NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line will become the first major cruise company to seasonally homeport in Panama City (Fuerte Amador), in March 2022, under a deal providing Norwegian with Panama Canal transit benefits.
NCL's Norwegian Jewel will launch a series of twelve Panama Canal sailings on March 20, 2022, offering 9-day itineraries traversing the canal and visiting Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Oranjestad (Aruba Island, Dutch Antilles), Willemstad (Curacao Island, Dutch Antilles), Kralendijk (Bonaire Island, Dutch Antilles), Cartagena (Colombia), and ending in Colon (Panama's Caribbean coast).
NCL's parent company (NCLH-Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings) signed a multi-year agreement with the Panama Tourism Authority, allowing seasonal homeporting at Colon Cruise Terminal and at Fuerte Amador Cruise Terminal on the Pacific side of the country adjacent to Panama City.
The contract provides NCLH with Panama Canal transition benefits from 2022 through 2024 while operating homeport turnarounds.
In addition to the twelve homeport cruises in 2022, starting January 14, 2023, Norwegian Gem will offer Panama Canal cruises and Norwegian Joy will sail from Panama City in December 2023.
According to Harry Sommer (NCL's CEO), part of the company's mission was "to create unforgettable experiences in some of the most special places around the world."
"This new agreement enables nearly 24,000 guests to experience the beauty of Panama each year."