For the first time ever, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) adds Haifa, Israel’s most prominent international seaport, as a homeport for Norwegian Epic, with a debut scheduled for November 2022. The vessel will offer more 11 to 12-days Mediterranean sailings to and from Haifa and Civitavecchia (Rome), starting November 2023, stopping at beautiful ports of call such as Livorno (Florence) and Naples in Italy; Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Patmos, and Rhodes in Greece; and Limassol in Cyprus.
Moreover, this special itinerary will feature a 17-hours visit to Ashdod, giving guests sufficient time to tour the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv and one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, Jerusalem.
In other news, the company unveiled its sailings through the summer of 2024, with itineraries featuring 35 ports across the globe. Apart from Haifa, another new homeport is La Romana, Dominican Republic, onboard Norwegian Sky. And the brand will also offer a 12-day trans-pacific voyage aboard Norwegian Jewel, from Tokyo to Seward, Alaska, including two new ports of call – Sendai (Ishinomaki), Japan, and Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
Last but not least, and just in time for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday season, the company revealed its Greatest Deal Ever, with 70% off the second guest fare, plus seven free offers valued up to $4,250. Travelers looking for the best value will be able to choose seven free offers, including open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions, WiFi, discounts for friends and family, free roundtrip airfare for the second guest, and more.
“We are proud to be able to provide our guests with an even greater selection of sailings and the best value at sea to help them plan an unforgettable cruise vacation,” according to Harry Sommer, President & CEO of NCL. “So many travelers have been looking to make up for a lost time, and now we’re providing them with unique itineraries to check off those bucket-list destinations they may have longed for over the last year and a half. These port-rich itineraries allow our guests more time to explore unique destinations like a local and indulge in the cultural experiences around them.”
If you’re looking to explore destinations like a local, NCL’s itineraries allow for truly immersive experiences, as they provide overnight stays and long port hours in sought-after destinations, including:
Alaska
On April 22, 2024, and September 25, 2024, Norwegian Spirit will offer Fire and Ice voyages – sailing to and from Honolulu and Vancouver, anchoring at the tropical islands of Hawaii and the beautiful towns of Alaska. Guests will overnight in Nawiliwili (Kauai), with island hopping to Kahului (Maui), and Hilo, Hawaii, before sailing towards the Last Frontier, where the vessel will cruise through awe-inspiring glaciers towards Glacier Bay National Park, a United Nations World Heritage Site, then dock in Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska. If you want to be the first to experience this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, the debut of Fire and Ice will take place June 12, 2022, with a second sailing on October 3, 2022.
Greek Isles & the Mediterranean
Norwegian Epic will have her debut in Trieste (Venice), Italy, and Koper, Slovenia, as part of a 14-day Grand Mediterranean sailing on December 22, 2023 – so guests can experience Europe’s iconic Christmas markets at every port. The itinerary will have zero sea days, instead offering overnight visits to Dubrovnik, Croatia on Christmas Eve, on top of Barcelona and Palma Mallorca, Spain, to celebrate New Year.
Between April 2024 and October 2024, Norwegian Escape will offer 5-10-11-days Grand Mediterranean sailings, allowing guests to spend over 105 hours exploring Mediterranean ports in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain. On the April 24, 2024 sailing, the ship will also dock in Ibiza, Spain, with a late midnight departure so that guests can enjoy some of the famous nightlife.
As of May 26, 2024, Norwegian Escape will also offer a series of 7-day roundtrip cruises from Barcelona, with zero sea days and six ports-of-call, including Cannes, France; Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, and Cagliari, Italy; as well as Palma De Mallorca, Spain.
Norwegian Pearl will offer 7-day roundtrip voyages from May 26, 2024, through October 27, 2024, sailing from Trieste (Venice), Italy, and visiting two medieval walled towns – Kotor, Montenegro, and Dubrovnik, Croatia – offering a late departure in Santorini so guests can take in the gorgeous sunsets.
Canada & New Egland
Starting September 2, 2024, Norwegian Joy will offer 7-8-day sailings from New York City and Quebec City, sailing Canada and New England itineraries. To further enjoy these beautiful destinations, travelers can plan an extended stay in each city pre or post-cruise.
Panama Canal
On November 25, 2023, Norwegian Joy will offer an 11-day itinerary from Miami to Panama City, offering guests over eight hours in all ports-of-call, including full 13 hours in Willemstad, Curaçao, ideal for a scuba diving adventure or a stroll down the picturesque pier, with its colorful colonial Dutch buildings.
The vessel will also sail on two 15-day Panama Canal voyages – from Miami on January 6, 2024, and from Los Angeles on January 26, 2024, with an overnight stay in Panama City, where guests can tour its old colonial center and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
Caribbean
Several of the company’s ships will be sailing the Caribbean, with three vessels making a first-time visit to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, plus some additional ports of call.
Norwegian Getaway will make her debut in Grand Turk on a 12-day holiday sailing on December 21, 2023, from New York City, with guests spending Christmas day in tropical San Juan, Puerto Rico; while Norwegian Joy will make her debut in Grand Turk on a summer voyage from New York City in August 2024.
On October 16, 2023, Norwegian Joy will make a debut call in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Kralendijk, Bonaire, part of a 12-day Southern Caribbean cruise from NYC to Miami.
On November 26, 2023, Norwegian Jade will visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; and St. George’s, Grenada, on a 14-day Southern Caribbean sailing from Tampa, Florida.
Bermuda
From April 9, 2024, through October 11, 2024, Norwegian Joy will offer 4, 5, and 7-day roundtrip sailings from NYC to Bermuda, with the 7-day voyages providing up to 55 hours of port time at the Royal Naval Dockyard. NCL is currently the only cruise line to offer 3-day visits to Bermuda, allowing guests to shop in the capital city of Hamilton or lunge on the famous pink sand beaches.
Northern Europe
On May 13, 2024, Norwegian Getaway will offer one 9-day roundtrip voyage from Copenhagen, and guests can visit seven countries in Northern Europe: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. In addition, passengers can fully immerse themselves in each port of call, as the itinerary allows over nine hours in each city, with 14 hours in Paris and 15 hours in Berlin.
