Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, launches over 24 new port-intensive cruises across Asia, for a total of 85 Asia Pacific voyages from September 2024 through March 2026 on new-to-the-region ships – Norwegian Spirit, Sun and Sky.
JAPAN Mount Fuji
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, including Auckland, New Zealand; Bali, (Benoa) Indonesia; Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand; 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 NCL’s first Northern Hemisphere 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 Southeast Asian travellers, with Japan being the most popular travel destination[1]. Among Southeast Asian destinations, Thailand emerged as the top destination, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia. With the Asia-Pacific region set to be the primary driver of travel growth, up 20% over 2023[2], NCL is living up to its commitment to deliver immersive port-rich itineraries to the world’s most sought-after destinations.
These new nine-to-19-day voyages offer guests an average of 10 hours in port to over 60 dream 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.
NCL and aerial view of Singapore
Spanning 18 months, this 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 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, Asia’s culinary capital where ancient traditions blend with modern marvels; and Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand, home to splendid golden temples and palaces, including the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the opulent Royal Palace. Additionally, for the first time, NCL will overnight in Bali and the idyllic island of Lembark (Lombok), Indonesia.
Tokyo
“In response to the strong demand for Asia as a destination, we are thrilled to launch 24 new immersive itineraries, as part of our most extensive Asia offering to date. Demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the region as both a destination and source market, NCL is now offering 85 Asia Pacific voyages from September 2024 through March 2026 across three ships and fifteen departure ports, including Bali, Papeete, Tokyo and Singapore,” said Ben Angell, Vice President, and Managing Director, Norwegian Cruise Line APAC.
Norwegian Spirit will debut in Asia on 26 May 2024 for a 10-day Japan cruise departing from Tokyo. Then, in the spring, she will return for a season of nine-to-15-day voyages to Japan and Southeast Asia, from 22 September 2024 through 17 November 2025, exploring 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) in Thailand. From December 2025 to March 2026, she will return to offer a series of 11-to14-day journeys to-and-beween Australia and New Zealand.
Fujiyoshida, Japan at Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji in the spring with cherry blossoms.
This December, Norwegian Sun will make her Australian debut, arriving in Brisbane and Melbourne on 18 and 21 December 2024, following a leisurely 18-day French Polynesia and South Pacific sailing, which departs Papeete on 3 December 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 NCL-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 21 May 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. There are also a number of different entertainment options on the cruise ship, for those who don’t want to venture out. These will be announced closer to the departure date. For those who would rather relax in their hotel, the ships have WiFi, meaning you can play games such as Solitaire, or stream movies to your television.
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.
To explore NCL’s Asia Pacific itineraries, click here.
