With close-to-home holidays high on the agenda right now, Norwegian Cruise Line®, the innovator in global cruise travel with a 59-year history of breaking boundaries, is inviting wine aficionados to choose from a collection of 11-day Sydney round-trip sailings featuring overnights in Adelaide and Melbourne for a more in-depth discovery of wine regions including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and the Yarra Valley.
Norwegian Spirit’s forthcoming local season offers the opportunity to combine stunning sightseeing with unrivalled choice for a ship of her size, thoughtfully designed for grown-up getaways. Providing the perfect platform for wine discovery, the departures on 12 December 2026 and 10 January 2027 on board the reimagined Norwegian Spirit® have been curated to appeal to adults with no kids’ clubs or watersides, elevated accommodation, and world-class dining. These immersive sailings offer the opportunity to enjoy wine tastings, winery luncheons and picturesque vineyard tours ashore, combined with premium wines back on board the ship at a choice of nine bars and lounges and 14 dining options, including six specialty restaurants, such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Onda by Scarpetta and Teppanyaki.
“We are constantly looking for new ways to provide our guests with more choice in how and where they cruise, and we are thrilled to offer five round-trip sailings from Sydney during Norwegian Spirit’s 2026-27 season, including several itineraries that provide wine lovers with the opportunity to indulge their passion both onboard and on shore,” said Ben Angell, VP and MD, NCL APAC.
Itinerary highlights:
Wind up 2026 and relax ahead of the festive season with the 11-day Australia: Melbourne, Adelaide & Kangaroo Island cruise departing Sydney on 12 December 2026. After sailing out of Sydney’s shimmering harbour, highlights will include the charming streets, seafood and rugged coastline of Hobart, Tasmania, where guests can take a Historic Hobart, Countryside and Wine excursion, combining city sights with a gracious country estate and wine-tasting at a premier vineyard in the scenic Coal Valley.
During an overnight stay in Adelaide, guests can indulge in the ultimate food and wine fest. Start with an afternoon wander through the world-famous Central Market, where old-school fruit and veggie vendors banter alongside gourmet foodies peddling piping-hot porchetta rolls or burrata bowls, or take a coach tour to a cultural museum, historic botanic garden and an interactive winemaking centre in the heart of the city.
The following day, choose which wine region to explore with a range of curated shore excursions. From Olives, Vines & Scenic Coast with a vineyard lunch in McLaren Vale, one of Australia’s oldest winegrowing regions, to A Day In The Barossa Valley, or combine city sightseeing with a wine-tasting with the Adelaide Hills Wine Experience in the rolling Adelaide Hills overlooking the city.
Next, nature lovers will delight in the unique scenery and wildlife of Kangaroo Island, where visitors can see dramatic rock formations, towering sand dunes, and 530 kilometres of coastline. Sample local honey from Ligurian bees or watch frolicking seals up close at Seal Bay.
Last but certainly not least is an overnight stay in Melbourne to meander the city’s beloved laneways, galleries, boutiques and botanical gardens. Make the most of the extended stay with the Melbourne’s Best Nature and Wine shore excursion, which includes a guided wine tour, insights into local winemaking techniques and a lazy lunch at Rochford in the Yarra Valley with food and wine paired to reflect the distinctive terroir. With extended time in port for deeper exploration, this 11-day sailing is an effortless way to discover Australia’s most celebrated southern destinations in a single journey.
For those who prefer to take their cruise after the busy festive period to rest and recharge before gearing up for the new year, Norwegian Spirit’s 11-day Australia: Melbourne, Adelaide & Kangaroo Island sailing departs Sydney on 10 January 2027. An idyllic balance of cosmopolitan capitals, cool-climate wine regions and natural wonders, this itinerary follows the same route but swaps historic Hobart for a day in Burnie, Tasmania. Known for its tranquil Emu Bay beachfront, Art Deco architecture and whisky distilleries, Burnie is also a foodie favourite, with the Tassie Indulgence – Cheese, Chocolate and Wine shore excursion showcasing the region’s finest fare.
With an overnight stay in Melbourne, add an exciting bonus to your journey by enjoying a day or night match at one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events, The 2027 Australian Open+, while still leaving plenty of time to explore the renowned Yarra Valley and its celebrated wineries.
Whichever date you choose, these 11-day itineraries feature five ports, extended time in port and overnight stays, perfectly balancing time ashore with a diverse range of onboard activities. Discover a vibrant lineup of entertainment, from interactive game shows and live music to comedy and stage productions, alongside opportunities to relax and recharge with fitness classes, luxurious spa treatments, and serene moments poolside at the adults-only Spice H2O retreat.
Savour more wine regions for less
Now more affordable, convenient and flexible than ever before, travellers can escape the everyday from just AUD$240/NZD$285per person per day* for the 12 December 2026 departure. Every cruise fare includes world-class complimentary dining, live entertainment, diverse onboard activities designed for relaxation and rejuvenation, access to the fitness centre, personalised service, and spacious, stylish staterooms. For even greater value – and even more wine and food indulgence – upgrade to the best value at sea in Free at Sea™ for only AU$59pp/NZ$69pp per day, and receive premium beverages, specialty dining, excursion credits and a Wi‑Fi package^.
