NCL introduces 24 new cruises in Asia, offering 85 voyages from September 2024 to March 2026, featuring extensive itineraries and multiple departure ports.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) 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.
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. 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.
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.
“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-to-14-day journeys between Australia and New Zealand.
