Norwegian Cruise Line Expands Its Presence Across Asia Pacific, With 24 New Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, launches 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); 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 the Brand’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 enjoying significant demand among Austraian and New Zealand travellers, especially Japan[1], and the Asia Pacific region set to be the primary driver of global travel growth, up 20% over 20232. With top destinations for travellers in 2024 including Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei City, Taiwan and Hong Kong2, 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 Brand-first calls to Albany, Busselton, Fremantle, Port Douglas and Townsville in Australia; Matsuyama and Niigata in Japan; Aitutaki in the Cook Islands; and Suva in 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 the iconic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle; and Tokushima, Japan, where guests can savour a wide variety of culinary specialties, learn about the town’s deep history and culture, and 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), 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, Indonesia and the idyllic island of Lembark, Lombok.

To celebrate the launch of these new itineraries, today, NCL has launched a limited-time Close to Home Sale where guests can enjoy additional savings of $500 on select Asia, Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific sailings , which is also combinable with NCL’s popular Free At Sea offer*.

“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-Pacific 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 Sept. 2024 through 17 Nov. 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 in Japan; Hong Kong; Incheon in South Korea; Taipei (Keelung) in 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.

This December, Norwegian Sun will make her Australian debut, arriving in Brisbane and Melbourne on 18 and 21 Dec. 2024, following a leisurely 18-day French Polynesia and South Pacific sailing, which departs Papeete on 03 Dec. 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 Brand 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. 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.

NCL is also inviting valued trade partners to take advantage of a new Partners First Rewards Incentive with the opportunity to TRIPLE THEIR MONEY on select Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific or Asia sailings booked and deposited during NCL’s Close to Home sale. Agents can register or submit bookings here.

*$500 savings/Close to Home offer – available for new bookings made between 23 May and 3 June, 2024, these savings apply to select cruises. Access full Terms and Conditions here.

For more information or to book a cruise with NCL, please contact a travel professional; call NCL in Australia on 1300 255 200 or in New Zealand on 0800 969 283; or visit www.ncl.com.