With the recent launch of Norwegian’s summer 2023 itineraries, cruisers have even more choices. From Caribbean island hopping to Alaskan glacier viewing to European explorations, the newly released itineraries offer experiences that will provide travellers with what they have been missing this year – an opportunity to recharge, connect and discover. The new itineraries include noteworthy firsts such as the brand’s first visit to beautiful Nessebar, Bulgaria on Norwegian Jade’s Extraordinary Journeys sailing through the Mediterranean and Black Sea; the debut of Norwegian Bliss at the Royal Naval Dockyard during her seven-day roundtrip voyage to Bermuda from New York; Norwegian Jade’s first visit to Bodrum, Turkey and Paros, Greece during her seven-day roundtrip voyage from Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and more. This is the furthest in advance that Norwegian has ever launched its itineraries, giving guests the ultimate freedom of time in this uncertain environment.
Further, to inspire guests and remind them about the unforgettable experiences available across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, the brand last week announced a new docuseries, “EMBARK – The Series,” inviting armchair travellers to enjoy a front row seat to its highly-anticipated comeback. The docuseries kicked off with a special showcase at London’s historic West End Garrick Theatre for a special reunion that brings “The Choir of Man” cast together for the first time in many months. The nearly 40-minute episode is available at www.ncl.com/embark .
“Now is the time to break free from the hold 2020 has had on us, dream big and plan for the cruise vacation we’ve all been waiting for,” said Nick Wilkinson, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Regional Vice President Business Development Middle East & Africa. “Our newest itineraries provide guests with the perfect opportunity to book, save and indulge in a cruise vacation of a lifetime. We can’t wait to return to sea, but until we can do so, we are proud to be able to provide our guests with a bit of inspiration, entertainment and behind-the scenes action with the launch of ‘EMBARK – The Series’.”
Summer 2023 notable itineraries include:
MEDITERRANEAN
· Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade will sail a selection of five to 11-day cruises through the Mediterranean from May through October. For the first time, Norwegian Cruise Line will visit the ancient city of Nessebar, Bulgaria during Norwegian Jade’s March 30 Extraordinary Journeys sailing. This nine-day roundtrip voyage from Athens (Piraeus), Greece through the Mediterranean and Black Sea includes a port rich itinerary with no sea days allowing travelers to explore a new town each day.
· On her May 21 sailing, Norwegian Jade will make her debut in Bodrum, Turkey and Paros, Greece as she embarks on a selection of seven-day Greek Isles roundtrip voyages from Athens (Piraeus), Greece, available through Oct. 15.
· From May 6 through Oct. 13,Norwegian Breakaway will offer port intensive itineraries during her 10-day Greek Isles roundtrip cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, visiting Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Cannes, France and more.
Sailing a series of Northern Europe cruises from May 8 through Oct. 17, Norwegian Getaway’s nine-day Baltic roundtrip voyages from Copenhagen, Denmark feature an overnight stay, a total of 36 hours in port, in the culturally rich St. Petersburg, Russia. The itinerary also includes calls to Warnemünde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; Stockholm, Sweden; and Helsinki featuring extended port times, from nine to 15 hours, allowing travelers additional time to absorb each city’s culture, history and art.
BERMUDA
For the first time on her May 21 sailing, Norwegian Bliss, one of the Company’s newest ships, will call to Norfolk, Virginia – the gateway to Virginia Beach and the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. The vessel will also make her debut at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda as she begins a series of five and seven-day roundtrip cruises sailing out of New York. The itineraries include two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard to allow flexibility for guests to explore its shops, restaurants and pristine beaches on their own time. After exploring the best Bermuda has to offer, guests can return to the ship and continue the adventure onboard with laps around the Speedway – Norwegian’s racetrack at sea – or unwind with a visit to Mandara Spa’s Thermal Suite to experience the Salt Room, a dramatic grotto surrounded with layers of body-cleansing salt crystals.
ALASKA
Between April 22 and Oct. 15, Alaska will welcome four Norwegian Cruise Line ships: Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun, and two of the brand’s newest Breakaway Plus Class – Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy. The ships will sail a variety of five to nine-day voyages from Seattle; Vancouver, Canada; and Seward, Alaska, and every seven and nine-day itinerary will offer a glacier experience where guests can observe these majestic wonders from the top deck as the ship sails by. Select voyages for Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun will call to Norwegian Cruise Line Holding’s new pier at Icy Strait Point where guests can disembark and immerse themselves in the wilderness and support the local shops and community.
BAHAMAS
Starting June 2 through Dec. 29, Norwegian Sky will sail three and four-day roundtrip cruises from Miami, calling to Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay – the Company’s private island resort in the Bahamas. On this retreat, cruisers can reserve one of the luxurious private villas within Silver Cove, an exclusive beachfront area on Great Stirrup Cay, recharge with a massage on the island’s Mandara Spa, or simply relax along the beachfront.
THE CARIBBEAN
Cruising roundtrip from Miami, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Sky will offer a mix of five to nine-day sailings between Eastern and Western Caribbean. The various itineraries include calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; George Town, Cayman Islands; Roatan Island, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye – the Company’s resort destination in Belize, and more. Travelers can unwind with visits to these warm tropical destinations all year-round as visits to the Caribbean start April 16 through Dec. 6.
CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND
Beginning Aug. 27 through Oct. 29, Norwegian Escape will homeport in New York City offering seven-day roundtrip cruises to Canada and New England making calls to Newport, Rhode Island; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, and Halifax, Canada. Norwegian Pearl will sail a series of seven-day open-jaw cruises to and from Boston and Quebec City, Canada from Aug. 25 through Oct. 13 with visits to Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Saguenay, Canada. For a complete list of itineraries, information about Norwegian Cruise Line ships and their itineraries, or to book a cruise visit www.ncl.com or contact a travel professional.
