In an exciting turn of events, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a trailblazer in the global cruise industry with a remarkable 56-year history of pushing boundaries, is marking its long-awaited return to the Asian continent. The grand return is heralded by the departure of the splendid Norwegian Jewel from Tokyo, signalling the commencement of a six-month-long voyage extravaganza in the region.
Rediscovering Asia: Norwegian Jewel’s Journey
As the maiden ship in NCL’s impressive fleet to make its way back to Asia after a hiatus spanning over three years, the Norwegian Jewel promises an array of 16 immersive, port-rich itineraries. These journeys will take passengers to 11 different countries, departing from nine unique ports that include Bangkok (Laem Chabang) in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) in Malaysia, Singapore, Taipei (Keelung) in Taiwan, Bali (Benoa) in Indonesia, Tokyo, Yokohama in Japan, and, for the very first time in NCL’s history, Seoul (Incheon) in South Korea.
Voyage Diversity
These enchanting cruises will vary in length, spanning from 10 to 14 days, with an average of less than two days spent at sea on each voyage. This allows guests to relish up to 13.5 hours in iconic destinations like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Moreover, some of these itineraries include extended overnight stays in locales that truly come alive at night, such as Phuket, Thailand, Osaka, Japan, and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia. A remarkable highlight is the brand’s inaugural visits to Manila, Boracay, Palawan, and Salomague in the Philippines, Bintan Island in Indonesia, and Hualien in Taiwan.
A Message from the President
David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, expressed his jubilation at the return of the Norwegian Jewel to Tokyo, saying, “Today is a celebratory moment, as we return to Asia with Norwegian Jewel’s arrival to Tokyo. We pride ourselves in delivering the best vacation experience and providing endless opportunities for our guests to explore the world, including Asia! This region delivers some of the most intriguing history, cuisine, and culture for travellers 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.”
A Pledge to Asia
Reinforcing the company’s commitment to Asia, both as a source market and a destination, NCL will deploy a record four ships in the region during the 2024/25 season, ensuring travellers have unparalleled options. Alongside the Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky will also grace Asia’s shores, offering guests the chance to explore both iconic and lesser-known destinations. These include Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Norwegian Sun’s Debut
In an eagerly anticipated debut, the Norwegian Sun will present a thrilling six-month Asia Pacific season from October 2024 to April 2025. This includes 13 exotic itineraries, four of which have never been offered before. Notable among these are three departures from Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand, to Bali, Indonesia sailing in March 2025. Departure ports will be in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, Honolulu, and Papeete, French Polynesia, all featuring itineraries that showcase the breathtaking scenery of each bucket-list-worthy destination.
Norwegian Spirit’s Return
After a remarkably successful maiden season, Norwegian Spirit will return to Australian and New Zealand waters for its second consecutive season from December 2023 through March 2024. It will offer a series of popular open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland, followed by a range of repositioning cruises in the South Pacific. The ship will then return 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.
Exploring with Norwegian Sky
Norwegian Sky embarks on a remarkable four-month Asian season, with seven sailings departing from Manila, Philippines, Singapore, Taipei, Taiwan, Tokyo, and Port Louis, Mauritius, scheduled between December 2024 and March 2025. These sailings range from 10 to 17 days and include several country-immersive voyages, providing a deeper discovery of fascinating destinations such as the Philippines and Japan.
For travellers who yearn to fully immerse themselves in the destination, select sailings can also be combined with a three-night or four-day land exploration through one of NCL’s Cruise Tours in Tokyo, Taipei, and Singapore.
This exciting return to the Asian waters by Norwegian Cruise Line signifies a new era of exploration and adventure, delivering a diverse range of experiences to travellers eager to discover Asia’s rich history, delectable cuisine, and captivating culture. With NCL’s unwavering commitment to this vibrant region, the future of cruising in Asia has never looked brighter.
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