NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line marked its highly anticipated return to the Asian cruise market on Thursday, October 19, with the departure of the Norwegian Jewel ship from Tokyo. This voyage signifies the beginning of an extensive 6-month cruise season in the region.
As the first NCL ship deployed in Asia in 3+ years, Norwegian Jewel has scheduled 16 itineraries, each brimming with ports of call. These itineraries will encompass 11 countries and emanate from 9 different homeports/embarkation ports. The list includes Laem Chabang/Bangkok Thailand, Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Singapore, Keelung/Taipei Taiwan, Benoa/Bali Indonesia, and Japan's Tokyo and Yokohama.
Notably, this season will also mark a historic moment for NCL as it includes a maiden port call - Incheon/Seoul Korea.
The cruise options will range from 10 to 14 days, offering passengers a chance to explore numerous destinations with an average of fewer than two days spent at sea per voyage. This design allows travelers to immerse themselves in captivating locales, spending up to 13.5 hours in iconic cities like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Additionally, some itineraries include extended overnight stays in places that truly come alive after dark, such as Phuket Thailand; Osaka Japan; and Benoa/Bali. NCL will also make its maiden visits to Manila, Boracay, Palawan, and Salomague in the Philippines, as well as Bintan Island Indonesia and Hualien Taiwan.
In the upcoming 2024-2025 season, NCL is poised to provide an unparalleled selection to travelers, with a record-setting four ships operating in the region. Alongside the Norwegian Jewel, the Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky will explore a diverse range of ports, granting passengers the opportunity to discover both renowned and lesser-explored destinations spanning Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Debuting in the Asian cruise scene, the ship Norwegian Sun will unveil a 6-month Asia Pacific season (October 2024 to April 2025) offering 13 unique itineraries, of which 4 are new. These itineraries will feature three departures from Melbourne, Australia, and a voyage from Auckland, New Zealand to Bali, Indonesia, scheduled for March 2025. Passengers will have the option to embark from departure ports including Melbourne and Sydney NSW Australia; Auckland NZ; Honolulu Hawaii and Papeete Tahiti French Polynesia, with each itinerary promising stunning scenery and experiences.
Following a successful maiden season, Norwegian Spirit will make a return to Australian and New Zealand waters for its second consecutive season from December 2023 to March 2024. It will navigate a series of popular open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland before embarking on a selection of repositioning cruises in the South Pacific. The vessel will then return to the Asian region for an eight-month season spanning from September 2024 to April 2025, departing from Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Norwegian Sky's four-month Asian season encompasses seven sailings departing from Manila, Philippines; Singapore; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Port Louis Mauritius, scheduled between December 2024 and March 2025. These cruises, which vary from 10 to 17 days, include several immersive voyages focused on individual countries, providing passengers with a deeper understanding of captivating destinations like the Philippines and Japan.
For travelers seeking a complete cultural experience, select sailings can also be combined with a three-night or four-day land exploration package through NCL's Cruise Tours, offering a comprehensive perspective of Tokyo, Taipei, and Singapore.