NCL's Asia return has port-intensive cruises, new destinations

'This region delivers some of the most intriguing history, cuisine and culture for travelers to discover, and we are thrilled to deliver a diverse selection of port-rich voyages. This market is important to us, and we are committed to servicing it in the long term,' NCL President David Herrera said.

16 port-rich itineraries

Norwegian Jewel will offer 16 port-rich itineraries, visiting 11 countries and sailing from nine departure ports, including Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Keelung (Taipei), Bali, Tokyo, Yokohama and, for the first time in NCL history, Incheon (Seoul).

Cruises range from 10 to 14 days with an average of fewer than two sea days per sailing, giving passengers up to 13.5 hours in destinations like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. Plus, there are extended overnight stays in places that come alive at night, such as Phuket, Osaka and Bali.

Maiden calls

NCL will also make its first calls at Manila, Boracay, Palawan and Salomague, Philippines; Bintan Island, Indonesia; and Hualien, Taiwan.

Four ships in 2024/25 season

The line will deploya a record four ships in the region during the 2024/25 season. In addition to Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will visit destinations including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia.

Norwegian Sun new Down Under and in Asia

Making its premiere, Norwegian Sun will offer a six-month Asia Pacific season, including 13 itineraries from October 2024 to April 2025, four of them new, including three departures from Melbourne, Australia and an Auckland to Bali sailing in March 2025. Departure ports include Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Honolulu and Papeete, Tahiti.

Norwegian Spirit returns

After what NCL called an 'incredibly successful maiden season' for Norwegian Spirit, the ship will return to Australian and New Zealand for its second consecutive season from December 2023 through March 2024 for open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland. It will then sail a number of repositioning cruises in the South Pacific before returning to the region for a series of 14 Asia voyages during an eight-month season from September 2024 to April 2025, departing from Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul.

Norwegian Sky bridges Asia and Africa

Norwegian Sky’s four-month Asian season features seven sailings departing from Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Port Louis, Mauritius between December 2024 and March 2025. Cruises range from 10 to 17 days and include several country-immersive voyages in the Philippines and Japan.

Select sailings can also be combined with a three-night/four-day land exploration for a cruise-tour in Tokyo, Taipei and Singapore.