Norwegian Adds Exotic Destinations in 2024-2025
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced their new exotic destinations for their 2024 and 2025 season. Beginning in October 2024 and extending through December 2025, Norwegian ships will set sail for longer cruises to some of the most requested destinations.
Among these destinations are Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Read on for details of where, when and what ships will be sailing to these far corners of the earth.
Norwegian Adds Expanded and New Destinations for 2024 -2025 Cruise Season
Already open for booking, three Norwegian ships will make maiden calls at several new exotic places. Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will add Asia as a destination. Ports visited include Manama, Bahrain; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Sokhna, Egypt and Akita, Japan.
NCL Adds Inaugural Calls to Ports in Bahrain, Cook Islands, Egypt and Japan
With this new season of itineraries from October 2024 through December 2025, NCL is expanding its voyages to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand by 37%, and its new Extraordinary Journeys. This is Norwegian’s collection of immersive and port-rich destinations. This collection of itineraries reaffirms the company’s commitment to providing guests with carefully curated voyages to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.
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“Our guests are craving longer, immersive and more unique itineraries that take them off the beaten path,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “These new sailings represent the most diverse itinerary program to date and feature many brand firsts, including an extended Asia offering and new ports in Argentina, Bahrain, Japan and Egypt. Coupled with NCL’s renowned onboard experiences – from spacious accommodations, exceptional entertainment and diverse dining options that rival land-based offerings, it truly is an unforgettable way to explore the world.”
New Cruise Voyages Ready to Book Include
NCL’s First Voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina
Norwegian Star will sail a 14-day South America voyage to Brazil and Antarctica departing March 1, 2025. The cruise will offer a more immersive and port-intensive way to experience South America and cruise to Antarctica.
Embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina for this once-in-a-lifetime journey reduces the number of sea days needed for an Antarctica cruise. It will provide more port time for travelers.
During the voyage, guests cruise through Paradise Bay in Antarctica and witness the surrounding glacial mountains and local wildlife while also having the opportunity to experience the culture in Puerto Madryn, and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay; and Sao Paulo (Santos).
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NCL’s First Port Call to Bahrain
On Norwegian’s first dedicated Middle East sailing, there’s a seven-day Middle East cruise on Norwegian Sun. The cruise will depart from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) departing April 12, 2025.
An overnight stay in Abu Dhabi, UAE provides travelers with more time to explore the culturally rich destination. In addition,
the open-jaw (one-way) voyage includes visits to Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Manama, Bahrain, also a first time visit for NCL. Included are the ports of Dubai and Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island southwest of Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Three NCL Ships in Asia for the First Time
Both Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will debut in Asia, with an extensive eight-month season from October 2024 through May 2025. Countries visited include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan.
In Japan, the visit will be timed to include a collection of special Japanese spring cherry blossom and fall foliage itineraries. For the first time, Norwegian will visit Akita, Japan during Norwegian Sun’s 12-day roundtrip sailing from Tokyo.
Departure for this new itinerary begins on Oct. 23, 2024. Both Sun and Sky will be joined in region by Norwegian Spirit, embarking on a brand-new repositioning voyage from Australia to Asia on Dec. 7, 2024. The ship’s first voyage in Asia begins on Dec. 21, 2024.
Norwegian’s New Extraordinary Journeys
Norwegian Cruise Line’s collection of immersive journeys to unique destinations and less frequented port will include two new back-to-back voyages aboard Norwegian Sky.
Departing December 2024, Sky sets out on a 16-day Africa sailing to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman and more on its voyage from Dubai, UAE to Mauritius.
Afterwards, Norwegian Sky has a17-day sailing from Mauritius to Singapore with calls to Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar.
On April 19, 2025, Norwegian Sun will embark on a 16-day cruise from Dubai, UAE to Haifa, Israel. This cruise will feature 10 ports of call, including Sokhna, Egypt, a new port for NCL.
Sokhna, Egypt allows for easier access to Cairo, so guests can explore the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza.
Brand-New Australian Itinerary
Norwegian Spirit returns to Australia for a third season to begin a new 14-day open-jaw voyage from Sydney to Bali. The ship will travel via the Queensland coast in December 2024.
This new voyage includes calls to Cairns and Darwin, Australia. Plus, there’s an Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, allowing for additional time for cruisers to enjoy this exotic destination. I
In addition, the ship will make its first port of call to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in November 2025.
Two NCL Ships Will Depart from Haifa, Israel
In November 2024, Norwegian Sky will sail a 16-day Middle East Extraordinary Journey from Haifa, Israel to Dubai, UAE. This voyage will include a bucket list transit of the Suez Canal in Egypt.
Guests can also choose from an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Haifa, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey aboard Norwegian Sun. This cruise departs on May 5, 2025, and will call on ports in Greece, Turkey and Egypt.
