.
To explore NCL’s Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand itineraries, click here.
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