Norwegian to Offer Some Amazing Exotic Itineraries in 2024/2025

When most people think of a cruise, they imagine a ship sailing through the beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters, but there’s so much more of the world to explore. Cruise ships have the unique ability to let people explore multiple exotic locations easily without having to pack and unpack each time they visit a new vacation. Norwegian is jumping on the trend by offering some amazing itineraries. 

Norwegian will be repositioning the Spirit, Sun, and Sky to Asia in 2024. While there, these ships will be visiting some brand-new ports of call. Adventurous guests can explore new destinations like Bahrain, the Cook Islands, Egypt, and Japan. 

“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.” -Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line

Exciting options for the adventurous cruiser

There are only so many times you can visit Nassau or Cozumel. These new itineraries offer the opportunity to see the world from the comfort of your spacious stateroom.  

If you’re ready to shake up your cruise experience and travel to new destinations around the globe, you have quite a few choices. Notable itineraries available to book as of today 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, offering 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 providing 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.

NCL’s maiden call to Bahrain, its first dedicated Middle East sailing

Norwegian will offer a seven-day Middle East cruise on Norwegian Sun 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 voyage includes visits to Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Manama, Bahrain – a first time visit for NCL; as well as Dubai and Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island southwest of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Three NCL ships to Asia for the first time

Together Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky will debut in Asia, offering an extensive eight-month season from October 2024 through May 2025, sailing country-intensive voyages in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan – including a collection of coveted Japanese spring cherry blossom and fall foliage itineraries.

For the very first time, NCL will visit Akita, Japan during Norwegian Sun’s 12-day roundtrip sailing from Tokyo, embarking on Oct. 23, 2024. Both ships will be joined by Norwegian Spirit, who will embark on a brand-new repositioning voyage from Australia to Asia on Dec. 7, 2024, followed by her first voyage in Asia on Dec. 21, 2024. 

Extraordinary Journeys

NCL’s collection of immersive journeys that take guests to lesser-visited and once-in-a-lifetime destinations will include two new back-to-back voyages aboard Norwegian Sky. 

Departing December 2024, the vessel will offer a 16-day Africa sailing to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman and more during its voyage from Dubai, UAE to Mauritius. Immediately following, she will offer a 17-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 featuring 10 ports of call, including Sokhna, Egypt – a brand-new port for NCL. Visiting Sokhna, Egypt allows for easier access to Cairo, where guests can explore the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza. 

Brand-new Australian itinerary

Norwegian Spirit returns Down Under for her third season and launches a new 14-day open-jaw voyage from Sydney to Bali via the Queensland coast in December 2024. The voyage includes calls to Cairns and Darwin, Australia; as well as an overnight visit to Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, providing more time for cruisers to enjoy this exotic destination. In addition, the ship will make the Norwegian’s first port of call to Rarotonga, Cook Islands in November 2025.

Two NCL ships departing from Haifa, Israel

In November 2024, Norwegian Sky will sail a 16-day Middle East Extraordinary Journey from Haifa, Israel to Dubai, UAE, including the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for guests to transit the Suez Canal in Egypt. Guests can also choose from an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Haifa, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey aboard Norwegian Sun. Departing May 5, 2025, the voyage will call to sought-after destinations in Greece, Turkey and Egypt.

Our take: we love the new trend of diverse ports of call

While there’s nothing wrong with a Caribbean cruise, having diverse options opens up cruising to brand-new cruisers. These new itineraries are perfect for people who are seeking adventure and international culture. 

It’s also nice to see an increased focus on the land portion of a cruise. I have a 10-night Mediterranean booked on the Norwegian Viva in May 2024, and I purposefully chose it because of its port-heavy itinerary. The 10-day cruise has nine different ports of call with just one sea day. On top of that, the Viva will be docked for as many as 14 hours. It makes for the ultimate Mediterranean adventure. Also, because of that itinerary, I convinced several friends to go who never would entertain the idea of going on a Caribbean cruise.